Goodbye Tribeca, Hello Gowanus
As one of the increasing numbers of folks who discover Brooklyn as they are confronted with the changes and challenges that accompany parenthood, we enjoyed this week’s The Hunt column about the Millard family. Having been prescient or lucky enough to buy a Tribeca duplex a decade ago, the Millards found themselves in the enviable…
As one of the increasing numbers of folks who discover Brooklyn as they are confronted with the changes and challenges that accompany parenthood, we enjoyed this week’s The Hunt column about the Millard family. Having been prescient or lucky enough to buy a Tribeca duplex a decade ago, the Millards found themselves in the enviable position of being able to cash out of Manhattan and buy a frame house in Gowanus for half the price when the events of September 11 forced them to take refuge in Cobble Hill for six weeks. The outside is attractive but it looks like the interior, from what we could see in the backdrop of the family photo, is lacking in original detail.
Goodbye Tribeca, Hello Gowanus [NY Times]
I live in this neighborhood (renting) and had a bit of a laugh at their expense when I read this article. The price may have been right, but what’s good about living in an area with very few bar and restaurant options, no park nearby, ok transportation and an excess of hookers? One can get their flat tire fixed easily, though!
I live on the same block as these folks, and while none of us have a ton of “original detail” on our homes, there has been a huge effort to update our facades to clapboard siding with improved cornices. So far we haven’t gotten rid of our own vinyl siding exterior, but we have plans to keep up with our neighbors within the year – our block is getting to look very special and we want to be part of the overhaul.
Good for them for striking it rich, but what was so prescient about buying in Tribeca in 1995? The NYT article made them sound like intrepid urban pioneers. As I recall, some obscure guy named JFK Jr. was living there in the mid-’90s. Robert DeNiro opened the Tribeca Grill in 1990. Montrachet was there in 1985. Who was eating there back then — gang bangers and rats?