WTF on Union?
Atrocious new buildings are not limited to the southern part of Park Slope, as this reader submission demonstrates. I live in the neighborhood and am super curious about what its deal is. Basically, walking past it for the past couple of years, I’ve watched as they built this fugly thing, and then…it just sits vacant….
Atrocious new buildings are not limited to the southern part of Park Slope, as this reader submission demonstrates.
I live in the neighborhood and am super curious about what its deal is. Basically, walking past it for the past couple of years, I’ve watched as they built this fugly thing, and then…it just sits vacant. It’s been vacant for more than a year now. Occasionally I’ve seen a FOR SALE sign up but then it is gone in a couple of days. What gives? Why are the small balconies encased in sheet metal? And what’s up with those plastic plants in front?
We don’t have any answers, but there sure have been a lot of mortgage transactions on the property since 2004, so perhaps the hold-up has something to do with that. Other than that, all we know is that the 5,000-square-foot POS has three residential units. Anyone have any knowledge or theories? GMAP P*Shark DOB
Thanks, NeoGrec. This would make a fascinating New Yorker or NYTimes Magazine story. I seriously havent heard a peep about this issue in the U.S. and its becoming a pretty serious one for us and the future generations of people who will have to live with our crap. Thanks. Will try to do my own research.
Dear Anon 3:46pm,
Yes, there are places in the world that encourage interesting design. For example, the UK, Germany, Holland, Sweden etc.
Urban planning in these countries involves rigorous rules covering enviromental standards (eg. it is no longer possible in the UK and Germany to build balconies without thermal barriers (preventing excessive cooling of the building through heat loss in winter and over-heating in summer), light and air rights for neighbors, historical context, aesthetic standards and much more. Creative/adaptive re-use of old industrial buildings is encouraged. The result is that in the last 20 years, Europe’s cities have improved by leaps and bounds while here in NYC for every inspired new building constructed or old building renovated, at least as many — if not more — hideous indignities are foisted upon us. These buildings are not only an affront to our senses and the historic fabric of the city, in many case they will also be the slums of the future.
It has “Astro Turf” in the backyard. What a selling point! (I live behind the building)
Who knew that Chinese workers were a sign of poor workmanship? Hell, the Great Wall is still around.
requirements=criteria (wrong word choice)
2:40 pm: I COMPLETELY agree. What would the requirements be, though? How do you tell someone “Your building is against the law on the basis of the fact that we think it looks like a turd with balconies stuck to it.”?
Are there places in the world (attractive places) that have laws that actually encourage interesting design and prohibit hideousness?
I live diagonally behind this monstrosity and all I can tell you is that it went up super fast – lot’s of Chinese workers, and the quality is horrible too, there is much rust at the back of the building and very bad brick laying, I wouldn’t be surpirsed if there are structural issues.
I’m no expert but I did live in southern Williamsburg for 20 years and it is my understanding that balconies built for those who celebrate Sukkot need to be open to the sky so they tend to not align vertically.
They did market the apartments in the fall of 2006 when i was shopping for a condo. I was living around the corner when I saw the listing in the Times. But when I walked past the building and saw how awful it was, I couldn’t muster up the courage to attend the open house. Apartments are 2 bedrooms and I think one 3 bedroom. Prices were normal for the size but not when you account for the ugly factor. (Fortunately I found something MUCH nicer a few blocks away.)