Dumbo NYC

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• NY Daily: Hecho en Dumbo Review, 07May08, NY Daily News
• EGG Baby by Susan Lazar Sample Sale, 09May08, Racked
• Arts in Dumbo, 07May08, bluebarnpictures
• BKLYN Designs 2008 Kicks Off, 09May08, Brownstoner
• Brooklyn Heights House Tour on Sat, 09May08, Brownstoner
• Waterfall Grows Tall on Brooklyn Heights Waterfront, 07May08, Gowanus Lounge
• Almondine’s Baguettes Amazing, 06May08, thisisswigg.com
• Jed Walentas Interview, 06May08, NY Observer
• NY Photo Fest kicks off next week, 06May08, adorama.com
• Joshua Lutz Exhibit Opening in DUMBO, 08May08, reduxpictures.com
• Issue Project Room Moves, 06May08, Village Voice
• Issue Project Room to Open Theatre at 110 Livinston, 10May08, Brooklyn Paper

From the Dumbo/Vinegar Hill CSA. Please sign up to get fresh produce and to support their efforts:

Dear DUMBO/Vinegar Hill Neighbors:
We have started a COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE program for this SUMMER/FALL 08. COME & SEE US to sign up or learn more!
Saturday, May 10th, 12-2pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park entrance at Main st and Plymouth in DUMBO

This is your last chance to get in on an entire season of FRESH, ORGANIC produce directly from a local farm. If you can’t join us or weather does not accommodate, look for alternative location and information at dumbocsa.org.

Previously: {Dumbo/Vinegar Hill CSA Meet the Farmer on April 8, 02Apr2008}
{CSA Planned for Dumbo in June 2008, 04Feb2008}

After the reported fire that started with the garbage in the J Condo property that damaged parts of the building next door, we saw this notice on the door of Spring:

We caught up with one of the founders/owners of Spring, Anna Cosentino, who has been working hard to reopen her gallery and exhibition space at all hours.

“We at SPRING have unfortunately suffered a devastating loss of business and personal property that could easily put us out of business. The flames started entering our back room and the sprinkler went off alerting the fire department. Between the fire, smoke and water we are completely overwhelmed let alone the fact that we were preparing for one of the most exciting and busy times for our business - BKLYN Designs, the photo shows and ICFF all coming up this month.”

The FDNY incident report states that they “arrived to find a large rubbish fire up against the side of 126 front St, with possible extension to the building”. They are still investigating. When they first arrived at the scene, they headed along the side of J Condo behind the gate, then broke into the the gallery. It must be terrible times, but we hope that the neighborhood can come together to support them. Spring is hoping to re-open on Saturday or so in time for BKLYN Designs, the NY Photo Festival, and other upcoming exhibitions. To contact Spring (even a note of encouragement will help), email design@spring3d.net or visit them this weekend for the BKLYN Designs weekend.

spring design&art (spring3d.net)
126a Front Street (@ Pearl St in DUMBO)
Brooklyn NY 11201
T 718.222.1054
design@spring3d.net

The 2008 Brooklyn Blogfest is happening tonight at the Lyceum on Fourth Avenue. It’s open to the public. The event is for bloggers, blog-readers, those interested in blogging, those passionate about Brooklyn with some great programming events/speakers. The event starts at 8PM and admission is $10. The Brooklyn Lyceum is located at 227 Fourth Avenue at President Street. Unfortunately DumboNYC won’t be able to attend due to job travels, but many of the bloggers on the blogroll (see list on the right) will be in attendance or will be speaking. For more details, see Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn (Louise Crawford). If any readers go, please send in comments.

(Blogfest poster crop image by Gowanus Lounge)

BKLYN Designs, the annual design show returns this weekend to the Dumbo Historic District. The three day event showcases emerging furniture and home decor artisan and designers. This year’s event is its sixth year and is the largest one, showcasing 70 designers in four locations in Dumbo. The past years featured designers who have launched their careers at BKLYN Designs. The founder of the event, Karen Auster, has supported local designers and continues the tradition. DumboNYC caught up with Karen:

DumboNYC: How is this event different than the past years?
Karen Auster: Each year, we are pleased to jury in a whole new group of young, fresh designers to the show. For many of them, BKLYN DESIGNS is their first tradeshow ever - which means our audience are among the first to find these fabulous “locally grown” design trendsetters. These new exhibitors join a loyal group of talented veterans that bring new products to the show each and every year.

We also work hand in hand with our media and design partners to create programming that is timely and inspiring from “green” tours to hands-on design tips to family focused events so there is something for everyone!

DumboNYC: How has the event changed over the years? Is the focus still on local (Brooklyn) designers?
Karen Auster: The event, which is presented by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, continues to grow with expanded programming, partner events and the largest number of exhibitors (70) and venues (4) ever. This reflects the growing creative economy in Brooklyn - so of course, the focus remains firmly on Brooklyn-based designers and manufacturers.

DumboNYC: Thanks Karen!

This year will also bring a lineup of 13 panels and presentations by the industry’s innovative designers and the Design Accessories Market in the Tobacco Warehouse. If you’re interested in furniture design or innovative furnishings, this is the show to meet and talk with new Brooklyn designers. (Yes, they’re definitely interested in talking to the attendees).

2008 SHOW HOURS
Friday, May 9: 10am–8pm
Saturday, May 10: 10am–7pm
Sunday, May 11: 11am–6pm

4 DUMBO, Brooklyn Locations
BKLYN DESIGNS 2008 will take place in the following venues: (**Indicates Box Office Location)
**Dumbo Arts Center, 30 Washington Street
Smack Mellon, 92 Plymouth Street
**St. Ann’s Warehouse, 38 Water Street
BD+ The Design Accessories Market will be held in the Tobacco Warehouse in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in partnership with NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, 26 New Dock Street
bklyndesigns.com

Previously:
{BKLYN DESIGNS 2007 to Celebrate Art, Design, & Architecture in Dumbo, 07May2007}
{BKLYN Designs 2007 Recap in Dumbo, 14May2007}

Holly over at the 801a blog posted a bunch of pics, including some of Denzel Washington and James Gandolfini from the filming of The Taking of Pelham 123 (earlier post about the film).

Lots more pics on 801a.

{First Look at Denzel Washington in Pelham 123 Remake, BeyondHollywood.com}

DUMBO Gallery Walk from Daniel K. Gebhart on Vimeo.

Thank you Daniel for the video! By the way, his photos on http://photographer-in-ny.com has a lot of cool pics of Dumbo.

An article by Sarah at The Real Deal about Dumbo’s One Main (aka The Clocktower Condo) provides us with some detail about the 14th floor penthouse featured in late March on DumboNYC. According to the article, the “$7 million-plus sale of a 14th-floor penthouse at Dumbo’s Clock Tower Condominium, a former corrugated cardboard factory built in 1915, has broken Brooklyn’s most expensive condo record.”

Karen Heyman, senior vice president of Sotheby’s International Realty’s Downtown Office, told The Real Deal that two West Coast men working in the financial industry bought the Clock Tower penthouse. The apartment had listed for $7.8 million, but Heyman could only confirm that the price topped $7 million.

The 3,200 square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom apartment had been on the market since August 2006, when it listed with Sotheby’s for $10.5 million. Heyman said the former owners, Bliss Spa founders Thierry Boue and Marcia Kilgore, weren’t “really particularly motivated at that time to sell” and rented the penthouse out for a year while the price was cut repeatedly.

Heyman said the buyers plan to use the penthouse — last renovated at least seven years ago — as a pied-a-terre, and would begin their own renovations before moving in.

David Walentas lives in the 15th floor penthouse and is renovating the 16th floor penthouse, which is the condo unit behind the glass-faced clock. It “will definitely be the most expensive unit in Brooklyn” when sold. It is expected to sell for up to $30 million.

Previously: {High Priced Condos at One Main Under Contract, 26Mar2008}

(Photo courtesy of lesterhead)

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Hecho en Dumbo tonight. Hecho en Dumbo is hosting a 4 and 6 course Prix Fix menu featuring rare and authentic cuisine from Puebla ($35/45) coupled with live performances by Jarana Beat and Mexico City’s own Nacotheque.

Come see what NY Magazine calls Hecho’s food exceptional. Chef Danny Mena’s high quality and delicious food is not the place for a quick burrito to scarf down. He and business partner Ethan Smith have created a charming space with a savory and satisfying meal to share with a date or a group of friends to a casual candlelight dinner who can appreciate real Mexican food while listening to live music. Order several dishes, get drinks, talk, and share them with friends for a leisurely meal.

Jarana Beat and Nacotheque performance tonight. Various artists perform on other nights. Hecho en Dumbo hours:
Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday 6pm - 10:30pm
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 6pm - 12am

Hecho en Dumbo @ The Dumbo General Store
111 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201
718.855.5288
hechoendumbo.com

From last year: {Cinco de Mayo All Day in Dumbo, 2007}

Director Tony Scott is filming the remake of The Taking of Pelham 123, a 1978 film, in Dumbo on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. The movie stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta and is set for release on 31July2009. They’ve posted letters in the area, which include the street locations and no-parking notices (red line above indicate no parking). Letter from Locations Dept after the jump.
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