The China Mansion at 167 Sands Street
August 28th, 2007
This 7 story (plus basement) “China Mansion”, as it states in Chinese characters on the top of this building at 167 Sands Street, was the original location for the Brooklyn Navy YMCA. It was the headquarters for sailors, marines, and coast guardsmen for nearby Brooklyn Navy Yards. The building, built in 1901 and completed in 1902, was a “gift of Miss Helen Miller Gould (Mrs. Finley J. Shepard) and Mrs. Russell Sage to the men of the Navy.” The building has great Navy-related details and looks like a solid structure.
According to property records, this co-op building has 120 residential units, and is owned by Chung Hwa Tenant Corp. There aren’t too many sale records, but Property Shark has two co-op sales during 2007:
1) 5/30/07 $100,000, unit 114b
2) 3/6/07 $155,000, unit 118
Looks like most or all occupants are of Chinese decent. Anyone else know more about this building?
{Property Shark: 167 Sands St.}
{nyc.gov BIS: 167 Sands St.}
{Google Map: 167 Sands St.}
39 Responses to “The China Mansion at 167 Sands Street”
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August 28th, 2007 at 11:56 am
What are the cross streets of this building?
August 28th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
It’s between Jay Street and Gold Street, next to the Farragut Houses.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Thanks
August 28th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Its perhaps the worst location in the world, adjacent to either the Farragut Houses or to the BQE. But for 100,000, who cares?
August 28th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
StreetEasy.com has 4 previous listing for it, but no active listings. http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/building/167-sands-street-brooklyn
August 28th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I’m not trying to be funny, But I didn’t know that people actually live here. I thought it was some sort of school.
September 1st, 2007 at 11:03 am
I live in this building. It was bought by a Chinese developer in the early 80′s and converted to co-ops. It is like a different country in there, with all the notices posted in the lobby in Chinese, and red lanterns hanging from the ceiling in some common areas, and an abandoned swimming pool down in the basement. Sure, we are practically in Farragut’s backyard, and true, my view is of the BQE and the Manhattan Bridge on-ramp (and no we don’t have triple or even double paned windows), but it’s cheap as hell for a place that’s a quick 10 minute bike commute from the city.
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Thanks halfie for sharing. very interesting. I do like the building though, and although not in the worst place, it must be noisy when the BQE is busy. It is close to the F train so it’s convenient. so are there any non-Chinese residents there?
September 4th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Yes, it’s noisy, but since it’s a constant din of white noise I honestly barely notice it anymore. My impression living here for the past two years is that my neighbors (who generally seem to speak little if any English) choose to live here for the proximity to Chinatown–there is a mini-van serving building residents that runs back and forth between Henry Street and the parking lot of the building all day long. There are very, very few non-Chinese residents in the building, and the few I’ve seen are probably subletters, not owners.
September 29th, 2007 at 1:04 am
[...] Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » The China Mansion at 167 Sands Street (DumboNYC.com) [...]
November 14th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Does anyone know if there are any available listings in this building? Will the board permit a non-Chinese buyer? Is it safe?
November 14th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/rfs/473724402.html
Just found that while surfing on CL. You’re welcome.
November 14th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
KD, thanks for the link. The brokerage firm plagiarized my description of Dumbo and photos from my site with no credit to DumboNYC. I know people plagiarize from the web a lot, but do you guys think I should do anything? Not cool.
November 16th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
You should absoulely contact him regarding stealing your words. Very un-cool. I remember when there was a broker that kept posting dumbo listings on craigslist and used the Dumbo Art Center Logo as her own logo. DAC got pretty pissed off at her and she had to stop.
What do you think about those prices?
November 16th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Why not sic the content-starved schmendricks over at curbed on them – I know, I know, it’s not like they’re paragons of full disclosure and attribution over there, but they do seem to shamelessly relish any opportunity to wag an accusatory finger. This way, not only do you teach them a much-needed lesson, but curbed will absorb any (unfounded) accusations of pettiness…
December 11th, 2007 at 10:55 am
I viewed this building and a few units with the “exclusive” broker some time last week. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on there but it sounds as if the she was pulling some sleight of hand to get her clients to buy the units. Apparently the building is being bought by Corcoran and being converted to condo’s. Funny, the Corcoran agent that was there too knew nothing about it. Regardless I’ve never met a more difficult broker to work with, never in my 15 years of real estate have I met anyone who wanted to get the client’s financials PRIOR to viewing! If she’s going to work that way then I wish her well in finding some buyers for whatever scam it is she’s trying to pull.
December 25th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
does anyone know if these offerings for the coops are legimate.? if so, what are the going prices for a 2br coop? thanks in advance.
December 26th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
My friend lives in this building and i have been here several times. I personally wouldn’t buy here for any price; to live or otherwise. Apart from the fact that there are wires hanging out of the elevator, muggings are now a weekly phenomenon, and English is not spoken whatseover, the place is a complete dump. The place actually smells like a really bad chinese restaurant. I would visit it, at least for the entertainment value if nothing else. This is perhaps the worst managed building in NYC.
James
December 29th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Hey yall. Look! a listing with pictures available. I guess good for people who can’t afford the newer places around Dumbo, and can deal with the buildings lack luster. The building is under new management as of this December
December 29th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Craigslist posting
December 29th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I’d sooner buy a trailer and open a meth factory in the Ozarks.
December 29th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Sounds like a good plan for you. When are you leaving?
December 30th, 2007 at 12:41 am
Did someone say meth?
December 30th, 2007 at 12:49 am
muggings, shootings, robberies….uhm!
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=7&id=16866
December 30th, 2007 at 1:23 am
Smokey what you doin’ here? Get back to P&P and earn some money.
December 30th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Get off my back woman. My sh*t ain’t none of your business.
December 30th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
When I walked by the two earlier, they were arguing and that’s almost exactly what I heard!
January 1st, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Saw listings on StreetEasy. A certain brokerage firm is still stealing Dumbonyc’s photos.
http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/building/167-sands-street-brooklyn
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 am
Thanks for all ur research re: building smells, exposed wires, and uhh… MUGGINGS!! I was seriously considering buying here. Last thing I need is my 10lb dog wrestling a waterbug… and losing. Lastly, this spam thing is ridiculous, I have added these numbers numerous times and still my comment wont go through. 9 plus 2 is 11 isn’t it?
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I’m seriously ready to kick Smokey and Cracky in the ass with all the force I can muster. And I’m going to yell “God Bless You Anyway!” as they sail into the air.
January 5th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I saw a woman give Crackey a big New Years Hug along with a couple of bucks. This proves my theory…People who love Smokey and Cracky have cooties.
January 5th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Things about Dumbo – True or False?
Grimaldi’s Pizza Is Worth Waiting For. – False
Smokey and Crackey Lovers Suck – True
Parking in Dumbo Sucks. – False (Better than BH)
Best Side Of The Brooklyn Bridge Is Dumbo.-True
Dumboites Are Friendly. – True
Dumboites Love Mike Huckaby! – Hell No.
Rize Is A Great Place To Eat! – Think not.
Best Sandwich Value Is Peas & Pickles $4.00 Turkey Sandwich Unless Your Tipping Your Outdoor Hosts.- – True.
March 27th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
In 1959,60,61, and 62 I was a hostess at the “Y”. It was the GSO, Girls Service Organization, similar to the USO. We held dances for the service men, beach parties in the summer and would you believe a hay ride on a big truck through NYC and on to a ferry to Staten Island. We had to stop many times for those of us who smoked. We weren't allowed to smoke on the back of the truck because of the hay. Those were the best years of my life. My only regret was marrying a sailor from Louisiana and leaving NY. I hate the boondocks, even after 48 years.
March 27th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
In 1959,60,61, and 62 I was a hostess at the “Y”. It was the GSO, Girls Service Organization, similar to the USO. We held dances for the service men, beach parties in the summer and would you believe a hay ride on a big truck through NYC and on to a ferry to Staten Island. We had to stop many times for those of us who smoked. We weren't allowed to smoke on the back of the truck because of the hay. Those were the best years of my life. My only regret was marrying a sailor from Louisiana and leaving NY. I hate the boondocks, even after 48 years.
October 1st, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I am a Filipino sailors also but I am now researching the Filipino experience in Brooklyn Navy Yard. I know that there was an enslavement of Filipino Navy and merchant sailor in this vicinity. I remember the Filipino restaurant at 47 Sands Street. Can you share any of your observation at that time? We also frequented the USO dances around NYC. Dancing was our passion.. ;-)
December 22nd, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Hi Phix7 I was not aware of the philipino restaurant on Sands St. After the dances at the “Y” we would catch the bus on the corner and go to a place Called Dardenellas on Flatbush Ave. Actually it wasn’t really that far, and we could have walked there. It was a small place that had a small 4 piece combo band. It didn’t do much business so they were always happy to see us every night. It was a nice quiet clean place. Many good memories of it. My passion was dancing too. I danced with many Philipino sailors at the “Y”. I remember them as excellant dancers. One of them taught me a step called the Sugar Foot. Don’t remember it now. Another taught me to Tango. I was good at dancing the Mambo, Cha cha, rumba and the lindy. I lived to dance. When I moved down South it all ended. This was the Bible belt. Dancing was considered a sin along with anything else that was fun. It’s still considered a sin but it goes on in bars anyway. I haven’t looked at this site in months. I just happened to think about it today. I still miss N.Y. If I could do it over I would never leave. I hate the South. I wish I could have been more help with more information. All I did was go to work during the day and dance all night. I have no regrets about the good times I had and the people I met.
January 6th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Saw this: http://www.purpleyamnyc.com/a-filipino-restaurant-in-brooklyn-in-1938/
January 25th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
My wife and I met at the Navy Y. 1957..Still married.. What happened to Mr Fowler? He was the Manager then.
October 21st, 2011 at 5:02 am
[...] Washington Street that says “Robert Gair: If it’s made of paper we have it”), the 167 Sands Street building, which was completed in 1902, the Tobacco Warehouse, and the two and three story wood frame [...]