Williamsburg Photo Du Jour: Metropolitan Avenue

March 19, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11211, Gentrification, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

metave

Taken March 19, 2013.

Quicklink: Get To The ‘Point!

March 15, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, WTF 

NYpoScreencapBack in January, Dave Maundrell, president of aptsandlofts.com, hosted an open house for the building he was unveiling — a modest, 7,100-square-foot affair at 48 Box St. in Greenpoint, consisting of six condos.

“All the two-bedrooms were from $650,000 to $700,000,” says Maundrell. A 1,463-square-foot three-bedroom was asking $1.03 million.

Of course, such condo prices are not so unusual in the adjoining upscale Williamsburg. But Greenpoint has always been plagued by the lack of subway options (the nabe’s infamous G line doesn’t go through Manhattan) and somewhat tired housing stock.

But you’d never know it if you were at Maundrell’s open house — 250 people crowded in to look at the six units on offer.

“We basically sold out the first night marketing,” says Maundrell, adding, “everything above ask.” …I moved there with my family almost 10 years ago, exactly,” says Alan Hill*, who bought a townhouse on Java Street. Back then, Greenpoint “seemed more family-friendly and more affordable,” than other Brooklyn neighborhoods.

“There’s been a complete revival of Franklin Street,” says Hill, referring to the artery running parallel to the waterfront. “When we [moved in], the street was truly desolate — there was a bar on one end, a cafe on the other, and nothing in between.”

(you can read this tome in its entirety here)

There are a number of reasons your truly found this tome fascinating. Firstly, you have the rendering the authors of this tome elected to use. It hails from McGuinness Boulevard. I can assure you, gentle readers, 48 Box Street looks nothing like this. It is much, much uglier (which is probably why the Post elected to roll with something else). In fact, I’d go so far as to say 48 Box Street is Greenpoint Ugly! Then of course there is the checkered history of 48 Box to consider. No mention is made of this. Read ’em and weep!

  • http://www.newyorkshitty.com/greenpoint-goodness/3691
  • http://www.newyorkshitty.com/greenpoint-goodness/40517
  • http://www.newyorkshitty.com/greenpoint-goodness/3902

And oh yeah: did I mention that this building still does not have a Certificate of Occupancy?

DOBBIS48box3162013

Whoops.

*Au contraire, Open Space Alliance North Brooklyn Board Member**/home-owner, Mr. Hill! Franklin Street was not “desolate”. Businesses were located there and people were employed by them. They were simply not businesses which cater to you.

**It costs a couple grand to have this sinecure.

From The New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part II: Untitled

Untitled

Taken by Emily Raw.

Williamsburg Photos Du Jour: Metropolitan Avenue

March 9, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11211, Gentrification, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

metave

alternateshot

Taken March 9, 2013.

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Sugar Rush

March 9, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11211, Gentrification, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

Domino Sugar Lust from 2e. on Vimeo.

A fellow named Max writes:

I hope all is well. Opinions on the new Domino development?

I’ve made a serious effort lately to document as much as possible while it’s still there. I also made a stop motion video I think you’ll get a good laugh out of, if nothing else. Feel free to post if you enjoy it!

Done! As for the new Domino design: if I didn’t know better, I’d swear it was plucked from the pages of The Onion. Of course, there’s renderings and reality. In north Brooklyn the two rarely match.

The Word On The Street, Part III: Banker Street

bankerstreet

Taken January 30, 2013.

New York Shitty Day Ender: Meet Mr. Frankenstein

CWF

As I was attempting to capture the Halloween imagery in the window at this building (which can be seen at top right in the above photo), a man collecting cans shouted:

Why not take a picture of me instead?

Me: Sure.

 

CWF2

And then Charles asked me how I would like him to pose. I told him was not necessary. Rather, I would simply like to know his story.

CWF3

First off, he showed me the custom jacket he made. Then he showed me his “identification card” (which cited a Common Ground shelter off of Times Square) and added:

I lived here ten years ago. My best friend died here. He said he would haunt me for the rest of my life. I feel the need to come back here.

CWF4

Charles went on to explain to me his fascination for the movie “Frankenstein”. More specifically that a man created a “monster” and gave it his name. When I pointed out that I (a chick with blue hair wearing a hat sporting cat ears) prefer “Bride of Frankenstein” myself he noted:

The woman with the crazy hair.

Yeah, I thought it was pretty awesome.

Charles: You have a doctor who created them and, having no name of their own, gave them his name. They’re a family.

Me: They were.

Charles went on to recount how much he likes the Wizard of Oz (especially the scarecrow) and Mister Rogers (paraphrased):

He was an old man who played with toys and invited people to be his neighbors. I want to do that… I am artist (once again showing off his customized jacket) there are plenty on people (on Times Square) doing drawings why can’t I?

Excellent question.

This post is dedicated to Charles Winston Frankenstein (which is what the above fellow made quite clear was his name).

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