Bricolage New-Build in Red Hook Ready (Already)
The Bricolage-designed building at the corner of Richards and Coffey in Red Hook appears done. According to The Real Estate, this is a pair of 3,400-square-foot carriage houses and not one multi-unit building. While it looks like the architect tried to make this nicer than his average fare (and we’ll give him credit for the…
The Bricolage-designed building at the corner of Richards and Coffey in Red Hook appears done. According to The Real Estate, this is a pair of 3,400-square-foot carriage houses and not one multi-unit building. While it looks like the architect tried to make this nicer than his average fare (and we’ll give him credit for the windows), it still looks odd to us. Are these on the market yet? Who’s got the listing?
Red Hook: Where Time Really Stands Still [The Real Estate] GMAP P*Shark
Halden, I agree that a cornice would definitely leave it looking less “bald” (I always feel old buildings look weird without their cornice) but I think the Italianate style windows and the blocky bottom are nice.
Further to my post above, compare this to the condo of the day today (434 Waverly). Both are new buildings designed to look like carriage houses. But 434 Waverly LOOKS right, historically. Coffey Street is so obviously new, and they just plain got it wrong.
Personally I’d prefer a new building that fit in by looking new, and didn’t try to be old. But if you are going for a historical look, get it right.
This thread is complete proof that the naysayers will never be happy with anything. If pleasing the ‘public’ was a criteria, a developer would be smart to build Feders houses b/c at least maybe he’d save some $ in exchange for the critisim that EVERY new building seems to get.
Halden please post one example of a building built in the last 50 years that meats your definition of “right”
For me its neither fish nor fowl – while it has some old timey decoration, its not in the least bit historical.
The details are ALL wrong (seriously – Bricolage seems to think that keystones somehow give a building class). As others have noted, a cornice (or even a decorative parapet) would have gone a long way to helping this. The pattern of the windows is pretty dopey, and the stone water table on the front is very dopey.
On the whole, this is better than average for Bricolage. But I guess my basic point is build it old or build it new, but get it right.
How about a parapet. Would have balanced it out and give it a nice touch to cap off the building.
I can’t find them on Bond NY’s site…have they sold already?
According to Websters, “frugly” is a contraction of “frugal” and “architecturally”. It means that while the developer was “frugal”, s/he was still able to render something pleasing “architecturally”. I think this could actually end up being a valuable addition to Brownstoner’s lexicon.
I agree that arched windows on the 2nd floor would help as would some decorative additions at the roof line. One of the things that bothers me most about much of the new construction is that the tops of the buildings are stark. Some decorative brickwork would move this from good to great. On a scale of one to ten I’d give it a 6.5.
A cornice would have been a nice addition, but, compared to a typical Fedders building, this is pretty good.