Gates and Vandy: Neither Grim Nor Dandy
Now that the new building at the corner of Gates and Vanderbilt Avenues in Clinton Hill is nearing completion, we’re finding ourselves not feeling particularly strongly either way about it. Is it beautiful? No. But its scale isn’t overwhelming, the brick color is decent and the facades align with neighboring buildings, all of which makes…
Now that the new building at the corner of Gates and Vanderbilt Avenues in Clinton Hill is nearing completion, we’re finding ourselves not feeling particularly strongly either way about it. Is it beautiful? No. But its scale isn’t overwhelming, the brick color is decent and the facades align with neighboring buildings, all of which makes us happy. Interestingly enough, the five-story, eight-unit building was designed by Bricolage, which has caught its fair share of crap on this site in the past. When we discussed this back in April, several commenters reported that the ground floor space was going to be rented to a dentist’s office, an idea that was unanimously unpopular. Anyone heard anything more about the retail tenant? Thoughts on the design?
Picking Up Steam at Vanderbilt and Gates [Brownstoner] GMAP BIS
Does that explain the apparent vacancy of the ground floor space at the Greene Scene Condos (Carlton/Greene?)?
justinyc is right–Bricolage is (in)famous for using some sort of zoning loophole that lets you build more than usually permitted far if you are including a medical office. Some of the buildings never actually find a medical tenant, but the density sticks.
Couldnt agree more Clinton Hillster. If the buyers dont demand it, why should the builders make it so?
I’ll add that the people who complain about beautifully and lovinging restored brownstones being too expensive (ahem, no one on here of course) are the ones who are buying these characterless places. If the pessimists on this board who predict RE prices will be cut by 50% in the next year are right, Brooklyn will be full of this kind of medocrity as buyers can get the land at a discounted rate.
Developers know they don’t have to spend money on architecture in Brooklyn. No one demands it. The community boards are simply not strong enough and kids priced out of manhattan are simply looking for more space for less money, forget architecture or design.
Sorry, but to me it’s still nothing more than a Fedders building, despite the nice shade of brick, unsupersized scale, and facade alignment with the neighboring buildings. Saying it could have been worse is painful and shows how low the standards have fallen, in terms of our expectations from the architectural sector of modern America.
The building on 6th ave. in south slope (yesterday’s b-stoner) which is truly much better but not exactly “genius,” proves that architects like those at bricolage are just plain mediocre or even below average.
Where is the talent these days in NYC multi-unit residential buildings? Why does this type of ubiquitous structure have to be the standard? Please don’t give me the cost argument. Some of the best art ever created in all genres was created with minimal budgets and materials.
Any thoughts on the new construction on Clinton between Fulton and Atlantic? It seems to be rising high – I can now see it from Putnam as I walk out my door. Looks pretty fancy. I’d buy and apartment there if I had the money… Just kidding! On topic: seems perfectly acceptable in a world of ugly interlopers.
I live in the top corner window of 464 Clinton that’s just visible in your picture, Mr. B. Yeah, this puppy could’ve been worse. But as a trade for my views of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank and the Verrazano and Bayonne Bridges, it’s a touch lacking.
Sigh. They better be pretty good dentists.
I would guess that small windows on Vandy would help cut down on the traffic noise. (?)
(nb: we clean our teeth by chewing on each other!)
the side facing Vanderbilt has ridiculously small windows