Slopers Sweet on 4th Avenue?
4th Avenue is seen by some as an architectural shit show, and sales at the thoroughfare’s biggest condo so far aren’t doing so hot, but an article in the Sun today says the majority of buyers at the avenue’s new condos come from just up the hill: Mostly, they live in Park Slope. The piece…
4th Avenue is seen by some as an architectural shit show, and sales at the thoroughfare’s biggest condo so far aren’t doing so hot, but an article in the Sun today says the majority of buyers at the avenue’s new condos come from just up the hill: Mostly, they live in Park Slope. The piece quotes a Sloper who says he doesn’t want to miss out on buying in an area that might appreciate, and brokers note that part of 4th’s appeal is that most of the surrounding area lacks substantial new development. According to sales directors at many of 4th’s condos, half their buyers are coming from the Slope. (One wonders how scientific these stats are.) Of course, controversy about the avenue’s lack of affordable housing and by-and-large unappealing new structures remains. “The grand plan of having Fourth Avenue become the ‘Park Avenue of Brooklyn’ is coming back to slap city officials in the face,” says Aaron Brashear, a CB7 member and founder of the Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights. “The buildings are ugly and architecturally devoid. They are more of a dormitory style than high-end buildings.”
Park Slope Residents Head to Fourth Avenue [NY Sun]
Novo Takes a Nosedive [Brownstoner]
4th Avenue, the Boulevard of Broken Promises? [Brownstoner]
I don’t see why it’s implausible that half the buyers come from the Slope. 4th Avenue is not the sort of place you’d want to buy if you’re coming from Manhatttan and have a typical vision of “Park Slope” in your head.
But, if you already live in PS, realize that you can’t afford that typical vision of beautiful Park Slope–but lke the neighborhgood and want to stay in the area–then you’re likely to be familiar and comfortable enough to make a practical decision to settle for 4th Avenue, even if you don’t love the street.
Not defending the buildings but that seems the most likely explanation to me.
I don’t agree, 12:58.
4th is still a major truck route. It’s not quite ready for that kind of building just yet.
Maybe in another 5-10 years…
Why didn’t developers put up architectually significant buildings and then try and charge $1,200 a foot.
That would have made more sense for 4th Ave.
Brooklynnative – not defending it but I think the grates you are talking about are on the Crest not Novo and they arent blowing vents for A/C – the 1st floor is a garage and I believe the vents are just for that (i.e. no blowing or fans associated) – again not that I think it is attractive or smart (should have been retail).
well, gotta trust 11:20. they are a Slope Real Estate expert.
$th Avenue is hardly the the Park Avenue. Looks for like Houston Street in the 70’s. And the Novo is one of the ugliest creations ever. There’s only one reason that building ended looking the way it does—cheap construction. Good luck to the poor souls who bought in that thing. I give it 5-7 years before it falls a part.
–Slope Real Estate expert
Put together a development proposal, run the numbers, find investors, buy the land and build something beautiful. Make it happen. Developers are just people like you, and they are mostly using other people’s money to get stuff done. If you can find a way to buy and build and create beauty, and also proft, you will get investors. What you are witnessing now is either that people tried hard and couldn’t fit beauty into the numbers, or that they weren’t as good as you could be at it- give it a try!
Yes 4th Avenue will soon become the Queens Blvd. of Brooklyn.
The aging hipsters of today will become the alterkockers of tomorrow, and will get mowed down by cabs just like they do on the Boulevard of Death.
i really like 4th avenue.
it’s edgy.