Will Fourth Avenue's Crest Clean Up?
According to the marketers behind Fourth Avenue’s Crest, the new condo is rising within the rich ambience and palpable energy of Park Slope. (If McDonald’s, truckers and a taxi depot scream palpable energy, they’re right on target.) Anyhoo, the Boymelgreen-Katan development is certainly charging Slope Lite prices: A scan of current listings shows the average…
According to the marketers behind Fourth Avenue’s Crest, the new condo is rising within the rich ambience and palpable energy of Park Slope. (If McDonald’s, truckers and a taxi depot scream palpable energy, they’re right on target.) Anyhoo, the Boymelgreen-Katan development is certainly charging Slope Lite prices: A scan of current listings shows the average unit is going for around $760 per square foot, with a couple topping $900 a foot. The layouts are a mix of two-bedroom, two-baths and one-bedroom, one-baths. We’re puzzled, since the building doesn’t look like anything special—its most notable amenities seem to be an indoor garage and washer/dryers in all units. So far 20 units have gone into contract, suggesting there is an appetite even for mediocrity at this price point and that so-called Fantastic 4th has come into its own. Are you buying it?
Crest Listings [Corcoran] GMAP
The Crest at 302 Second Street [StreetEasy]
Fantastic 4th? Eh, We’ll See [Brownstoner]
behold the ridiculous balconies:
– http://media.halstead.com/pictures/1445742-5.jpg
To each his own I guess. I got in at the Crest early and got my unit for $600psf. The smaller cuts of the apartments made the total price affordable as well.
Looking at the Heritage I think it does seem nicer, but for $800+ psf and bigger cuts the total price was just out of reach.
I don’t mind the separate box A/C’s in the living room and bedrooms, I figure it would save me some electricity if I don’t have to cool the whole place when I am just in one room? I like the bottom freezers so I can access the fridge, which I use more often, without having to bend down. Screens for windows can be installed later, the three apartments I have lived in never had screens and it wasn’t a big deal. Some layouts do have small rooms, but not all. The rooms in the smaller 560 sq ft 1BRs are the sizes of alcoves in a regular studio, so I just think of it as a studio with a wall built in 🙂 The bedrooms in the bigger 1 BRs (700-800 sq ft) are actually quite huge. The second bedroom in the smaller 2 BRs are also small, with the 9ft widths that Marion mentioned, and I thought those were more appropriate as nurseries or romms for kids.
Basically, this will sell to buyers who want starter apartments, of which I am one, so I am totally happy with it. The location is great, close to the subway, JJ Byrne Park and the upcoming Whole Foods.
Following up. I do not work for Halstead, I am in fact retired. My background consisted of 35 years experience working for HPD and its predecessor agency, finance, and a series of small r.e. developers and mgt. firms. I went to contract on a rear unit (not a sun worshiper) with a 100 s.f. balcony and a view of the NY skyline. It’s true the view can disappear if the corner is developed, but that may be a few years away. I have been looking at every new development going up and find this to be the best designed property currently available. If anyone wants my opinion on some of the other gems drop me a line. I currently live on Lincoln Place where I am the President of our 8 family cooperative.
Marion
Except we arent using Roman construction methods anymore – all these condos are built using the same basic design – steel frame construction with poured concrete slabs and sheetrock walls surrounded by brick facade.
It isnt complicated and it doesnt require alot of time or ‘craftsmanship’.
What it does require however is good engineering and quality construction. Both of which are difficult/impossible to really evaluate from the street but it is relatively easy to evaluate the professionalism, and efficiency of the construction teams.
In that regard it is clear that the Crest has been a boondogle with contractors coming and going, tons of complaints, delay after delay and sheetrock and interiors exposed to the elements for months and months (think Mold).
The job still isnt finished (with little work taking place), and Boylemgreen has been notorious in all his jobs for shoddy work and bad post-sale support.
On the other hand the Heritage has been built with amazing speed, few neighborhood complaints, consistent contractors (union?) and little unnecessary weather exposure.
I havent heard anything about a ‘bad foundation’ and I question your source but if I was a buyer I’d feel more comfortable at the Heritage. Thats not to say that it might not turn out exactly opposite to my prediction but based on Boylemgreen’s horrible track record and the visable evidence – I’d be VERY hesitent to buy at Crest.
This is one ugly, fugly, just plain f—– ugly building!
And the air conditioning condenser on the roof can be seen by everyone up the hill in PS.
Between this building and the one by the same builder down the street … what crap.
So the insides are just as bad as the outsides … contractors come and go … the net result will only be employment for some sleazy barristers.
Since when does slapping something up in a short amount of time constitute good quality, 12:27?
Ever heard the saying Rome wasn’t built in a day? Good things come to those who wait? The list continues.
Quick building, 9 times out of 10 leads to poor construction.
Sorry but it’s true. And I sure as hell wouldn’t buy a place that already has foundation issues.
I heard from someone that the Heritage brokers couldn’t give an apartment away to save their life. The fact that these are nearly 75% sold says something, don’t ya think?
I am a nearby owner and have no interest in either – but the Heritage is being constructed in a FAR more professional manner; the whole building has gone up quickly and efficiently in a matter of months – they are clearly using professional contractors and materials and the prospects seem far better then Boylemgreen’s Crest – which has been going up in fits and starts for YEARS.
As for the balconies – the Heritage actually has a clean front facade – so I dont know what 8:54 is talking about. (It does have rear balconies (not juliette).
If I was putting my $ into these apartments I’d feel alot safer at the Heritage since they clearly are capitalized properly; know how to build a building, and are likely to followup with any post-sale issues. Albeit there arent any great views to be had at that location.
the heritage is a dump.
looked at both this and there.
this place is leaps and bounds better than the heritage both in terms of construction quality and finishes.
i heard the heritage had severe foundation cracks.
Well Marion obviously works for Halstead. Tell me Marion why is it you seem to be the only moron to buy in the blandest building with the lamest and non-existent marketing campaign paying $800+ per foot for no views Heritage?? You obviously know nothing of construction or how to string together a sentence. Have a blast on your 3rd floor Juliette balcony!!