A Century Later, Watchtower Leaving Brooklyn
The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, which in the past couple of years has begun to unload its vast portfolio of buildings accumulated in Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo over the last century, is officially pulling up its roots and moving upstate. We have submitted a proposal to the Town of Warwick to build a complex…
The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, which in the past couple of years has begun to unload its vast portfolio of buildings accumulated in Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo over the last century, is officially pulling up its roots and moving upstate. We have submitted a proposal to the Town of Warwick to build a complex there that we’re calling the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Richard Devine told the Brooklyn Eagle yesterday. The liquidation of the Brooklyn properties is not on a fast track at this point, though, because of the relatively weak real estate market. The Jehovahs Witnesses began selling back in 2007, managing to unload the Standish Arms before the market turned. A deal for the Bossert Hotel on Montague Street fell apart when RAL had to walk away from a signed contract in late 2008. In addition to its massive headquarters at 25 and 30 Columbia Heights (700,000 square feet combined), other properties in the area that still need to be sold but are not actively being market include 165, 161 and 183 Columbia Heights as well as 105 Willow Street and 34 Orange Street. We’re particularly curious about what this means for the two large parking lots in Dumbo.
After Century in Brooklyn, Watchtower Pulls Out of Heights [Brooklyn Eagle]
Jehovah’s Witnesses Plan Exodus from Brooklyn Heights [Gothamist]
Watchtower Officially Bugging Out of Brooklyn Heights [BHB]
Photo by madams girl
In defense of the Witnesses, after being silently annoyed by their proselytizing visits for years I politely told the last one who rang my bell that I had no interest in religion and didn’t want to be bothered any more. That was over 10 years ago I haven’t had a JW ring my bell since. Would that the other evangelical missionaries who go through my neighborhood were as considerate. When I tell them I have no use for religion, they insist that they’re not there to discuss religion–just bible prophesy.
Thanks for the info
very intersting. I agree though with them selling their buildings this will make for an interesting real estate market in the Hts again.
Ugh – one thing I don’t dig about them is their knowking on my door, If I did happen to answer I would politely tell them that I was catholic and tell them that our Jesus would win the ulimate battle of the Jesus’
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
You got to love religion…they have more balls than even politicians – JW predicted the end of the world (a few times I believe)…the end of the world doesnt come as predicted – so you figure ‘thats it’, they are going to have to admit their wrong and disband; nope they just “reinterpret” and go on like nothing ever happened.
It makes the “no weapons of mass destruction thing” look like Single-A ball in the ‘I dont know what the fuck I am talking about” World Series.
As for the RE angle – sounds like their divestment will be happening using a biblical time scale – maybe my Great great grandchildren will be able to score a nice apt in the old Squibb building
The Witnesses did a top notch restoration of the Bossert Hotel lobby – restoring the faux marble finish on the large columns and bringing the space back to its former elegance.
I can too, Rob. I don’t think it makes them bad neighbors. It just doesn’t make them particularly good neighbors.
I agree Ringo, religious organizations should be paying taxes, and get deductions for their actual charitable expenses.
I read all the articles. None really stated whether moving all the operations upstate or just some including ‘headquarters’. Unclear if they will maintain presence. And also no timeframe mentioned. They are submitting plans for the facilities to upstate towns. That process can drag on for years.(depending how thrilled they are upstate about the idea).
Ringo,
I totally agree with point #5.
quote:
2. Their workers and visitors are always nice, but they eat/love/pray within their own community and provide zero revenue to the community
i can think of a number of groups who do the same thing actually.
*rob*