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
They’re nice people, but I’m not going to miss their prosletyzing. It was always really annoying to have them ring your doorbell to give you a pamphlet.
1. The Witnesses do take very good care of their properties, altho when they had the chance they tore down a lot of historic buildings and replaced them with upscale generic “fedders” apartment buildings. DItto historic interiors.
2. Their workers and visitors are always nice, but they eat/love/pray within their own community and provide zero revenue to the community.
3. It will be nice to boost the local population with people who actually live here.
4. It will be nice to get the buildings back on the tax roll.
5. It’s about time ALL religions start paying taxes.
They are moving to rural NY, I consider that “upstate”.
They moved in to the Heights at the turn of the last century. In the early 1960’s they caused quite a bit of damage to the Heights when they demolished a beautiful row of Greek revival houses along Columbia Heights for their truly hideous Kingdom Hall, and also on Willow Street for their equally hideous office building there. If it had not been for the historic district status in 1965, who knows how much more historic architecture they would have erased? I’m not wild about the Witnesses, I agree that they maintain their properties nicely, but I don’t like how they distance themselves from society. For those who think that Brooklyn Heights is static and never changing, think again, this will put in play some very very valuable and prominent real estate. My question is: who will inherit all their secret underground passages and infrastrucure?
In any way, snark aside, all millenarist sects have to reinvent themselves and their mission when the end doesn’t happen.
Posted by: Maly at February 24, 2010 10:04 AM
What, HELLOOOOOOO Mr. What. Lurking here??? What happened to the predicted end of the mutant asset bubble that was to occur in October????
According to this article, the JWs moved to Brooklyn to be near shipping facilites. This is actually an interesting article that explains some of their beliefs and practices.
http://www.maykuth.com/Archives/jehov90.htm
The HQ building really would make an incredible condo conversion. Basically, would be a much better version of One Brooklyn Bridge Park (better views, much more convenient location, less BQE issues). What about all of the buildings in DUMBO? Beyond the parking lots, they own all of the interconnected buildings, as well as the crazy dorm like skyscraper. If redevelopment results in some street life near those locations, that would really grow DUMBO into being a considerably more substantial neighborhood.
Does this mean the old men in suits and bowties will stop showing up at my door? Because I’m ok with that.
Gemini, my understanding is that the JW, like other millenarist Christian sects, started out from the belief the world was coming to an end. In their case, a reading of the revelations led them to believe Wall Street’s destruction would mark the beginning of the end. Brooklyn Heights was the perfect vantage point. There is some irony that the easy commute to Wall Street buoyed their coffers.
In any way, snark aside, all millenarist sects have to reinvent themselves and their mission when the end doesn’t happen.
someone who works and lives in the heights is unlikely to be friendly. So would prefer unfriendly yuppie scum.