110 Amity: Mews Out, Bigger Townhouses (Probably) In
We did a double take when we saw 110 Amity Street, under its Henry Street address, listed at an undisclosed price on Massey Knakal’s website. The Landmarks Preservation Commission earlier this year rebuffed Lucky Boy Development and Time Equities’ proposal for the property, which most controversially created a gated walkway fronting a row of townhouses…
We did a double take when we saw 110 Amity Street, under its Henry Street address, listed at an undisclosed price on Massey Knakal’s website. The Landmarks Preservation Commission earlier this year rebuffed Lucky Boy Development and Time Equities’ proposal for the property, which most controversially created a gated walkway fronting a row of townhouses behind the Lamm Institute, formerly a nurses’ quarters. Locals, politicians and preservation groups lined up at the hearing to oppose the plan, saying it was too different from the surrounding Cobble Hill historic district. The local community is vehemently opposed to this development that changes the block structure around to create a gated community, shoe-horned into the block only to maximize profit,” said an email from a resident opposed to the project.
Lucky Boy principal Jonathan Wachtel said the Massey Knakal listing is old, from when the property was first purchased last year for $6.125 million. “Technically it may still be for sale. We’re not in negotiations with anybody, and at this point our intention is to build the project ourselves…But of course, at the right price anything is for sale.” He said they’ll return to Landmarks within the next few months with some major adjustments. The eight condos inside the early 1900s building will likely remain in the plan, as well as the expanded rooftop bulkhead to accomodate penthouses. But the mews will mostly likely be replaced by much larger, street-facing townhouses with backyards and gardens. “I still think it was a very interesting, very good design, but the community spoke and landmarks listened, so we’ve moved on. Most likely, it would be a more traditional townhouse configuration.” Because the townhouses would be bigger than the mews houses, they would cost more. A new firm, BKSK Architects, would design the townhouses, said Wachtel. RKT&B would still do the Lamm conversion from medical offices to residential.
110 Amity Proposal Takes a Drubbing at LPC Hearing [Brownstoner]
Opposition to 110 Amity Plans Grows [Brownstoner]
Yowza! The Lamm Institute’s For Sale [Brownstoner]
I live around the corner on Congress, between Henry and Clinton and I think the original plan was well designed and very much in keeping with historic precedents such as the Warren Place Workingmen’s Cottages (built in 1878).
The fact that a few small, cranky and selfish nimby’s wield so much influence on these issues is disturbing. I honestly don’t see how classic lowrise townhouses infilling a weed-strewn, feral cat infested lot is a bad thing.
God forbid there’s an increase in housing inventory in the neighborhood. Then maybe people of color would move here in more numbers, instead of just taking care of everyone’s spoiled children.
Get me out of here already…
When does LICH dispose of the unused or sparingly used property on the south side of Pacific Street near Henry, beside the (similarly underutilized) little park at the southeast corner of Pacific and Henry?
I have to imagine LICH facilities management is studying what to do with that building. Conditions might be different if it was being used, but there’s never any traffic in or out.
For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why the community was opposed to the original mews plan. I love the idea of breaking the monotonous square block grid and creating a denser, more intimate mews street. Great for variety and lots of historical precendence for this in Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights.
It is nice to know Jonathan Wachtel is talking to Brownstoner because he has not been in communication with the community. At the CB6 meeting this coming Thursday night (April 24th) the community will be waiting to see what will be presented this time. Hopefully Lucky Boy and Time Equities will listen to the community this time around. Time will tell!!
“But of course, at the right price anything is for sale.”
Truer words were never spoke.