Gehry Officially Off Yards Project
The writing’s been on the wall for some time, but The Times delivered the official death blow in an online article yesterday afternoon: “Frank Gehry is out as the architect for the Barclays Center arena, the centerpiece of the long-delayed and financially challenged Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, according to government officials and real estate…
The writing’s been on the wall for some time, but The Times delivered the official death blow in an online article yesterday afternoon: “Frank Gehry is out as the architect for the Barclays Center arena, the centerpiece of the long-delayed and financially challenged Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, according to government officials and real estate executives who have been briefed on the plans.” Taking the reins post-bait-and-switch will be a Kansas City-based architecture firm called Ellerbe Becket. Unfortunately for all of us, The Times describes the new design as bearing a resemblance to Conseco Field as well as an “airplane hangar.” Meanwhile, Atlantic Yards Report notes that Forbes is putting the odds of the Nets making it to Brooklyn at 50-50.
Developer Drops Gehry’s Design for Brooklyn Arena [NY Times]
FCR Names New Architect for Brooklyn Arena [Reuters]
Starchitect Dumped from Atlantic Yards for Cheaper Option [NY Daily News]
Star Architect Out of Arena Project [NY Post]
Old Timer:
Sorry…I didn’t mean to shout at you. I appreciate your viewpoint, but I really don’t see the comparison to the area we are speaking about to probably one of the top 3 most densely populated areas in the United States (midtown Manhattan). And what exactly did you expect the PC richard store to look like? Clad in limestone with dormers and gold leaf? Have you seen the PC Richards in Union Square? It’s an electronics store…Brooklyn didn’t get shafted…that’s what these stores look like, for better or worse. I love old architecture and brownstones, but I’ve never walked by PC richards thinking about what an abomination it was to be honest.
11217- One thing I do know- you’ve committed blogicide several times because you have been so disagreeable and obnoxious you were the joke of the open thread for weeks. Then you came crawling back and had to apologize profusely to several people. Now you’re up to your old tricks and insult me for no reason- but I’m a piece of work. I guess I am- better than being a joke (and we can thank rob for that incredibly apropo stereotype of you.)
I’m so bored with this development. The biggest issue it faces is funding. There is no money. Who cares about the bitching and moaning. The project is flat broke.
Bxgrl – people who qualify for affordable housing under the tax abatement laws are FAR from the same demographics as the homeless…..further they are generally higher economically than the average family living in the “projects” – yet all across this city including only a few blocks away, Million dollar homes are literally within spitting distance of projects….
I think you should just drop the argument Bxgrl – because there is ZERO evidence in this city that buyers of expensive apartments (as opposed to the mega rich) wont (or even do not want) to live and be involved in communities that have significant portions of working but relatively poor people.
I disagree, you just look, well – disagreeable. This is not a discussion revolving around naming the rich. I’m glad you are well off and can live where you’d like. The larger point here is that this project was foisted on us with the promise of affordable housing for Brooklynites, with glossy brochures showing happy families strolling down verdant pathways, and a gleaming stadium and jobs, jobs, jobs.
Here we are now with nothing, no gleaming stadium, a couple of units of “affordable” housing, and far less jobs, especially since there will now be no commercial spaces other than the stadium, which is not generally a source for high paying local jobs. Parking attendants don’t really count.
This is not the fault of DDS, but FCR, the city and state.
bxgrl that is some snippy aggression you got there. Brings everything down a few notches, and there’s really no reason. It’s a pretty relevant topic that should be discussed thoughtfully — especially since your points are often valid. The crankiness just discredits everything.
I’ve been called that by a person who has admitted to being INCREDIBLY STUPID. The fact that you’d quote him shows what kind of person you really are…a person who accepts stereotypes about things YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT! Just as was said about you here in this thread!
You are a real piece of work.
In order:
The present rail yards are ugly and difficult to navigate
Yes we agree HORRIBLE is a better word
The new shopping malls are eyesores.
No the Atlantic Mall was originally an eyesore and is now just really really ugly – the Atlantic Terminal and BONY building is attractive and a vast improvement.
The Flatbush/Atlantic Avenue is a dangerous road to cross
Yeah I guess – all 6 lane roads sort of fall in that catagory
PC Richard building ? How was that ever allowed to be built?
Cause he owned the land…but yes HORRIFIC is a good description
Frank Gehry is not all that, he keeps doing Bilbao over and over and they are not well constructed.
He has some nice buildings IAC, Beekman Tower but I agree its just a name brand
Gehry was never going to do the working drawings anyway.
I have no idea – how do you?
The streets will be gridlocked during games and shows.
Maybe – lets block the building of Parking Lots ok?
Jobs created will be in security and selling popcorn.
And Building management and event coordination, and in technology infrastructure, and Advertising sales, and lighting & sound engineering, and in the trades and in lots of other stuff too
Architectural drawings will take a year and construction five, so we are looking at 2016 before the games begin. Unless we get the Olympics then stuff gets fast tracked.
Maybe – although Yankee Stadium and Citi field were done much faster
The bottom line is money. It is what Ratner (Is that a made up name)Bloomberg, Paterson and Markowitz want.
Stupid comment – do you really think Patterson or Bloomberg are going to get $ out of this???? – Patterson had ZERO to do with AY development (he is a temp and accidental Governor) and I dont think Bloomberg is looking for $
11217
Please don’t SHOUT at me… Thank you. I like to compare this development to MSG because I think that is what we will look like. Sports bars, fast food restaurant. and other businesses that cater to a transient crowd that have come for a game or show. These tend to be over-priced and generic. Also the long stretches of window-less street will be unpleasant for walkers and intimidating at night.
Do you really want to swap 11217 for 10001 ?