Construction on corner of Fifth Ave. & St. Johns Place
After more than a year of no activity (with just a shell of beams and some cinderblocks), construction has resumed at 137 Fifth Avenue, on the northeast corner of St. Johns Place in Park Slope. Does anyone know anything about what is planned here? The permits indicate that it is a residential development, by Traditional…
After more than a year of no activity (with just a shell of beams and some cinderblocks), construction has resumed at 137 Fifth Avenue, on the northeast corner of St. Johns Place in Park Slope.
Does anyone know anything about what is planned here? The permits indicate that it is a residential development, by Traditional Home Builders. I would assume, however, that there would be some kind of commercial enterprise on the ground floor. (Is this allowed, in a J-2 residential structure?)
What I don’t understand are the planned windows, as indicated in the picture above. Who’d want to live in a space that looks like it would let in so very little light? There is also a strange setback at the back of the building, though there is (currently) no curb cut.
All in all, it just looks like a hideous, out-of-context building is in the making here. Of course, it’s outside of the landmarked district.
With windows, it’s the view out and the light in that count.
Park Place: Thanks for the link! It does appear to be the design for this building, at 137 Fifth Avenue — and actually doesn’t look half bad in the rendering, although it looks like they may have lost the top two floors. I was wondering if the setback was going to accommodate terraces, and that seems to be the case.
My gosh, such comments! I for one don’t understand the need for a wall of glass on busy streets – it seems that such a corner would demand well placed and thought out windows to let in light and allow views without compromising privacy. I have no idea if that is the case here, but I am willing to wait for the owner to finish the job…
When you look at this thing in person, it is extremely confusing. It’s *VERY NARROW*. I can’t imagine it being a one family home, let alone multiple units. And I thought my apartment was small. Damn.
I don’t understand the openings that look as if they’re for doors – there’s no easement for stairs nor for a balcony so far as I can see.
Looks pretty cool to me.
Wonder if they aren’t going the full height any longer though.
This was on the Levenson McDavid arch site-
http://lmarch.com/137_5th_ave.htm
Looks like the same design. These guys seem to have done some nice buildings, and were slated to do the Brooklyn Co-housing site when was slated for a big warehouse near greenwood cemetary.
Looks like they opted for privacy on 5th with curtain walls on the residential street.
This site looked virtually abandoned for a long time.
I don’t get those tiny little random windows, either. They look even smaller in person than in the photo. Also, is that as high as they can go? Looks a little stubby on the avenue side, no?