Closing Bell: Holiday Weekend Flea
The Brooklyn Flea will be making its regular appearance this holiday weekend both in Fort Greene this Saturday and at Skylight One Hanson, across from the Flatbush Ave. Target, on Sunday. Check out some of the food vendors profiled in The New Brooklyn Cookbook or try your hand at the Scavenger Hunt this weekend and win a free t-shirt or potpourri. The flea is from 10am to 5pm and it's free. Map and directions are here.
Building of the Day: 555 Prospect Place
Jewish Hospital, main building. Classon Ave, between St. Marks and Prospect Place. Crown Heights North. George Morse, architect. 1903.
The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.
Address: 555 Prospect Place, corner of Classon Ave.
Name: Brooklyn Jewish Hospital
Neighborhood: Crow Hill, part of Crown Heights North
Year Built: 1901-1927 (other parts added later)
Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival
Architects: Main building: George Morse
Landmarked: No
Why chosen: The Brooklyn Jewish Hospital was incorporated in 1901, and was dedicated in 1903. By the beginning of the 1950's, it had grown to be one of the largest and best hospital complexes in Brooklyn. In addition to the main building, which faced Classon Avenue, the hospital had a nurses complex and residence, built in 1927, and several adjoining pavilions, wings and clinics, the last of which seem to date from the 1950's. Albert Einstein was a surgery patient here in the 1950's. By 1979, unfortunately, at a time when almost all city hospitals were failing, the hospital had filed for bankruptcy, and would merge with St. John's Hospital, creating Interfaith Hospital, which is now located in Bedford Stuyvesant. By 2000, the huge complex was abandoned and could have gone the way of so many large, and now, unwanted institutions, but was taken over and redeveloped into rental housing, beginning a few years later. The reviews of the success of the project are mixed, as some of the six buildings, which are run separately, have had some persistent problems with getting their C of O's, and getting needed repairs, but the result has still been a new village of people, spurring new retail traffic on Classon and Franklin Avenues. The oldest, and most beautiful buildings were repurposed first, and now, some of the newer buildings are also being renovated, and plans for a supermarket are once more being entertained.
Development Watch: 777 Driggs
777 Driggs, between South 3rd and 4th Streets, is moving towards completion. We don't know how long the building has actually been in construction but the new building permit was filed back in 2008. The project will have eight units when all is said and done. What do you think of it? GMAP P*Shark DOB
Streetlevel: Baklava for Bay Ridge?
The Cafe at Sam's Bakery opened earlier this month in Bay Ridge, but Sam (short for Samia) has been shipping her famous baklava all over the world via SamsBakery.com for a while now. We heard that Sam was giving out free baklava with the purchase of any coffee or espresso drink, and we headed down to 94th Street over the weekend to check it out. Unfortunately, the shop was unexpectedly closed for a family emergency on Saturday afternoon. We're told that the cafe also serves Lebanese specialties like spinach pies, lamb pies, "bold and garlicky hommous," and "smokey eggplant babaghannouj," and the sign in the window says they've got tres leches cake, too. Plus, Sam's has free wifi and "2 electrical outlets for every 1.5 seats." Sounds like a great local spot, and hours are posted as 7am to 7pm on weekdays and 7am to 11pm on weekends, but we'd recommend calling ahead before making a long trip there. GMAP
Open House Picks
The selection of open houses this holiday weekend is so woefully slim that it's not even worth trying to come up with some picks this week. If there's anything you think's worth checking out, feel free to post links in the comments.
Open House Picks: Six Months Later
Comment: Not so bad.
Open House Picks 3/5/10 [Brownstoner]
Previous Six Months Later Posts [Brownstoner]
Restaurant of the Day: Elora's
"Elora’s is likely to be crowded most evenings by the local happy hour Margarita Mommies with their kids in tow... Two clattering dining rooms are separated by a narrow passageway next to the kitchen, and decorated with pale yellow paint and Mexican kitsch. The food is an odd amalgam of Dominican and Sonoran-style Mexican border food, heavy on the refritos, cheese and yellow rice," writes Jack Robertiello for New York magazine.
"If you order before 3pm you can get the lunch special. The lunch specials are very filling because they come with yellow rice, choice of chicken, pork, or vegetable tacos, re-fried beans all for $6 bucks plus tax! If you dine after 4pm (happy hour) make sure you get the 1/2 price frozen margarita," says Yelper Touro T. How would you rate Elora's?
Essential Info
Elora's
- Address:
- 272 Prospect Park West
- Phone:
- (718) 788-6190
- Nabe:
- Windsor Terrace
- Cuisine:
- Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Median Entree:
- $12
From the Forum: Happy with Your New Furnace?
Party at the Green Building
Over the weekend, a New Orleans-style brass band marched down Union Street, followed by a well-dressed young man — possibly a groom — on a white, wooden, four-wheeled horse, who was being pushed down the sidewalk by a parade of masquerading revelers in formalwear. Pumping fistfuls of confetti into the air, they danced toward that big green industrial building on the corner of Smith and Hoyt.
The Green Building on Union, as it now calls itself, has been seeing a lot of activity this summer. Back in July, it hosted the Siren Fest pre-party, featuring Tel Aviv's wild and primal Monotonix, and it suddenly seems to have formally-dressed folks — wedding guests, we presume — standing around its doors every weekend. According to the photos on its website, the interior looks very raw and industrial, though, thankfully, not garishly green like its outer walls. Has anybody been to a party here yet? GMAP
Staycation: Bannerman Castle
Pollepel Island, now known as Bannerman's Island, between Beacon and Newburgh, on the Hudson River. (Shaun O'Boyle)
For many of us, staycations are this year's vacations. Instead of the cottages and castles of the Continent, visit one of New York's fascinating house museums. Each week, for the entire summer, we'll alternate between a site in New York City, or one in greater New York State. Many of these houses are in danger of closing if we don't patronize them. Check them out, and go visit! If you've been, please leave comments and suggestions, including dining or any other amenities.
Name: Bannerman Castle/ Bannerman Island Arsenal
Location: Pollepel Island, between Beacon and Newburgh, NY
Address: Hudson Highlands State Park, Route 9D, Beacon, NY 10512
Hours: May to October, call for reservations
Admission: $30 adult, includes boat ride and guided tour
Children: $25, 11 years and younger
Website: bannermancastle.org
Directions: See website
Details: Every summer staycation should include a ruined castle, and this one is close enough for jaded New Yorkers to take in. The tale of the castles' origin, and its fate today, are all tied up appropriately, by the success of a Brooklyn entrepreneur.
Another Perspective on 25 Washington
Here's another angle on the rooftop action at 25 Washington in Dumbo, which will consist of penthouse apartments and cabanas. In related news, 25 Washington is also on the September 7th LPC agenda “to establish a master plan governing the future installation of windows,” writes Dumbo NYC.
25 Washington Rooftop Addition in View [Brownstoner] GMAP
If you haven't checked out the latest listings in the Brownstoner Marketplace, now would be a great time to do so!
From the Forum: Conversion and the DOB
DOB is playing games and I had enough of it. Can someone please advise me. We are converting from 2 ...More >65 Prospect Park West Flips!
It's been quite a ride for 65 Prospect Park West! Despite its park views and private parking, the three-story house was in rough enough shape when it hit the market in early 2009 that it only ended up fetching $1,400,000. Then, it seems, the new buyer fixed the place up and handed it off to Corcoran who listed it for $3,400,000 at the beginning of the summer. After a modest price decrease in July, though, the listing went into contract in early August and then closed quickly three weeks later for $2,837,550. Sounds like someone probably put a few bucks in his or her pocket on that one! Look for this baby to show up on next week's list of Biggest Sales. GMAP
Lilla Cafe Opens Near Columbia St. Waterfront
A reader, as well as BoCoCa Land, noticed that the new restaurant we spotted at 126 Union Street has opened its doors. Back then we were promised a small menu with seasonal foods, and it looks like they lived up to their word. The menu for now-named Lilla Cafe only features seven items, including Ricotta Cavatelli, Roasted Amish Chicken, and Citris Brined Pork Chops. Prices are no higher than 19 bucks. BoCoCa Land also says it's BYOB for now. Let us know if you've stopped in yet!
New Restaurant for Union Street [Brownstoner] GMAP
From the Forum: How Do I Find an Empty Lot?
New Foreclosures Drop in Brooklyn
Foreclosure results for the five boroughs were mixed in August, according to numbers just released by Property Shark. Staten Island and Queens saw increases in both year-over-year and month-over-month numbers, while the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn saw declines in both numbers. In Brooklyn, the number of new foreclosures dropped from 31 in August 2009 and 37 in July 2010 to just 20 last month. (Click through to the jump for a map of the Brooklyn properties in question.) The big question is whether the trend is your friend or this is just the calm before the pent-up storm.
A Tree Falls in Park Slope
The hurricane isn't even here yet but there's already a tree down. A reader just sent in this photo taken from 6th Avenue looking west on Berkeley Place in Park Slope. "Police, ambulance, and fire here. No one looks hurt," says the tipster. "The school maintenance guy thought the police and fire responded because kids were setting the school garbage on fire during the night."
Weekend Events
The Wonder Wheel's 90th Birthday Party
Tomorrow is the grand celebration of Deno’s Wonder Wheel’s 90th Birthday in Coney Island. Not only will this be hosted by The World Famous *BOB*, but there will be music featured by The Hungry March Band, The Banjo Rascals & Curtis Eller with performances by Coney Island Talent Show winners; Phineas, Jason Perez, The Minsky Sisters, M’Lady Uppercrust, The Amazing Amy, and many more. Saturday, September 4. 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Free. Boardwalk at W. 12th Street, Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
Kayaking with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse
Get out on the water for kayaking and community rowing with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse led by the Gowanus Dredgers and the Village Community Boathouse. There is no need to sign up in advance; boating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. No training or prior experience is needed. Bring clothes you don't mind getting wet, and shoes or sandals suitable for walking on a rocky beach. The only requirement is that you know how to swim. All equipment is provided free. Saturday, September 4. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free. Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Meet at the Construction Gate on the east side of the Bridge View Lawn, look for boathouse volunteers and signage at the check-in desk.
The Brooklyn Flea
The Brooklyn Flea is located in the Bishop Loughlin schoolyard in Fort Greene on Saturdays and at Skylight One Hanson (the former Williamsburgh Savings Bank across from the Atlantic Center mall) on Sundays. The Flea features over a 100 vendors offering a great mix of vintage, antiques, jewelry, and food. Saturday & Sunday, September 4 & 5. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free. 176 Lafayette Avenue and One Hanson Place.
Please send your events listings to events@brownstoner.com
Friday Links
Camping in a Brooklyn Wilderness [NY Times]
Four Members of Jewish Patrol Are Shot [NY Times]
Girl’s Death in Brooklyn Prompts Police Inquiry [NY Times]
Brooklyn Gets Ready for West Indian Day Parade [NY Daily News]
Taxi Drivers Want to Avoid Brooklyn Bridge [NY Daily News]
Free Wifi at Three Downtown Brooklyn Parks [NY Daily News]
Six New Public School Buildings for Brooklyn [Brooklyn Eagle]
Brooklyn Building Workers Protest Pay Cuts [TRD]
Barclays Construction Forces Pedestrians Onto Street [NY1]
Thursday Blogwrap
With Hurricane Earl Approaching [GB.net]
Atlantic Tunnel's Bob Diamond Leaving Brooklyn? [mcbrooklyn]
Labor Day Weekend Specials [All About 5th]
Brooklyn College Required Reading Proves Controversial [Daily Intel]
Summer Wraps Up with Back to School News [MarineParker.net]
Photo by Pete of Brooklyn.
Closing Bell: Swoon!
One of our favorite things about living in Brooklyn is the incredible street art that tends to pop up in unexpected places. A recent Brooklynian thread pointed out work by graffiti artist Swoon on Franklin Avenue that was recently revamped. We did a bit of digging and it looks like this piece has some history. The original, which is just beautiful, looked like this, courtesy of the blog Netta Please. Then parts of it were spray painted over. Its latest incarnation is shown in the picture above, check out the full sized shot at djscience.rm's Flickr account. Do you have favorite pieces of street art around the city?
From the Forum: THE PARTY IS TONIGHT!!!
Building of the Day: 70 Havemeyer Street
The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.
Address: 70 Havemeyer Street, corner of North 5th St.
Name: Church of the Annunciation School
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Year Built: 1889-1893
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architects: Unknown
Landmarked: No
Why chosen: Look Ma, Williamsburg! This is a great old school and a great introduction to Williamsburg. The school was built by the Church of the Annunciation, which is just across the street, and they also had a convent and an orphan asylum nearby. The church will be covered here at another time, but was founded by German Catholic immigrants who settled much of Williamsburg in the mid 19th century. The congregation started to plan for the school and raise funds in 1889, and the premits were issued in 1893. It was run by the Sisters of St. Dominic, this particular group of Dominican sisters were from Regensburg, Bavaria, and they lived next door in their convent. Their building is now condos. The school was in existence until 1973, and has an alumni website. The building itself is a classic Victorian pile, with large windows, and a very nice corner tower with a turret and bell tower, dormers and some very well done long arched windows. The tower face sports elegant carved signage in Latin with the name of the school. The font is really great, as is the delicate carved ornament. Today the school is an alternative learning center for children and home to the Williamsburg Northside Preschool Annex.
Windsor Place Gets Modern
This home at 30 Windsor Place, between 7th and 8th Avenues, used to be a pretty typical-looking house for the block. But no more. The two-family structure is nearing the end of a fairly dramatic makeover. The DOB permit was for exterior alterations only and there will be no change to the property's C of O. What do you think? It looks interesting to us, though apparently there's some outstanding issue with DOB regarding unauthorized concrete work. DOB GMAP
Latest Restaurant Additions
-
Elora's
added September 3, 2010 12:00 PM in Windsor Terrace -
Cariño
added September 2, 2010 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Il Cantuccio
added September 1, 2010 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Double Windsor
added August 31, 2010 12:00 PM in Windsor Terrace -
Blue Bottle Coffee
added August 30, 2010 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Vamos al Tequila
added August 27, 2010 12:00 PM in Greenpoint -
Cafe Colette
added August 26, 2010 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Cafe Grumpy
added August 25, 2010 12:00 PM in Greenpoint, Park Slope -
Miranda
added August 24, 2010 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
added August 23, 2010 12:00 PM in Greenpoint