Greene House Condos Netting $1,000 a Foot
This week Brooklyn Papers expresses surprise that the $1,000 per square foot barrier in Brooklyn was broken in, of all places, Fort Greene. Under the watchful eye of local dynamo Jerry Minsky, 22 out of 27 units at the Greene House condos have sold, with the three penthouses going for more than $1.2 million apiece….
This week Brooklyn Papers expresses surprise that the $1,000 per square foot barrier in Brooklyn was broken in, of all places, Fort Greene. Under the watchful eye of local dynamo Jerry Minsky, 22 out of 27 units at the Greene House condos have sold, with the three penthouses going for more than $1.2 million apiece. Located at Carlton and Greene, the 11-story building is just outside the Fort Greene Historic District, so residents don’t have to worry about other equally out-of-place constructions blocking their views of brownstone neighbors. We don’t have any particular beef with the project, not having been inside, but frankly we just don’t understand paying double the per square foot price of brownstone space for characterless apartments. Sure, we understand that the convenience of condo living is preferable to many, but for $1,000 a foot? Nah.
$1G a Square Foot in Fort Greene [Brooklyn Papers]
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Right — but to Brooklynites brownstones are special architecturally whether we’re architecture students (as if that gives you more of an appeciation) or not. On the upper east side most of these brownstone look-alike buildings built by anonymous builders were torn down to make way for the new white boxes, taller, able to fit more people… If your point is that things change and evolve, I agree. Architecture does and should change. But that’s beside the point.
Brownstones in Brooklyn are special if for no other reason than as Manhattan has demolished brownstone after brownstone Brooklyn has by and large retained its historic character thus far.
In terms of the London comparison, yeah, ok, and compared to the mansions along the Grand Canal in Venice Brooklyn brownstones would resemble the garbage that washes up in the canals but that doesn’t mean that Brooklyn brownstones aren’t unique in their own way or possessing of great character (and by the way often their character is even better visualized when you see a block of brownstone after brownstone, each somewhat similar and yet very different). History is unique to place (London architecture preceded ours) so it’s not quite fair to begin comparing European architecture to Brooklyn architecture.
The last point is actually well taken and I too own a brownstone. One reality check I got not too long ago is from people that live in London – our brownstones there would be considered at best renovated former working class housing. The architecture is not very interesting (with obvious exceptions) and let’s face it most of them (that are affordable now) are actually cramped, dark rowhouses that one would see in old mining towns throughout the U.K.
I love mine for the sense of independence, not having someone running around above my head and freedom to change a lot of things (if landmarks allow it!)
As much as I like brownstones, (I bought one). I’m sick of people thinking that its some kind of special architecture. Hey people all your brownstones were built by anonymous builders from 100 years ago, they all look the same more or less. Same as these new ‘white boxes’ which are built by anonymous builders. Unless your house was custom designed by a well known architect don’t think that its anything special. They just happen to look like antiques cause well that’s what they are. I studied Architecture, and believe me the ‘Brooklyn Browntone’ is not even a blip on the radar of Architectural history.
Just the thought of Jerry Minsky making that kind of money horrifies me…
How about another point of view, from one who is buying a penthouse at GreeneHouse. First, I paid much less than $1,000/sq ft. The apartment has about 1450 sq ft intererior and 1000 outside. Even ignoring the outdoor space, at $1.2 million that’s less than $850/ sq ft.
Second, because the tower is set way back, from many street angles it is barely visible. And let’s face it. It is at the edge of the district, with many of the prime blocks far away from its shadow. I do feel sorry for folks who lost some light because of the building, but anyone who buys a brownstone because they love light would have to be a little nuts.
With only 27 units, the building houses about as many people as there might have been had houses been built on the large lot. The residential tower takes up a relatively small portion of the lot.
I chose GreeneHouse because it offers a blend of old and new. I happen to love contrasts; uniformity can be so boring. And I honestly believe that in the long run the project will benefit the neighborhood by providing alternative housing choices for those who cannot afford or don’t want a brownstone.
Wow… G. Coslow has some pretty intense feelings on this (and understandably so). In January I attended an open-house for a brownstone in Fort Greene which was right behind the Greene House and one of the sole reasons I chose not to make an offer was due to this unsightly construction that was going up. The open-house I attended had a deck off the third floor and garden out back but these things frankly became areas I wouldn’t enjoy due to the monolith behind. I for one am all for modern architecture but I also believe architecture has to blend with its environment. You know, you can’t even speak of this building when talking architecture — it’s that bad. I completley agree with you too Brownstoner. I for one live and own in Clinton Hill — how can we get more involved and prevent this crap from going up in the first place? Or is my naivete getting hold of me again and was this being erected regardless? What a mistake…
The Greene House is a piece of crap. It looks like it was plopped onto the lot without any care for the neighboring buildings. That thing is in my backyard–which was virtually destroyed because the developers pushed the Greene House out as far as they could encroaching on the surrounding properties. They destroyed a community garden for it without warning and gutted the cable and phone lines. My service has only recently begun to resemble what it was before that monstrosity was built.
And I swear to god it even blocks out the sun. Modern design is great but that thing is the architectural equivelant of a yuppie’s abortion. I wouldn’t fart in the general direction of the Greene House and anyone who would pay so much to encourage the destruction of a neighborhood’s characters is a scumbag.
whoops…too late
here are some pics from this building courtesy of another blog…
http://ltjbukem.blogspot.com/
my girlfriend used to live in the apt building across the street from this condo and after visiting the area recently, this building sticks out like a sore thumb.
i’m all for great modern architecture, but this is an eyesore.