Dumbo NYC

Seen: Street art on a street sign in Dumbo with commentary about reality tv via an image that looks like a movie poster. The sign reads: “Reality Killed the Video Star” The Horror – The Terror – The Implants

You may have seen other works by Russell King, such as this sunflower under the Manhattan Bridge.

Previously: posts tagged “streetart”

Since we posted about the 25 Washington St progress in July, construction on the top addition has begun, according to
Brownstoner. Steel beam frames are in place for the penthouse floors.

Also, the 25 Washington Street is on the agenda at the next Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing on September 7, 2010. An application has been submitted “to establish a master plan governing the future installation of windows.”

Previously:
{25 Washington Rentals to Open in March 2011, 23Jul2010}
{25 Washington St Progress, 14Jul2010}

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• 11-15 Old Fulton Update, 20Aug10, FFLA
• Foursquare Mayors Compete for Stabber Park, 18Aug10, NYT
• Dude, The BBP Bike Path Is Open!, 20Aug10, Brownstoner
• Dumbo General Store Review, 16Aug10, whoatethebigapple
• Grimaldi’s Gets One More Year, 16Aug10, LMag
• New Facade at TRUNK, 16Aug10, Trunk
• Bike Lane Victory, 16Aug10, Ink Lake
• Ridiculous Lines at Grimaldi’s , 16Aug10, McBrooklyn
• Brooklyn Tech: Etsy, 19Aug10, BHB
• Dumbo Dubbed an “Urban Wonderland”, 15Aug10, Curbed
• Deluka in Dumbo, 17Aug10, onelouderphoto.com
• Do You Have Brooklyn Cred?, 18Aug10, LMag
• LPC to Review 25 Washington St, 19Aug10, BK Eagle
• Your travel photos – Down in DUMBO, 20Aug10, StarNews
• Dumbo’s SnapGoods, 21Aug10, WSJ
• 25 Washington Rooftop Addition In View, 20Aug10, Brownstoner
• Checking in on 100 Gold, 20Aug10, Brownstoner
• P.S.8 Topped Out, 16Aug10, Brownstoner
• Bike Path To Connect Brooklyn Bridge Parks, 19Aug10, Gothamist

Another development that shows that Dumbo is ‘growing up’ (read: gentrified), Dumbo is getting its first stoplight on the corner of Jay and York Street. The DOT crews were pouring concrete in the foundation this afternoon to install the base of the streetlights (photo of base). This corner is near the F station entrance and gets busy with pedestrians in the morning and afternoon.

We guessed correctly, after the Dumbo Improvement District tweeted a message with a photo yesterday of lamp post being removed. Not confirmed yet, but there are talks about having other stop lights on Washington and York Street and on Front and Pearl Adams Street. [correction: There's a request for a stop sign (not light) on Front and Pearl, and not Adams as originally posted.]

We’re no city planners, but with the increased number of pedestrians in the area, the lights should help avoid any accidents…in theory. Do you think this will help our neighborhood? Are there other corners that need a stop light?

Posting on behalf of PS bookshop:

Dear Dumbo Parents,
At summer’s end as we are returning from vacation, P.S. Bookshop will resume its weekly 4 o’clock Story-Time. I will be reading and singing songs again, as usual, and I am looking forward to seeing all the familiar faces as well as new ones who recently arrived to Dumbo, (or, for that matter, into the world).

There will be two changes this season: first, as most of you know, we relocated to our new home on the corner of Front & Washington; second, Story Time is moving from Sunday to a week day. I would like to say that this is entirely because I get requests from those of you who are always away Sundays (which I did…) but, frankly, it’s mostly because i would like to spend Sundays with my kids. Still, since I am changing the day I thought it would be best to put it to you:
which day of the week, Monday – Friday, would be best for you? please email me at info@psbnyc.com, and in the email simply indicate your preferable day(s). (remember: the hour is 4-5 pm). I hope this way we can cater to most of your respective schedules.

Looking forward to seeing you all,
Yuval

So parents, when (during the week) do you want storytime?

Which day of the week do you want children's story time?

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday

View Results

P.S. Bookshop
76 Front Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: 718.222.3340

Previously:
{Weekend Openings: P.S. Bookshop, 17May2010}
{Recent Dumbo Retail Info and Tidbits, 04May2010}
{70 Washington St Retail Leased, 29Sept2009}
{Kids Story Hour, 12Jan2007}
{P.S. Bookshop Opens in Dumbo, 09Oct2006}

We already posted this special stretched Hummer limo photo last week. But we’ve spotted others just as, um, unique. If someone has a website about ugly limos (or wanted to start one), Dumbo has enough to keep them busy. We did find this blog post about over the top limousines.

(Red Limo photo courtesy of epc).

(100 Jay St, $2,095)

(100 Jay St, $2,250)

(99 Gold St, 4H, $2,400)

(100 Jay St, $2,495)

(100 Jay St, $2,498)

Rent check is a scan of some current rentals in Dumbo. Today’s post looks at the five least expensive rentals on the market in Dumbo. Local real estate brokers tell us that the market for rentals continues to be in demand. According to streeteasy.com today, the current median rental in Dumbo is $3,675 (median size is 1,169 sq.ft and median price per sq.ft is $43). The current least expensive rentals, all studio apartments:

1. $2,095: 100 Jay Street. 0 bed, 1 bath, 582 sqft. [Prudential Elliman]
2. $2,250: 100 Jay Street. 0 bed, 1 bath, sqft. not specified [Prudential Elliman]
3. $2,400: 99 Gold Street, 4H (Vinegar Hill). 0 bed, 1 bath, 672 sqft. [CORE]
4. $2,495: 100 Jay Street. 0 bed, 1 bath, 557 sqft. [Prudential Elliman]
5. $2,498: 100 Jay Street. 0 bed, 1 bath, sqft. not specified [Prudential Elliman]

Previously:
{Rent Check: Current 3 Least and 3 Most Expensive in Dumbo, 09Jul2008}
{Aug 2007 Edition: Lowest Dumbo Apartment on the Market, 23Aug2007}
{Rent Check: Current 4 Most Expensive in Dumbo, 05Nov2008}
{Lowest Priced Dumbo Condo (October 2009), 27Oct2009}

It’s no shock to anyone who walks the streets of Dumbo that kids are almost as numerous as adults in the neighborhood these days. One of the neighborhoods newest businesses, DUMBO Gymnastics, is expanding its offerings for that market. Opened back in June with a few classes a week, they are expanding to a full schedule this fall for kids ages 1-12.

We enrolled our 2 year old child in a course, and Elizabeth, the gymnastic instructor, was an enthusiastic coach who structured the class in a way that kept 2-3 year olds interested in the gymnastics activities. Other parents commented that her hands-on instruction for kids was very helpful.

In addition to gymnastics, they are planning pre-school ballet, birthday parties, and special events in the space. They are also partnering with another DUMBO kids regular, Audra Rox, who are moving their Monday morning music classes from Half Pint to DUMBO Gymnastics. The Fall Schedule is up on the DUMBO Gymnastics website and they are taking online registrations.

DUMBO Gymnastics (dumbogymnastics.com)
68 Jay Street, Suite 509, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(917) 971-4208
Email info@dumbogymnastics.com

Previously:
{Dumbo Gymnastics for Kids Opening in Dumbo, 24May2010}

(Photo by GuyomG)

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• GUMBO and the Top 10 DUMBO Acronym Remixes, 13Aug10, LMag
• Rental of the Day: 70 Washington Street, 11Aug10, Brownstoner
• Brooklyn Courts Apple With Store Rendering, 13Aug10, Brownstoner
• Grimaldi’s is saved for now, until next year, 13Aug10, BKPaper
• Brooklyn’s reRun Gastropub Theater, 11Aug10, BlackBook
• The Scene: Grimaldi’s Under the Threat of Eviction, 12Aug10, The Awl
• SixThings: Brooklyn’s Dumbo Neighborhood, 10Aug10, RedMaps
• DUMBO’s Tobacco Warehouse dragged into park condo battle, 10Aug10, NYP
• Touring Brooklyn Bridge Park, 12Aug10, BKEagle
• Grimaldi’s Problems, 11Aug10, BKEagle
• Gravel at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 – Good?, 13Aug10, BHB
• Crumbs is Open on Montague St, 11Aug10, BHB

The New York Daily News published a 3 page spread on Dumbo today, saying that the neighborhood “could wind up being the most successfully executed New York City real estate vision of the first half of the 21st century.” Some selected passages from the article:

Dumbo after dark was such a wasteland that the mob dumped bodies there. One resident remembers his wife spotting a decapitated head. Just have Sept. 11, 2001, I saw groups of homeless people surround trash cans to stay warm.

Today, the area, officially called Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is an affluent and safe enclave with a small-town feel. Renovated lofts will warehouse buildings that were once the home of the largest cardboard manufacturing company in the United States.

[Two Trees Developer Jed Walentas:] “The long-term vision was to create a neighborhood. Two overriding concerns shaped that idea: One, we wanted it to be a quality place, to do it right, with well-built converted lofts. The other was to keep the artistic character that was already there, and do things to complement and embrace that culture. Pulling interesting retail added value to the neighborhood. We were never building a shopping center.”

As much as any other New York City neighborhood, the future of Dumbo seems clear. It will remain safe, affluent, pricey, astoundingly beautiful, artsy and attractive to upscale buyers and young families.

While some fear the next wave could push the artisan crowd out and that escalating prices will thwart diversity, Two Trees and other building owners are committed to keeping Dumbo at the forefront of creative New York.

Read the full article online on NYDailyNews.com or download a scan of the article (warning: large 3mb pdf file).