The Washington in the Wired New York Real Estate forum

A prolific poster on the WNY forums, derek2k3, has posted some recent photos of the Washington Condos. One of our favorites is posted below.

The Washington Condo as seen from the southeast corner of Washington and Dean.

Bed-Stuy condos for sale

Today we veer from our target market and head towards Bedford-Stuyvesant. The investor/seller claims on his website that he/she started purchasing and renovating brownstones because he didn't believe in the subpar renovations that were taking place elsewhere in this neighborhood.

Their website, designerbrownstones.com, lists a few of their past projects, some rentals, and some sales. From the pictures, it seems to be a top-notch block in a great building.

The most recent project is only two blocks from the C train and is located at 76 MacDonough Street. The three units are $379K, $379K and $599K for a 2 bedroom, a 2 1/2 bedroom and a 3 bedroom+ duplex. The prices seem decent and if he gets his asking prices, he will pocket $1.357MM. One wonders how much money he is making on this project.

Even if he purchased it for $400K for a shell and put in, at minimum, $400K of renovations, he is making about $500K and that is before legal fees, financing, etc.

Thursday condo reports on Brownstoner

Set Speed has been doing guest spots on brownstoner.com every Thursday, specializing in new condominium developments. Check out our first and second reports in the links.

Don't forget to thoroughly read the comments for amusement!

Teen shot by cops in Prospect Heights after ipod robbery

The Times reports on a 16-year-old teenager who robbed a man of his ipod outside a liquor store at Flatbush and St. Marks Avenue in Prospect Heights. The man then reported the robbery to the police. Two plainclothes officers in a car patrol heard the description and apprehended the criminal near 618 Dean St (by Carlton Avenue). The criminal brandished a gun and was then shot by the police.

It was noted that the criminal was indicted on manslaughter charges in July in the death of a Bangladeshi immigrant.

Turmoil in Brooklyn Tech

An article in the Daily News tells of internal strife within Brooklyn Tech High School in Fort Greene. Apart from the details, here are some interesting statistics from the article:

• The Fort Greene institution also produced the highest number of black students acing the A.P. biology and calculus exams in the nation last year.
• The student population is 45% Asian, 18% black, 10% Hispanic and 27% white. (Ed: Quite diverse!)

Brooklyn architect Scarano arrested?

The Wired New York Real Estate forum is announcing today, via a tipster, that Robert Scarano has been arrested on self-certifying specific jobs. What this means for all his projects remains to be seen.

Atlantic Yards public hearing tonight

Billed as one of the few chances the tax-paying public has at speaking to the Empire State Development Corp, tonight's public hearing resulted in a great turnout tonight of about 750 people. Not without many dull moments, the partisan crowd was split into anti-Ratner community members and pro-project construction workers.

As we missed the first half hour, I can't tell what transpired, but at 5:30, there was a steady stream of elected officials speaking their allotted 5 minutes or so. First Marty Markowitz spoke, then councilman David Yassky, then Letitia James.

Impassioned community members spoke of the need for the impact review to be held on a larger scale, extending beyond the 1/4 to 1/2 mile radius of the project; a need for integration with other municipal studies being done; a mandate to study the effect of Frank Gehry's use of reflective glass and its' subsequent heat on the surrounding neighborhood and a need to think about the children in the neighborhood ("the project won't be populated by eunuchs," one speaker pithily said).

Then came the brusque member of the sheetmetal workers union and another construction worker, both of whom were yelling into the mic, much to the jolly of their fellow blue-collar brethren. One speaker pleaded with the crowd, saying that Ratner actually paid union wages, while other surrounding Brooklyn projects used low-cost workers, specifically naming the developer of 176 Johnson St aka Toy Factory Lofts and Two Trees in Dumbo.

Borough Prez Marty Markowitz, amid catcalls

The Washington Condo owners to get free lunch

Brownstoner's post today on the 98 St. Mark's project from Aguayo & Huebener resulted in a few comments from someone named BREUKELEN, who is most likely a broker from Aguayo & Huebener.

Apparently, a model unit/sales office will be set up soon for the Washington and all current persons in contract on a unit will be treated to a tour and free luncheon! Only time will tell whether A&H will have its' act together and everyone will actually get a call.

Apparently, A&H is taking a cue from Two Trees' in providing free meals.

Prospect Heights Condos

nolandgrab.org features the 606 Bergen St condos we spoke about a few days ago and the link also mentions the Washington Condos as being within 1 block of the Atlantic Yards footprint.

First closings at the Greene House Condos

In our continuing saga of the much-maligned Greene House Condos, we are here to report that the first new owners of the condominiums have closed. As a happy new homeowner let us know,

We hope to be moving in by the end of this month, once all of the finishing
touches are done.

By the way, kudos to the developers, who have
been great to deal with throughout this entire process. I’ve heard so many
stories about how rotten some developers can be, but Jonathan Jacobs and David
Weiss could not have been more accommodating.

First public hearing on Atlantic Yards project tomorrow night

The stage is set for tomororw night's showdown between Forest City Ratner and the public in an environmental impact hearing. It will be held from 5-8PM at the New York City College of Technology's Klitgord Auditorium, 285 Jay Street, Brooklyn (between Johnson and Tillary, near the A/C Jay/Street/Borough Hall stop).

For more information, go to the Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn website.

The last time we were at this auditorium, this is what transposed (the man on the ground was yours truly).

Sushi restaurants in Fort Greene

This weekend, a chowhounder asks: Are there any good sushi restaurants in Fort Greene? Answers are: here.

New Prospect Heights Condos to rise by Atlantic Yards project

The Brooklyn Eagle announces a new Aguayo & Huebener-marketed project to rise at 606 Bergen St, just a block away from the Atlantic Yards Project.

The lot is currently being used as a parking lot, between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenue. The architect will be Karl Fischer, who also designed the Gretsch in Williamsburg.

Sounding a lot like the Washington project, Brendan Aguayo states: “This is a very sleek design with exotic finishes and details that have been orchestrated to produce a calming, Zen-like effect.” In addition, the project is described further:

The apartments have been designed with spacious open floor plans in one-and two-bedroom configurations, including several duplexes. The units will range in size from 850 to 1,000 square feet. Among the amenities are five-piece marble master baths, top-of-the-line kitchen appliances, exotic wood cabinetry and floors, oversized windows and balconies. Building-wide amenities will include a fitness spa with sauna and steam room, and three banks of elevators to coincide with the three separate entrances.

Aguayo & Huebener continues its' marketing assault

Aguayo & Huebener advertised the Washington in the print edition of this week's Real Estate listings section. It contained pretty much the same text as their website. It was the first listing in the ad, before the 98 St. Marks condo they are also selling.

Aguayo & Huebener finally markets the Washington on their site

At long last, Aguayo & Huebener have put up an ad for the Washington on their website.

1/3 of the way down their page of listings, the ad says:



THE WASHINGTON
THE ONLY NEW CONDO
OF ITS KIND
•Award winning interior designer
•State of theart 2 & 3 Bedrooms
•All with private outdoor space
•Zen srenity in garden for all
•Private gym •Prospect Heights
•Priced from $675,000
Complete offering terms from sponsor
CALL 718 622-9300 or 788-8200
to see THE WASHINGTON
E-mail: Sales5@AHRlty.com
or Sales7@AHRlty.com

New condos in South South Slope from A&H

The A&H site has some new condo listings in the South South Slope, called 'The Liberty.' As the ad says:

OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY 1 - 4
INTRODUCING

207 22nd STREET (4th-5th Aves)
•Meticulously Crafted
•Unusually Wide & Sun Filled
•All with private outdoor space
•10' Ceilings •Elevator
•Gourmet Kitchen •Ariena Granite
•Priate Outdoor Space
•Seconds to transportation
1,200sf 2-BR/2-BA/Pvt Terrace
$599,000
1,600sf Duplex / 900sf Pvt Gdn
From $700,000

Brownstone duplex for sale in Fort Greene

Aguayo & Huebener have a rare listing - a duplex in a brownstone for sale. Two full floor and a basement, totalling 2000 sq feet and 3 bedrooms, is on sale for $1.125MM.

Features include a gourmet kitchen, two wood-burning fireplaces, 4 marble mantles, original details and floor-to-ceiling windows. A picture of the parlor floor is below.

The apartment is located on on 245 Carlton between Willoughby and Dekalb. An open house is scheduled for this Sunday from 12-2PM.

Photo of the parlor floor.

Unsold and overpriced at the Cathedral Mansions

The imposing structure at the NW corner of Atlantic and Washington is the Cathedral Mansions. Over a year ago, we went to see this unit, a large, but oddly-laid out triplex with 1300 square feet of space. The asking price was $450K. The owner assured us that she didn't need to use a broker since she was sure she could sell it herself.

Today, we find this same listing, but devoid of any furniture, being sold for $565K on Corcoran.

Score one for Aguayo & Huebener

A posting from Issac on brownstoner.com defends the work of Aguayo & Huebener on the marketing of the Washington Condos:

First of all the developers group can't even sell the properties they have.. so let's not go there. Have you seen 8on8 it's been on the market for 4 weeks and not even 1 apartment is in contract. The washington has just started to market itself since the signs went up, before that it was a word of mouth pre-sales campaign. So if you got in before the 5 price amendments then good for you but the building was never officialy on the market hence no open houses or sales/model apartment or advertisments. Brokers that haven't been around longer than a few years wouldn't know this like the developers group.Except for the same two or three people that are always posting negative comments about A&H and the Washington I have yet to hear any issues with them and their marketing. They have been marketing and selling properties for over 25 years so hot or cold market they will always be around. Did you see the condos Corcoran was selling a few weeks ago for $500 a/ft on 20th st. If that's not underpriced then I don't know what is. if you look on the Washington web-site you'll see that prices are around $540-$575 a/ft and The Washington is a far inferior location. You people really have nothing better to do the same goes for the developers group broker.

ALTERNATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR 70 WASHINGTON CONDOS?? This digital sign was seen on Atlantic at the Two Trees-associated Court House Apartments.

Townhome showdown: Brooklyn vs Soho

Townhouse showdown : Soho vs Boerum Hill

Today's curbed link on the NY Post's article on the townhomes at 255 Hudson gave us a thought on how far Brooklyn prices have advanced. Comparing the townhomes at 255 Hudson and 14 Townhouses on State St. in Boerum Hill, we've come up with the following:

255 Hudson 14 Townhomes
Price 2,950,000 2,560,000
Square footage 1,836 3,424
Bedrooms 2 4
Bath 2.5 4
Garden Yes Yes
Floors 2 4
$/ square foot 1,606 748

So, as the numbers show, there is still value in Brooklyn. Two extra floors, 1500 more square feet, 2 more bathrooms for $400K less. Oh, the townhomes on State St. also come with Bulthaup kitchens.

Rice - opening soon in Fort Greene?

Judging from this craigslist ad for supervisors, the opening of Rice on Dekalb is imminent.

145 Park Place - new development by Corcoran

We paid a visit to the sleek model unit at 145 Park Place today. Pictures of the model unit are shown below, which is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1588 square foot unit priced at $1.17MM.

Trust-funders and top-tier professionals only need apply for this unit. With closing costs nearing $50K and a 10% down payment of $117K, monthly carrying costs on this unit are about $7K a month after you factor in $1000 for maintenance and taxes.

There were plenty of closets in this one. Pluses included the double sinks and the Bosch washer and dryer. Minuses include the chintzy (at this price point) GE Profile appliance suite.

Here is a view of the living spaces in a model unit at 145 Park Place.

Double sinks, always a great idea, are installed in the master bath.

Staging plays a big part in the 145 Park Place marketing effort. Here is a kitchen in a model unit. All appliances are GE Profile.

The parking conundrum in Fort Greene

Jake Mooney of the Times checks in on the parking situation in Fort Greene. He notes that putting in quarters in the meters is only one part of ensuring you don't get a ticket. Apparently, the DOT and the Department of Sanitation haven't coordinated their rules on Fulton Street. In addition to the meters, you also have to ensure that you are not parking while street cleaning rules are enforced.

Here's a picture of the *relatively* expansive living areas in the apartments at the Washington Condos.

The front page of the Bridge View website - a new project at the nexus of Fort Greene and Vinegar Hill.

BridgeView Tower Condos in DUMBO

A new condominium that's at the weird intersection of Fort Greene and Vinegar Hill has a great view on its' website that would make one think that it is in prime DUMBO territory. But, alas, it's not. It is almost right off the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge off of Flatbush. Take a look at its' location here. There are 62 units slated for this development.

Fort Greene crime spree

We've found out in the past two days of two house robberies. In both cases, the robber was able to enter the house through the backyard-- one a ground floor apartment and another a third floor apartment.

In the ground floor apartment, the thief pushed in the screen, lifted up a window and opened up the backyard door. In the third floor apartment, the Spiderman-wannabe may have been hanging off the fire escape and opened up a window that was slightly ajar.

In both cases, the cops were called. No thief was apprehended.

Brownstoner checks in on the Washington Condos

Brownstoner visited the Washington site this week. Let's see how many people chime in. Put your comments here.

J Condo - make sure you're serious or else!

The Elliman broker covering J Condo sent us an email, saying there's a priority list. Apparently he has enough pull to get us in, 'but you have to be serious about the purchase cause access is very limit right now.'

J Condo - learning from 70 Washington

When 70 Washington came on market, you couldn't pay your way to get an appointment to look at the new units. It looks like the J Condo is learning from Two Trees' mistakes. We just received an email from an Ellimann broker who is also advertising the J Condo units.

This is most likely a co-broker agreement, the likes of which were seen at 70 Washington a few months, after the hype had died down.

J Condo - the Joy of Living in Dumbo

After getting our call earlier this week to make an appointment, we went to the sales office today to check out what they had for us.

In line with today's de rigeur process of only releasing a few units each day, the $800-900K price range yielded the following:

1. 10th floor corner unit, 1223 sq ft, 2 bed, 2 bath for $800K
2. 11th floor corner unit, 1183 sq ft, 2 bed, 2 bath for $825K
3. 6th floor corner unit, 1192 sq ft, 2 bed, 2 bath for $730K
4. 20th floor corner unit, 1260 sq ft, 2 bed, 2 bath for $910K
5. 4th floor corner unit, 1223 sq ft, 2 bed, 2 bath with 1479 sq ft outdoor terrace for $875K