Triangular Tower for Fort Greene Revealed
Two weeks ago, while we were asleep at the wheel, the Clarett Group unveiled the plans for its 28-story residential tower at 230 Ashland Place that some are calling the Flatiron Building of Brooklyn. The 288-footer can be built as-of-right, meaning no special variances are needed. FXFowle, the architecture firm behind the project, said that…
Two weeks ago, while we were asleep at the wheel, the Clarett Group unveiled the plans for its 28-story residential tower at 230 Ashland Place that some are calling the Flatiron Building of Brooklyn. The 288-footer can be built as-of-right, meaning no special variances are needed. FXFowle, the architecture firm behind the project, said that the building will incorporate limestone-looking bands between the largely glass-encased floors to help it fit into the brownstone neighborhood. If this is done right, we think it could work aesthetically. Given its close proximity to Flatbush, we’re less worried about sheer size than the aesthetics of the finished product and its impact (population, traffic, etc.) on the Fort Greene community. After the whole Frank Gehry experience last summer, we’re pretty jaded about buying into the early drawings which are often no more than marketing tools to win over the local community. We’ll see though. Do people think this is too big no matter what or do you think there’s a chance it can work contextually. We’re not writing it off yet.
Another Towering Condo [FG Courier] GMAP
Flatiron Building in Brooklyn [Curbed]
This looks much better than Ratner/Gehry’s AY
I love the modern buildings that are coming into Brooklyn. We need some high modern to mix-up with the brownstones, a la Richard Meier in the West Village. It works, I think – quite fabulously.
I will say this, however, we need to LANDMARK brownstone blocks so that they aren’t destroyed! Save the modern stuff for the empty lots.
The real crime in Brooklyn are the “Feder’s” buildings and Atlantic Center/PCRichards structures.
I like it…
I think it looks great too. I like the blend of new buildings developing around here.
This looks clean and appropriate.
The coolest thing about the BAM Harvey is that it ISN’T perfectly “restored” but instead has a mix of old and new elements. I think the neighborhood overall can benefit from this sophisticated design approach.
Renovated neighborhoods often result in a gooey sentimental mix of Holly Hobby / Little House on the Prairie / Hallmark / Home Depot Victorian masquerading as good taste. We could do with a little less of that.
Way, way too big.
I like the shape of the building. I live in FG/CH and do not think the size is an issue. This is on the edge of downtown, not in the middle of a brownstone block. I’m not thrilled with the “skin” of the building, but don’t think it is that bad. If they tried to clad it in brownstone as opposed to limestone, it would look to heavy I think (and we don’t really need an enormous brownstone).
Overall, as a FG/CH resident, I think this is a good thing. I like the idea that there is going to be commercial space with awnings over the sidewalk downstairs. Hopefully, high end stores/grocery will take up that space. That stretch of Fulton is pretty desolate, and was prior to demolition of the old buildings too.
Which one? Its looks very Seventies.
Grandpa, what’s wrong with the design? IMO, it looks like any other luxury highrise apartment building in Manhattan.
I second that opinion! UGLY UGLY UGLY. Its out of context, which isnt even the main problem. But that lazy design is going to look soooo dated in a few years. Will be an eyesore before long- Ill bet cha! Urgh….