Ikea, a Big-Box Trailblazer in the 'Hook?
A new Real Deal article takes a look at how the impending arrival of Ikea is going to affect real estate values in Red Hook and notes that some see the Swedish retailer’s opening as a possible indicator of things to come: Namely, more big-box stores. “A lot of owners right now are waiting to…
A new Real Deal article takes a look at how the impending arrival of Ikea is going to affect real estate values in Red Hook and notes that some see the Swedish retailer’s opening as a possible indicator of things to come: Namely, more big-box stores. “A lot of owners right now are waiting to see what happens with Ikea,” says Landon McGaw, the Red Hook sales director for Massey Knakal Realty. “I think there’s tremendous opportunity in big-box retail that would make the neighborhood a weekend shopping mecca. Some smaller business owners, like the Good Fork’s Ben Schneider, believe that Ikea will bring more customers to their establishments and eventually lure more big-boxes. What that means for the future of possible residential conversions like 160 Imlay Street remains to be seen.
Ikea’s Design for Red Hook [The Real Deal] GMAP
Man on the Street: How’re You Feeling About IKEA? [Brownstoner]
Red Hook IKEA: Planning at its Worst? [Brownstoner]
this is yet another disaster for red hook, and brooklyn in general. one of the best waterfront locations given away to a crap-in-a-box. ok, its not woolworths, but why the hell this stupidity? why not build a trolley linking the brooklyn waterfront, then built apartment, parks and areas for small businesses. DUH! it doesn’t take a genius, it is called caring for your life and your community. who the hell is making these decisions?
I thought I was the only one who loved to watch the scrap metal cranes next to the Lowes parking lot. It’s mesmerizing.
“A traffic nightmare”
Are you kidding? There’s practically no traffic in Red Hook, which is why that’s where the DMV does its driver exams, and the truck driver schoools operate there. That area needs traffic! And jobs! When Ikea starts hiring, there’ll be a line around the block to get job applications.
And I can’t imagine living in Carroll Gardens for decades and never venturing to Red Hook.
Don’t you like to go swimming?
i like to sit in my car at the far end of Loews parking lot and watch them load scrap metal. Good place to eat lunch and say my farewells to all those cast iron bathtubs headed for china. I think Ikea will offer similar opportunities.
The last thing red hook needs is some ugly, gazillion-dollar light rail system. This is not manhattan, it is brooklyn, people have cars in brooklyn, at least grown ups who are not still mooching off their parents have cars. and if they don’t have cars they call a car service, public transportaion in ny is abysmal. it is ok for going to work but not for the weekends or for shopping.
Advice to all the doom-and gloom sixteen year olds out there who think america is at the brink of disaster, stop being such woozes and get out more. have sex, get your minds off al gore.
Unfortunately, the Central American vendors by the soccer fields may be the first victims of the change in the area. The Parks Dept. is now putting the food vending rights on the fields out to bid and it looks like they are out. They’ve been there for years, when no one else could be bothered, but now that things are looking up, they’ve gotta go! I’m all for progress, but I can’t really see how Ikea is going to be an improvement.
And to think I use to like the Swedes.
“I think with increased traffic and demand for transportation, the MTA might come up with some expanded service.”
Funniest post ever!
I was down at the Red Hook Fairway the other day, and we were marveling at the fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty.
Other cities make there waterfront properties into tourist destinations and upscale housing, with lots of ferries and mass transit options, while NYC has tons of waterfront that has spotty public transport, and is wasted on big box retail.