355 St. Marks is about to get huge and (probably) butt-fugly

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355 St. Marks is about to get huge and (probably) butt-fugly

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notsayin
getting it
Joined: May '10
Posts: 115

When the ragged little row house at 355 St. Marks (between Washington and Grand) appeared to change hands last fall, it looked as though it was about to get a welcome gut renovation. The three-story building – smallest on the block – had been occupied by a bottle and can collector and appeared to be just this side of condemnation.

This week, when a number of orange surveyor marks appeared on the west wall of its much larger neighbor at 357, it piqued our interest and we checked the DOB filings.

Turns out the owner has bigger plans for 355 – MUCH bigger. The zoning diagram filed in January shows a huge expansion to a five-story, four apartment building that’s 20 feet taller and more than triples the building’s floor space from 2,576 to over 8,000 square feet. Full diagram here: http://bit.ly/Izwwx4

Then I checked the architect’s website and threw up in my mouth. Mozer Architect Design of Gravesend specializes in the sort of frosting-covered, out-of-context cartoon buildings that make you stop in your tracks and wonder “what the hell happened here??” Don’t take my word for it. If you have a strong stomach, click Mozer’s project gallery here: http://bit.ly/IHFJrd

We LOVE seeing developers’ renewed interest in investing east of Washington Ave, but we’re praying Mozer turns over a new leaf with this one…

# Posted 1 yr ago
eastbloc
comprador bourgeois
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 902

Holy smokes, that's one hell of an extension!

# Posted 1 yr ago
booklaw
admin
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,399

Judging solely by the images on the referenced website, it appears that Mozer could very well rename itself as "McMansion Inc."

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,035

Indeed. It looks like those four apartments will be quite large. Will there be something commercial on the first floor?

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago
notsayin
getting it
Joined: May '10
Posts: 115

DOB Change of Use has it converting from 2 family + store to four family, no store.

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,035

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,035

So, I assume the owner will get to live in 2 floors, and there will be 3 apartments on the other three floors.

I wonder if they will be rental or condos....

I wonder if the facade of the dinky, existing building will be saved.

BTW, Brownstoner picked up on this thread today: http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/05/big-addition-in-store-for-355-st-marks-avenue/#disqus_thread

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago
PragmaticGuy
above average
Joined: Apr '11
Posts: 391

Well, look at it like this...if the neighborhood didn't warrant it they wouldn't build it. Remember....location, location, location. So...be happy you live in an area that's gong to eventually become so high rent you won't be able to afford to live there.

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,035

Construction is well underway.

As per the diagram below, they have kept the front facade, and set back the addition 15'.

The external walls of the addition are currently cinderblock, but they will be given a coat of something else by the time this goes to market.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 mo ago