Brooklyn

NYC-based design firm Buro Koray Duman has come up with a series of plans to use the under-utilized space beneath the BQE in a site near Sunset Park's Industry City, the massive waterfront industrial complex which itself has recently experienced a renaissance as a hub for designers and local manufacturers. The elevated highway separates Industry City from the rest of the neighborhood, and the proposed uses would connect the space beneath with the creative and commercial energy of the complex. According to Dezeen, the firm saw an opportunity to put the empty sub-highway space to good use and add "more color and convenience to the city's daily life."
Find out more about the two ideas for the under-highway space

Architecture And Design

May 25, 2016

Spend Summer on the Sun Porch in This $2.25M Craftsman-Style Windsor Terrace Home

Not only does this super-cute brick townhouse promise plenty of space for the whole family without leaving the civilization of New York City, but it conjures up a totally different, laid-back and innocent time and place. This home at 207 Windsor Place mixes Arts and Crafts-style details with an old fashioned American house layout, with a big eat-in kitchen that opens into a formal dining room, a catnap-ready front sun porch, a basement ready for whatever you'd like to make it—and four bedrooms at the end of the day. All of this sits at the Park Slope/Windsor Terrace border two blocks from Prospect Park and a block from subways, shopping, dining, cafes and everything Brooklyn neighborhoods are loved for today.
Take a floor-by-floor tour

May 24, 2016

Glass Walls and Skylights Let Light Flood Into This Vinegar Hill Rental Apartment

There's never been an apartment so ideal for summertime. This three-bedroom rental comes from 87 Hudson Avenue, a development in the quaint Brooklyn neighborhood of Vinegar Hill, situated just north of DUMBO. Over an upper and lower floor there are multiple skylights, two outdoors spaces, even interior glass walls to let the light flood through. You'll need sunglasses before renting this pad, which is now on the market asking $6,000 a month.
Go through the space

Distinctive Homes

May 24, 2016

Landmarks Rejects Skinny Fort Greene House Because It ‘Looks Like Sing Sing Prison’

When talking townhouses, width matters. Aside from location and condition, width is usually the salient factor determining a home's desirability and pricing. While a 20-foot wide house is the coveted standard, the adored building type comes in an assortment of sizes, ranging from this narrow 12-foot wide townhouse in Park Slope upwards to the enviable 30-foot wide homes dotting Brooklyn Heights. On the tighter end of the spectrum, along a tree- and brownstone-lined block in the Fort Greene Historic District, R.A.Max Studio is seeking to secure the Landmarks Preservation Commission's approval to build a 12-foot wide, environmentally-conscious, two-family house at 39 South Elliott Place. Hemmed in on a vacant lot measuring just 1,200 square feet in area, the developer, Fort Greene Properties LLC, envisions building a four-story, 3,200-square-foot structure similar in scale to a previous house that stood at the site some sixty years ago, but with a more modern exterior. But this scheme did not go over so well at today's LPC hearing.
The full story, right this way

May 20, 2016

REVEALED: First Look at Downtown Brooklyn’s New Office Tower at 540 Fulton Street

Downtown Brooklyn and its Fulton Street Mall lost a bit of its soul late last year with the demolition of an ornate 1891 Romanesque-Reviaval gem at 540 Fulton Street. Prior to being cleared, the two-story structure held a jumble of small retailers that included a jewelry exchange, Metro King Sushi & Teriyaki and a Lucille Roberts. When the building was finished 125 years ago, it rose three floors with its first tenant being F.W Woolworth's "five-and-dime store," their first Downtown Brooklyn location. Now with the slate wiped clean, what's envisioned to rise from the 18,531-square-foot lot near the corner of Flatbush Avenue Extension is a 19-story, 200,000-square-foot office block developed by the real estate investment and management firm Jenel Management. A new building application was filed with the Department of Building's last April, listing Marvel Architects as the applicant of record. The proposed building's podium will contain three levels of retail space from the cellar to the second level, and 17 floors of office space above.
find out more here

New Developments

May 20, 2016

Apply for Four Affordable Apartments in East Williamsburg, From $947/Month

Starting Tuesday, four brand new affordable apartments will up for grabs through the city's Housing Connect program. Located in quickly hipsterfying East Williamburg, the building at 30-42 Orient Avenue is sited kitty corner to Cooper Park and is made up of two constructions housing a total of 18 units. For those who qualify, there are two one-bedrooms available with a rent of $947/month, and two two-bedrooms going for $1,072/month. The building is also conveniently located just few blocks from the Graham stop on the L Train, and the B24 and B43 buses also serve the area.
more details here

Affordable Housing

May 20, 2016

Live on Half a Floor of a Stately Limestone Mansion in Fort Greene for $1.1M

This Victorian mansion, a limestone beauty at 26 South Oxford Street in Fort Greene, is so spacious that you can fit an entire two-bedroom, two-bathroom co-op on just half of one floor. (There are eight units in the mansion total.) Now on the market for $1.1 million, the apartment boasts quirky, modern upgrades to the historic interior with details like carved woodwork and a beautiful bay window in tact.
See more

May 20, 2016

Bed-Stuy’s The MYNT Offering One Month Free on New Leases

In the thriving Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, the recently finished rental building named The MYNT is offering one month free on 12-month leases for select apartments. Currently, two no-fee units are complying with the offer: Unit 4J is a three-bed, two-bath spanning 1,200 square feet is available for a net effective rent of $3,484/month, and two floors above, unit 6J is a two-bed/two-bath available for a net effective rent of $3,117/month.
find out more about the deal here

May 19, 2016

This $499K Fort Greene Studio in a Former Bank Has Location, Amenities and Killer Views

Recognizable from what seems like miles away by its iconic clock tower, One Hanson Place was built in 1927 as the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower. Converted to 175 residential condominiums in 2006, it has been called "the finest landmarked skyscraper in Brooklyn and one of the best Art Deco towers in New York City." With its prime Fort Greene location in the BAM cultural district and at a crossroads where several great Brooklyn neighborhoods meet, interiors feature loft-like details, and building amenities include a gym, lots of additional storage and a sky lounge and terraces with even more dizzying city views (just to name a few). The flexibility of condo ownership makes apartments in the building a good investment, too. This well-configured studio may not be large, but it has the same prewar loft details and modern finishes as any unit in the building; what it also has–something much larger units may not–is soaring city views from the 14th floor of Brooklyn's tallest landmarked building.
See it all, this way

Distinctive Homes

May 18, 2016

This $3.6M South Slope ‘Kangaroo’ Townhouse Has a Second Unit Cleverly Tucked in Front

Though it's not too common, this isn't the first time we've seen a two-unit townhouse bust out of the usual set of configurations and tuck a rental unit up front, kangaroo-like, and wrap the rest of the house around it—especially in new construction or gut-renovated homes. It's a seemingly complicated setup, so do yourself a favor now and look at the floor plan below; You'll understand the (presumably) space- and privacy-optimizing wizardry much more quickly and be able to move on to admiring the cool features of this 5,974-square-foot new-construction townhouse at 297 16th Street in south Park Slope. $3.595 million buys a huge main house with four bedrooms, a yard and a deck, plus a two bedroom duplex to rent out for (according to the listing) $45k a year or stash your in-laws, teenagers or shoe collection.
See how they did it, this way

Distinctive Homes

May 18, 2016

Video: ‘Degentrify America’ Takes on the Issue of Gentrification in Five Minutes

The definition of gentrification may be difficult to pin down, but filmmaker Nelson George is attempting to do so in his five-minute short "Degentrify America." In the film, George melds together national headlines with interviews and animation to paint a picture that has become all too familiar in metropolitan areas across the country. Most notable, however, is the appearance of Crown Heights resident and co-founder of the Crown Heights Tenants Union, Donna Mossman, who speaks candidly about the evictions, injustice and other ills that come with this particular kind of change. Crown Heights recently ranked #8 on NYU’s Furman Center's report of New York's 15 fastest gentrifying neighborhoods.
Watch the short film here

Uncategorized

May 17, 2016

This $3M Duplex Townhouse Was Carved Out of a 1902 Waterworks Building in Brooklyn Heights

If you're looking for a home that feels like a townhouse, co-op and loft all rolled into one, this Brooklyn Heights property may be your best bet. It's located at 25 Joralemon Street, a waterworks building constructed in 1902. It has since been converted into six co-ops, each laid out like duplex "townhouse" units. All six townhouses have their own separate entrance and a unique floorplan, with this one boasting a totally lofty aesthetic.
There's also a private courtyard entrance

Distinctive Homes

May 17, 2016

Live in Park Slope Without Giving Up Modern in This $1.45M Designer Duplex

If your dream of New York City living means clean, contemporary lines, sleek finishes, lots of white and pops of bright, but your life–or your budget–is in the land of brick and brownstone, head south a bit and you'll find that this chic duplex, asking $1.45M, might be just right. While this two-bedroom condo at 349 16th Street in Park Slope may not be super-spacious–it comes in at just under 1,000 square feet–a 300-square-foot private wrap-around patio definitely adds more to life than just square footage. For a single person or couple seeking enough room for frequent guests, the layout really clicks; it could also work as a starter home for a young family that can't yet claim the adjective "growing," or empty nesters-to-be with a frequently-visiting fledgling.
See more upstairs, downstairs and outside

Distinctive Homes

May 16, 2016

Downtown Brooklyn’s Newly-Launched City Tower Offering One Month Free Rent

City Tower, the second phase of Downtown Brooklyn's 1.8 million-square-foot, mixed-use mega-development, has debuted, ushering in 439 brand new market-rate rentals to the heart of the borough. For a limited time, the building is offering new renters one month for free based on a 13-month lease. The 38-story tower's current availabilities include four studios starting at $2,423/month, five one-bedrooms at $2,838/month, and three two-bedrooms at $4,154/month. The building was developed and is being managed by the long-established Brodsky Organization and was designed by the acclaimed eco-conscious architects at COOKFOX. Perched twenty floors above 700,000 square feet of retail, entertainment and dining spaces, many of City Tower's residences provide spectacular views of the harbor and Manhattan skyline.
Get the full scoop on the building this way

May 16, 2016

Designer Kitchen Distinguishes This Two-Bedroom Apartment in Gowanus

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment occupies the top floor of 335 Carroll Street, a Gowanus warehouse converted not long ago to rental apartments. Asking $5,317/month, the apartment has shed its former warehouse skin for a much more modern aesthetic, which includes a chic designer kitchen.
Check it out

May 13, 2016

Brooklyn-Queens Streetcar Gets a New Website With More Details and Images

Friends of the Brooklyn Queens Connector launched a brand new website yesterday, revealing not only more images of how the streetcar could fit in with the various neighborhoods it would serve, but also the names of the developers, transportation experts and civic organizers involved in pushing the lightrail project forward. As listed on the site, members of the advocacy group include former MTA head and mayoral candidate Joe Lhota, big names hailing from the likes of Tishman Speyer, Steiner Studios and Two Trees Development, and a number of local groups, including the Fifth Avenue Committee, Industry City and DUMBO BID. According to DNA Info, over the next 16 months, the committee will attempt to get additional neighborhood groups and residents along the streetcar's 16-mile route involved in the city's public planning process, which in turn should drive more support and funding.
More photos of the Connector this way

Transit

May 12, 2016

Preserved Stuyvesant Heights Brownstone Was Jackie Robinson’s First Home in Brooklyn

Besides being a newly-hot neighborhood, Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant holds one of the city's finest collections of historic brownstones. Though many beautiful homes didn't survive the neglect of the late 20th century, many that did have been remarkably preserved or painstakingly restored to their original splendor. One of the highest concentrations of those impressive townhouses can be found in the Stuyvesant Heights Historic District in the south-central part of the neighborhood. It's here that you'll find this landmarked four-story home at 407 Stuyvesant Avenue, just arrived on the market for $2.875 million. According to the listing, baseball icon and civil rights pioneer Jackie Robinson lived here, and the brokers tell 6sqft that this was his first residence in Brooklyn. They add that when the current owners moved in, they found a treasure trove of memorabilia. So let's just say this 20-foot-wide Romanesque Revival-style brownstone hits it out of the park when it comes to intact historic detail and unspoiled 19th century architecture.
Explore this central Brooklyn treasure

May 12, 2016

A Mini-Solarium Brings Serious Sunlight to This $835K Kensington Apartment

It's not everyday you find a condo apartment with its own solarium—especially in the quiet, suburban-like neighborhood of Kensington, Brooklyn. This is the top floor apartment at 734 East 5th Street, an eight-unit, four-story development built in 2005. A wall of complete glass lines the east end of the apartment, creating a small solarium above the dining area. It leads out onto a patio, which isn't even the only outdoor option in this sun-flooded space.
See all the outdoor spaces

Distinctive Homes

May 12, 2016

Interview: RAMSA’s Paul Whalen Reflects on the Unique Design of 15 Central Park West

For good reason, hundreds if not thousands of articles and books have been published on 15 Central Park West, the “Limestone Jesus” designed by famed architect Robert A.M. Stern. This modern icon is credited with not only elevating the New York City luxury market to a level no one before dreamed it could reach, but […]

May 12, 2016

Leasing Begins at Downtown Brooklyn’s One Duffield, No-Fee Units Begin at $2,400/Month

Within the human-scaled oasis between the Manhattan Bridge and the BQE, a 57,000-square-foot church conversion has wrapped up construction, releasing 84 brand-new no-fee rental apartments to the Downtown Brooklyn market. Named One Duffield, for its address at the corner of Gold and Duffield streets, the five-story building uses some of the structural bones of a prior two-story church and completely re-imagines its aesthetic into a varied composition of brown and orange brick, metal siding, and large square windows. Nataliya Donskoy of ND Architecture and Design P.C. is the designer of the building and "The Bridge Building LLC" is listed as the developer in permits.
Get pricing and see inside

May 11, 2016

Behind This $1.25M Greenpoint Duplex Is a Barefoot Backyard Paradise

You're thinking of living in Greenpoint; you've fallen in love with the neighborhood. If the magical words, "two bedrooms plus office," and "outdoor space" don't get you to investigate further, you're not trying hard enough to make it happen. This nicely-outfitted duplex at 687 Leonard Street in the heart of north Brooklyn's waterfront paradise may not turn heads from the outside, but there are some pleasant surprises within.
Have a look

Distinctive Homes

May 11, 2016

Clinton Hill Mansion Designed by Iconic Brooklyn Architect Hits the Market for $3.85 Million

Once upon a time, Clinton Hill was a neighborhood of mansions designed by some of Brooklyn's most prominent architects. Many have since been demolished and replaced with either townhouses or apartment buildings. But this one at 186 Clinton Avenue still stands, on a stretch that was known as the neighborhood's "mansion row." Montrose Morris, a prolific Brooklyn architect, designed it in 1891 for William H. Beard, the son of the third wealthiest man in Brooklyn, William Beard, Sr. It's so massive it's been divided into several apartments—the property being offered is only one-half of the mansion, which holds eight units.
Take a look

May 10, 2016

400-Bed Designer Dorm Headed for Williamsburg

When you spend your student years living in an architect-designed former car radio button factory in the ultra-hip Berlin neighborhood of Kreuzberg, face it, you’re just going to be a little spoiled for everything else. And it should come as no surprise that, thanks to a developer specializing in student living, students in de facto hipster sister city Williamsburg will be getting a similar opportunity to live in architectural bliss rather than institutional semi-squalor. New York City-based real estate development company Macro Sea piloted the design-friendly dorm—outfitted with found furniture and slatted ladder-style stairs–in Berlin's Kreuzberg district last year. FastCompany quotes company principal David Belt: "Most people build student housing and they want to build it as cheaply as possible and the furniture to be as rugged as possible, because they think that students will wreck it." Diverging from this idea, Belt's company "sought to create an environment that treats students as savvy global citizens rather than wards of an institution."
Student housing or co-living for adults, what's the difference?

Real Estate Trends

May 10, 2016

The Elegantly Designed Interiors at This Carroll Gardens Brownstone Can Be Yours For $3M

The location of this lovely Brooklyn townhouse at 357 Hoyt Street is a dream combination of breezy, funky Gowanus and quaint, historic and classic Carroll Gardens. Everything surrounding it is either pretty or cool (or both), and on top of being subway adjacent, the borough's flagship Whole Foods market is within just a few blocks. This enviable home is about as perfect as you can get if you’re a brownstone buff and you're not looking for four stories or a big yard. At three stories and 2,360 square feet, it's not huge, but space is used efficiently and it's still more spacious than many apartments at its asking price of $2.9 million. Renovated to perfection, the home’s interiors - designed by mother-daughter design team McGrath II - have been featured in both the New York Times home and garden section (according to the listing) and recently on 6sqft.
READ MORE

Distinctive Homes

May 9, 2016

Williamsburg Unsurprisingly Tops List of NYC’s 15 Fastest Gentrifying Neighborhoods

By Dana Schulz

Williamsburg has become the poster child for the hipsterfication of Brooklyn and NYC gentrification in general, but behind the beards and beet smoothies are actual facts to back it up. NYU's Furman Center released a report that identifies the city's 15 gentrifying neighborhoods, out of 55 total, and finds that Williamsburg/Greenpoint comes in at number one (h/t DNAinfo). Of course, it's difficult to define gentrification, but the study looks at areas that were relatively low-income in 1990 (among the bottom 40% in the city), but experienced higher rent growth over the past 20 years than other neighborhoods, a trend that the Furman Center feels is of "greatest concern in lower-income neighborhoods." Williamsburg and Greenpoint had a startling 78.7 percent jump in rent over this time period, followed by Central Harlem at 53.2 percent and Chinatown/Lower East Side at 50.3 percent.
See the full list here

May 9, 2016

Two Cabanas Combine Into One Glorious Roof Deck at This $675K Clinton Hill Pad