354 Franklin Avenue: A Positive Development
A block away from the controversial development at 333 Greene, there’s an 8,000-square-foot residential development in mid-construction. When we walked past it earlier this week, it struck us as Scarano-esque, which is not surprising because, as it turns out, it is a Scarano project. While we haven’t always been easy on the man or some…
A block away from the controversial development at 333 Greene, there’s an 8,000-square-foot residential development in mid-construction. When we walked past it earlier this week, it struck us as Scarano-esque, which is not surprising because, as it turns out, it is a Scarano project. While we haven’t always been easy on the man or some of his designs (though we did opine favorably on this one recently), we have to say that we think this building is a positive development (no pun intended) for the nabe. It’s also interesting to note that it is being built for $250 a square foot. We don’t know exactly how much a Fedders building costs to construct but it can’t be a whole lot less. If the developer can acquire the land at $100 a buildable foot, build it for $250 a foot and sell it for $450 a foot, everyone’s a winner, right? GMAP
What is going to be double dog fun for the buyers who move into that building (I assume it won’t be cheap, since a number of rooms seem to have double-high ceilings) is discovering how hard it is to get DEP or 311 to do anything about their neighbors, as that fabulous round window looks down on an autobody shop whose fumes are about what you expect from an auto body shop; past the autobody shop is Five Star Label and Tag which takes deliveries at all hours of the night. The other night a tanker truck showed up at 2AM and commenced pumping.
I’m hoping that some fancy pants move in there soon so’s they can at least get 5 Star to stop backing up their fork lifts (beep beep beep beep beep) all night long.
Just get rid of those ugly A/C sleeves in those bdlgs. Just black or dark colored grating. Doesn’t cost much. And hopefully a year later the building won’t have those rust stains from the cheap sleeves running down the front.
I pass this building all the time and it does look okay from the view in the photo but on the Franklin Avenue side it is extremely narrow. Given all of the glass and the lack of depth inhabiting this building will resemble life in a hamster wheel. I find this true of many low to midrise buildings that developers have been trying to squeeze into small lots in Williamsburg. I imagine a lot of them are Scarano projects as well, the man seems to be ubiquitous these days.
Not to be argumentative CHb, but steel frame and cinderblock construction is pretty straightforward. As long as the foundation is deep, level and dry, the basic structure isn’t going anywhere. I’m sure there are some lousy ones, but there are some lousy brownstones too.
My proposition is based on a structurally sound basis. Maybe a little sloppy, but structurally OK.
I’ve seen these buildings go up and the construction is so shoddy. As bad as the outside looks, the inside is 10X worse. I agree that there are many cosmetic fixes that you could make, but ultimately the poor quality construction will result in problems. Buyer beware…
sorry- my post above. forgot to sign-in.
Also thought that if you’re handy and the style accomodates, a small porch or overhang for the front door can really add something. Wood from HD and a little creativity.
Adding to Shahn’s- do something interesting with the brickwork. Old buildings used to lay brick creatively. And not that godawful pink or white stuff. Something softer and more earth toned. Don’t use those fancy/but cheap wrought iron fencing. Simple, black fences look so much nicer. And play with the concrete- it’s an amazingly versatile material that can be beautifully colored and made to look like other materials.
Maybe put some money into a really nice front door. If you go for one with leaded glass, get the leading in a dark color, not bright gold or silver. THose look really cheap.
Please- no more speckly blk/wht granite countertops. Or that awful dreary grayish shiny marble tile. Simple tile or a solid color stone. Corian is also a beautiful artistic material. Slate. Terracotta.
There’s a huge variety of reasonably priced and nice looking fixtures (including knobs and drawer pulls)in Home Depot- don’t just get the cheapest ones. Go for something on the classic side that won’t look dated in 5 years- or overly ornate so that your place looks like the Versaille that failed.
And paint- good quality paint and pick your colors wisely. Great fixtures finishes that look more expensive are brushed nickel, bronze, antiqued copper- and they often don’t cost that much more.
One last thing- fedders buildings are modern in style and though eclectic is a great look, Victorian style fixtures won’t make it a brownstone. Pick things to enhance the style, not make it look like what it isn’t. DOesn’t mean you shouldn’t use a great period style chandelier- but make it a statement of choice, not a wannabe.
1. Get structural engineer to confirm that corners were not cut when the foundation was installed.
2. Replace el-cheapo brick with something nice that will weather well and not look like sawdust in a few years. Add some poured concrete accents that require some real creative thought.
3. Remove the single window from the front and break holes in the concrete blocks so that new two-over-two windows can be installed, with each undersized window being replaced by two good windows.
4. Move utility meters to the basement where they belong.
5. Replace the crappy hollow synthetic interior doors with solid pine doors that they ALSO sell at home depot, but for $145 rather than $70.
6. Pull up crappy wood floors, level floor with self-leveling light concrete, install decent oak or even bamboo flooring.
Sorry. Here are the Specs of our hypothetical “Fedders” building.
Steel Frame and cinderblock construction.
Brick Faced
Small Window Openings
Exterior Utility Meters
Contractor/Home Depot grade, windows doors, cabinetry, counters, fixtures, wood floors, appliances.