Development Watch: 518 Meeker Avenue
We remember scratching our head as we’d drive by this building on the BQE, wonder who was going to pony up for those views. At that stage, when it was nothing more than cinderblocks, we assumed it was going to be another complete sh!t sandwich of a building. And while we still can’t imagine who’s…
We remember scratching our head as we’d drive by this building on the BQE, wonder who was going to pony up for those views. At that stage, when it was nothing more than cinderblocks, we assumed it was going to be another complete sh!t sandwich of a building. And while we still can’t imagine who’s going to live here or why the windows aren’t biggger, we have to say we kinda like the fact that the architect, who’s none other than Robert Scarano, decided to have a little fun and give this otherwise drab stretch a splash of color. The 10-unit residential building looks more like something that would spring up in an outer neighborhood of a European city. But at least it’s not a Fedders special. It also looks mezzanine-free. GMAP P*Shark DOB
Comments are biased by frustrated architects that can’t get a project or job. Scarano has 350 projects all around Brooklyn…….critics have prob none….and clients keep coming to him….so …1+1 =…..
it appears that it is right up against other lots, which would prevent it from having windows on those sides. this building should probably have a more interesting solution architecturally, like setbacks to have windows on other sides, for example. however, that would cost more and result in less square footage, and this building is clearly about being cheaply built, horrendously ugly, but having as much space as possible inside.
while i do partially agree with you, erychimachus, i think some people would argue that manhattan is the center of our city.
not a lonely parcel near the bqe in brooklyn.
i do realize that most people on here think brownstone brooklyn is the center of the universe, but i don’t believe that’s an internationally recognized designation.
At the least the french are smart enough to build their housing projects on the outskirts of town. We however, seem to build them right smack in the middle of the city.
i only need to refer to your bad manners and seemingly disgusting demeanor to prove my point.
you sound as if you’ve never left the confines of brooklyn, ny. leaving the country might do you a world of good.
Many americans idealize Europe because they go only to the parts of Paris that are the equivalent of European Greenwich Villages, or quaint little tourist towns, but don’t see that there is sprawl, obesity, violence. I had someone tell me that the French riots in the banlieues didn’t happen because she didn’t see it when she was in Paris! not to mention that everyone talks about Katrina and never mentions the 13,000 people that died from a moderate french heatwave.
9:12 – yeah your right thousands of years of genocide, war and zenophobia are definetly overcome by bad table manners and being overweight. (FYI – Europe is only 10yrs behind U.S. in obesity rates).
Are all your opinions so cliche – or only the ones you obtain while on a 10 day European holiday?
This building has some really interesting features. Stone column is really cool, if unfinished as yet. Colors are nice. Horizontal stripes are nice. Obviously the location sucks, and maybe the finishes/materials suck upon close inspection (almost certainly true). But in this photo, aside from the too-small windows, the building has a cool, mid-century feel to it, not unlike what you see in some cool, small buildings in LA and Miami.
And I’m sure the big agro-business and the lack of actual physical activities in our schools have nothing to do with the weight of the population in this city. Are we all so smug that we think that macro-issues really don’t affect us at all? How’d you like that NY Times article over the weekend about how exercising (and living for that matter) so close to smog and soot is dangerous for your health? Maybe this building will have an air filtration system and an indoor gym though so that won’t be a problem?