Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


11-15 Old Fulton Street Under Contract

October 5th, 2007

When we last looked at this trio of townhouses when they came on the market back in January, they were priced at $7.5 million. They were reduced to $7 million, and according to the Massey Knakal website, they are now under contract.

Most would agree that this is a great location just on the border of Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights, with views of Manhattan, but commenter Ilene said:

“I inquired about one of those buildings a few years ago and was told there are severe structural issues with them, and the land they sit on. Something about the water table I think. Walentas would have long ago snapped them up if they could be salvaged or torn down for a reasonable fee. Too bad, I think that Old Fulton could really become a great gateway for the neighborhood and coming park if those eyesores would go away.”

I haven’t been able to vet the statement about the structural issues, but it would be a great location for street level retail or cafe that will get foot traffic from Grimaldi’s, Pete’s and Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, and Fulton Ferry Landing visitors. What would you like to see built on the ground level?

{masseyknakal.com}
{Three Vacant Buildings on Old Fulton Street, 18Jan2007}
{NY Times Updates Us On Old Fulton St Plans, 20May2007}

Filed in Old Fulton Street, Real Estate at 12:05 pm
Comments
  • flavia paz
    This is part of Fulton Ferry
  • Christy Stewart
    Looks like they got landmarks approval to build one more story and re-zoned it through the city.
    I can't believe landmarks allowed this. It is in the Fulton Ferry Historic District.

    The NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, as lead agency, has determined that the 11-15 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn (BSA Cal. No. 136-06-BZ-CEQR No. 06BSA106K) will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. Public comment period ends January 24, 2007. The action involves a Zoning variance under § 72-21 to allow the residential conversion and one-story enlargement of three (3) existing four (4) story buildings. The proposed development violates use (§ 42-00), FAR (§ 43-12), and rear yard (§ 43-26 & § 43-27) regulations. The project would include ground floor retail space and twelve (12) dwelling units on the upper floors. The project is located at 11-15 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn (Block 35, Lots 7, 8, & 9).
  • rascal
    These are some of the only remaining antebellum commercial buildings in all of northern Brooklyn, and this single block is literally the only section of upper Fulton Street where Brooklyn's rich, cultural heritage hasn't been sacrificed to modern transportation or dubious public improvement projects. The ferry landing is one of the most historic locations not just in all of New York, but in all the nation. What we gaze upon here today is what New Yorkers and world travelers have seen for nearly two-hundred years--during the tumultuous sixties and World War II; in the Great Depression and the Jazz Age; in the Gay Nineties and during the Civil War--in a spot that was once one of the most diverse metropolitan thoroughfares on earth. It would obviously be wonderful to restore the charm of these faded workhorses, but the notion that these precious rarities are "eyesores" is, with all due respect, an expression of grave ignorance.
  • Christy Stewart
    I agree with you completely. These are not eyesores. It would be very sad to see these ghosts disappear. Personally, I'm concerned that these developers have bargained with landmarks commsion because they were given permission to build an extra story. Does anyone know who is buying them? What are their plans? I hope to restore, and not destroy!
  • ilene
    I think you all need to relax a little. When I called them eyesores, I was referring to their uninhabited-messy window-garbage out front state. Not a comment on their antebellum structure. Of course I'd rather see the structures preserved rather than, say, another J Condo or 133 Water arise
  • tom
    My partner and I looked at these buildings last year. They require MAJOR strucural work. You have to rip off the back of 2 buildings to gain the sq. footage for the roof. The buildings are like a bunch of pixie sticks. One structural element effects the next one. They were built in the 1830's! I can't wait to see what they paid for them. We walked away from the project. It truly is a ambitious project.
  • charles
    I am pleased to report that the sale of these properties has finally closed. The purchsers are experienced developers who will Restore and not Destroy these propertuies. They will be converted to luxury rental properties with great attention and detial to preserve the exterior integrity of these beautiful properties. Construction will most likely begin in the next 6 months as plans are finalized for the interior layouts.

    Look forward to a future property that will be not only pleasing to the eye but to the community.
  • prof h. hill
    Jeez, I don't know. I keep scrolling back up to the photo of these buildings and I wonder who ever built them originally has to be spinning in their grave. They look like simple mercantile buildings built for simple functions. I get the impression that these buildings were built on the "cheap". Somewhere between preserving every antebellum brick box and taking it up the rear with a J Condo there has to be a rational middle ground.
  • Jess
    Charles, any plans for ground floor retail?
  • charles
    Jess,

    There is the intention to have ground floor retail, a tenant has yet to be decided on.

    Regarding the structural integrity of the property there are 3x12 wood beams that run throughout the property that which are more supportive than the current steal beams used in new construction. There will be additional joists places as needed for addittional support.
  • dumbostreets
    Is there a view from these buildings?
  • Tome
    So what happened? Obviously nothing started as of June 2007. Where do things stand?
  • tom
    We looked at these buldings a while back. They are ready to fall down. Major structural issues, water damage, wall sections failing, settling issues. I think these developers are about to open a major can of worms unless they have other intentions. Be careful!
  • Jstein
    ummm. that charles is a little in the dark and naive i think. these buildings do not have solid foundations and lie over a persistent and very old underground stream. the water has shifted and eaten away the ground beneath these buildings. that is why they lilt so. i suspect this is also why nothing is going on with these buildings in way more than 12 months.
  • Bedrock
    We heard the building was purchased by same developers that developed a property at 85 North 3rd street in Williamburg - called the Mill Building. They are former low end housing developers.
  • fulton ferry res
    FYI - The Fulton Ferry Landing Association fought the original developer's (Michael Zazza) application to Landmarks, which was to add 3 stories to the rooftop. It ended up approved for one additional floor, set back from the front. Zazza flipped it after it got approved at BSA. An LPC rep has reported that interior work is about to start, but no evidence yet. FWIW, an FDNY captain told me the buildings were in good shape "for their age." And the joists were indeed built for loads much larger than residential usage.
  • twink
    We live in Fulton Ferry Landing and would like to know more about the Fulton Ferry Landing Association. Do they have a website? How can I contact them? I tried googling and indeed they are referenced lots of places, but no contact info. If anyone has any information about the organization, we would appreciate it! Thanks!
  • fulton ferry res
    FFLA is developing a website. In the meantime, you can write to: fultonferry (at) gmail (dot) com
  • twink
    Fulton Ferry Res - Thank you for the info. I will be sure to contact them!
  • av
    Now that it's May, any update on these buildings guys? I walked by a couple of weeks and thought to myself 'what a shame there's nothing going on here'

    City records showed the owners bought the 3 buildings at the end of '07 (top of the market to ya) for $6.6mm ... OUCH!
  • fulton ferry res
    The word from LPC was that financing had fallen through. However, that didn't stop about 8-10 young men (friends of the new owner, I presume)from bringing a portable grill up to the roof a few weeks ago on a Sunday and having themselves a party.
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