While it seemed like construction was slow all summer at 85 Adams, this past weekend, workers were busy installing the last of the dual glazed windows with special sound-absorbing liner. The external construction elevator was also taken down and the entrance to the lobby area was being worked on. The interior lights were installed and operational. While I’ve heard a lot from J Condo owners who are for the most part satisfied with the developers, I haven’t heard from any Beacon Tower owners. Do any readers own any units and have updates on move-in dates?

{85 Adams Street Condo Progress (9/12/06), DumboNYC.com, 9/12/06}
{Beacon Tower Garden Update, 9/6/06}
{Beacon Tower website}

Below are two photos of Beacon Tower in Dumbo taken two months apart. They must be hard at work on the interior because it looks like the exterior is mostly done, as the difference between the photos is small (compare J Condo progress in the background). The supposed dented exterior noted by a commenter can be seen in a close-up photo I took below, but it’s a work in progress so we’ll have to see when the building is ready for occupancy in 2007.

 June 20, 2006 (photo by dumbonyc)

 August 11, 2006 (photo by dumbonyc)

 Click photo for close-up of Beacon, September 8, 2006 (photo by dumbonyc)

{related: Beacon Tower Garden Update, Dumbonyc.com}

Sept 2006

Remember this Brownstoner entry almost a year ago in October 2005 about this development (followed by the oft discussed pricing and tax abatement protests on Curbed)? The above photo is the foundation for the 85 Adams Street’s feng shui inspired garden (aka Beacon Tower). Plans include a tea house, for a “natural buffer between home and street”. Not sure how those who live at Beacon Tower will “find peace, sanctuary and true urban sophistication” outdoors in the garden and tea house with the building being cornered by the Manhattan Bridge and the BQE. This corner on Adams and York Streets is probably the loudest spot in Dumbo. But in all fairness, I did check out the sales office a few months ago and the sound proofing in the condos was a focus of the developer Shaya Boymelgreen.

Artist Rendering of garden, occupancy early 2007

Ignoring that BQE white noise, you can almost imagine meditating in the zen garden…ommmmmmm.

{Beacon Tower website}

Via Gothamist, could it be that the Dumbo architect Robert Scarano replied to Brownstoner’s post about my Water Street development update?

“Don’t degrad your families life style like that. Peoplr are still free to make choices in this country. Go back to the sticks where people still use the word Hobo. Here in New York its Bums.”

I’m not convinced he wrote that, but it would be cool that he’s reading some Brooklyn blogs out there. Here’s another view of the development looking up from Water Street:

Considering the building is next to the Manhattan Bridge, it gets a lot of sunlight.

{Gothamist post}
{Brownstoner’s post on Water St development}

[Update: 133 Water Street Received Their TCO, 16May2007]

The development on the corner of Adams and Water Streets is moving quickly. There was some discussion on Brownstoner.com back in June, but since then the facade went up. According to Scarano’s website, first floor will have commercial space and residential apartments above:

The Gair family developed many of the adjacent properties and these buildings lend their aesthetic qualities to the new structure. And while some of the new developments ignore this richly diverse community by placing Manhattan-style buildings next to these neighboring icons, this new building blends old with new, allowing both to be recognized and appreciated for what they are.

Exterior surfaces reveal the varied nature of the interior layouts by using glass window wall systems on the upper level units, most of which have double height ceilings. Turning the mass on a 45 degree angle to the street grid allowed for unique and varied vistas for many units. Triple glazing and acoustically super-insulated exterior walls mask the din of noise emanating from the adjacent Manhattan bridge roadway and transit lines.

With commercial spaces at the 1st floor and parking in the cellar, the residential portion on the floors above responds to the New York City Quality Housing Program, mandated by the local residential district.

Large units of 1000 square feet for a two bedroom apartment represent a trend that the buyers now demand. Modern amenities include deluxe five piece fixtures in the master bathroom, his and her walk in closets and state of the art kitchen appliances with European cabinetry.

{Development Watch: Adding to Chaos in Dumbo, Brownstoner.com}
{Scarano Architects website}