Family Friendly in Carroll Gardens
August 31, 2005, Wall Street Journal — In New York City’s ultra-competitive condominium market, developers are looking to gain an edge with working families. A soon-to-be converted condo building in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn will offer a “Nanny Concierge” that provides everything from last-minute babysitters to advice about where parents can take their…
August 31, 2005, Wall Street Journal — In New York City’s ultra-competitive condominium market, developers are looking to gain an edge with working families. A soon-to-be converted condo building in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn will offer a “Nanny Concierge” that provides everything from last-minute babysitters to advice about where parents can take their children on weekends to recommendations for pediatricians. Abbie Newman, co-founder of Abigail Michaels Concierge, which will run the service, says it is designed as a one-stop shop for parents. “They can call up and say ‘I need a baby nurse’ or ‘where can I find a good carriage,’ ” says Ms. Newman. Jane Gladstein, a principal at Metropolitan Housing Partners, one of the companies converting the Court Street Lofts into condos, said the idea was sparked by looking around the neighborhood. “We definitely saw a lot of baby strollers,” she says.
Diversified Funding: Family Friendly [Wall Street Journal]
Hey 7:29 – I’m the one making the disparaging comments about the Court St. bldg – not Brownstoner. I find nothing wrong with folks offering their opinions or ‘impressions’.
I was young 1st time buyer once – and now after owning a house for 20 years – of fixing, renovating, dealing with tenants, the city, etc.
I think I know a hell of a lot more now than when I made that purchase. And after going to some open houses of late – it is all to often I see young people (of course most people seem young to me these days) – are so impressed by a new kitchen makeover that maybe cost the renovator $5000 in materials – so gaga – that they think the place is worth an extra $50k.
I also own a condo upstate and know well of ‘special assessments’ because underfunded reserves and neglected infrastructure.
Turns out the three negative comments yesterday–2 on this post and one on another–were all from the same person. (We can see the IP address of each comment). This person tried to create the illusion of a large pack of dissidents when it was just one pathetic jerk. We’re going to stop wasting time defending ourselves against this crap and just focus on the things the site is supposed to be about. Enough is enough.
B’stoner
We’re speechless. We seem to have become the lightning rod for every low-self-esteemed lurker in the blogosphere. Amazing. Lighten up, guys, it’s a friggin’ blog.
For most of this site’s 11-month existence, we thought of the comments as the heart-and-soul of Brownstoner.com. Recently, however, it’s really just become more of a distraction than anything else. Quite disheartening.
OE, I think you’re correct. With all the nasty attack posts on the site, this truly has been Brownstoner’s long hot summer.
This building should have been market to the young first time homebuyers, not families. This area is in my ind is not conducive whatsover to family friendly living. You have crack alley, a train that runs overhead, numerous amounts of thugs around the corner, smog and soot galore from Hamilton Avenue and the BQE and a building that’s falling apart. These spaces should have been completely renovated with a hip interior design package and the units should have been made smaller. No wonder they aren’t selling, this is Corcoran’s 3rd building to stall out along with 85 Adams & The Greenhouse Condos. Just goes to show that a muli-million dollar advertising budget gives you exposure but not brains.
Is it me, or is someone confusing some of the anon posts with things brownstoner said?
maybe another safari problem..
I have to agree with the earlier post – brownstoner is not at all as clear about “opinion vs. fact” as you state.
Maybe you can reiterate?
Sadly, the overall tone seems increasingly negative. Always some bashing going on…hate the brokers, damn developers, damn people moving into our neighborhoods are driving us out. You can blame it on the market, broker, people overpaying, etc., OR you can choose to keep the focus on the half full glass – true?
Brownstoner…to steal the phrase from Bill Maher…NEW RULE: have some real substanciated information before you start slinging half baked guesses around projecting yourself as an authority. Your “unhealty obsession” does not automatically make you an authority. Maybe you’ll clarify that one day?
Your blog has grown in popularity based on a free information share. Sad you lead with the negative…but that’s what sells huh?
I’d like to think I can continue to pick up good information from your blog and those who share but let’s take a poll, I’m sure most want the purest information they can get…but since this is your blog…you can surely give whatever slant you choose…have some decency and be clear that it’s your slant. You pretend to be “one of us” the consumer, yet you’re high on the blogs popularity…you really need to sober up. Save a good thing – Please.
i’m really curious…as a basis for comparison,
anon 7:29 and brownstoner, how old are you respectively? i’m starting to think that some of the more heated discussions on this site have a lot to do with a difference in generations. anyone else feel that way?
We are the first to admit when we don’t know a local market very well and take great pains to make clear that our opinions are just that–opinions. No one’s forcing you to visit the site, Anon. Chill.