Dumbo NYC

The Associated Press just posted a travel story on Dumbo, that’s been picked up by several papers and will probably be published by others in the next few days. The article, titled “Offbeat Brooklyn neighborhood offers history, bridge views” is a fairly thorough portrayal of Dumbo. The article starts with “Four centuries in 30 minutes. That’s what tourists get in trendy DUMBO. The history of this offbeat Brooklyn neighborhood includes Dutch settlers, George Washington, Walt Whitman, the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, and a 21st-century chocolate shop.” If tourists are spending 30 minutes at Fulton Ferry Landing and Jacques Torres, they’re missing out on the real Dumbo. I agree that both are must visits for first time visitors, but the truth is, they’re in the Fulton Ferry Historic District and there’s a lot more history east of Washington Street in Dumbo as well. If visitors want to see the artist studios, there’s the Dumbo Arts Festival (September 24 weekend), a good chance to visit the art galleries and to check out events in Dumbo.

The article also mentions that Dumbo is relatively unknown. That’s true for non-New Yorkers, but national stories will no doubt bring more attention to this ’secret neighborhood’ with the best views of NYC that’s also a creative community of digital and traditional artists.

Read the full AP article on MSNBC.

1) Digital DUMBO #18 “Get Your Job On”

What: Digital DUMBO #18 “Get Your Job On”
When: Jul 29, 2010, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Where: The Dumbo Loft, 155 Water St, Brooklyn, NY

Month after month, the newspapers report shrinking job numbers. However, fueled by the digital economy, the DUMBO area of Brooklyn continues to grow. Why? Because there are hundreds of companies in the Digital District that are providing services that matter in the new economy. And the good news is….THEY ARE HIRING.

Attend the Digital DUMBO event at The Dumbo Loft on July 29th from 6:30 – 8:30 and have the chance to meet decision makers from some of the industries hottest media and technologies companies. At the event, you can find out more about hiring at HUGE, Pontiflex, The JAR Group, Carrot Creative, and DealNews.com, among many other companies. These companies are working with some of the world’s most recognizable brands from Ford, Disney, PepsiCo, ASPCA, Tommy Hilfiger, Heinz and many others.

This will be a great chance to meet hiring managers and learn about opportunities over casual drinks!

Note: You don’t need to be actively persuing a new career to attend. The event, as usual, is open to everyone and will be in the typical Digital DUMBO format.

2) Media Circus:The Year in Hyperlocal

What: Media Circus: The Year in Hyperlocal
When: Thursday, July 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: JLA Studios, 63 Pearl St (between Water and Front St.), Brooklyn, NY 11201

Join Gelf for a frank discussion of the pitfalls and prospects of hyperlocal featuring Mark Potts, a hyperlocal pioneer and CEO of Growthspur (interview here) and Jake Dobkin, publisher of Gothamist and well-known rabble-rouser (an interview from Dobkin’s last appearance available here), as we once again view the past and future growth of the field through the eyes of the people who are driving it.

3) Movies With A View

What: Movies With A View: Rear Window
When: Jul 29, 2010, 6:00pm – 11:00pm (Films at sundown; DJs at 6:00)
Where: Pier 1 section of Brooklyn Bridge Park

“Come down to the park to enjoy the city’s premiere (free!) outdoor film series with an eclectic line-up of films and breathtaking views of the NYC waterfront.”

According to a Real Deal article last week, Toll Brothers is setting up a construction and sales office at 215 Water Street (at $30 per square foot). The adjacent 10 story condo Toll Brothers is planning to build at 205 Water Street, approved in April. Construction is set to begin by the end of the year.

Previously:
{Proposed 205 Water St Building Approved, 21Apr2010}
{More 205 Water St Renderings, 05Apr2010}
{205 Water Street Plans Revealed, 18Mar2010}
{Toll Brothers to Build Condos at 205 Water St, 07Jan2010}
{Demolition at 205 Water Street, 24Jan2007}
{In the Press: Demolishing 205 Water Street, 27Jan2007}
{Stop Work Order Violation Issued at 205 Water Street, 14Feb2007}

Readers have reported recent car break ins on York Street between Adams and Front Street and on Front Street between Gold and Hudson Streets this past week. According to police patrols, they have received at least 6 or 7 reports of car windows smashed or items stolen from cars. Could Squarehead be back on the streets?

Be on the lookout for suspicious activity and call the 84th Precinct (718-875-6811 (store this number in your cell phone)) or 911 if you witness any crimes. Please continue to call so they can log/track the area. If they get enough calls, they will deploy more patrol or even a NYPD Sky Watch.

There’s a new barber shop called “Barber on Pearl” in Dumbo. Based on some comments from customers, a men’s barber shop is a welcome addition to the neighborhood:

• “its an old school place, no fanciness, just a good cut, fast and inexpensive ($15ish..) great addition to the neighborhood.”
• “Got my haircut here Sunday. Great neighborhood shop. Friendly and professional barber.”
• “I have been waiting for an authentic barber shop in DUMBO for over 3 years now… FINALLY I FOUND MY NEW SPOT. This guy comes with amazing experience, and adds a wonderful razor finish with a hot towel massage”

Welcome to Dumbo!

Barber on Pearl
59 Pearl Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Shop hours:
Mon-Fri 8am-7pm
Sat 9am-6pm
Sun 10am-5pm
Phone: 718-855-3090

Previously:
{Barber Shop “Coming Soon” to Dumbo, 02JUul2010}

Darren Taylor, owner/head coach of Taylor Fitness is holding an open house on Saturday, July 31. He will be offering free classes on that day at 11am-12noon and 12noon-1pm. Based in Dumbo at 10 Jay Street Suite 304, Darren is a level 1 CrossFit Instructor who follows the theories and methodology of the CrossFit style of training, which is used as a strength & conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide.

Darren’s mission is to fuel a revolution for the fitness minded individual in Dumbo who is in the pursuit of Elite Fitness not just aesthetics. He is passionate about fitness and will definitely help you achieve your goals. The open houses fill up fast so call or email to reserve your slot.(Bring water, towel)

Taylor Fitness (tfitnyc.blogspot.com)
10 Jay St. Suite 304
Brooklyn New York 11201
phone: 347.533.2439
email: taylorfitnessnyc@yahoo.com

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

• Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar Open Pier 1, 23Jul10, BK Paper
• Cell Phone Service and Brooklyn Heights, 22Jul10, BHB
• reRun Gastropub Theater, 22Jul10, NYT
• Movie Review: Audrey the Trainwreck (at reRun), 22Jul10, NYT
• Man cave outfitter to open in DUMBO, 23Jul10, BK Paper
• NYC Honors The Archway, 21Jul10, BK Paper
• Heights residents complain of noise, 20Jul10, BK Paper
• Real Deal on Watchtower Properties, 21Jul10, BHB
• Toll Brothers to open Dumbo office, 20Jul10, TRD
• Dumbo Pics w/ allthingsnyc, 21Jul10, allthingsnyc
• DigitalDUMBO Job Fair July 29, 20Jul10, NYC Convergence
• High Attendance at Bridge Park Movie Series, 22Jul10, BK Eagle
• Brownstoner Listings Marketplace Goes Local, 21Jul10, Brownstoner
• Brooklyn Residents Rally Against Movie Noise, 20Jul10, Gothamist
• grand union warehouse, dumbo, 19Jul10, fortheloveofbrooklyn
• Gastropub Theater, 20Jul10, Grub Street
• Dumbo’s reRun, 23Jul10, Eater

Accoding to The Real Deal, the 25 Washington Street rental conversion we posted about last week will be ready for occupancy in March 2011. There will be 106 “luxury rental apartments” will have exposed, wood-beamed ceilings and “higher-end finishes than we’ve typically done,” Asher Abehsera, residential vice president at Two Trees says.

Prices at 25 Washington Street will range from around $2,000 for studios to $4,800 for two-bedrooms. Two Trees expects to start leasing the units in March 2011 and deliver them the following month, Abehsera said. As previously mentioned, the 8 story building has a two story addition being constructed (at 16,256 ft) and the roof will have cabana spaces, similar to the ones at 70 Washington Street.

Previously:
{25 Washington St Progress, 14Jul2010}

(July 8, 2010)

(June 16, 2007)

It’s unfair to compare Dumbo Then and Now photos for the not-yet-finished Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, but here are some interim photos of the park. The park is being worked on to improve drainage, add park furnishings, lighting, and of course concerns by some with the renovation of the park include the removal of the trees. It looks like the two largest trees have been spared, but the trees near the point of the boardwalk and others in the park have been cut down.

(July 8, 2010)

(May 8, 2009)

Previously:
{Some Don’t Want Jane’s Carousel in Park, 12Apr2010}
{Empire Fulton Ferry State Park Closed for Renovation, 05Jan2010}
{Jane’s Carousel To Be in Brooklyn Bridge Park, 18Dec2009}
{‘Jane’s Carousel’ closer to a grand entrance in Brooklyn Bridge Park, 18May2010, Brooklyn Paper}

(Photo from NYTimes)

If you were saving up for the most expensive Brooklyn real estate listing, the $25million Clocktower Penthouse at One Main Street in Dumbo, you may be too late. Two Trees Management has reported to The Real Deal that the 7,000 square foot triplex is off the market. “The individual who is most serious about it is basically reserving it to make a deal,” says Asher Abehsera, a vice president at Two Trees Management to The Real Deal. They can’t reveal the buyer yet, but Abehsera says that “it would be easy to rent it for $60,000 [per month], I’ll tell you that much.” Whoever is renting to own or buying this condo will have one of the best views of NYC from that solarium on the roof.

Previously:
{One Main PH Set at $25M, 09Aug2009}
{New Co-Exclusive Listing for 1 Main Street PH, 01Feb2010}