From Daily Candy:

“DUMBO, where an industrial shop becomes 2,000 square feet of office, bookstore, and event space. Socially/politically/religiously hefty titles are cranked out in the back; high-designy finished products are stacked on wooden tables and spinning bookshelves that hide spines during parties. (Indie event producers are encouraged to inquire.)

Already in the works: ten-minute lunchtime talks and unconventional author readings. For tomorrow’s opening, linguist Elizabeth Little explores dead words, made-up words, and words lost in translation.

Can they keep the neighborhood all aboard?

We think they can.”

Store opens Saturday at noon. Opening party, Saturday, 6 p.m.
Melville House, 145 Plymouth Street, at Pearl Street, Dumbo
(718-722-9204 or mhpbooks.com)

{Book Publisher Melville House Plans Move To 145 Plymouth Street, 28Dec2007}

 (135 Plymouth Street building; rear of building on corner of John and Adams Street) Is this part of an old patio?

According to a Publisher’s Weekly article, independent book publisher Melville House is moving to 145 Plymouth Street in Dumbo Brooklyn where it will house not only the publisher’s offices, but a bookstore and event space. They join the other independent publisher with retail space, PowerHouse Books in Dumbo. According to the article, “Melville plans to host readings, panel discussions, and book events for their own authors and other indie presses. To begin with, the bookstore will only sell Melville titles, but Johnson said they may stock other publishers’ books in conjunction with events in the future.” Dennis Loy Johnson runs the press with his wife Valerie Merians.

Two Trees confirmed that they have signed a lease for the 1,983 square ft space in the space on the corner of Pearl and Plymouth Street also known as the 20 Jay Street building. This is the last of the retail spaces in 20 Jay, which includes GalleryQB, Zakka, Cheeky Dog, Neighborhoodies, and Aswoon/Susan Woods.

{Melville House Moves to Brooklyn, Publisher’s Weekly}

We posted this townhouse listing on Plymouth Street in Vinegar Hill back in July. It still on the market, but the list price has been reduced from $1,495,000 to $995,000, a half million dollar reduction. Sounds like there were no takers at the original listing price.

A reader went to check out the property and had this to say:

“just a wee bit of a price cut – half a mill worth down to $995k. i checked the place out today and it is a definite knockdown. and the location is absolutely dreadful. don’t get me wrong – i love, i mean love, vinegar hill, but this location is horrible – directly across the street from the water treatment plant, which stinks, the conEd plant is just down the block, and the PJs are around the corner.”

I agree, the location is not great, but quiet. What do you think? Is there potential for an investor who is willing to take a risk to tear down and build a home there (R6-B Zoning)?

{On the Market: 328 Plymouth Street, Vinegar Hill, 25July07}
{NY Times Listing}

Dumbo’s newest art and furniture gallery, GalleryQB opened its doors in October. The gallery features high design in vintage-modern furniture and classic pieces by Milo Baughman, Knoll, George Nelson, and Charles & Ray Eames, among others in a welcoming and unpretentious setting. The furniture pieces are at reasonable prices for vintage-modern furniture. GalleryQB also features contemporary artwork by emerging artists.

Tomorrow, Thursday, November 8, 2007 from 6 – 9pm, GalleryQB is hosting a cocktail reception showcasing the work of Brooklyn-based artist Anthony Rebholz. Gallery owner and creative director, Quincy Ballon (pictured below) is offering a 10% discount on all dining tables and chairs as a special promotion (for DumboNYC readers). Stop by to welcome Quincy to Dumbo and check out the furniture and art work while you’re there.

163 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn NY (CLOSED)
info@galleryqb.com
ph: 718.222.1885
galleryqb.com

 (Photo: David W. Dunlap/The New York Times)

The NY Times Cityroom blog reported that the owner of 215 Plymouth Street building were trying to get a step ahead of regulation by doing facade work before the historic district is formally established by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The vigilant Julia Ryan, a member of the steering committee of the Dumbo Neighborhood Association, called the NY Times reporter to document the illegal work on the building. A permit was not issued by the city.

At 3:45, the city inspector issued a stop-work order to the Sheva Realty Corporation, the owner of 215 Plymouth Street, charging “work without permit at first floor”; in particular, “bricks being removed to increase window and door openings.”

Some areas where old Dumbo industrial buildings are located are still like the wild West. Landmarking issues aside, building owners need to work under the laws and obtain the proper permits before working on their buildings. We’ll be watching.

{A Wall Is Torn Down in Dumbo, Prompting the City to Halt Work, 27July2007, Cityroom}

Townhouses in the quiet Vinegar Hill are hard to come by since there aren’t too many of them. I came across this one on the market, a 3 story, 2 family on a 25 x 70 lot. There’s an owner’s duplex plus rental. Full basement, R6-B Zoning, delivered vacant. It’s right around the corner from the quaint Hudson St/Plymouth St corner. The drawback is that it’s right across from the ConEd plant. If you’re looking for a quiet neighborhood, this area is a great place that feels like you’re not in NYC, yet it’s a 5 minute walk to noisy Dumbo.

• square feet: 2250
• list price: $1,495,000 ($664/sqft)
• est prop tax: $1,801

What do you think? It this a good deal?

{328 Plymouth Street, Century21}
{Google Map}
{Property Shark}

 Photo courtesy of Neighborhoodies

A few Dumbo retail news:

1. 20 Jay Street: According to neighborhoodies.com, they’re planning a retail store on 20 Jay Street: “Our newest store opens June 1st on Jay Street in Brooklyn! As you can see we already took out a former concrete wall on the exterior and fit it with another glass front. … Notice too the progress in clearing the interior. …We’ll keep adding photos as work progresses…” Neighborhoodies is headquartered in Dumbo on 45 Main Street.
2. 14 Jay Street: Aswoon/Susan Woods (www.aswoon.com) is going to be opening a store/showroom at the corner of Jay & John Streets at 14 Jay Street.
3. 20 Jay Street: A doggy day care will open on Plymouth Street in 20 Jay Street building. All dog owners in the neighborhood will have a place for their dogs to be pampered.
4. 67 Washington Street: The Two Trees Real Estate office and their new website, twotreesre.com is open for business. Previously reported on March 29 here on DumboNYC.
5. 70 Washington Street: There’s some activity on the retail level in this building on the Front Street side across the street from Bo Concepts. Drywall has been put in and the space is being cleared out. No word yet on what this will become. Stay tuned…

 ”nice view”, Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park from Plymouth Street, Dumbo Brooklyn (Photo courtesy of okreitz)

 Corner of Plymouth and Jay Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn NY (Photo courtesy of shaw_patric)