110 Livingston Street building

The article in this Sunday’s Real Estate section of the New York Times observes that single women are betting that even if they buy property in a declining market, the values won’t drop as much as they would have spent on rent.

“A woman will say, ‘I’m still saving money in the long term.’ ” said JoAnn Schwimmer, an associate real estate broker at DJK Residential. “They’re able to see the bigger picture, while a guy says, ‘I have to get the best deal.’ ” She said that her female clients who bought four years ago have male friends still waiting for prices to drop.

According to the article, single women spent more than $30 million out of the $100 million or so in sales at 110 Livingston, the 299-unit condominium in Brooklyn. Single women bought 72 of the first 165 apartments sold. “Spending by these women far surpassed that of single men, who accounted for $19 million. Married couples accounted for about $45 million in sales, and investors $5 million.”

In the 70 Washington building, while women have purchased a smaller percentage of apartments in this building, single women bought about 40 of 200 of the units, including the two penthouses, accounting for about $35 million in sales, according to the executive sales director, Toby Klein.

Some of the more interesting data quoted:

While average sales prices have not dropped in Brooklyn, apartments are taking far longer to sell. Apartments in Dumbo, Williamsburg and Brooklyn Heights sat on the market for an average of 111 days last quarter, compared with 62 days in the corresponding period in 2005.

While the premise of the article is “single women buying real-estate”, clearly the big winner is David Walentas, whose two buildings (70 Washington and 110 Livingston) in Brooklyn are cleverly advertised.

{Women Unafraid of Condo Commitment, NYTimes, 12/10/06}

An Invitation for the Children of DUMBO: Experience Jane’s Carousel
What: The Children of DUMBO are invited to a little Holiday Event to ride on Jane’s Carousel.
When: Friday, December 8, anytime from 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: 56 Water Street, DUMBO

{A Chat With Jane At The Carousel Opening, DumboNYC.com}

The Fulton Ferry condos, located almost directly under the Brooklyn Bridge, at the corner of Water Street and Old Fulton Street in Dumbo, looks to be close to being completed. Some would consider the location to be on the border of Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo, but there’s no argument about the fantastic views overlooking Manhattan. Not to be confused with Fulton’s Landing of Jersey City, NJ, the building is literally 50 steps to the Fulton Ferry Landing and the riverfront directly across from The River Cafe and the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

There are only 13 units in the building, and the style looks consistent with the neighborhood’s character (despite the building’s trapezoidal shape). The ground floor has 2282 square feet of commercial space and a parking space for each of the units. Maintenance/cc and taxes aren’t listed, but the average price per square feet is $746.26 and average price is $1,167,162. Not bad at all for the space and location, but looks like all units are under contract except for unit 3A, listed by Brooklyn Bridge Realty. Are there any buyers out there who knows the move-in date or what the commercial space will bring to the area?

Click on photos for larger version:

Fulton Ferry Condo (fultonlanding.com)
4 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY

1) Dumbo First Thursdays

DUMBO’s First Thursday Gallery Walk, sponsored by Two Trees Management. First Thursday features area galleries and artists’ studios, open from 5:30 to 8:30, on the first Thursday of each month. Click here for details.

2) Foragers’ First Annual Holiday Shopping Night & Party 12/7

When: Thursday, December 7, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: Shopping at Foragers’ Market, 56 Adams Street / Party at DUMBO General Store, 111 Front Street, DUMBO

To show their appreciation to the neighborhood, Foragers is hosting their first annual neighborhood appreciation discounted holiday shopping night with party to follow featuring hors d’oeuvers, egg nog, champagne, and holiday cheer.

3) Shop DUMBO 12/7

Date/Time: December 7, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Location: 147 Front Street (Between Jay and Pearl), 2nd Floor, Dumbo Brooklyn

“Your favorite Dumbo purveyors and products under one roof”
jewelry, t-shirts, skin care products, perfume, lingerie, cuff links, needlepoint kits, wallets

AMH Design
AROMAM
Cherry Tee
Dale Kaplan
Indigo Handloom
Kathleen Lewis Beauty
Stewart/Stand
Timeless
…and many more.

Take the F Train to York Street

4) Zoe’s Winter Sale Starts

Zoe’s Winter Sale starts and all fall/winter merchandise will be 30% off. Zoe past posting is here.

Dumbo Improvement District Executive Director Tucker Reed and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz last evening unveiled the First Annual “Dumbo Light Capades,” a display of holiday-themed light sculptures by local artists scattered about Brooklyn Bridge Park that will be on display until January 7, 2007. State Senator Martin Connor as well as many local business owners were in attendance. Dumbo retailer Jacques Torres offered hot chocolate to attendees, while live holiday music from musicians arranged by Bargemusic kept everyone humming.

After Marty Markowitz spoke about the great borough of Brooklyn and honored the bridge named after it, the architectural lighting installation illuminating the Empire Stores building in the Park was lit in green and red. The lighting is designed by Brendon Boyd, known for his work with such clients as Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Cipriani and The American Ballet Theater.

Every artist should know about this important first step to professional promotion. Learn what goes into a publicity package, how to work with what you have, how to develop what you need, and how to present yourself professionally. Performing artists of all disciplines are invited to attend. This workshop is also ideal for bands, dance and theatre companies, etc. Presenter’s note: This seminar will inform artists about what goes into a promo kit, not how to get jobs.

Speaker: Judith Z. Miller, Arts Management Consultant
Time/Date: Wednesday, December 6, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: A.R.T./South Oxford Space 138 South Oxford Street
Directions by subway: C to Lafayette Avenue 2/3, 4/5, M, N/Q/R, B/D to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street G to Fulton Street
To register, call 718.625.0080 or email: agittens@brooklynartscouncil.org

{Brooklyn Arts Council Seminar details, “How to Make a Promotional Packet”}

[UPDATE: Check out the ceremony recap and photos here.]

First Annual Brooklyn Bridge Park Holiday Lighting Ceremony
New Take On Traditional Holiday Lighting Ceremony Fuses Art and Illumination in the Form of Six Holiday-Themed Light Sculptures Along the Waterfront

When: Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 6:00pm
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Entrance at the corner of Washington and Plymouth Streets
Who: Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, State Senator Martin Connor, Brooklyn Arts Council, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, NYC Department of Transportation.

“At six p.m. on Tuesday, December 5th, a once dark Brooklyn waterfront will be illuminated for the holiday season with the lighting of six winning “light sculptures” — the result of a contest sponsored by the Dumbo Improvement District. The sculptures will be dramatically set against the backdrop of DUMBO’s Empire Stores, newly lit with an architectural lighting installation from famed lighting designed Brendon Boyd. Boyd is known for his work with such clients as Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Cipriani and The American Ballet Theater.

The riverfront “turn-on” will transform the cityscape as part of a unique holiday lighting ceremony that blends creativity and ingenuity with the holiday spirit. Local artists, designers and architects participated in the contest; winning proposals were selected by a panel of judges from representatives of the Brooklyn Arts Council, the d.u.m.b.o. Arts Center, Jan Larsen Art Gallery, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Parks & Recreation. The lighting for the Empire Stores building in the Park, was commissioned by local real estate developer Two Trees Management Co. LLC in coordination with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The “DUMBO Light Capades” will be on display in Brooklyn Bridge Park until January 7, 2007″

Holiday reception to follow at:
Water Street Restaurant & Lounge, DUMBO
66 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
6:30pm – 9:00pm

In this series of “Dumbo Streetscapes Then and Now”, we are looking at photos down Main Street, south from Front Street, showing the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. In the 80 year old photo, circa 1926, the street between Front and York Streets used to be a block of rowhouses with retail/commercial storefronts. They were probably torn down to make way for the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and the off-ramps. The current location of the block between York and Front Streets is a parking lot owned by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The top left corner of the 1926 photo shows a tiny part of the crown of the 70 Washington Street building (click on photo to show larger version of photo). The background shows the Brooklyn Bridge at the center. The current photo shows Brooklyn Bridge behind the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and the off ramp of the Old Fulton Street exit. The parking lot is supposedly zoned for 8-9 story residential use, but not sure if any decision will be made to develop the lot. (Anyone have any ideas?)

   1926 (click on photo to show larger version of photo)

   December, 2006

{New York Public Library photo of Main Street Looking South from Front Street}
{Dumbo Then and Now: Washington and York Street}
{Dumbo Then and Now: Plymouth Street West of Pearl Street}

1)DUMBO Holiday Family Party

What: Fashion Show / Disco / Book Signing
When: Sunday, December 3, 2006, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: powerHouse Arena, 37 Main Street, DUMBO, NYC
Directions: F Train to York Street, A/C to High Street or 2/3 to Clark Street
Price: Free

Half Pint, powerHouse Books, Two Trees Management, TONY Kids, the DUMBO Improvement District will host a children’s holiday party featuring a book signing for Nicky’s Jazz Christmas and Nicky The Jazz Cat by Carol Friedman, a children’s fashion show featuring the mini super models, a live performance by AudraRox and the opportunity to take a picture with the Santa! Free entrance and open to the public.

A book/toy donation, organized by the DUMBO Parents Organization, will support the students of P.S. 287, and proceeds from the Nicky the Jazz Cat book and CD sales at powerHouse Arena and at Half Pint on the day of the event will benefit P.S. 307, PS 287 and 307 local public school serving the children from the nearby Farragut Housing.

2) “WHAT I WANT MY WORDS TO DO TO YOU”

For further info, go to www.retreatnyc.com or previous post about the Retreat events.

3)Final Weekend for Woyzeck at St. Anne’s
See previous post for details. See the review of Woyzeck in today’s Metro New York (pdf).

3)AQUA Dinner at The Plant

For further details go to theplantindumbo.com.

I posted the Vinegar Hill townhouse item yesterday, and since I was there, I also stopped by The Vista. It’s been over two months since we checked in on The Vista at 206 Front Street in Vinegar Hill. According to Streeteasy, 21 of 31 units (67%) have been sold. Corcoran has the remaining 10 units on the market. The townhomes across from the Vista are nice, and although on Front Street, the Vista condos are in a quiet neighborhood.

  Across the street from The Vista
{The Vista on Vinegar Hill, Corcoran website}
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