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We’re loving the looks of this brick three-story house at 1372 Dean Street in the Crown Heights North Historic District. From the outside, that is. Who could resist that rounded tower? The inside, however, is looking a little worse for the wear and makes the asking price of $1,250,000 little more than a pipe dream in this market, in our opinion. What’s more, this place is chopped up into a five units, which presents its own set of potential drawbacks. (Three of the apartments are currently rented.) On the positive side, there’s a driveway with room for two cars. We just don’t see how a place like this is going to clear a million bucks in this environment.
1372 Dean Street [Century 21] GMAP P*Shark


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  1. 11233, as the gospel song goes, “change is a-comin'”, but realistically, it’s going to take a while. Nostrand Ave is our largest and most commercial street. While many progressively minded people have wanted to add some much needed new retail and dining to this block, it is a hard sell. Apparently, most of the commercial buildings are owned by a couple of owners, who probably picked them up for a song in the 70’s, when middle class merchants gave up on the area. For whatever reasons, the rents on these spaces, when they become available, are sky high, and the area is frankly, pretty seedy, with notable exceptions, so no one is rushing to be the first to open a better class of restaurant, or a more upscale shop of some kind. I am sure that once someone does, and is successful, the floodgates will open for more. This is not just for newcomers, either. Most people I speak to, from very varied backgrounds, would welcome new businesses. No one is happy with what we have now.

    Kingston and Bedford are our other commercial streets. Bedford is getting some interesting movement going, I think it will actually be changing the way Franklin and Classon are changing, and I predict we will be trucking over to Bedford well before Nostrand Ave gets it together.

    Kingston has possibilities. The architecture supports the idea of small shops and cafe/restaurants. Unfortunately, there are a lot of abandoned and ill-used apartment buildings on large stretches of Kingston, and until those are rehabbed, big changes are not forthcoming. I do know that a couple of people are planning at least one coffee shop, and perhaps resurrecting the old Kingston Lounge, a wonderful space for a good restaurant to emerge.

  2. Montrose, maybe it’s too late and just I’m fartin into the wind here, but I stand by my comments that “Most people would not want to live there.” These aren’t “fighting words” but a simple refletion upon reality. Why would the exact same building cost three times more in Brooklyn Heights or Park Slope than Crown Heights? It’s because most people, and not just rich whites, but most people prefer the former two neighborhoods to Crown Heights. Most people also prefer Van Gough to me which is why his paintings cost more.

    And as for Bxgirl’s statement that “if you aren’t comfortable in mixed neighborhoods, if you aren’t comfortable around people who aren’t from your income level or background” this neighborhood is not for you. I see, my criticism of Crown Heights means I might be an elitist or even worse a racist, huh? Well, on the weekends I regularly go for two hour walks – up Third to Prospect Park, cross Flatbush Avenue and then into the Botanical Garden. That’s why I love Park Slope it’s not because I feel more “comfortable with people from my background.” When I moved into this neighborhood years and years ago, it was completely different but it had the Park and the great housing stock. It’s an insulting thing for you to say and your assumptions reflect very poorly on you.

    Ughh.

  3. Shit. So the What is right. I’m bored.

    I’m back to my original contention that getting rid of “guests” meant getting rid of a certain degree of spontaneity, honesty, creativity and drama. And yes, mean nasty little fights I found amusing.

    We’ve also lost easily 75% of the voices and the opinions.

  4. “Hey What–when you had this listing (as you say in an earlier comment) what did you offer it at? Better not be anywhere close to this price or you will have been a part of the creation of the mutant bubble.”

    The people was trying to see this house for 850k in 2005. It was put on the Brooklyn MLS by 2 Brokers, 2 times. At this period of time the price of 850k was too steep. Now they want 1.2 million, yep good luck with that.

    I still have access to the Brooklyn MLS.. Plus if you find a Agent or a Broker affiliated with BMLS, they can show you the house and get a spilt of the commission.

    http://www.brooklynmls.com/ Access the public side and search.

    “Hey What, how’s your SKF holding up today? Wells Fargo upped its dividend and reported better-than-expected earnings. They’re actively soliciting new mortgage business. CitiBank reports Fri. What are you predicting?

    LEH up 25%, FNM up 31%, C up 13%. DJIA soaring. Oil crashing.”

    Yep Short bus rider, let me help you adjust your helmet. When The Corporations start reporting 2 quarter numbers, they are going to be dreadful! The Financial sector is going to get killed. I hope that no one is long on anything. This is a bear market and you will get vaporized in a instant. Plus this is a nice re entry point for shorting. BTW Citibank, WAMU and Wachovia are insolvent! I suggest you take you money out of there ASAP!

    The What

    Someday this war is gonna end…

  5. Montrose: When does your book come out? (I am only half joking.) bxgrl, are you contributing?

    MM / bxgrl: What new amenities are coming to this neck of the woods? What avenues seem to be generating the most change? Would love to know.

    Thanks.

  6. Brooklynnative I have to disagree with you every brownstone neighborhood in Manhattan has large apartment buildings around the corner. The UWS and UES even Park Slope with the huge buildings on PPW west and 8th ave had no problems with having large buildings close by.

  7. Looking at the influx of new people coming to the neighborhood, I would say you’re wrong, Brooklynnative. CHN gets a bad rap from people who don’t live here and have probably never set foot here. I’m not saying it doesn’t have its problems but this neighborhood has remained fairly stable over the years because not only have many families owned their homes, but it is filled with working families of all income levels. It also has a strong sense of community, and sure some blocks are sketchy, but overall this section, especially in the landmarked area, are great places to live.

    I will say this- if you aren’t comfortable in mixed neighborhoods, if you aren’t comfortable around people who aren’t from your income level or background, if you are looking for CHN to become Park Slope, if you want lots of amenities, this isn’t the place for you. Not that we don’t want amenities (we do, we do!), but CHN and Bed-Stuy have had to fight harder to get them and they are coming, albeit slowly. I’ve lived here 5 years, and I would never go back to Bklyn Hgts.

  8. Brooklynnative, you certainly have a jaundiced view of the neighborhood. Also your memory is severely flawed. There are no large apartment buildings that close to Dean. The closest are over a block or more away, and very few of them are all that awful. If you are referring to the large apt building across from the side entrance of 1265 Dean, that is a very quiet, very conservative and proper senior residence. The residents there are more likely to go upside your head with a tea cup for even suggesting otherwise.

    Not all apartment buildings are filled with the poor or downtrodden, some are co-ops. Don’t judge books by their covers, and make assumptions about what you don’t know. I live a block away from Dean, and I know what I’m talking about. We’re not perfect, but blanket statements like “Most people would not want to live there.” are fighting words. That’s blatent code leading to tired topics I really don’t care to visit tonight.

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