FCR Getting Out The TNT
In January, Forect City Ratner will take the first visible step in its plan to turn the area surrounding the Atlantic Yards into a giant commercial and residential complex by demolishing 9 million square feet of space across six existing buildings. Five of the buildings – two former auto-repair garages on Pacific Street, two unoccupied…
In January, Forect City Ratner will take the first visible step in its plan to turn the area surrounding the Atlantic Yards into a giant commercial and residential complex by demolishing 9 million square feet of space across six existing buildings. Five of the buildings – two former auto-repair garages on Pacific Street, two unoccupied apartment buildings at Dean Street, and the Underberg Building (pictured) on Atlantic Avenue – are near the western end of the project’s proposed site. The sixth is farther east, on Dean Street near Carlton Avenue. Citing a study that shows severe structural problems resulting from water damage, FCR claims there is an urgency to the demolition. Not surprisingly, the project’s critics think it’s more smoke and mirrors. What do you think?
Another Step for Brooklyn Project [NY Times]
Underberg Building [Lightning Field]
The 3rd and 4th comments are hilarious but yet so true.
I thought those lights were always on on the Williamsburg Savings Bank. All I know is that during the blackout of 2003, the WSB was the only building with electricity and was a beacon to those of us trying to walk home. That, and it was the only place with working ATMs where I could get money.
The Underberg Building features prominently in Lethem’s Fortress of Solitude, which is an awesome book especially for Brooklyn people.
The Underberg Building features prominently in Lethem’s Fortress of Solitude, which is an awesome book especially for Brooklyn people.
Really, I’ve lived in sight of the W’burg Savings Bank for six year and only recently have I noticed the dome being lit from the inside? I thought maybe the new condo converters fixed the lighting or something. They have finally fixed the clock faces where the hands were not lit for the past year or so.
The dome of the Wmsbg Bank Building has always been lit including the clock hands. It was recently not lit for a while, don’t know why.
Ah, yes, the condo conversion has begun. Was it here that I read they found really high levels of mercury in some parts of that building, the revenge of the displaced dentists?
What a fabulous places those would be — however being next to the horrors of Ratnerville will certainly put a damper on prices — who wants to move next to a 16 year construction site only to finish having one’s views and light blocked by towers?
Anyone notice that in the past few weeks the dome of the W’burg Saving’s Bank Bldg is lit up at night, apparently from the inside, not just the clock hands? It looks good.
If FCR makes the study public, that would help us all understand this better, wouldn’t it?