Dumbo NYC

A Landmark permit and Certificate of Appropriateness was issued to DumboSpace, the owners of 192 Water Street building at the end of March. Recent activity started on the building, which is planned for residential use with a ground floor theater and recording studio and gallery on the second floor. According to the NYC building permit,

The proposed work, as approved, includes the removal of masonry at the ground floor Water Street elevation and combining two existing masonry openings to create one large opening with a concrete lintel to match existing; the installation of glass and steel storefront painted forest green color with multiple fixed lights, a lit logo reading “Dumbo Space”, and a double leaf wooden door; the installation of a green painted steel awning with recessed lighting and lit steel logo reading “Dumbo Space”; the removal of three metal doors at the first floor of the Water Street elevation and the installation of two metal doors painted forest green with fixed single light transoms, and one glass and metal framed door with a fixed single light transom, all within existing masonry openings; the construction of a one story rooftop addition, a stair bulkhead, and a elevator bulkhead clad in brick with three paired, and one single glass and metal framed doors, exterior lighting, a metal ladder and railing leading to the roof at the Water Street elevation; and four paired glass and metal framed doors at the rear elevation.

The Landmark Commission noted in the DUMBO Historic District designation report that describe 192 Water Street as an “American Round Arch style stable designed by Edward N. Stone and built in 1898″; and that the style, scale, materials, and details of the building are among the features that contribute to the special architectural and historic character of the DUMBO Historic District. Sounds like an interesting project and we’re looking forward to the finished “Dumbo Space.”

Previously: {Condo and Theatre Conversion at 192 Water Street, 02Jan2008}

The rainstorm this past Saturday created some temporary waterfalls of our own in Dumbo Brooklyn. One of our readers sent the following pics to us with the subject line “Water Street Indeed”. Leave it to mother nature to upstage the current “Waterfalls” project.

 (From blackoutny)

After the Water Street ‘wall’ was painted by the Concrete Alchemy group in May, looks like the wall is being readied for another new mural/street art. No word yet on when or who but we’re looking forward to some new visuals soon.

{Water Street Art Vandalized, 10June2008}
{Concrete Alchemy Street Art Displays Their Talent on Water Street, 17May2008}
{Revok, Retna, Saber Live Wall Painting on Water Street, 06Aug2007}

Only three weeks after the Concrete Alchemy collaborative painted the Water Street wall, it was vandalized by presumably a rival person or group. White paint was splashed over the street art with the black spray painted words “Treat others how you want to be treated!” We don’t know the back story, but it’s too bad that this skillful street art is ruined by a few splashes of paint. The paint doesn’t have the characteristic large splatters of the infamous splasher, but who knows.

{Concrete Alchemy Street Art Displays Their Talent on Water Street, 17May2008}
{Revok, Retna, Saber Live Wall Painting on Water Street, 06Aug2007}

[Update: For full photo set, visit DumboNYC's Flickr set]

A group of 15 visual artists called Concrete Alchemy painted the wall on Water Street (@ Pearl St) in Dumbo on Thursday and Friday. The 15′H x 50′W previously had street artist work done by Revok, Saber, Retna, And the Mac. The Concrete Alchemy collaborative includes well known muralists, fine artists, and street artists. The collaboration has great detail and worth a visit in the area. Some pictures below. (Aside from the first “before” photo, thanks to our friend Amy Donoghue for these great photos.):

 Previous Revok, Saber, Retna, And the Mac street art. (Photo courtesy of Atomic LLC)

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More info: {albuscav.us/concretealchemy/}
{dailysession Photos}
Concrete Alchemy Flickr pool: {flickr.com/groups/concretealchemy/}
Previously: {Revok, Retna, Saber Live Wall Painting on Water Street, 06Aug2007}

 (Photos from green-desk.com)

When we noticed new windows being put in place last year May 2007 at 155 Water Street, there was speculation about the building being converted to a hotel. We now know that it is a month-to-month rental office space called Green Desk. According to Green Desk:

“Green Desk is an affordable environmentally responsible month to month rental office space in a beautiful historic building in DUMBO Brooklyn. each fully furnished workspace is wired with high-speed internet access, a voip phone and a connection to an mp3 music server with thousands of songs. utilities, copying, scanning, printing, faxing and fresh organic coffee are all included.”

The website states that there is availability on the 5th floor and rates are $300 - $1000 for individuals and $800 - $2500 for small companies. The website has a photo tour of Dumbo. I’m flattered they used our photos (If you don’t mind, please credit the other photographers: #1 = edstern, #4 = emptysquare, #5 = DumboNYC, #6 = ekonon). Despite that, we’re glad the building will bring small businesses and entreprenuers to the area. Below is a floorplan from the Green Desk website:

{green-desk.com}
{155 Water Street Window Installations, 24May2007}

This week’s issue of Time Out NY takes a look at buildings in NYC built as condos converted to rental buildings. We saw both 99 Gold Street and 133 Water Street go rental last spring. In the midst of a subprime-mortgage meltdown, overbuilding, and an increase in inventory of condos, condo developers are turning to rentals for several reasons. Developers who believe in a neighborhood will hold on to some rentals to keep a revenue stream coming in the future, betting on a rebound once the market gets hot again, or sell them later once an area becomes gentrified. Jed Walentas of Two Trees Management, was quoted and said “Our mission and our objective is to build rentals,” Walentas says (though his company does own three other condo properties, in Dumbo). “We like to own our real estate and invest in areas we really believe in.” Two Trees also intends to keep some units in their 110 Livingston Street building as rentals.

Current rentals at 99 Gold and 133 Water from aptsandlofts.com:

{The new switcheroo, 29Apr2008, Time Out NY}
{99 Gold Withdrawing Offering Plan, Turning to Rentals, 25Apr2007}
{133 Water Street Received Their TCO, 16May2007}

Tonight at Water Street Restaurant:
Comedy Night Tuesday

Tuesday, April 22, at 8pm in the UnderWater Lounge

OrganicFunny.com Presents:

“Comedians With Beards”
Stand-up Comedy with facial hair!

Featuring:
Jeff Lepine
Barry Rothbart
Kelly Dwyer
Dan St. Germain
Aalap Patel
John Patrick Wells

Come for the comedy
stay for the OrganicFunny.com Launch Party.
No Cover

Water Street Restaurant & Lounge
66 Water Street, Dumbo Brooklyn

[DumboNYC.com is on vacation for the week. In the meantime, check out some of the many events happening in Dumbo. Have a great week!]

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Some residents found their cars towed this past Monday due to several parking regulation changes made over the weekend. According to the Department of Transportation, there will be further parking changes in the near future and advised to check signs. The following parking changes were made:

• Front Street: North side Main to Washington Street - 2 Hour Limited Parking
• Front Street: North side Dock to Main Street - 2 Hour Limited Parking
• Front Street: South side York to Washington Street - 2 Hour Limited Parking
• Front Street: South side Washington St to Adams St -2 Hour Limited Parking
• Water Street: North side Pearl St to Hudson Ave - No Standing Anytime
• Water Street: South side Pearl St to Hudson Ave - No Parking 8-9:30 Friday

{New Street Parking Spots in Dumbo, 24Aug2007}