It’s been known that the Two Trees’ building at 25 Washington Street is being converted to condos, which has/will displace the 100+ small businesses that are leasing space there. Lease holders were notified in October that their leases are expiring on November 30 and Two Trees will commence demolition December 1st and convert the building into residential apartments. According to a Curbed post, there is an application on file “for a two-story extension to the building (with “accessory cabana spaces” on the roof) in 2007. It was approved back then, but the DOB issued a permit for the job only this past February. The architect on the application is Jared Della Valle of the firm Della Valle + Bernheimer.”

Many of the businesses have moved out of the building, including a large tenant, Securitas, who moved to downtown Brooklyn, or to other office space in the neighborhood. Two Trees have offered offices at 55 Washington Street, but according to a few who have emailed us, they are looking for specific requirements (please contact TT for details no longer have any vacancies (according to a few who emailed us).) A few are still scrambling to find office space and need help from the community to find adequate space. There are offices located in 68 Jay Street, 10 Jay Street, 20 Jay Street, 155 Water Street (“Greendesk”), but some need enclosed spaces (not open cubicles). If you are a landlord or know of a location for small businesses, please help them by emailing us a contact asap or post a comment below. We hate to see good businesses leaving the area.

After the jump, we’ve also posted an ad from Craigslist for an office share at 68 Jay Street if anyone is looking.

{Luxury conversion has DUMBO upset at the Walentases, 29Sept2009, Brooklyn Paper}
{25 Washington Conversion Confirmed, 30Sept2009, Brownstoner}
{Is Dumbo’s 25 Washington Going Residential?, 26Aug2009, Brownstoner}
{Dumbo’s Next Blockbuster Conversion, 25Aug2009, Curbed}
{BIS record for 25 Washington St}

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Saw these a few days ago on gizmodo.com. This one is from artist Fred Lebain, who superimposes photo images in areas of NYC. Pretty cool.

{Low-Tech Invisibility Cloaks in NYC, Gizmodo}
{Liu Bolin Creates Invisibility Cloak, Gizmodo}

Concord Market is located on Tillary Street (at the corner of Jay St) right behind the Concord Village apartment complex, considered to be in downtown Brooklyn. In fact, Alap Vora, owner and manager, grew up in this complex. He knows the community very well and has many years experience in the business world for his young age. He grew up in a family that owns many retail stores so he has practical and first hand expertise on running a venue like this. Also, living in the vicinity, there was no market quite like this. The residents and other people in the area wanted convenience, service and value. This is exactly what it offers and plans to stay that way for the long haul.

The interior is very green, fresh, clean and modern looking. The look of this store conveys the philosophy behind it–freshness and quality food that is affordable. Concord Market was completely gutted, renovated, and refurbished. Concord Market plans on catering as well and delivers.

Concord Market
91 Tillary Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 522-1930
open daily 7am-10pm

(Reporting by Sabrina Ravindranath)

{From the Ashes of the Associated Comes Concord Market, Brownstoner}
{Two new groceries to open in Downtown, The Brooklyn Paper}

The White Gown is a bridal salon based in Dumbo, located on 69 Jay Street. They provide unique and exclusive wedding dresses in a friendly and calming environment that welcomes brides hoping to find the perfect dress. They achieve this with one-on-one consulting and tailoring to suit the dress to the bride’s personality and style.

They are having an End-of-the-Year Clearance on November 21-22. Gowns (normally $1,000- $3,000) will be selling for as low as $199-$799. There’s more details on their website www.thewhitegown.com.

The White Gown (www.thewhitegown.com)
69 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: 718.222.GOWN (4696)
Email: whitegown@gmail.com

From PS8: The PS8 PTA proudly presents- its First Annual Night to Celebrate Reading, with special guest, Gabriel Byrne.

When: Thursday, November 19, from 7-9 pm
Where: Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 208, Dumbo, Brooklyn

Plese join us for a very special evening of wine & cheese, and an incredible line-up (below) of New York’s luminary literati.

Suggested Donation: $20/person
See the line-up of writers, scholars, and reporters after the jump.
Read the rest of this entry »

B25 Bus (Photo by Jane Kratochvil)

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

• Vinegar Hill House’s Braised Pork Rib Cannelloni Recipe, 09Nov09, DailyCandy
• BoCoCa, GoCaGa, BoHo, Dumbo, 09Nov09, NY Daily News
• Eats in Dumbo, 10Nov09, Brooklyn Nomad
• New Design Store for Dumbo- Trunk, 12Nov09, Brownstoner
• 5 Brooklyn restaurants to Check Out, 13Nov09, NY Post
• Vinegar Hill House Visit, 13Nov09, Vegetarian Foodie
• DUMBO: The New Soho, 13Nov09, Huffington Post
• New Lease Activity at Brooklyn Navy Yard, 12Nov09, Bownstoner
• Burlesque Drawing Crowds, 11Nov09, Brooklyn Eagle
• My Outfit Boro to Boro, 11Nov09, MyStylePill
• Woody Allen’s Cousin Working the Brooklyn USPS, 13Nov09, Heeb
• Skanska Koch Leases at 55 Washington, 10Nov09, NY Observer
• NYC Tip: Brooklyn Heights, 11Nov09, NYU Local

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for BKLYN DESIGNS 2010, scheduled for May 7-9, 2010. Exhibitor applications are now available online at bklyndesigns.com. According to auster*events, the firm that produces the event, over 40 Brooklyn-based designers have already applied, but they are encouraging additional Brooklyn-based furniture and accessories designers and manufacturers to submit an application before December 4th. For more information please call Auster Agency at 718.243.1414 or download the Exhibitor Application (pdf) for the 8th annual BKLYN DESIGNS show.

BKLYN DESIGNS is a three day expo held in Dumbo Broolyn and provides emerging designers support and publicity for their new and cutting edge designs.

Previously:
{BKLYN Designs 2009 Kicks Off, 08May2009}
{BKLYN Designs 2008 Photo Recap, 13May2008}
{BKLYN Designs 2008 to Showcase Designers In Dumbo, 08May2008}
{BKLYN Designs 2007 Recap, 14May2007}
{BKLYN DESIGNS 2007 to Celebrate Art, Design, & Architecture in Dumbo, 07May2007}

(31 Washington St, 3bed rental)

Real three bedroom apartments are difficult to come by in Dumbo. With inventory limited and more families and residents moving to Dumbo, larger apartments are either super expensive or rented out quickly if priced right. According to Streeteasy.com, there are currently 6 listings with three bedrooms in Dumbo with a median price of $8,500 (ouch!) and median size of 2,126 sqft. Let’s take a look:

• 100 Jay Street, 3bed, 2bath: $5,150
• 70 Washington Street, 3bed, 3bath, 1,700 sqft: $5,550
• 30 Main Street, 5F, 3bed, 2.5bath, 2,126 sqft: $6,500
• 31 Washington Street, 3bed, 3.5bath, 2,812 sqft: $8,500
• 85 Adams Street, 23rd PH, 3bed, 2bath, 1,785 sqft: $8,500
• 1 Main Street, 14th PH, 3bed, 2.5bath, 3,208 sqft: $19,999

Two of the listings are penthouses and three are $8,500 per month or more. Is there anything more reasonable? Here’s one at 65 Washington Street, on Craigslist; a 3bed 2 bath in 65 Washington Street (the 12 floor building built in 2000 on the corner of Front St). “The unit is on the top floor with only one other apartment on the floor. Very private and quiet. The apartment has hardwood floors throughout, high ceilings, lots of light, and has 2 balconies with a view of the Manhattan bridge.” Compared to the 6 apartment listings, seems like a deal at $4,000 per month. [pdf floorplan]

65 Washington St, PH

Anyone know other deals in Dumbo for 3 bedrooms?

We featured Kathy Gurland, founder of cancer consulting organization called PEG’S Group last year (also a Dumbo-based business and resident of Vinegar Hill). PEG’S Group is an independent group of Cancer Navigation Consultants™ who provide Personal Education, Guidance and Support for people affected by cancer.

Yesterday’s NY Times health blog featured Kathy Gurland and discusses her upcoming article for Women and Cancer Magazine to be published in December. Congratulations to Kathy! for more information or visit them at www.pegsgroup.com.

Trunk is having a grand opening celebration of their new store in Dumbo on Thursday, November 12 from 6-10pm. They are “a fusion of fashion, art and furniture focusing on design and craftsmanship of locally made products.” The store features everything from clothing and jewelry, to furniture and home goods. The binding concept is that everything in the store is made locally, and made extremely well.

They are showcasing “Have a Seat”:
Unique chairs made locally. Curated by BIANCA TOSCANO.
Featuring works by today’s innovators in art + design. Works by Uhuru Design, Nightwood, Miron Lior, Eco Systems, Scott Behr of TMR.

Featured Collections by:
Aimee g (Clothing)
Mel En Stel (Clothing)
SAMOY LENKO (Clothing)
Ryann (Sustainable Clothing)
Radka Design (Jewelry)
Lauren Wimmer Jewelry
Marjorie Victor Jewelry
Lorenza Jewelry
Charm NYC (Hats)
Corrente (Handbags)

Welcome to Dumbo and good luck!

Trunk (trunkbrooklyn.com)
68 Jay Street, #101, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: 718-522-6488
info@trunkbrooklyn.com

(Photos courtesy of Trunk)

Previously: {Dumbo Retail News 20Oct2009}