The Horror, The Horror: New Build in The Stuy
Aw, man, seeing this ruined our day. Crap construction is a greater long-term threat to Bed Stuy than crime or racial tensions, in our opinion. The latter two problems can be improved over time, but an eyesore like this lasts a lifetime (or two). Does anyone know if this Lexington Avenue development is part of…
Aw, man, seeing this ruined our day. Crap construction is a greater long-term threat to Bed Stuy than crime or racial tensions, in our opinion. The latter two problems can be improved over time, but an eyesore like this lasts a lifetime (or two). Does anyone know if this Lexington Avenue development is part of a government-subsidized program or is this just the worst side of the free market in action? Who’s going to shell out $700K for this, anyway? Surely for $350 a foot one could do a little better. Heck, why not move to Gravesend.
Lexington Avenue 3-Families [Ardor NY]
Interesting perspective, Mr. Digital. Wish more brokers would chime in (or at least identify themselves when they do).
As a new agent at Ardor NY and a long time brownstoner reader (since it was brownstoner.blogspot.com) I have to say the people I work with are not “cretins” for a bunch of brokers we are actualy pretty nice. As for the square footage issue and the 4 doors out front, there are obviously 2 identical buildings on this lot. One door is for the ground floor unit and the other door leads to stairs up to the other two units.
Now enough defending my colleages. The fact of the matter is this construction is ugly as sin and as it is priced is not even a good investment. I am an investor as well and I would not look at this twice. The rent role would be no more than $3600/mo in a best case senario, which would barely cover an investment interest only arm payment much less other expenses. This pricing is outrageous and thats why these types of houses have been sitting. If your going to buy for appretiation you have got to buy something somebody rich will want to buy when the neighborhood is fully gentrified ie: something pretty like a brownstone. What proffesional is gunna come and say “Bed-stuy is so nice now, i want to buy there! Let me buy a peach brick monstrosity instead of a gorgeous brownstone…” not gunna happen.
So these things will sit and well designed places will move, end of story.
And by the way, I realize that this example is not affordable housing. Just saying that there needs to be new construction (and most of it will probably be ugly) for there to be affordable housing in New York City.
What I think no one is commenting on is that new construction is basically necessary for there to be affordable housing. If anything, that will help ease “racial tensions”
There is a HUGE lack of affordable housing in New York City, and the gentrification of Bed-Stuy definitely has its pluses, but adding to the store of affordable housing is not one of them. Most of the readers of this blog would not be buying in gentrifying areas if affordable housing was NOT in short supply.
It’s a very middle-class perspective to bemoan new construction ruining your pretty brownstones. I understand it, but I think readers of this blog need to be a little aware of the issues involved besides an ugly building.
I own a new construction in bed-stuy. I admit that its as ugly as shit. I’ve dreamed of ripping down all this damn pink brick and putting up some old red clay brick and enlarging the window openings. Keep in mind that since the structural wall is a concrete wall behind the pink brick, this is entirely possible.
Another great point is that this house is so f**king strong. The floors use 2 x 12″s with oak hardwood over 3/4″ plywood and the foundation is a foot thick poured concrete. The above grade walls are filled concrete block. Why do I care that my house is stronger then necessary?
Because I can add an extra floor and a concrete roof to hold a rooftop garden. (I checked the F.A.R. before I bought– I’ve got room to grow.) Try adding a one foot thick concrete deck (needed to hold the weight of soil and trees) on top of an old brownstone and you’ll understand what I mean when I say this house is strong.
Its going to take me years to realize my vision for this house but when its done, anyone who seems my house will begin to appreciate how flexible and desirable these ugly new houses are.
Just give me a few years.
well said, stuy blkbuttrflie and b’stoner!
I agree with the comment about B’stoner not necessarily being a bed-stuy basher and I’ll be the first defend the stuy. I think some may be taking his comments too literally.
I also feel that he makes a good point about the housing issue being a contributor to some of the problems in bedstuy and a threat in the sense that these types of developments do indirectly affect communities. aside from the obvious, if you keep building projects in a neighborhood (not to suggest that this is the projects) that obviously has a effect on the area and the aesthetic of the hood. its just a fact. so indirectly b’stoner has a point.
True. Let’s just hope we see better development in the future…
sorry, I guess that is another reminder that “tonque in cheek” does not translate properly through the internet. 🙂