[Update 1: The tenants of the well kept 260 Water Street building are very unhappy about the party and the organizer did not request the space on the roof for the party.]

[Update 3: Names have been withheld due to pending investigations. Names in comments have been removed.]

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This past Saturday (23-Aug-08), a rooftop takeover party on the 260 Water Street building was cut short. There was a report that a former tenant invited 1000 people to party on the roof, but after a ‘few hundred’ people gathered on the roof, someone called the police. According to the invite:

Last year word got out about the party pretty early, and the turnout was great! And we had a blast. But it got so good that eventually a cop showed up with 5 of his friends who peacefully informed us that we didn’t have to go home but…

So, this year we’re doing a takeover. Which is why you’re getting this email today and not a month ago. Let your people know and get ready for the hottest party of the summer. We have a few rules that we’ll let you know about later in the week but for now, get your gear ready, pick out your bottle and tell your people to be on time b/c if you show up with the CP time crowd at 1:30 and are “peacefully escorted” off the roof an hour later, you can’t say we didn’t warn you!

I guess impromptu summer parties can’t be easily done anymore even in the usually quiet/deserted area of Vinegar Hill.

(Photo courtesy of Caught Up)

(photo by GaryBurke).

[DumboNYC.com is taking a vacation. In the meantime, take a look at some photos of Dumbo (in the DumboNYC Flickr Pool) or submit a story or event about Dumbo. We'll be back on Wednesday.]

[DumboNYC.com is taking a vacation. In the meantime, take a look at some photos of Dumbo or submit a story, photo, or event about Dumbo. We'll be back on Wednesday.]

Residents in the area have noticed an increase of car window break-ins, especially on Water Street between Gold and Bridge Streets. I know this is a fact of life in NYC. However, residents have seen an increase of car break-ins in Dumbo and Vinegar Hill in the past week or so. A reader sent in the above photo, which showed up on Water Street this weekend. It reads:

Window Smashed? Good chance it was Darren Stone aka Squarehead (known offender) waterstreetwindowsmash@hotmail.com (for info)

Anyone know who Darren Stone is? Also, please call 311, the 84th Precinct 718-875-6811 (store this number in your cell phone), or 911 if you witness any crimes. The more they hear about these incidents from us, the more they will be watching out. Thanks to everyone who sent emails about this.

{Mailbag: Car Break-ins, Park Meeting Notes, and Vinegar Hill Questions}
{Mailbag: More Car Break-ins, Local Contractors, and Washington St Repairs}

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}