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December 29, 2006
Broken Angel Now For Sale
Wow. Unbeknownst to us (and many of you, we assume), the Broken Angel and an adjacent lot has been being stealthily marketed for sale by Massey Knakal's Michael Annunziata. As a result, the listing is not up on the web but we've seen the tear sheets on the prop. The Angel itself is at 4-6 Downing Street and sits on a 40-by-100-foot lot zoned for R6. At 13,000 square feet, the current building is actually overbuilt by about 4,000 square feet. The empty lot next door at 8 Downing is 20-by-100-feet. The properties are asking $1,400,000 and $425,000, respectively. One can only surmise that the cost of bringing the structure up to code has turned out to be too great for the Woods. Maybe they couldn't get a loan against the property for some reason or maybe they just became overwhelmed with the whole thing. Regardless, the big question now is whether the person who ends up buying it will try to salvage some of the design and spirit of the former trolley factory or just erase the symbol of artistic freedom forever. Interested parties can contact Michael at 718-238-8999 x 6526.
Photo by silkcut.
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Comments
i hear scarano has designs, (pun intended), on this property...after winning curbed's architect of the year award, i'm sure he's licking his chops.
Posted by: ltjbukem at December 29, 2006 9:12 AM
there goes the neighborhood.
Posted by: Jimmy Legs at December 29, 2006 9:14 AM
It is a tragic outcome indeed that a reckless disregard for fire safety concerns, an arrogant flaunting of the New York City building code, and an illegal violation of New York City zoning ordinances will result in the gain of $2MM for the embattled promoter of artistic freedom and expression. Is there no justice?
Posted by: Anonymous at December 29, 2006 9:56 AM
thank god money is everything.
Posted by: Jimmy Legs at December 29, 2006 10:20 AM
"the big question now is whether the person who ends up buying it will try to salvage some of the design and spirit of the former trolley factory "
really?? that's actually a question?
i would say it's pretty much a lock to be torn down and replaced by condos.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 29, 2006 10:35 AM
I don't think it is an unreasonable hope that "some of the design and spirit of the former trolley factory" be salvaged, even if it is made into high end condos. The facade of the original building is interesting and could be restored. Maybe even incorporate or retain some the artistic flourishes built by Mr. Wood. I think a smart developer could use that as a savy and attractive marketing tool, and it would at least serve as a reminder of the what many people like about the odd structure Mr. Wood has built on the old trolley factory. The common areas of the converted building could be decorated with what would be a gallery of the buildings history, including photographs of the progression of Mr. Wood's work on his "Broken Angel", and pieces of his "sculpture" (e.g. the cool colored bottle windows) on display for peopel to see. Maybe even put a public gallery on a portion of the ground floor for local artists to display their work in.
It would be a nice way to try to respect Mr. Wood's artistic vision while developing an economically viable and structurally sound condo conversion. I wish I had the dough to do something like that. I think Mr. Wood would probably be up for some sort of preservation of his work in photographs and displays, and some remaining details of his construction being preserved or incoporated in any redevelopment, if he had a say in it.
Probably won't happen that way though, but we can at least put it out there and see if a developer takes such ideas into consideration.
Posted by: lp at December 29, 2006 11:07 AM
lp, i don't think what you say is a bad idea or anything, i just don't think it's very realistic. doing something like that will cost money and eat into the bottom line. it's cheaper to knock something down than to carefully preserve parts of it, and in 2007, that's just the way of the world.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 29, 2006 1:18 PM
Why would anyone respect "Woods artistic vision" when obviously he dosent - since he is selling BOTH lots - if he really was an artistic instead of a nutty guy who likes to flagrently disregard building codes - he'd simply sell the empty lot and use the proceeds to fix up his "art".
Posted by: David at December 29, 2006 1:33 PM
I did note it would probably not happen. I imagine Woods is selling because he has no choice. No need to be snarky. Just trying to suggest a creative way of marketing whatever they do develop. as for the structure, the old trolley building is actually nice looking (I've seen old pics) from the outside. Maybe that can be preserved, dunno if it would be too expensive or not to do that, but it would probably be more attractive than what could, and probably will, be built in its place. I think more attention to exterior aesthetics, and less emphasis on high end kitchen finishes like subzeros, marble tiles, etc., would be one way to go. I'd be interested if that would save enough money to make saving the facade viable...
Brainstorming people...
Posted by: lp at December 29, 2006 2:09 PM
wow 1.4M for that thing. Id be surprised if it went for more than 1.1
Posted by: Anonymous at December 29, 2006 2:22 PM
it is a 40' wide lot. Thats why $1.4m.
It is not the structure.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 29, 2006 3:03 PM
wow if i had the money, i would buy it less than a hear beat and restore it to the 8 family unit.
Posted by: armchair_warrior at December 29, 2006 5:49 PM
So sad.
Posted by: carla at December 29, 2006 8:08 PM
How sad you cannot break the law and endanger the lives of others without impunity
Posted by: Anonymous at December 30, 2006 10:09 AM
yea $1.4 is alot considering the sign. rehab. involved.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 30, 2006 2:26 PM
Does anyone have a sense of how the neighbors feel about the vision of Broken Angel? Would they want it preserved if it could be made safe and be completed? Or do they consider it a problem? I am not a developer but I am taken by the vision of Broken Angel and would consider buying this property, bringing it up to code, giving the Woods family an opportunity to live in their lifelong creation, and making a home for my family, too. Would the neighbors support such an effort or would they want it developed into "old trolley condos," but not "broken angel"?
Posted by: LB at December 30, 2006 9:04 PM
fortunately for the neighborhood, this property is not very "interruptive" to the walking life of clinton hill. so even if they put up a shitbox with bedroom windows that overlook a kitchen ... many of us will be insulated from the torment.
not to say that's a celebration, but it is a bit of a bet-hedge.
Posted by: ANP at December 31, 2006 2:03 PM
Broken Angel update 1/6/07
I hope that everyone has had a good beginning to the New Year. I would like to address certain questions and statements that have been posted online as to the fate of Broken Angel. It is true that Broken Angel is for sale. The only financial donation that my parents received was a check for $10.00 and this was never cashed. In addition a small amount of money has been generated from the sale of a few photographs, this money covered the costs of copying the plans for the architects and engineers. The help that we have received has been in the form of various people’s time and expertise and we really do appreciate their efforts. My family and I are very sorry if these generous people feel that their time has been wasted by this experience. We are still trying through the courts to save the building.
Our current understanding of the situation is that my father has been given a month to remove the entire wooden structure from the top of the building. If he does not, then the Department of Buildings will move in, do the work and zero out the value of the property. This point was driven home when we received a phone call from a member of the Department of Buildings to this effect the morning after Christmas. My father has never been given any indication that he will be allowed to reside in the building if the work is completed by the Department of Buildings. One month is not enough time to get a contractor, much less to have them complete the work. From the beginning we have been asking for a clear statement of what work needs to be done, and a reasonable time in which to accomplish that work, we have still not received this from the City.
My parents are senior citizens, they have a small fixed income and since they have been evicted from their home, no permanent residence. It is a hard situation for anyone to be in. They don’t want to sell their home, a building that was their dream, and labor for 28 years, but at this point they don’t see many alternatives.
Sincerely,
Chris Wood
Posted by: christoher wood at January 6, 2007 8:16 PM
i'm glad our own shahn anderson is helping the woods own the new structure and turn it into condos...who knew!!! shahn, you devil...
Posted by: Anonymous at January 11, 2007 7:41 AM
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