Gehry's Design: The Park Slope Perspective
Backing away from his suggestion earlier this Spring that the Atlantic Yards project would be scaled back significantly, architect Frank Gehry presented a plan that was “pared back” a mere 5%yesterday, much to the chagrin of critics, with increased lip service to the landscape design of public spaces. There’s lots of coverage in all the…
Backing away from his suggestion earlier this Spring that the Atlantic Yards project would be scaled back significantly, architect Frank Gehry presented a plan that was “pared back” a mere 5%yesterday, much to the chagrin of critics, with increased lip service to the landscape design of public spaces. There’s lots of coverage in all the papers today of the new plans, but the picture that grabbed our attention most was on a local blog called Gowanus Loung, showing what the current plan would look like to someone standing on Flatbush and St. Marks. Although it was never going to get built, at least there was something inspiring about the shimmering facades of the original design, concerns of context aside; this latest verion just looks like a bowl full of mush.
And…Here’s the View [Gowanus Lounge]
Gehry: Towers Won’t Corrupt Brooklyn Feel [NY Times]
Revamped Arena Plan Unveiled [NY Post]
A Trim for Yards Work [NY Daily News]
I’m with Babs and Brownbomber- up to now Ratner has been small-time. A project this size will put him in the major leagures, so it’s time to do something world-class, imaginative and beautiful. Something that fits in Brooklyn, looks like it really belongs here, and doesn’t make the taxpayers eat it.
Babs, I agree. I’m simply appealing to the man’s ego. If Ratner wants to be considered in the big league of real estate developers in NYC then he needs to step up to the plate and do something extraordinary with this prime piece of property. This is the largest development project in NYC in the past 50 years. There will be no in between with AY. It’s either going to be the crown jewel of Brooklyn (to be admired for many generations) or the biggest flop in real estate development history. Ratner for better are worst will be the central figure.
Just to go way back to the beginning on the Trump vs. Ratner comparison — Trump is from NYC (Queens), Ratner is from Cleveland. Bruce Ratner couldn’t care less about making Brooklyn proud. Trump may be all about flash and sleaze and lack of taste, but I have to agree, he does strive for excellence in everything he does (even if it’s excellently tacky). Bruce Ratner strives for the cheapest construction costs possible with no regard for aesthetics or permanence of his structures (that goodness, so they’ll fall down of themselves in a generation or two). Frank Gehry is a ploy in all this; that thing shown the other day will never be built.
While I will never forgive Donld Trump for illegally (and deliberately) destroying the freizes of the old Bonwit Teller building to build the Trump Tower, I must admit it’s aged rather well, despite the incredibly tacky touches like those giant gold T’s all over. Ratner’s projects (Metro Tech, the building on Court St with the movie theatre and the B&N, the malls at Atlantic Terminal) have looked like cheap crap from the get-go.
No, I wouldn’t be thrilled by a “Trump Atlantic Yards,” but you know it would be a lot better than anything BR could produce.
interesting idea, anon at 9:39. But I believe Ratner thinks he will see a return on his money a lot sooner with luxury housing and possibly residential space would help bolster the arena since the events take place mostly at night. If the downtown core doesn’t have much nightlife, people will avoid the area. Now I don’t think that will stop Nets fans, but businesses like restaurants that make money during events need more than game nights to survive. That said, there was political and community pressure on him, and I sincerely doubt he could have gotten the abatements and the lowball price for the AY rights strictly for commercial purposes. But the real truth is Ratner doesn’t care about people and neighborhoods. He cares about money, ego and his very own team.
I’ve lived in Brooklyn for more than a decade now, and I think this is just what we need. As gentrification spreads, it’s only fitting that a “downtown” type core develop, and the location is perfect. Pretty soon, when many of you are able to walk to work, you won’t be complaining so much. My only gripe is that the project shouldn’t include housing – just office buildings. There is plenty of residential development going on. The only other concern I have is that we have to make sure brownstone districts are preserved from development. Let 4th Avenue exceed the building height restrictions. Otherwise, let’s keep things low scale and enjoy our new downtown.
good is a relative term. It could have been great but certainly isn’t now. All those people who said they wanted the arena and AY because anything was better than nothing- judging from the comments even from you guys it’s a case of be careful what you wish for. You might get it.
I think this project is great! what was everybody going to say if the entire lot was going to be built with housing projects instead, com’n this is good don’t complain…
funny, brenda, i think you’re right. if this thing gets built and the economy tanks, as it certainly will, i think the project will have more of a future as low-income housing than as lux housing.
It’s a lie, come on, they are off by one block if you’re correct. I’m not a fan of the AY project but let’s avoid infantile hyperbole.