North 8: Shangri La on the East River
In an email trumpeting the fact that 8 out of the 40 units at Toll Brothers North 8 project in Williamsburg have sold comes this promotional photo(shop) of what’s supposed to be the pastoral view out the front door of the condominium building, complete with giant butterfly. (C’mon, at least throw in a bike path…
In an email trumpeting the fact that 8 out of the 40 units at Toll Brothers North 8 project in Williamsburg have sold comes this promotional photo(shop) of what’s supposed to be the pastoral view out the front door of the condominium building, complete with giant butterfly. (C’mon, at least throw in a bike path or a railing along the river.) While we can’t imagine anyone who’s ever set foot in Williamsburg buying that story, they may not need to: When we walked past the sales office on Bedford Avenue on Saturday there were several middle-aged people who looked like they weren’t from Williamsburg. In fact, they looked a lot more like they were from Scarsdale. Is this really the future of North Brooklyn? A suburban substitute for aging baby boomers? GMAP
Toll Brothers in the Burg: 49 N. 8th Coming [Brownstoner]
On Celebrating Unimpressive Percentages [Curbed]
I’ve been living on the Northside (North numbered streets in Williamsburg/Greenpoint) for over 15 years…I’ve seen it all. Here are some thoughts:
* the closed Fire House – interesting that once they closed it, insurance companies told local homeowners they won’t insure them – maybe these homeowners will sell to deep pockets in the know?? And then (you watch…) the firehouse will re-open, of course, and the new property owners will have no problemos with the insurance (let’s place bets on when the firehouse reopens and how big the tower shadows are at that point in time…
* the lack of continuity in new development – the sheer number of uglified new buildings or renovated warehouses is truly disturbing and sad. This part of Brooklyn deserves to be assisted in ensuring that what ever is built is esthetically pleasing…and pleasing to most, not some avant garde architectual grad students or full-timers looking for a cool project to chat about over the next overpriced salad at some ‘got-to-be-seen-in trendy bistro. You know exactly what I mean here.
* less 99 cent stores – man, have we got lots. New development=new people=more money=people who want to shop in nicer stores. 99 cents stores have a place – I use ’em too. BUT… new shops and stores are definitely welcome.
* Parking – parking is already a big worry. Cramming in more people into towers and converted warehouses means more and more cars…Maybe we’ll see more bikes, moped and vespas?
* Community Board – corrupt and ineffectual – except for their own interests. Been like that for years; part of the big Dem machine. There are too many topics they could rally around, but never will. Ex. the new development; soundness of buildings (lots of violations are reported in many places); esthetic considerations; why let a tower be proposed in the midst of 3-4 story buildings; etc. The community board manages the money the City appropriates for the nabes. Need we say more???
* Infrastructure – just where do we think all these new residents will work? And what forms of transoportation will they use to get there?? Oh I know, the L train. Watch the 61 bus discharge its crowds of passengers at North 7th street; watch how many people come out of the trains ALL THE TIME (it feels like rush hour at 10 PM!!). How will the single-tubed L train handle all the increased volume of commuters?? The crowds on the subway platform at the Bedford Ave. stop on most days can be 4-5 deep. Then you have to let 1-3 trains go by before you can squeeze in one. Ferry boats? Nice, but we will need lots and they will always be cost-prohibitive. And are they discharging passengers to convenient stops in Manhattan or any other Borough?
* Toxic worries – the largest oil spill going and it’s being cleaned up by beaurocrats, politicrats, oil execucrats. Translation: “any day now…”The NEW! Beverly Hillbillies will be here drilling for oil, before it gets appropriately cleaned up. The new reports of Methane gas seeping up through the ground. Nothing like the smell of farts everywhere you roam to make you fell cozy and at home. Waste treatment plant – it already is overstuffed, keeps spritzing the air with eau du poops. I’m too depressed to go on listing the problems…
Parks and green spaces – McCarren Park is so used, it’s a wonder there is any grass there at all. The old McCarren Pool is now being used for alternative rock festivals/concerts. Nothing “green ” about that. Not sure how we could get more park, but parkifying lots of the waterfront would be a big start.
Movie theaters – Williamsburg and Greenpoint used to have many. Now there are none. We need one. How come no developer with money to burn on towers, etc. hasn’t figured out the cost benefits of opening up a multiplex? If you build it, they will come!!
* Bowling lanes – another immediate hit with the neighborhood. If you build it, they will come!!
That’s all for now.
The Greenpoint Falcon
The Scarsdale-looking people were likely from Ohio and in town to buy something for their newly graduated son or daughter, who simply MUST live in Williamsburg in a radius of not more than four blocks in each direction from the Bedford L train.
Seriously, I got those questions all the time, especially at the end of a difficult and fruitless apartment search: “Is there anything I can BUY?”
Unbelievable location, mediocore building. Toll is a public company and it out of touch with the market in Williamsburg. The ceiling heights are 9 feet. The 1450 sq/ft 3 beds are really only 1200 sq ft. Small rooms. So they are asking over $1000 a foot. Other than a great view that is guaranteed forever, not much going for it.
Take a look at the Mill Building a few blocks away. Prices are half and the spaces huge with 11 foot plus ceiling and premium fixtures.
Williamsburg continues to change and it is becoming very clear that NYC is loosing its “edge” the subcultures that once thrived in NYC are all loosing steam to the mainstream. art, music, nightlife. Williamsburg is so over. very sad indeed.
Yes, and Williamsburg will be a suburban substitute for us aging post-boomers.
I thought park slope was a suburban substitute for aging baby boomers.
The middle-aged people were probably there co-signing for their children or grandchildren. More trust fund kids!
I heard the closed firehouse up the block is scaring people off. Where
are the sailboats?
This montage perfectly encapsulates the New Williamsburg. That Doctoroff is a genius.