That was fast. The two most expensive condo units at 205 Water Street, the new Toll Brothers development are under contract. Unit #7A, a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1,866sqft condo is in contract for $1,959,990 ($1,050/sqft, cc $2,047/mo, $678/mo taxes) includes a 782sqft terrace and was on the market for only 17 days. Unit #PHN, a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,187sqft condo is in contract for $2,296,990 ($1,050/sqft, cc $2,785/mo, $922/mo taxes) includes a 2,344sqft of combined terrace space and was on the market for a month and a half.

Penthouses at another development at 37 Bridge Street (aka Kirkman Lofts) have recently been put on the market and the building is 70% sold.

The new condo re-developments on Water Street and Bridge Streets are moving quickly. Realtors we spoke to recently told us that larger units in Dumbo sell very quickly as more families are looking to move into the area. The large lofts at 192 Water Street sold very quickly. According to Streeteasy, there are two active listings at 192 Water Street.

For those looking for that trophy condo in Dumbo, the $23.5MM Penthouse at 1 Main Street is still on the market.

Pete’s Downtown restaurant at 2 Water Street (next to Ignazio’s Pizza and across The River Cafe) has closed, according to a worker who has emailed us. Brooklyn Eagle first reported that the restaurant is not only closed, but it has cleared its space, after being open since the 1980s. It’s too bad for a restaurant that has been a fixture in the neighborhood for a long time. Pete’s served Italian food with popular dishes like penne vodka, baked ravioli, veal parmigiana, and shrimp scampi, according to online review websites.

Calls were not returned, and there are no updates on its Twitter (@petesdowntown) or Facebook pages, and their website, petesdowntown.com is offline.

According to a Fulton Ferry resident, Pete Thristino the owner has told patrons that the lease was not renewed, and the landlord is seeking a high end restaurant to take over the space. The location is a prime space, given the view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, and would attract a higher lease. A restaurant there would make a lot of ‘friends’ from residents in the area if the food quality is high, but is also a destination location for outer borough visitors.

The Brooklyn Eagle writes: “Pete’s was one of the first businesses to move into the area after it began to be redeveloped. The first signs of this redevelopment came in 1977, when BargeMusic and the River Café opened. Pete Thristino, owner of the restaurant, told this reporter in a 2008 interview that even in the early 1980s, “This was known as an area that when it snowed, there were no footprints…The building, on the corner of Water Street, was known as the Franklin House Hotel in the mid-1800s. It was an important hotel and restaurant in the days before the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, when the ferry area was the gateway to Manhattan and visiting merchants, clerks, seamen and farmers needed someplace to stay.”

Pete’s Downtown (Closed as of Dec 29, 2011)
2 Water Street (at Old Fulton Street), Brooklyn, NY 11201

Green Stone Spa, previously located at 155 Water Street has moved to a new location, 133 Water Street. Green Stone Spa merged with The Wellness Lounge, which was at the 133 Water Street location. The new spa interior is being redone and they are adding more spa services in the coming months. (They are offering a $99 1hr Deep Tissue special for first time clients at the Green Stone Spa. Just mention you saw this special on DumboNYC.)

Some of the massage treatments offered are Thai, Thai herbal, Lymphatic, Prenatal, medical, hotstone, couples, and four hand dream massage. All treatments are customized and catered to each clients’ specific needs and total body wellness using all natural and organic products. The Spa also offers home call services for massage and provides Chair Massage for special events.

They also have gifts, aromatherapy, massage oils, essential candles, and gift certificates. (Last minute holiday gift option)

Green Stone Spa (greenstonespa.com)
Open 7 days
133 Water Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
718-875-1514

Permit #: O-1299: Saturday, November 5, 2011 between 7am-midnight

Filming (or photo shoot) for Harper’s will occur on Saturday, Nov 5, 2011 on Water Street between Main and Dock Streets. If you have further questions you can contact their Locations Department at 212-742-1744.

(Note on NYC permit numbers, FF = Feature Film, TV = TV Series or show, C = Commercial, I = Industrial, and O = Other)
All filming posts are tagged here: DumboNYC.com/tag/filming

Seen on Water and Washington Street:
“Your Facebook status update can wait” Metropolitan Etiquette Authority

New York City artist Jay Shells posted a series of brilliant official-looking etiquette signs around Manhattan and Brooklyn under the guise of the “Metropolitan Etiquette Authority,” including the one above in Dumbo (along with others.)

Around the web:
{blogs.villagevoice.com}
{laughingsquid.com}
{animalnewyork.com}

A reader sent us this email that the B25 bus route has begun the routing down Main Street:

Did you know that the B 25 buses started today going down Main and Water 7 days a week from morning until late night? Apparently the concerns raised in July about this route and schedule change went unheard.

We previously posted about the B25 bus in July from another resident who thought buses turning into Main Street, then down Water Street would be too much for the cramped streets.

The original post from the resident said this about having the bus turn into Main Street: “it is extremely dangerous, and it is a terrible and unsustainable traffic-flow situation. I have seen fist-fights and many incidences of road rage. Many times busses careen onto the street hardly braking at all as they turn down from Front Street. I am worried no one is going to take this issue seriously until a pedestrian is killed or there is a serious accident.”

Most of the Water Street re-construction has been completed and paved with Belgian blocks.

[UPDATE: Robert Perris, District Manager for CB2 commented this update: CB2 took these concerns seriously and discussed them with New York City Transit (NYCT) and other stakeholders. One alternative that was considered was the viability of moving the bus loop to another street further east. NYCT informed CB2 that it was not able to consider an alternative route at this time but might re-visit the issue following implementation of the 24/7 Main Street loop." Thanks Rob for the update!]

(192 Water Street)

(205 Water Street)

In addition to the 220 Water Street rental building being rehabbed for occupancy in January 2012, the other buildings on Water Street are being developed quickly. The 192 Water Street windows have been installed and the interiors are being prepped for occupancy in Spring 2012. We’ve heard that 8 of the 11 units in the building have already been sold.

The 205 Water Street building is being topped off in the next week. The windows have been installed and look pretty nice.

[UPDATE: Our apologies, the "topping-off party" is a private event for media-only.] However, a Toll Brothers rep sent us some additional information on the building’s amenities below.]

A Toll Brothers representative provided some additional details on the 205 Water St amenities:

205 Water was designed with a holistic approach that embraces the industrial past of the DUMBO historic landmark district while preserving the environment for the benefit of its inhabitants and the New York region as a whole. Projected to achieve LEED Gold Certification, 205 Water is the most ecologically responsible building ever developed by Toll Brothers, America’s Luxury Home Builder.

The lobby, staffed by a 24-hour concierge, features reclaimed Coney Island Boardwalk accent walls, double height architectural concrete walls and concrete floors with recycled steel plate in-lays.

The Reflecting Garden adjoins the Resident’s Lounge, which features a bar and a media room. The garden is comprised of indigenous landscaping requiring zero irrigation, reclaimed Coney Island Boardwalk decking and concrete planters.
We are anticipating opening for sales in September.

(Reflecting Garden at 205 Water Street)

(Lobby at 205 Water Street)

Very cool.

Previously:
{205 Water Street On Schedule for mid-2012, 08Jul2011}
{Neighborhood Sales Launch at 192 Water Street, 07Jun2011}

220 Water Street building (aka 201 Front Street, 54 Bridge Street on NYC DOB) has just released a website, 220Water.com. The site states that the building will be open for residents in January 2012 and is a rental building of studio, one and two bedroom loft apartments.

GDC Properties, LLC is the project’s owner and developer. 220 Water Street is located between Front, Bridge and Water Streets in Dumbo (within the historic district). The 220water.com website is currently a registration page but according to GDC, they “will soon outline the project’s floorplans, pricing and availability, apartment features and property amenities” through the website. According to the developer, “some of the many amenities that complement the loft residences include a soaring, sky-lit lobby, fitness center and yoga room, self-park garage, rooftop lounge with outdoor kitchen, and cold storage for grocery deliveries.”

Below are a few photos we took this morning:

(Corner of Front and Bridge Street)

(Corner of Bridge and Water Street)

The registration page has some more details about the building features:

Coming in early 2012…..a genuine DUMBO rental experience. 220 Water Street is a unique collection of spacious studio, one and two bedroom apartment homes highlighted by large windows, tall ceilings, premium finishes, and beautifully accented industrial features. A glass canopied central atrium, roof deck with summer kitchen and lounge seating, on-site parking garage and fitness studio are just some of the amenities you will find in this creatively restored 19th century manufacturing building. Register now for more information on 220 Water Street. We will keep you updated on our progress and availability.

There’s also a sign on the outside of the building for ground level lease for a cafe, restaurant, or retail for 4000 square feet, available in the fall 2011 (call 877-733-3215). The 1905 built building retains its original exterior brick design (per the historic designation description). We think the 41 or so units will rent well given the design; though no word yet on prices. What do you think?

(Photo courtesy of The Real Deal)

Previously:
{201 Front Street Gets New Scaffolding, 04Oct2010}
{201 Front Street Building Activity, 15Jul2009}

The following is this week’s anticipated construction work schedule (7am – 3:30pm work hours), field conditions permitting for this week. Please note that parking may be restricted in work areas.

• 8/5/11 through 8/12/11 – Washington Street between York/Water Street – Prepare roadway for the reinstalling the Belgian Blocks
• 8/5/11 through 8/12/11 – Washington Street between Water/Plymouth Street – Continue excavation of roadway for installation of concrete base
• 8/5/11 through 8/12/11 – Water Street between Washington/Adams Street – Start the reinstallation of the Belgian Blocks and install Belgian Blocks bicycle lane
• 8/5/11 through 8/12/11 – Water Street and Main Street intersection – Complete installation of Belgian Blocks

For more information, please call Paul Kidder, the Community Construction Liaison at 718-643-2850 or email: waterstreetccl@gmail.com

For prior construction posts, see dumbonyc.com/tag/construction.

[UPDATE: Council Member Levin provided a statement on the proposed relocation of the Brooklyn Borough Property Clerk’s Office to 11 Front Street. Full text below after the jump.]

We’ve heard from a few sources that NYPD is planning to move the Brooklyn Property Clerk’s office, currently at 301 Gold Street, to the former Police Garage under the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. CB2 was presented with the plan, as well as the DUMBO BID, and Council member Steve Levin has been working to block this move.

Although the move has not been formally announced, measurements have been taken inside the building for the new office. According to a retired officer, “If the office is moved here, it will bring all sorts down here to retrieve their belongings after release from jail.”

One tipster says: “Obviously, residents are concerned about this, and the placement directly across the street from the planned middle school seems especially unwise. The large numbers of tourists who walk around Fulton Ferry and Dumbo would also be potentially at risk.” We’re not sure if this will happen or if there’s a timetable for this move. What do you think? Will this bring some trouble to Dumbo?

Online information about what the NYPD Property Clerk Division does.

NYC.gov: NYPD Property Clerk
Photo by Josh Derr

Read the rest of this entry »