Development Watch: Grandma's House No More
Writing up yesterday’s atrocity on Underhill put us in the frame of mind to revisit another blight on the area, 478 Grand Avenue. Back in 2005, the original structure was being marketed by Corcoran as “Grandma’s House,” presumably in reference to its charming but somewhat rundown condition. A year later it had been replaced by…
Writing up yesterday’s atrocity on Underhill put us in the frame of mind to revisit another blight on the area, 478 Grand Avenue. Back in 2005, the original structure was being marketed by Corcoran as “Grandma’s House,” presumably in reference to its charming but somewhat rundown condition. A year later it had been replaced by a plywood box. And for sometime now it’s been a cinderblock eyesore. Just look at that quality design and construction! It’s a pleasure and an honor to share the same street.
Supersizing Grandma’s House [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
Grandma’s House in Clinton Hill [Brownstoner]
Denton, it won’t get a facade – it’s been like this for a couple of years at least. The developers were fined several times and issued stop work orders because they did unpermitted work. They effectively destroyed the two story timber framed house dating from the mid to late 1850s and built this. They were not permitted to do so. As I recall, their work permit was for interior renovation etc., not for additional floor or demolition of the exterior.
They’ve been trying to sell this overbuilt travesty for a couple of years or so now. It’s really too bad because the original house was cute, had a front porch, and was sold for a reasonable 500ish price (plus it was one of the oldest houses in the area).
Really a shame. I still can’t believe they just built this and destoyed the old place without appropriate permits.
ooh looky, an upside-down AT&T add
This structures are ruining the borough. And why the balconies in the front of the house? Just tacky!
denton, look at the windows. Look at their odd sizes and haphazard placement; they don’t even line up. Look at the front door barely the width of a bathroom door. Do you think this will look good when they cover up the cinderblock with stucco or synthetic siding?
These sorts of buildings are worse than ugly, they are brainless. People say they looks third-world but many third world countries have charming vernacular architecture. This makes most prisons look gracious.
Come on we all know what it’s going to look like…just like the other poorly made homes going up in Brooklyn.
What’s with the cinderblock hating? Can we wait and see what facade is put over before commenting?
I am so tired of these ugly house being built all over Brooklyn. They are cheaply made and look terrible….I see way folks in Brooklyn are fighting for landmarking. Who wants to see this crap everyday.
I like the papa-bear, mama-bear, baby-bear fenestration pattern.
very whimsical. :-/