Development Watch: 333 Eastern Parkway
Something’s afoot at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. The one-story commercial building that stood on the site for years is toast—but no plans have been filed yet for the building that will rise in its place. There’s one red flag out there already though: The contractor on the job…
Something’s afoot at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. The one-story commercial building that stood on the site for years is toast—but no plans have been filed yet for the building that will rise in its place. There’s one red flag out there already though: The contractor on the job is MMG construction. Remember them? Anyone know what’s going to be built here?
Update: A commenter steered us toward a rendering and description on architect Gene Kaufman’s website that sounds about right:
This new corner residential condominium building includes ground floor retail, medical offices and parking. Adjacency to a subway station and the irregular lot complicated the design and approval process. The 8-story steel-framed building contains 80,000 square feet and 61 apartments. A metal panel facade encircled by curved metal balconies gives a polished look to the first new building in the neighborhood in many years.
Is this the most upscale building that this neighborhood will have seen in recent times? GMAP P*Shark DOB
5:12 I am sure as with the other BK neighborhoods that gentrified that this corner will someday have a different vibe. Indeed, the whole point is to get in before you get outpriced. Clearly though you have to weigh saftey into the equation. There are still other affordable BK areas that do not come with the NYPD mobile command center and known Blood leaders that I would prefer over this specific location. I am African American, “on the job” and have an off-duty firearm and when I drive through there on summer weekends, I pray that the traffic lights hurry up and change.
I just move to Franklin and Prospect with hubby and kid and we love it. The vibe is certainly changing and for the better. Yes there is some street activity going on, but let me tell you I met all my neighbors in my block in 2 weeks of living there – that never happened in Manhattan. The Crow Hill Community Asso just organised a meeting with more than 100 in attendance to discuss community issues, tree planting, crime, fundraising. Lots of new faces with the old timers. Franklin is the next subway stop after atlantic and PHeights is too expensive for most people nowdays. Middle class folks looking to get a foot into NY RE will start out there and do quite well in a few years, trust me. The express stop is awesome, we are at Grand Central in 25 minutes…..Dont be detered by the crime element. You have to be careful everywhere. I wish I had invested in the EVillage when it was sketchy…..
Is there nothing to be said about the building’s style being in line with the overall look of the neighborhood or street?! Most of the buildings on Eastern Parkway have brick. This one looks like it doesn’t have a single brick in it. I notice that things in certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn just get built no matter how they look in relation to the surroundings. Not good.
Alex
Eastern Parkway is great, actually. The area at Franklin and the parkway is indeed sketchy, but there are plenty of great areas around NYC that you could say that about at one time. The new building will be one step in the gradual upgrade of this area. Crown Heights homeowners like myself will be around in the future to realize the benefits.
Eastern Parkway was once the Jewel of Brooklyn, and it could be again if rent control was abolished and zoning laws were changed. The current FAR for Eastern Parkway is a joke considering the subway is there and there are already many notable buildings that are vastly overbuilt according to existing zoning rules.
The R8 zoning regs should be extended the whole way down Eastern Parkway. Then, and only then, will we get some serious new development that will bring some real change to this hood.
Ah yes, Eastern Parkway. The armpit of Brooklyn.
2:38
you’re right, the nabe is not what it was one year ago, or six months ago. the problem is that block still is. block hasn’t changed with the surrounding nabe. but if the city can put in extra traffic crossings for the RM building on GAP, then maybe they can clean up the corner of lincoln and franklin for this thing….
That neighborhood is not what it was 1 yr ago or even 6 months ago. By the time this building is ready for sales there will be a completely different vibe.
This is also one block away from the St. Johns Heights development where units are selling in the $6-700s/sq ft. range.
http://www.corcoran.com/property/search.aspx?FP=BP&ListingID=1007249&Region=NYC
This property sits on top of an express train stop and the surrounding blocks have some nice architecture. Franklin Ave is going to do very well over the next few years.
Seriously! I live right there and though I love the neighborhood, things look sketchy, that’s for sure. I cannot believe that people with $$ to spend on nice apartments are choosing to buy there (witness 362 Eastern Parkway).
And I think it’s actually the opposite of jaded to want to preserve your neighborhood’s character.