Two Trees Plans Mixed Use Building Next to Bridge
As we suggested back in the beginning of May, Two Trees’ plans for the Nova Clutch building (which it has been demolishing over the past few weeks) were far grander than a replacement building. The Dumbo-based developer today made public its proposal for a mixed-use building on the entire half a block bounded by Water,…
As we suggested back in the beginning of May, Two Trees’ plans for the Nova Clutch building (which it has been demolishing over the past few weeks) were far grander than a replacement building. The Dumbo-based developer today made public its proposal for a mixed-use building on the entire half a block bounded by Water, Front and Dock Streets; in addition to Nova Clutch, this swath also includes 38 Water Street, the site of St. Ann’s Warehouse, where Two Trees tried to get approval for a 16-story tower back in 2004 before withdrawing the application in the face of public opposition. The proposed design by Beyer Blinder Belle, which includes 400 “green” apartments, 80 of which would be affordable, as well as retail, parking and a new public middle school, aims to address the central criticism of its 2004 plan—that it cramped the Brooklyn Bridge’s style. The inclusion of the school is a very smart political move, as many Dumbo residents are deeply concerned about where their kids will go to school after P.S. 8. Now let the vetting process begin!
Prepping for Something Bigger at 39 Front? [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Two Trees Seeking Approval for 15-20 Story Building [DumboNYC] DOB
View from Front Street. Nova Clutch, June 22, 2007.
View from Water Street. St. Ann’s Warehouse.
New York Lost © is a documentary about the loss of what makes New York, New York. Developers are destroying it’s unique stores, ethnic neighborhoods, and character while replacing it with chain stores that all look alike and glass condos. At risk is the exciting and diverse community that brings so many to New York, and what makes New York the world center of art, communications, finance and fashion. Is New York turning into a gated community and giant shopping mall? Is it fair to ask whether all of this change is a good thing? Will developers kill the goose that laid the golden egg? Is the spirit of neighborliness dead? I interviewed several New Yorkers from the founder of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa to an old time Fulton Fish Market docker worker. I think you will be fascinated with what they have to say. Visit http://www.myspace.com/newyorklost to view the film for a limited time until film festival premier.
Although Walentas might benefit by the new building, so will a large segement of Dumbo. This is a win win situation and having views obstructed has no relationship to the legal and moral underpinnings of the proposition…schools and affordable housing are good things!
The artists and hipsters that moved to
dumbo in 1965, and made the area buzz.
Bought their buildings for twenty grand. I can’t think of one person left.
They moved to Santa Fe, and Prague,and points elsewhere. Prices go down when you don’t have a view. The only reason
to live near all that pollution would be for I guess a view. I understand paying twenty grand for a six story building. I don’t understand paying the prices now. And more than likely your neighbors are going to boring twits, versus, well you know.
Now that family and staff of TT has given us their comments, let’s see what other people have to say in the “Why didn’t I think of that??” category.
1.Place a middle school in a high volume traffic area right off the highway with few sidewalks, insufficient transportation and few services available(but they will have a park to hang in)Get a huge tax incentive for a school.
2.Place a 3 story garage under the Bridge that is on highest alert for national security issues including bomb detectors at each end.
Who cares about water tables and historic Belguim blocks?
3.Build an 18 story rental apartment within 70 feet of the Bridge, taller than the Bridge towers. 80% or 320 luxury apartments in the building will now go for $3,500-$12,000+ per month? Make sure to own the building so you can keep the income.
4.Reposition and move its wide side to block sun and light from Front and Water Street. And make it tall enough with big glass windows to increase sound levels bouncing off the Bridge.
5.Make sure to block the historic Gair buildings from any view including the Bridge walkway, the water, Fulton Ferry, the Seaport, Henry Street.
6. Suck the charm out of the neighborhood and chase away films, photo shoots and people festivals.
Respect for a community includes the fore sight to make an honest evaluation of what would best serve the community and its neighbors. Destroying the historic waterfront, over powering the majesty of the Bridge, ruining landmark vistas and adding congestion is not what is needed in DUMBO in the 21st century.
Hey July 3, you hold onto the offering plans for condos that you’ve looked at from years past for fun, or did you pull it out of the filing cabinet at of your office at 45 Main (in the 2Trees office). Thats what I thought. Have fun this year at the retreat on the Polo Farm out in the Hamptons. Asshole.
I may be biased, because i have a soon to be middle schooler, but I don’t work for 2trees. Those people who are claiming that 2trees sold them a unit in 70 Washington or in Sweeney (30 Main st) without being upfront about future development on this Dock st site are are being completely dishonest. This is a quote verbatim from PAGE 1 of my Sweeney offering plan, which we all got from 2trees before we bought apartments:
“1. An affiliate of Two Trees plans to construct a multi-story mixed use building on Dock Street between Water Street and Front Street. The owner of such property may construct a building up to a height of approximately 210 feet which does not include water towers or other roof top mechanical spaces and equipment. Accordingly, the proposed building, if constructed, may be built to a height greater than the height of the Sweeney Building, and, therefore, may obstruct water views of certain Unit Owners and Roof Terrace Owners.”
I am having a hard time believing that those complaining about views FROM the bridge are anything more than NIMBY condo owners who don’t want their views blocked. I don’t feel that this building does anything to compromise the landmark brooklyn bridge as I think a few loud condo owners would want you to believe.
This would be as stupid as building a residential tower in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. There is more economic incentive to improve the view of the bridge than block it. There is a reason why nothing near the bridge is over 3-4 floors. There has been a historical respect for one of the most iconic bridges in the world, and preserving this is an enormous asset to Brooklyn’s economy. Dumbo has one of the largest undeveloped lots in the city further back from the bridge. A school should be built there.
i like this building. its no bigger than 70 washington and the other gairs. and from what i’ve read, it will have many more features that benefit the neighborhood than the luxury condos that have been going up everywhere. its about time.
The school is such a cynical ploy. PS 8’s four kindergarten classes next year will likely number over 100 kids alone. If Walentas builds this thing the number families who move into his 400 new rental units will be more than enough to overcrowd the school right from the start. My questions for Yassky are what has he done to address the middle school problem in the area and why hasn’t he done more to protect the area from such stupid development. The Nova clutch factory wasn’t a historic structure, but the Brooklyn Bridge sure is. Yassky needs to hear the community opposition now otherwise he’ll hedge like he did on the park and won’t weigh in until it’s too late. Who will he support on this one, David Walentas or the community? That’s the choice. He needs to know that we are watching