Former 'Bulgarian Neo-Goth Super-Villain Crack Lair' Tops Out on Tompkins in Bed Stuy

When we last checked in on 410 Tompkins Avenue in Bed Stuy, new renderings had just been revealed.

This was a year ago, after the previous renderings provoked outrage in the neighborhood and on private email lists and Facebook groups. With its Hitchcockian birds circling a grey facade with mirrored cracks, the rendering was dubbed the “Bulgarian Neo-Goth Super-Villain Crack Lair” by Brownstoner commenters.

Now, the redesigned seven-story building has topped out. Construction crews were working Monday morning on the mixed-use building designed by Fischer + Makooi — the former of the pair referring to well-known Brooklyn architect Karl Fischer.

When the building is complete, it will have 35 units and space for shops on the ground floor. We’re expecting a grocery in the latter, since developer Vasco Ventures submitted an application for a FRESH food store in 2017.

The more traditional design mixes red brick and white stucco, with big windows, balconies — and nary a rendered bird to be seen. There will still be parking for 18 cars, according to DOB permits.

The former applicant of record was Charles Mallea, who remains the architect for a six-story residential building at the other end of the block, the site of the old Weinstein hardware store at 420 Tompkins Avenue.

Vasco Ventures is a private real estate investment group based in Midwood that specializes in acquiring distressed property and estate sales. Its founder and principal is Isay (Izzy) Ildatov. In 2016, one of the principals at the firm, Ephraim Vashovsky, was arrested for alleged tenant harassment, according to reports at the time.

[Photos by Craig Hubert unless otherwise noted]

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