Homer Fink – Brooklyn Bugle

Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Real Estate

Healthcare Facilities Battle In The Heights For Brooklyn’s New ‘Upscale’ Demographic

June 7, 2012

A turf war is taking place in Brooklyn Heights between major healthcare providers who want to nurture the sickly—now that the locale has become an “extension of the upscale lifestyle of most Manhattanites.” Crain’s New York reports that multi-specialty practices are establishing outposts in the neighborhood to cash in on the changing demographic in nearby Downtown.

“In one corner: Preferred Health Partners, which has had the home-team advantage since the 1950s and evolved from the former clinics operated by insurer HIP,” Crain’s says. And in the other is newcomer Mount Sinai, which, as BHB reported May 29, is leasing 75,060 square feet at One Pierrepont Plaza (300 Cadman Plaza) in the Heights, for an ambulatory care office, urgent care, cardiology, general surgery, neurology and plastic surgery, among other medical practices.

PHP board chairman Dr. Lesly Kernisant accuses Mount Sinai of “taking advantage of the demographic shift currently transforming Downtown Brooklyn into an extension of the upscale lifestyle of most Manhattanites.” The hospital’s “business planners are seeking an early advantage into this newly established opulent catchment area.”

He adds that Mount Sinai’s location is “strategically located just at the entry door to Manhattan. Credit should be given to those of us who have been providing health care in the borough for years.”

PHP has one site in Brooklyn Heights (at Montague Street and Court Street) and another Downtown (at Atlantic Avenue and Nevins Street). It offers a total of 11 Brooklyn offices, including Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant and East New York. The practice has 140 full-time doctors.

Partners Mount Sinai Medical Center and WESTMED Practice Partners (a Westchester-based physician-owned private medical practice) told The New York Observer that they have been looking to move into the Brooklyn market for some time. The private medical practice will occupy the 17th and 18th floors in the 19-story tower at One Pierrepont Plaza. After renovations, it is scheduled to move in January 2013. Mount Sanai did not respond in the Crain’s story.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41842

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Landmark Preservation

‘Concerned Resident’ Proposes Speed Decrease Along Brooklyn Heights Portion Of BQE

June 7, 2012

An anonymous “Concerned Resident Of Brooklyn Heights” is circulating a proposal to lower the speed limit for large vehicles on the BQE under the Promenade “in order to significantly decrease traffic‐induced vibrations in buildings, a major complaint of local residents.” The author asks that neighborhood citizens and their representatives petition the Department of Transportation.

Specifically, he or she proposes that the clip of I-278 between exit 27 and 29B be reduced to 30 mph for Class 3 vehicles and above (buses, tractor trailers, pickups, vans, campers, motor homes, etc.), noting that “poor road conditions and the speed of large vehicles on Interstate 278 through Brooklyn Heights has a significant impact on the quality of life, specifically when it comes to vibrations in buildings. Resident complaints are rampant as described in The New York Times and Brooklyn Heights Blog.

“Logically speaking, vibrations make it more difficult to live in the neighborhood, rent properties for higher rents and sell properties at higher prices. It also increases maintenance on historical buildings,” the letter states. “Maintenance on the road is carried out occasionally but the fair conditions only last a short period of time before large vehicles pound the roads back into disrepair. Insignificant budgets and an increase in the weight of vehicles over time are compounding the problem. Residents and even those very motorists are affected emotionally and monetarily.”

The “Concerned Resident” suggests that the “easiest, lowest-cost solution” is to lower the speed limit for vehicles FHWA class 3 and higher to a reasonable 30 mph from exit 27 to exit 29B, “resulting in an estimated 2.4 minutes of extra travel time for those vehicles and a significant decrease in building vibration.”

An Institute for Research in Construction study by the National Research Council of Canada is June 2000, is cited, which notes differences in speed reduced vibrations as much as 300%.

References to the author’s claims and statistics are included in the original letter, which you can view as a PDF here: Brooklyn Heights

Thoughts, comments?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41803

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Sports

Brooklyn Bridge Park Opens For Kayaking At Pier 1 Boat Basin

June 6, 2012

The time has arrived to get your oars on at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Every Saturday from June 9 through September 1, kayaking and community rowing is available at the Boathouse at Pier 1. The time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children under 18 must have an adult guardian present. Last sign-up is an hour before closing time. For more info, see here.

In other BBP news, the non-profit NYC Fieldhouse that is underwriting the design and construction of the year round, multi-purpose rec and cycling facility on Furman Street near Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, announces three upcoming community forums to discuss the project and hear feedback on its programming and design. Fieldhouse staff with the facility¹s architect and reps of Brooklyn Bridge Park will be present.

The first forum takes place June 18 at the Long Island College Hospital, 339 Hicks Street in Cobble Hill, 6:30-8:15 p.m. On June 20, a Red Hook forum will assemble at the South Brooklyn Community High School, 173 Conover Street, 6:30-8:15 p.m.; followed a June 25 forum in Brooklyn Heights/Downtown Brooklyn at the Callahan Center at St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, 6:30-8:15 p.m. A fourth forum will be scheduled in DUMBO at a later date.

No RSVP is required, although members of the community are requested to email
NYCFieldhouse@gmail.com with the forum location they wish to attend.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41785

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Love Lane Mews Hits Stride With 65% Of Its 38 Condo Units Sold

June 6, 2012

Love Lane Mews has just about hit its stride. The new condo development at 9 College Place & Love Lane is now 65% sold, according to developer Skyline Management Co. That’s quite an uptick from the 25% in sales Multi-Channel News reported in January. The former parking garage offers 38 residential units, with a garage space included in the purchase price. Condos start at $1,040,000.

StreetEasy reports that 11 units are currently in contract. Prices range from $885,000 to $2.295 million. Curiously, one—Unit 1C—is listed as a rental, for $7,000 a month.

Laurie Zucker, a principal with Manhattan Skyline, comments, “We’re continuing to see great interest from buyers from all over Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan, drawn to the uniqueness of this quiet, picturesque and historic mews in one of New York City’s most coveted locations. We’ve had record numbers at our spring open houses.”

A press release offers more details about the condos at Love Lane Mews:

Love Lane Mews residents are welcomed through an inviting lobby with African teak paneling, original exposed brick walls, Koala honed marble floors and attended by a 24-hour concierge. The homes feature solid white-oak strip flooring soaring 10- to 15-foot ceilings, marble baths and gourmet kitchens with Viking refrigerators and top-of-the-line appliances. All homes include a Bosch washer/dryer and many feature gas burning fireplaces, exposed brick walls and private terraces or balconies. The homes offer privacy and comfort with the best features of a large condo building, on a small boutique scale.
Other amenities include a resident manager and Sky’s The Limit™ concierge service by Abigail Michaels, “where if you can dream it, they can make it happen.” The building also features a fully-equipped fitness center, bicycle storage and a central laundry facility for oversized loads.

The New York Daily News offered its take on the project in March 2011 here. Likewise, NY1 covered Love Lane Mews in February 2011 here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41777

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Ratt-A-Tatt: Megalophonous Mayhem On Montague Street

June 6, 2012

The lower stretch of Brooklyn Heights along Montague and Hicks streets sounded like a war zone late Wednesday morning, with a cacophony of outdoor projects in the works. The street is blocked off in front of the Bossert Hotel, as Verizon is digging a sizable hole for telephone work (according to a worker).

A block down, in front of 68 Montague, ear-splitting jackhammers are recasing metal fencing around a mature tree. A serene Wednesday along the avenue this is not.

(Photos: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41768

From the Web

Open Thread Wednesday, 6-6-2012

June 6, 2012

Happy Birthday, Paul Giamatti! Our Henry Street neighbor was born June 6, 1967, and turns 45 today. The actor’s first prominent role was 1997′s film adaptation of Howard Stern’s “Private Parts,” as Kenny “Pig Vomit” Rushton, Stern’s antagonistic PD at WNBC. Since, he has gained acclaim in “American Splendor,” “Sideways,” “Cinderella Man” and mini-series “John Adams,” the latter for which he won an Emmy and Golden Globe. Giamatti won a second Golden Globe for “Barney’s Version.”

So here’s an idea. On this Open Thread Wednesday for June 6, 2012, instead of spewing personal “pig vomit” attacks at one another, let’s have a constructive conversation on the BHB. What’s on your mind?

(Photo: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41741

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Kids

Fun for Kids! Mil’s Trills Returns to Vineapple Wednesday (6/6)

June 6, 2012

This just into the BHB Newsroom: The super-fantastic music show for kids 0-4, Mil’s Trills, returns to Vineapple [71 Pineapple Street] Wednesday (6/6) at 10am.

No need for advance tickets, just show up at Vineapple. Bring a blanket for your child to sit on and some shakers so they can play along. There’s a $15 suggested donation.

Yael Litwin joins in on the fun rocking the West African Gyil.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41759

From the Web

Prominent Law Firm Cullen & Dykman Takes A Heights Hike

June 5, 2012

There will be a lot fewer suits walking the streets of Brooklyn Heights. After decades as one of the neighborhood’s preeminent law firms, Cullen & Dykman LLP has vacated the borough. As of Monday, staff at its 177 Montague Street headquarters, above Chase Bank, had relocated to Wall Street, where they will sadly blend in with all the other black and gray stiff collars in downtown Manhattan.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports that Cullen & Dykman has had a secondary office at 44 Wall Street for years, and is now expanding its two floors there with two additional floors, where the Brooklyn staff will be based. A small office at 188 Montague Street office will remain open for the time being “for occasional use,” while the HQ at 177 has been shuttered.

(Photo: NY Landmarks Conservancy)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41738

From the Web

Real Estate

New Construction Townhome @ 314 Hicks Street On The Market For $4.6M (-$1.6M)

June 5, 2012

The five-level new construction townhome at 314 Hicks Street and State, which hit the market in January for $6.2 million before completion, is now listed with Corcoran for a somewhat more palpable $4.6 million.

The red brick townhouse (including garden level) was one story from topping out back in January, and now is getting its finishing touches for summer 2012. The listing notes: “The perfect marriage of traditional brownstone architecture and triple mint new construction. This unique new home is the first new landmark townhouse to be built in Brooklyn Heights in decades.”

Inside: a garden level eat-in kitchen and family room, which leads through French doors to a private yard and parking. On the Parlor level are a butler’s pantry, living and dining areas, storage, powder room and gas fireplace. The master bedroom floor has a large walk through closet, en-suite 5-piece carrera bath with polished nickel finishes, plus a den or 5th bedroom. The top floor has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths plus laundry. Also, a finished basement, elevator and central air.

Landmarks approved the design for the new building in 2007, but construction didn’t begin until 2011. Developers Gordon Kahn, Bilotta Kitchens and ZMK Group also renovated the townhouse next door at 45 State Street, which sold it for a cool $3 million. The two lots were purchased for $10.5 million.

Below: In January (photo: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41704

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Food

Peas n’ Pickles Completes Expansion With New Name: ‘All In One Mart’

June 5, 2012

As we reported in early May, Peas n’ Pickles at 79 Henry Street was expanding from a convenience store with produce into a full-fledged grocery, nearly doubling its size, with additional space opening behind the market in the space formerly occupied by Heights Kids on Pineapple Walk. The new digs offer a deli and hot & cold salad bar, as well as an expanded grocery and pharmacy section.

McBrooklyn reports that with move-in nearly complete, Peas has changed its name to “All In One Mart,” and installed a new, red awning to proclaim the change. Good luck getting that to stick. (How about Oh My Peas ‘n Pickles!)