A nice update piece on the status of the Atlantic Yards project in the NYTimes today.  Ratners are predicting/hoping/praying for a groundbreaking by the end of the year, but that, and maybe the project overall, looks far from certain.  So much for the "only in Cleveland do projects founder for years".

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/nyregion/10yards.html?ref=nyregion

 

 

I almost bought a brownstone on Dean St.  I know people on those streets.  One from cleveland. They don't want to see this project.

I've seen the mall in person and I think it looks like trash. Perhaps that disaster of a mall caused people to dislike this project more than they should.

I've seen the mall in person and I think it looks like trash. Perhaps that disaster of a mall caused people to dislike this project more than they should.

 

You should have seen what was there before they built the mall.  It was an empty pit and tracks.  The area was horrible.

Then Gehry doesn't sound so bad does he!?

Then Gehry doesn't sound so bad does he!?

 

yeah it does.  That is a gorgeous area with amazing brownstones and that crap will dwarf the beautiful brownstone neighborhoods.

don't hold your breadth on this project.

 

 

The total amount of FC investment here, could have been several new housing developments, NOT including spin off development, in Cleveland.

Then Gehry doesn't sound so bad does he!?

 

yeah it does.  That is a gorgeous area with amazing brownstones and that crap will dwarf the beautiful brownstone neighborhoods.

 

I just don't understand why people get so flustered over scale; especially in New York City. I can understand if they had to demo historic brownstones for the project but like you said, it's much better than what was there.

 

 

Then Gehry doesn't sound so bad does he!?

 

yeah it does.  That is a gorgeous area with amazing brownstones and that crap will dwarf the beautiful brownstone neighborhoods.

 

I just don't understand why people get so flustered over scale; especially in New York City. I can understand if they had to demo historic brownstones for the project but like you said, it's much better than what was there.

 

 

 

In NYC the only way to build is UP.  Thats why.    So when you have these old school brownstone neighborhoods, with 3/4 storey brownstones and apartment buildings no higher than 6/7 storey's.  A 15 storey building looks out of place and dwarfs the surrounding community.

 

Point in case www.111centralparknorth.com.  I can see this building from several block away.  It totally disrupted the corner of 110 & Lenox.  The building also prevent sunlight from reaching 111 & 112 Streets along with the street harmony on St. Nicholas and ACP Boulevards.

I know it's a common concern, I just think its petty.

 

The building is in downtown; if it's not, it might as well be. It would be like building a high-rise in Over the Rhine at say, Main and Central Parkway.

One problem with NYC as a whole is that it's such a developers' playground. Real estate is a huge playground here, especially when the demand is there. NYC has more or less always been known for this, but I'm interested to see how long it will last. I don't think it can last forever. Maybe I'm naive, but I just feel like there are only so many middle-class/lower-income people you can push out before the city's economy will begin to experience trouble.

 

That's one thing that certainly frustrates me about stuff like this.

I know it's a common concern, I just think its petty.

 

The building is in downtown; if it's not, it might as well be. It would be like building a high-rise in Over the Rhine at say, Main and Central Parkway.

The buildings are not in downtown, they are proposed for the border of the Fort Green/Propsect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.  Two neighborhoods that border what is considered the CBD of Brooklyn.

One problem with NYC as a whole is that it's such a developers' playground. Real estate is a huge playground here, especially when the demand is there. NYC has more or less always been known for this, but I'm interested to see how long it will last. I don't think it can last forever. Maybe I'm naive, but I just feel like there are only so many middle-class/lower-income people you can push out before the city's economy will begin to experience trouble.

 

That's one thing that certainly frustrates me about stuff like this.

Manhattan is pretty much insulated from this as there is always a buyer.  In the late 80's and 90's it was the Asians.  Right now it's Europeans.  Next up, the South American's.

 

The one thing that is hold up the NYC economy is FOREIGN tourism.  The Banking industry and Financial industry is in the crapper here and in (SFO and CLT). When that happens...the economy suffers and disposable income spending is cut back.  Brokers aren't buying as they aren't getting huge bonuses.

 

Now, downtown Brooklyn (Brooklyn Hts., Cobble Hill Boerum Hill and as of the last 5-10 years, Fort Green, Clinton Hills, Prospect Hts. and Park Slope) and Northern Jersey (Weehawken, Jersey City and Hoboken), the places where those with money who could not afford Manhattan (below 96 street) moved are in jeopardy.  Those who were middle class are being replaced by young and Nouveau riche, who aren't getting a return on their investment.

 

When I live in downtown Brooklyn Fort Green, Clinton hills and Bed Stuy, were  dangerous as hell.  Then the gays moved into Fort Green and the Lesbians took over Park Slope (no exaggeration) and it's been over since then.  Now, even the gays are being displaced.

 

That all brought people to upper Manhattan, NW Brooklyn and Western Queens.

One problem with NYC as a whole is that it's such a developers' playground. Real estate is a huge playground here, especially when the demand is there. NYC has more or less always been known for this, but I'm interested to see how long it will last. I don't think it can last forever. Maybe I'm naive, but I just feel like there are only so many middle-class/lower-income people you can push out before the city's economy will begin to experience trouble.

 

That's one thing that certainly frustrates me about stuff like this.

Manhattan is pretty much insulated from this as there is always a buyer. In the late 80's and 90's it was the Asians. Right now it's Europeans. Next up, the South American's.

 

The one thing that is hold up the NYC economy is FOREIGN tourism. The Banking industry and Financial industry is in the crapper here and in (SFO and CLT). When that happens...the economy suffers and disposable income spending is cut back. Brokers aren't buying as they aren't getting huge bonuses.

 

Now, downtown Brooklyn (Brooklyn Hts., Cobble Hill Boerum Hill and as of the last 5-10 years, Fort Green, Clinton Hills, Prospect Hts. and Park Slope) and Northern Jersey (Weehawken, Jersey City and Hoboken), the places where those with money who could not afford Manhattan (below 96 street) moved are in jeopardy. Those who were middle class are being replaced by young and Nouveau riche, who aren't getting a return on their investment.

 

When I live in downtown Brooklyn Fort Green, Clinton hills and Bed Stuy, were dangerous as hell. Then the gays moved into Fort Green and the Lesbians took over Park Slope (no exaggeration) and it's been over since then. Now, even the gays are being displaced.

 

That all brought people to upper Manhattan, NW Brooklyn and Western Queens.

 

I wonder how long it'll take for it to hit The Bronx. :)

Then Gehry doesn't sound so bad does he!?

 

yeah it does. That is a gorgeous area with amazing brownstones and that crap will dwarf the beautiful brownstone neighborhoods.

 

I just don't understand why people get so flustered over scale; especially in New York City. I can understand if they had to demo historic brownstones for the project but like you said, it's much better than what was there.

 

 

 

In NYC the only way to build is UP. Thats why. So when you have these old school brownstone neighborhoods, with 3/4 storey brownstones and apartment buildings no higher than 6/7 storey's. A 15 storey building looks out of place and dwarfs the surrounding community.

 

Point in case www.111centralparknorth.com. I can see this building from several block away. It totally disrupted the corner of 110 & Lenox. The building also prevent sunlight from reaching 111 & 112 Streets along with the street harmony on St. Nicholas and ACP Boulevards.

 

My point is that I think its close ENOUGH. Besides, it's on a busy commercial street.

Then Gehry doesn't sound so bad does he!?

 

yeah it does.  That is a gorgeous area with amazing brownstones and that crap will dwarf the beautiful brownstone neighborhoods.

 

I just don't understand why people get so flustered over scale; especially in New York City. I can understand if they had to demo historic brownstones for the project but like you said, it's much better than what was there.

 

 

 

In NYC the only way to build is UP.  Thats why.    So when you have these old school brownstone neighborhoods, with 3/4 storey brownstones and apartment buildings no higher than 6/7 storey's.  A 15 storey building looks out of place and dwarfs the surrounding community.

 

Point in case www.111centralparknorth.com.  I can see this building from several block away.  It totally disrupted the corner of 110 & Lenox.  The building also prevent sunlight from reaching 111 & 112 Streets along with the street harmony on St. Nicholas and ACP Boulevards.

 

My point is that I think its close ENOUGH. Besides, it's on a busy commercial street.

 

David, I'll just chalk your answer up to not being familiar with the streets of brooklyn.  Those streets are not all commercial.  I would venture to categorize Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues as mixed use, but call that area a commercial & transportation hub.

 

Hanson, Fulton, Pacific and Dean, which are parallel to Atlantic are residential.  All cross streets are residential with the exception of the newly created street/access road in front of Path Market.

Atlantic Yard Project Suffers a Setback

 

By PETER KIEFER, Staff Reporter of the Sun | September 30, 2008

 

Forest City Ratner's $4 billion Atlantic Yards development project will be delayed by an additional six months or more in the wake of a ruling by a state Appellate Court.

 

http://www.nysun.com/new-york/atlantic-yard-project-suffers-a-setback/86851/

 

:clap: :clap: :clap:

 

FCE...Here me now.  Give up!  Just use the capital for this project to invest in the city where your corporate HQ is located.  :wink:

I guess we need to move into the future eventually...but this looks like a couple office complex covered in mucus.

another 10/4/08 ohny aka open house new york visit:

http://www.ohny.org/about/

 

this one is an all new mid-block sliver apt building on w115th st between frederick douglas blvd (8th ave) & manhattan ave in harlem. it was an empty lot until recently. the 1st floor w/ yard & the 4th floor w/ roof deck will be market priced, but the middle 2nd and 3rd floors are subsidized as affordable. they were not sure what the rents would be yet. also, besides being a new 'green' building it has absolutely classic harlem world urban views out back.

 

Harlem Infill Project

 

314 W 115th St/ Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York

 

"Tours with principal architect David Briggs of this sustainable designed residential building which is one of the first first privately funded, mixed-income green housing projects in NYC."

 

the owner and the architect (david briggs, aia leed ap) were there talking about it:

http://www.lociarchitecture.com/

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

     

 

*** that's it for a rare insider view of a small scale 'infill' apt project - thx to ohny! ***

 

Nice density.

That stuff on 115 looks a hot mess!  The price is probably an arm and a leg.

Thanks!

Looks nice enough.

The windows don't line up with their neighbors on the facade.

 

An urban jungle!

yep.  a New York backyard.

update: they are hard at work, lots of activity -- this one is definately going up

 

http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4305&page=161

 

 

 

 

I love how you can already see the facade undulations in the different balcony footprints rising on the left side in that photo.

Wohoo! Go Manhattan !

super fantastic: its really moving along fast

Green Skyscraper by Cook + Fox

by Kiel Moe, ArchitectureWeek

 

Expected be the first LEED Platinum skyscraper, the 945-foot- (288-meter-) tall Bank of America Tower is located at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan, opposite Bryant Park.  The 2.2 million-square-foot (204,000-square-meter) high-rise tower was developed as a joint venture between the Durst Organization and the Bank of America, and was designed by Cook + Fox Architects, with executive architect Adamson Associates Architects.  Bank of America will occupy three-quarters of the building as its New York headquarters.

 

The base of the tower creates a variety of important public spaces, including the restored Henry Miller Theater on 43rd Street.  It also provides three times the public circulation space of a typical as-of-right office building, including an urban garden room and a new entrance to the Times Square subway station.  The integrated strategies for this high-rise building focus on daylighting and indoor air quality, which foster human comfort and employee productivity.  The double-glazed envelope consists of floor-to-ceiling low-iron, low-E glazing for maximum transparency and thermal performance.

 

Read more at http://www.architectureweek.com/2008/1119/building_1-1.html

 

Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park

 

this building is a mess.  windows have fallen out.  they've evacuated our employees in nearby buildings for fear the building would collapse.  there have been several casualties.  People currently occupy offices in the building and there is plywood in places where windows should be.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/glass-pane-falls-from-bank-of-america-tower/

 

WOW!  Guess this gives new meaning to the term "cutting edge design"!

I don't think we have a John Hancock (Boston) again. 

 

What we see here is poor craftsmanship.  The incidents that have happened at BoA Tower aren't design problems. 

If you have any sources claiming fear of collapse, I'd be interested.  As far as I know, the only problems have been with construction crews failing to properly secure materials, that have ultimately fallen off the building. 

Sweetie our buildings in the area have been evacuated.  SEVERAL times.  I've had to go to meetings with the city to  find out what the hell is going on.

 

When the crane collapsed on the UES, the folks stopped work on the BoA building because of fears.  People were protesting.  Its been a nightmare for the area.

the boa building -- from last weekend -- might as well put'em up here:

 

east facing 42nd street view + northwest facing bryant park/6th avenue view

 

 

 

this neighboring building was recently re-skinned

 

 

 

See the windows with plywood.  People occupy those offices from the first thru 17 floors.  Its ridiculous.

Maybe they tried to use some kind of glue or epoxy that is "environmentally friendly" but is as yet untested.  I think that's part of what caused the roof tile problem in the big dig tunnel.  I'm too lazy to look it up right now. 

I would venture a guess that the problem is associated with a "sustainable" feature of some sort.  The John Hancock in Boston had a problem with the pressurization of the double-paned system.  I hope no one repeated that mistake.

 

To clear up any confusion in my previous post, I don't doubt the buildings have been evacuated around, I worked in NYC for 3 months over the summer and heard about it quite a bit.  I think the problem is with the falling glass panels, which probably weigh well over 500 pounds each, and maybe a crane/scaffolding collapsing, but not the entire building itself. 

Just to be clear, building collapses DO happen, especially when it involves a new design that may have been poorly designed/built/tested. No reason to think that this building is perfectly safe, especially with all the problems that have been going on.

 

Be watching for major structural inspections happening soon.

Here are a few bad photos I took with my PDA.

 

 

 

hoo hoo ha ha -- say goodbye to gehry's wobbly futureworld.  :roll:

 

 

more from the nypost:

 

HOOP-LA DIES IN B'KLYN

 

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01262009/news/regionalnews/hoop_la_dies_in_bklyn_152031.htm

 

 

if it's ever built at all, and i doubt it, this is what ratner's atlantic yards would look like now:

 

Is that a velvet rooftop??

 

Niiiiice.  :roll:

^ :laugh:

 

and i like how curbed blog has it angled kind of as the "ebbet's brookliseum" :

 

curbed is so deceitful.  I love it!

Quite a change in the before and after renderings.  It reminds me of the scene in "The Fountainhead" where Howard Roark's clean modern design is "improved" with neo-classical facings of arches and columns!

At least Atlantic Yards has a Bdubs.. that's the only reason I venture to Brooklyn.

At least Atlantic Yards has a Bdubs.. that's the only reason I venture to Brooklyn.

Well haven't you become the little elitist!  ;)