DUMBO Neighborhood Foundation (DNF) launched their website last week. The DNF, a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization incorporated in New York State. It was created in 2007 by long-time local residents to forge and coordinate the opposition to the Dock Street Dumbo Project. Their mission, according to the website, is “to organize and become the true stewards of the Bridge and protectors of the unique and historic neighborhood that lies below the Brooklyn Bridge called DUMBO.” The controversial mixed use development is a proposed 17 story building that includes affordable housing, a 45,000 sq ft middle school space, and approximately 400 underground parking spaces. The City Council approved the rezoning of the development project filed by Two Trees Management Company in June 2009.

The DNF has reported that they have raised nearly $40,000 to date. Read more on their website: dnf-dumbo.org

We’re into this listing for 100 Jay Street, Apt 6E, not only for it’s custom website, but looks like the owner has put in a lot of custom work. There’s even a video that shows some custom installations for the cats. Here are the stats:

• $679,000
• 1 bedroom, 1 bath
• 800 square feet (Floorplan)
• $527/mo cc, $14/mo taxes
• Pretty much custom everything. (Details on the site)

Check out the site at dumbodesignerdwelling.com.

(Photo from Curbed)

Remember the issue we posted on the potential carbon monixide issue last year for 133 Water Street? According to Curbed, the building next to it (18 Adams Street (photo) extended the chimney by 5 stories so the noxious fumes are not entering the apartments next door.

After 5+ years, the top addition of 53 Bridge Street is being taken down, according to a Brownstoner post today. The approved DOB application states, “FILING HEREWITH PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF 8 FLOOR AND ENTIRE FLOOR 9 THRU 13.” Several complaints about falling debris or hanging scaffolding have been submitted over the years. The building is owned by Mr. Guttman. We don’t know the fate of this building, but perhaps work can be done within zoning compliance.

Previously:
{53 Bridge Street Building, 11Sept2007}
{Img: 53 Bridge Street, 13Sept2006}

The following three condo units just came on the market last week in Dumbo Brooklyn.

• 1 Main Street, #3C, 1 bed, 1.5 bath, 1,191sqft (floorplan), $609/mo cc, $1,385,000 ($1,162/sqft)
• 100 Jay Street #4F, 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,421sqft (floorplan), $902/mo cc, $1,395,000 ($902/sqft)
• 70 Washington Street #11I, 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,417sqft (floorplan), $585/mo cc, $1,495,000 ($1,055/sqft)

While all have their pros and cons, which one is your favorite? All are full service doorman loft buildings. Views of the bridge, check. High ceilings, check. And of course there are intangibles. And not that this should factor into your purchase, but all three have resident celebrities (the most recent being Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker just moving into one of these buildings). So which one is it going to be?

 

(Photo by Josh Derr)

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the Certificates of Appropriateness for 201 Water Street and 9 Old Fulton Street, according to a story in the NY Post. Writer Stephen Witt states, that for 201 Water Street, the LPC approved a new storefront and opening on the ground floor of the site, which is owned by Peter Forman.

For 9 Old Fulton Street, “The LPC approved a four-story building with a one-story penthouse for the site…Architect Van de Bout said the city’s Board of Standards and Appeals must also sign off on the project as the site is zoned for manufacturing and it’s going to be residential. “There’s still a few substantial hurdles to get over before construction begins,” he said.

Previously:
{LPC Public Hearing on 201 Water and 9 Old Fulton Streets, 08Feb2010}

This 70 Washington Street penthouse just came on the market yesterday (Sotheby’s listing #0135065). The Sotheby’s listing is titled The Ultimate DUMBO Penthouse, and it may come close to it (though some other 1 Main and 30 Main loft penthouses aren’t too shabby as well). The space is pretty breathtaking and the interior is completely redone in a clean, modern style that suits Dumbo. NYC public records indicate that this unit was partially combined with the next door unit (PHK) to total 2,130 square feet of interior space and 642 sqft of outdoor terrace space. This Penthouse unit (PHL) was originally purchased at $2,200,000 and PHK was $1,650,000. If you like the interior design, it was concieved by the talented owner, Athena Calderone, who designs spaces professionally.

So what does this large 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 1 office room, and private terrace go for? $4,200,000 ($1,971/sqft, excl terrace, common charges: $1,038, taxes: $191), which would make this the third most expensive unit currently on the market in Dumbo Brooklyn. What do people think, will this sell, even though Dumbo has defied the real estate downturn? (Before anyone says it, we don’t know the owners and aren’t connected to Sotheby’s in any way. We just wish we were rich enough to buy this place.)

{Sotheby’s listing #0135065}

A tipster sent us an email about the entrance to the 202 Plymouth Street building, which is located within the Dumbo Historic District and features rail tracks entering the building.

Walked down Plymouth St btwn Jay & Bridge the other day to find a massive hole in the ground in front of Gutman/GUMA garage/loading dock @ 202 Plymouth St. The sidewalk there has always been horrible, but their big dumpster trucks finally destroyed the street. They filled it in with sand making quite a mess and then tore up the sidewalk & cobble stones w/ a backhoe and have now poured concrete into it.

See pictures. Unfortunately I didn’t get a pic of the hole, but it was at least a foot wide and a foot or two deep.

I called 311 and they looked up if there was any approved work w/ DOT on the cobble stones or the street and they found none so i entered a complaint. I know the 311 complaint will do nothing, but this was done in complete disregard for the Landmarks designation we are in. Any possible ramifications or will Gutman keep doing as he wishes?

Also now that we are designated a residential neighborhood are there not laws that restrict loud trucks late night, because GUMA runs their dumpsters at all hours of the night…

We walked over early today on our way to work and while it’s not clear in the photos, cement was poured over the area on and around the tracks. We also called 311 to find out more, but did not get details. Nothing on the Dept of Buildings property records for 202 Plymouth indicate work being done there (DOB BIS listing link).

According to the Landmark Designation report, the building was built in 1903 and was a one story brick foundry for the E. W. Bliss Company with gable end facing street and peaked roof (they manufactured machines, tools, presses, dies, and sheet metal), later sold to the Brillo Company (which invented “Brillo” by combining steel wool and a reddish soap to clean metal utensils in what we now know as Dumbo). Bliss invented a machine for stamping out sheet-metal cans which were initially used for kerosene and paint.

If anyone has more info, please let us know or comment below.

The publicity power of Two Trees Management has gotten recent articles in the NY Times interview with David Walentas, NY Post’s article about the Clocktower PH, among others. The NY Post writes that Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Raphael De Niro is the new co-exclusive listing agent for Walentas’ $25 million and that celebrities such as Jay-Z and Ralph Lauren have taken a look at the 7,000 sq.ft. $25 million triplex in Dumbo. The NY Times interview quotes Mr. Walentas “I’m close to selling it. We’re showing it. It’s not sold, no.” The new Douglas Elliman listing has some beautiful photos (see below) by photographer Evan Joseph. Click on each photo for a larger version:

Floorplans:
 

Real estate is focused on location, views, and amenities- all of which Dumbo offers with proximity to Manhattan, Brooklyn culture, parks, and galleries, waterfront views, and neighborhood events, shops, and eats. Despite the real estate bubble bursting since 2008, the cost of living in the neighborhood has not significantly decreased. While a few newer built buildings that don’t have the views or have low build quality have seen prices decline, the historic lofts that have been converted to loft apartments have held steady or in some cases have sold for higher than purchase prices (post 2008).

Streeteasy.com, which lists all real estate sales currently has 90 listings for Dumbo with a median price of $734,000 (median size 1,040 sq.ft.) and a median price per sq.ft of $859. Below are the top 5 high and top 5 low price listings. It’s interesting to note that 19 of the top 20 are in 3 buildings: 1 Main (8 units), 30 Main (4 units), and 70 Washington (7 units).

High:

1. 1 Main St, #16, $25,000,000, 3 bed, 3 bath, 7000sqft ($3,571/sqft)
2. 1 Main St, #14, $8,500,000, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 3,208sqft ($2,649/sqft)
3. 1 Main St, #5D, $4,200,000, 2 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,477sqft ($1,695/sqft)
4. 1 Main St, #6G/H, $3,300,000, 3 bed, 3.5 bath, 3,300sqft ($1,000/sqft)
5. 30 Main Street #8G, $2,675,000, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,474sqft ($1,081/sqft)

Low:

1. 100 Gold Street #1F, $445,000, studio, 1 bath, 807sqft ($551/sqft)
2. 206 Front Street #2E, $445,000, studio, 1 bath, 540sqft ($824/sqft)
3. 100 Gold Street #2F, $450,000, 1 bed, 1 bath, 700sqft ($642/sqft)
4. 206 Front Street #2D, $465,000, 1 bed, 1 bath, 540sqft ($861/sqft)
5. 100 Gold Street #3R, $485,000, 1 bed, 1 bath, 702sqft ($690/sqft)