Sneak Peek at the Firehouse Condos on Dean
Remember when we said we’d let you know when we were shilling? Well, we suppose this qualifies, but we’re hoping there’s something in it for you. Namely, the first look that anyone’s had inside the Firehouse condos at 735 Dean. What’s in it for us? Listing broker Aguayo & Huebener is going to be taking…
Remember when we said we’d let you know when we were shilling? Well, we suppose this qualifies, but we’re hoping there’s something in it for you. Namely, the first look that anyone’s had inside the Firehouse condos at 735 Dean. What’s in it for us? Listing broker Aguayo & Huebener is going to be taking out an ad next week for the property. And so the world goes round.
Armed only with our camera and a healthy set of conflicts of interest, we crossed Atlantic early yesterday morning, headed up Underhill and hung a right on Dean. The original facade (not surprisingly our favorite design element of the project) is about all that remains of the old firehouse; the developer maxed out his as-of-right FAR in adding additional space atop the original structure to create seven units. In our opinion, the biggest selling points of the apartments–which include two duplexes, four simplexes and one triplex and range in size from 712 to 1,192 square feet–are light and outdoor space. We don’t get too excited about the finishes and fixtures that tend to dominate new condo offering promotional literature, but these looked decent enough to us (the word “European” kept cropping up).
Given the low density of the surrounding nabe, the terraces have good views, with the shabiness of some of the neighboring lots balanced out by the beauty of the cathedral on Pacific. Another consideration is the block-long group of affordable newish townhouses with driveways across the street. They are perfectly respectable as far as these things go but certainly don’t do anything to enhance the local ambience. Tavern on Dean is just a stumble away on the corner. As for convenience, if the C train is going your way, you’re in good shape. The offering plan is imminent, with Sunday the 23rd being eyed hopefully for a kick-off open house. From what we gather, asking prices are going to fall in the high-$600s to high-$700s per square foot, excluding what is in most cases significant exterior space. OK, time for a shower. GMAP
my question is why did they list it with aguayo & huebner? they DO NOT co-broke. of course i know why, they undercut their commissions. isn’t it best for a seller, however, to get the most people in to see an apartment? i admit i am a broker for a company that does co-broke, we are members of REBNY, but the owners of these condos, should want top dollar, i can’t remember when aguayo has EVER gotten that!
For the record: Ms. Hillbilly, I stand corrected, and apologize for my presumption. Hopefully, no offense taken. Just glad my presumptuous assumption did not turn into a Park-Slope-Parents-style brouhaha. 😉
I think that’s the second time I used “brouhaha” in a comment today. Do I get bonus points?
I don’t think Mr. B crossed the line. He provided a disclaimer and the piece was strictly informational.
In the end, this site has to be financed and outside of being subscription based, advertising is the only way to raise the necessary funds to keep this wonderful site going. Victor raised some excellent points and I hope Stoner decides to follow up on them. The one thing that I would say is that broker advertisers should write their own pieces and then the readership would be free to either praise the listing or tear it apart. Seems fair to me, albeit suicidal on their part. 😉
True, but Chowhound ended up having to sell out to a large company which doesn’t speak to well to the success of its economic model. The founder probably made out okay though.
I agree with Victor about pursuing advertising that is relevant to this world, but not listings. Chowhound is a great example of a site that stayed true to itself by refusing to take certain types of advertising, i.e., no restaurants, but a restaurant supply store is OK. This worked and they gained in popularity until they sold for big bucks and still have editorial control. Good deal.
Try this out B’stoner and see what happens. If your page views plummet, you’ll know that people disagreed with these “advertorials” and walked away. I doubt very highly that the complaints will translate to page views lost. As long as you make it clear when you are writing something because you are getting paid to do so, people can skip those posts and go to the others.
I wonder, who owns the vacant lot next to this development? I would be a little concerned as a buyer if the condo didn’t own a part of this lot. Otherwise, all those windows on the side could end up looking out to a brick wall that is inches away.
Actually Lofty some of the most fun things I have ever done required a shower after…..
B’stoner – I dont see what the hub bub is about, you got an exclusive 1st look at a new condo in an area you cover extensively; and you wrote an apparently objective piece about it, so what that A&H is an advertiser…
With your disclosures you officially have created an ethical standard higher than virtually any ‘professional’ journalistic entity in the country (except maybe Consumers Report) IMO you entered your shower clean.
Good point. Things you can do WHILE you’re taking a shower tend to be a little more fun 😉
If you need to take a shower after you do something, b’stoner, it’s probably an indication that you shouldn’t be doing it.