Downtown's Bedroom, Not Boardroom, Growth
Crain’s has a story saying Downtown has become Brooklyn’s “fastest-growing residential neighborhood,” a somewhat unexpected turn of events given that the city’s 2004 rezoning aimed to make the area the city’s third-biggest business district. The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership says 4,300 residential units have been constructed since ’04. Meanwhile, less than a third of the forecast…
Crain’s has a story saying Downtown has become Brooklyn’s “fastest-growing residential neighborhood,” a somewhat unexpected turn of events given that the city’s 2004 rezoning aimed to make the area the city’s third-biggest business district. The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership says 4,300 residential units have been constructed since ’04. Meanwhile, less than a third of the forecast 4.5 million square feet of new office space has been developed since then, and vacancy rates have gone up with the recession. Booster quote: “The boom, even since the downturn, would be the envy of any other American city, according to Joe Chan, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. Critic’s quote: “We were sold a bill of goods,” says Councilwoman Letitia James of the rezoning not living up to its promise. James says the area doesn’t have critical amenities like groceries and schools, and that more affordable housing would be welcome.
Downtown Brooklyn’s Residential Growth [Crain’s]
“By most standards, the arrival of Tiffany’s, Hermes and Whole Foods would deem a neighborhood pretty nice.”
Yeah, I know it is such a bitch now, having to commute to east midtown for all my scarves and wedding silver. If only there was a place to buy these things locally!!
“totally dead after 8pm at night”
That’s exactly what I find appealing about downtown Manhattan. I work so going out after 8PM on a week night is a rare occurrence anyway.
Most of the Brownstone neighborhoods are dead after 8pm too, which is a huge reason why people move here for some peace and quiet. Not everyone wants hipster bars right outside their doorstep. I sure as hell don’t.
I’m dating someone who lives in Williamsburg and we had to LEAVE his place last night and come to mine because there were so many drunk people outside screaming that we just wanted to escape and have some quiet.
According to wikipedia, Downtown Brooklyn already is “the third largest central business district in New York City”. So what’s the first sentence of this post mean? Is there some measure that says it’s not? What other area is, then? Just curious.
“totally dead after 8pm at night (except stone street)”
having lived there for 2 years, this was one of my *favorite* things about FiDi. you are also forgetting about the front street area, which has been completely revitalized and is now really hoppin….and not just for the tourists either.
“I’m cool w/that. Who wants a bunch of drunken yahoos making a lot of noise when I’m trying to chill after a long day? There are other places in the city to go for that.”
dead as in absolutely no foot traffic. dead as in there’s very few places to go for random stuff you may need (groceries? sorry 11217 – a 15 minute walk to whole foods doesn’t count)
it’s fine – i understand why people live there and that’s cool.
but that really shouldn’t be the model downtown brooklyn is striving for. it could be better
” totally dead after 8pm at night (except stone street)”
I’m cool w/that. Who wants a bunch of drunken yahoos making a lot of noise when I’m trying to chill after a long day? There are other places in the city to go for that.
FiDi is nice. not as nice as prime Brownstone BK but it’s nice.
“FiDi may not have the hipster bar scene that Williamsburg has but it’s still a nice area.”
yeah – nice to look at the pretty buildings and visit. but it’s depressing as hell (even more so if you work in the area) and totally dead after 8pm at night (except stone street)
what DTBK has going for it is it’s *sorta* close to other real neighborhoods (although not as close as people make it seem)