Williamsburg Reinvented
We knew there were a lot of projects in the works for Williamsburg and Greenpoint, but had no idea that there were 130 of them, as the New York Times reported this weekend. As the article noted, “The buildings under construction now – some small, and tucked between low-slung neighbors, others rising above the rooftops…
We knew there were a lot of projects in the works for Williamsburg and Greenpoint, but had no idea that there were 130 of them, as the New York Times reported this weekend. As the article noted, “The buildings under construction now – some small, and tucked between low-slung neighbors, others rising above the rooftops with more than 200 apartments – are just the beginning of a transformation that will some day make the neighborhood look very little like Brooklyn, and more like parts of the far West Village, with sleek glass high-rise buildings and waterfront residences.” Like most things, the devil is in the details. You can’t stop “progress”, but if the development that has occurred in the past couple of years in the area is any indication, the transformation will be a complete disaster. We understand why the area holds such allure to city offiicials seeking capacity to expand the city’s housing stock, but if they are going to undertake such a sweeping initiative, we hope they will establish a governing body that will have some authority over design/aesthetics (similar to the powers of the Landmarks Commission) and the ability to balance the desires and concerns of the local community with those of City Hall.
Williamsburg Reinvented [NY Times]
All fair points, though the Scarano building on North 7th is actually quite nice on the exterior. A lot nicer than the ugly Casa building near the Lorimer L! The one unit (the resale) was lovely, finishes were good, appliances fine, although agree the stairs were shaky. Unit went for something like 715K or more. Given that initial offering price (according to the developers group website) was 625K thats a pretty tidy return in less than a year, even with brokers fees.
Okay, actually there’s 2 lines…don’t forget the JMZ, which is only 1 stop from Manhattan. As one of the first to move into the new Gretsch building, I must say, the trains come often (since there are actually 3), the walk is not bad at all, and it’s a shorter ride for me to work than my former trip on the 1/9 from Chelsea.
as for the L train issue, here’s one possible solution: remove the drivers from all trains and start closing token booths at stops with fast-growing populations like, say, lorimer.
no, no, wait, i was just kidding!
for a good example of shoddy scarano-related construction/development, one need only walk into that new ugly glass condo thing on north 7th across between bedford and driggs (171 n.7th, i think?), and try to walk up the “stairs” in any of the units. though you might want to make sure you’re fully insured before you risk it. at least one of the units is now up for re-sale (at not too much of a markup, only months after move-in, hmmm) so the opportunity is there for anyone who wants to try. not sure if it’s scarano’s fault or someone else’s, but there’s a hardly a project of his in wburg that’s worth the land it’s sitting on.
I wholeheartedly agree with Nick B’s post about the L train!!!!! Are people completely clueless? Nobody has mentioned a resolution to the transportation issue at all!
Speaking of aesthetics, the Gretsch and Schaeffer Landing are both gorgeous (at leased based on the models I saw) in terms of fit and finish. Anyone disagree? There were other apartment monstrosities that I witnessed on Broadway during my walk from the Marcy Station stop to the Gretsch though.
Good points, LTJ. Finishes are one thing; aesthetic is another. But, given all the work that Scarano/Developer’s do together, I believe, cheap is driving aesthetic.
On a related WilliB Map note… Someone told me a new ReZone map came out of last Monday’s meeting where none of the big tower buildings were proposed for the waterfront – instead all green waterfront.
Any one see this map?
Brownstoner: Please Help Gather Info on Buyer Satisfaction with Scarano/Developer’s housing projects.
Kim raises a great thought on buyer satisfication. My sense is we are in such a feeding frenzy that buildings like this not only get purchased, they sell out quickly and people overbid for them. I have heard that people are unhappy with the construction, but no one wants to say so b/c that would decrease their property value.
Once again, I plead with Brownstoner to out these guys for horrible design (obvious to all of us – see Manhattan Bridge/Jetsons rooftop) and shoddy construction (less obvious, but also true I’m sure). Clearly the Ole Gray Lady (NYT) is incapable of writing anything critical in it’s real estate section and therefore drinks the kool aid of Mr. Scarano. . .
My favorite quote: “With a 30-year fixed mortgage on a $399,000 two-bedroom apartment with a tax abatement, buyers will spend about $2,500 a month, about the same as they would spend on rent in the neighborhood.”
Of course, in the sidebar the cheapest 1 bedrooms were selling for around $500K, so exactly where the buyers are finding these two bedrooms is a mystery.
On the whole though I think it’s a good thing, it’s more housing for a city that needs it, and honestly so much of williamsburg/greenpoint is already so mediocre architecturally the new construction isn’t going to hurt the atmosphere much.