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Landmark Preservation

Cobble Hill Landmarks Meeting: Thursday, July 26

July 24, 2012

The Landmarks/Land Use Committee of Cobble Hill’s Community Board 6 will review four applications for proposed work within the neighborhood’s Historic District, at a meeting Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m., at the Cobble Hill Health Center, 380 Henry Street. The Cobble Hill Association urges, “If these properties are located near you or you have an interest, we strongly urge you to attend this public hearing.”

The four properties are:
* Presentation & review of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a rear yard addition at 285 Clinton Street, between Baltic/Kane streets.
* Presentation & Review of a Certificate application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a new building at 437 Henry Street, between Degraw/Kane streets.
* P&R of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted for alterations to the first-floor primary façade and for corrections regarding LPC Notice of Violation for work done without a permit to the rooftop parapets & bulkhead at 177 Pacific Street, between Clinton/Court streets.
* P&R of a Certificate application submitted for removal and replacement of existing store front lighting, metal trim, signage and awning at 236 Court Street, between Warren Street/Baltic streets.

The Cobble Hill Health Center multipurpose room is located at 380 Henry Street, between Warren and Congress streets. (Photo: CHA)


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7634

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Real Estate

Dainty Domiciles: Wave Of The Future?

July 24, 2012

After a lot of media attention over the Brooklyn Heights couple that swears their 240-square-foot, $1,500/month apartment is sweet & cozy—along with NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s bizarre notion to inundate the city with “micro-apartments” averaging 275-300sf—Curbed decided to have a jolly good time by searching out the 10 smallest units for sale in Brooklyn.

Among the contenders it found on Streeteasy is a Cobble Hill apartment at 439 Hicks Street, unit 1A. The 410sf home is asking $264,000. Curbed offers: “Historic rental complex Cobble Hill Towers has been undergoing a sometimes controversial conversion, and there are some units on the market for outsiders, like this studio. One of the building’s quirks, explained in the brokerbabble: ‘The stairwells are at the exterior (a fire prevention method at the time of construction), and lead to two terraces on each floor from which the apartments are accessed.”

Apartment 1E at 443 Hicks Street is also available, “and a whole two square feet larger.”


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7625

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Real Estate

Are Itty-Bitty Domiciles The Wave Of The Future?

July 24, 2012

After a lot of media attention over the Brooklyn Heights couple that swears their 240-square-foot, $1,500/month apartment is sweet & cozy—along with NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s bizarre notion to inundate the city with “micro-apartments” averaging 275-300sf—Curbed decided to have a jolly good time by searching out the 10 smallest units for sale in Brooklyn.

Among contenders it found on Streeteasy are three humble Heights apartments, including 155 Henry Street, 5C, offering 400sf for $275,000. Curbed writes, “Maybe the residents of that $1,500/month Brooklyn Heights studio should move here. With a 20% down payment, monthly payments would be just $1,510, and the closet space is far more ample.”

Also offering 400sf is 60 Remsen Street, 3G, asking $299,000: “This Brooklyn Heights studio faces a courtyard, and the apartment has a separate dressing area/office. To the extent that we ever advocate living in very small spaces, we like this one.”

Next up is 70 Clark Street, 4H, whose 415sf runs $289,000: “This place has a sunken living room and allows pets and pied-a-terre dwellers, as well as subletting after two years. Which is probably about the time it might start to feel too small,” Curbed suggests. Indeed.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44612

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Brooklyn Heights, Events

BBP & Bossert To Be Addressed At Brooklyn Real Estate Roundtable

July 24, 2012

The Brooklyn Historical Society will host a Brooklyn Real Estate Roundtable Luncheon, on Tuesday, August 7, from noon to 2 p.m. Among those scheduled to speak are Clipper Equities principal David Bistricer, who will outline his vision for redevelopment of the Bossert Hotel into a boutique hospitality property; and Regina Myer, Brooklyn Bridge Park president, who will discuss the latest developments in and around the 85-acre destination.

Tickets for the luncheon, mind you, are not for those looking for inexpensive entertainment. A single is $300(!), while “corporate series” entry for up to four (which also includes the next meet on November 13) costs $2,100(!!) Let’s hope they’re serving champagne & caviar.

Also slated at the Roundtable are Manhattan Borough president Scott M. Stringer to discuss the NYC Budget and Real Estate Taxes; and Alex Barrett, AIA of Barrett Design & Development, discussing his present and future residential projects.

The Brooklyn Historical Society is located at 128 Pierrepont Street, at the corner of Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights. For more information, call Taina Sanon at 347-381-3705.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44604

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Kids

Help Refill The Sandbox At Harry Chapin Playground: Saturday, July 28

July 24, 2012

The Brooklyn Heights Playground Committee invites all to help refill the sandbox at the Harry Chapin Playground, on Columbia Heights north of Cranberry Street. The sandy extravaganza will take place this Saturday, July 28, at 8:30 a.m. More information here. (Photo: Claude Scales)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44595

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Brooklyn Heights

75 Clinton Street Packs In Rental Residents: 90% Capacity

July 23, 2012

Brooklyn Heights rental property 75 Clinton—at the corner of Montague Street (above Rite Aid)—is 90% leased, with 66 of the 74 units spoken for. Units hit the market in early May 2012. In January, owner Dallas-based investment firm Invesco flipped the nine-story property from condos to rentals, citing the “booming rental market,” with plans to market the units from $2,800 to $7,000 a month.

According to Brownstoner, studios, one- and two-bedroom units have more than met demand, with monthly prices of $2,362 to $11,000 per month. Streeteasy lists three on the market for $11,000, $4,100 and $2,550 a month. Among building amenities: a 24-hour doorman, common rooftop terrace with harbor and Manhattan views, a fitness center and bike storage room. The Corcoran listing is here.

When the building was originally destined to be a condo, units were priced at $519,820 up to $1,699,000.

(Photo: Chuck Taylor)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44579

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Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights

‘Dark Knight’ Sold Out At Court Street Movie Theater Despite Colorado Nightmare

July 23, 2012

The UA Court Street Stadium 12 movie theater was packed all weekend, with about 20 showings a day of the “The Dark Knight Rises.” McBrooklyn cites Fandango, which shows that most screenings were either sold out or near capacity, despite the horrifying Aurora, Colorado, massacre that left 12 dead and 58 wounded during a midnight showing Friday. The movie also screened three times daily at Cobble Hill Cinemas, 265 Court Street.

Despite box office tallies being delayed until Monday, media outlets are reporting that the film took in $162 million in North America over the weekend. That sum gives “The Dark Knight Rises” the highest 2D opening in history.

Crain’s New York quotes theater-goer Katie Birkel, who saw the movie over the weekend in Manhattan. She said she had been inspired by a statement from the film’s director, Christopher Nolan, after the Colorado tragedy: “He said that movies are about coming together and sharing an experience. I agree with that.”

Mike Sumner, standing a few steps behind her, added, “Colorado was an isolated incident. I’m not afraid of copycats. Besides, I’m a New Yorker. We’re always vigilant.”

(Photo: McBrooklyn)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44572

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Macy’s Finally Sees The Light? ‘Considers’ Fireworks Return To East River

July 23, 2012

Apparently, Macy’s has finally realized that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. For much of the past year, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Brooklyn Heights state Sen. Daniel Squadron have been rallying for the annual 4th of July fireworks extravaganza to return to the East River, including public rallies, petitions and a non-stop tirade of phone calls.

Since 2009, Macy’s has hosted its annual holiday blowout from the Hudson River. The original move there four years ago was said to acknowledge the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s journey up the river. But the fireworks have remained there since, despite an onslaught of protests that aiming them toward New Jersey spites the spirit of the event, stealing views from residents of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan’s East Side, where they had been for 32 years previous.

Now, the New York Daily News reports that Macy’s is “considering a return” to the East River: “Bending to outer-borough pressure, Macy’s execs and top people in its fireworks operations have agreed to meet with pols to discuss” bringing the show home. A source told the Daily News, “Macy’s has expressed willingness to move to the East River. Macy’s has been receptive to sitting down and discussing solutions. We’re optimistic that soon there will be good news.”

The sit-down will be local elected officials first face-to-face discussion about the fireworks with Macy’s execs. De Blasio stressed, “The fireworks belong in the East River. Outer-borough New Yorkers deserve to be part of the city’s Fourth of July celebration too.” Squadron added that their return to the East River “would allow millions of New Yorkers to join the celebration and provide communities and businesses with the economic spark they need.”

City Councilman Steve Levin, who represents Brooklyn Heights and has also been a persistent advocate for the fireworks’ return home, said, “They couldn’t come back soon enough, and we will welcome them with open arms. I’m from New Jersey. I’ve got nothing but love for New Jersey, but the fact of the matter is there is nothing quite as spectacular as Fourth of July fireworks over New York Harbor.”

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is also invited to the imminent sit-down, where pols will present a petition that now has 3,100 signatures urging that the show return to its original locale.

All the same, Macy’s has not determined where the 2013 4th of July setting will be. Spokesman Orlando Veras repeated what he’s been saying for the past three years: “Macy’s fireworks will take place in and around all accessible New York City waterways and will not be a permanent fixture at any one location.”

(Photo: New York Daily News)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44558

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Food, News

Downtown Brooklyn’s Albee Square Aims To Become Foodie Outpost

July 21, 2012

The outdoor Albee Square Public Plaza off Fulton Street Mall in Downtown Brooklyn has its sights set on becoming a foodie outpost. The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is searching for a single market operator to select a number of food, wine, beer and crafts vendors to fill more than dozen spaces within the 27,000-square-foot space.

Kevin Tolan, Director of BID Services & Programs for the Partnership, tells DNAInfo.com that it’s looking to “activate Downtown Brooklyn’s public spaces while supporting local vendors,” with fresh food, prepared foods, and arts & crafts.

Albee Square Plaza at Bond & Fulton Streets celebrated its renovated completion a year ago, June 24. It is at the center of a burgeoning shopping district that includes retailers Aldo, Macy’s, and Aeropostale, along with incoming H&M, T.J. Maxx and Express. The locale also buttresses the mammoth City Point multi-use project, which will comprise retail, residential and Brooklyn’s first Century 21 clothing outlet.

Market operator applications are due August 6 with a pre-bid information session July 15 at the Fulton Mall Improvement Association’s offices.

(Photo: Chuck Taylor)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44487

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Arts and Entertainment

Oscar Tuazon Tree Sculptures Take Root At Brooklyn Bridge Park

July 20, 2012

Three tree-like “sculptures” that, uh, resemble barren dead hardwood, have taken root in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Created by Oscar Tuazon and presented by the Public Art Fund, the towering artworks, curiously titled “People,” are located on Piers 1 and 2 and will be on luminescent display through April 26, 2013.

According to a release, “These hybrid sculptures incorporate both natural materials and industrial building techniques—local trees and cement casting are at the core of each work—and explore the idea of architecture, labor and reinvention.”

In the first work, a tall tree trunk is supported with a minimalist steel triangle that conceals a spring from which water flows. The second is formed by a 10-foot square cast cement cube with a tall tree embedded at its central axis. The third tree trunk anchors a basketball hoop and a handball wall. All allege to function as “both as an icon and a passageway along the pier.”

(Photos: Curbed)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44537

From the Web