Get Brooklynian.com by Email! 
Grab the Feed (RSS)
The creators of Brownstoner and Brooklyn Flea are involved in this development project:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304023504577321873455083222.html
Brooklynian » Forum » Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens »
-
Just in case the link doesn't work:
By JOSEPH DE AVILA
Brooklyn entrepreneur Jonathan Butler specializes on chronicling the ins and outs of the borough's residential and commercial real-estate market on his blog Brownstoner.com
Enlarge Image
Philip Montgomery for The Wall Street Journal
The industrial building at 1000 Dean St in Crown Heights, above, will be part of a new renovation project.Now Mr. Butler is trying his hand at a large commercial real-estate project of his own in an underdeveloped section of Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Mr. Butler, also a co-founder of the Brooklyn Flea, and his partners have acquired three adjacent industrial properties measuring a total of 155,000 square feet on Dean Street.
They plan to renovate the buildings and make them into mixed-use office space to house a mix of small businesses like Internet start-ups, food makers and light industrial manufacturers.
Construction on the $30 million project is expected to begin in a few weeks and is scheduled to be completed in nine to 12 months.
"We hope there are 400 or 500 people working there in a couple of years," Mr. Butler said.
In addition to the work space, one section of the property will be used for cultural events and another section will have a food and beer hall that will feature food vendors from the Brooklyn Flea, a flea market held on weekends in Fort Greene and Williamsburg. Mr. Butler envisions that the 9,000-square-foot food hall will have five or six different food vendors.
"Hopefully, it will be a way for our food vendors to graduate from the Flea to having their own restaurant," Mr. Butler said.
The main building that will be used for office space and manufacturing was built during the 1920s. For the past three decades it has been used as warehouse. Before that it was used as a service station.
The project is situated in the industrial patch of Crown Heights where there has been little commercial investment but is surrounded by new residential real-estate development and a growing population that work in creative fields.
That made the site ideal for adding a mixed-use office building to cater to Brooklyn's jewelers, furniture makers and artists, said Alicia Glen, managing director of Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s GS -1.65% Urban Investment Group, a partner with Mr. Butler that has committed $25.5 million toward the project.
"We think we are making a smart, long-term investment by supporting this sector in this neighborhood," Ms. Glen said.
The project still faces challenges. There aren't any comparable spaces in this corner of Brooklyn that offer the types of nontraditional office space like Mr. Butler's project. It is unclear what type of demand this space will receive.
But Mr. Butler was able persuade BFC Partners, the builder of the Toren luxury condominium in Downtown Brooklyn, to sign on as a partner and to handle the renovation of the building.
Mr. Butler "convinced me that there is an untapped potential for this type of space," said Don Capoccia of BFC Partners. Similar types of creative office space are being used in cities like Montreal and Auckland, he added.
"This is a market that is manifesting itself in cities around the world," Mr. Capoccia said. "I don't see why we shouldn't be investing in this in New York."
Write to Joseph De Avila at joseph.deavila@wsj.com
-
I'd be impressed if he pulled this off:
Construction on the $30 million project is expected to begin in a few weeks and is scheduled to be completed in nine to 12 months.
Likewise, I'd be impressed if he can fill the place with small companies quickly.
...I like being impressed.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
12 months is super-aggressive, yes, but I think when it does open he'll find tenants. If you read the Brownstoner post, he works out his reasoning, and I think it's sound. I will tell you that as a "creative professional" in the area currently working out of my home, I've been looking into coworking/small office spaces, and there is nothing like this nearby. If this were opening today, I would very very seriously consider moving in.
-
I agree, there is an unmet need for office space for small firms of all kinds. ...there are economies of scale to be gained from co-locating.
The NY Observer has written a similar piece:
I can't say I've ever had access to $30M (in cash or credit) to wonder how I would spend it, but I'm certainly cheering him on....
Mr. Butler and his partners have paid $11 million for a former Studebaker Service Station on Dean Street in Crown Heights. They plan to convert the 155,000 square-feet of space into a commercial mixed-use development that will house artists and assorted creative types as well as a food hall—a $30 million project, to which Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group will contribute $25.5 million. BFC Partners, the developer behind Toren, is also involved in the deal
Lots of big names and, hopefully, expertise!
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Construction begins!
http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/05/blogging-1000-dean-getting-started/?stream=true
Goal: A four-story, 160,000-square-foot complex is swarming with a mix of technologists, artists, writers, jewelers, small food producers, etc.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
-
Sounds as if the Brooklyn Flea is going upscale, getting a food court and beer.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I am -- like Garnett -- cautiously optimistic about this food court and beer place. I love good food and I love good beers. But, of course, I don't want to see the people who put their sweat and tears into transforming Franklin Avenue pushed out by developers outside of the area. it sounds destinationy...which is good and bad.
-
This commercial development seems to be betting that the area will support even more upscale businesses than it does presently.
This is likely based on the large number of local properties that have recently changed hands, and changing image.
Yes, the same people who helped create this "new image" are likely to feel that they have lost control of it, and now must adapt to new forces and leaders.
....people who invest $30M aren't here to follow.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Oct 18, 2012
The facade work appears done, and looks really good.
Now, let's see if they can do the mechanicals and throw up some interior walls quickly.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
No photos?
-
Imagine the above photo, sans scaffolding. Building has a new skim coat of cement, which has been painted white. The Studebaker engraving has been returned to its original glory.
On occasion, you will see a guy walking a brown 45 lb dog by it that looks like the one my avatar....
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Article about it in today's NYT:
...complete with a facade photo
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Today, I took somewhat random photos of the block of Dean St located between Classon and Franklin, because I have become convinced the 1000 Dean Street development is going to be part of a radical transformation of the block over the next 5 years.
If anyone bought a property on this block in -say- 2000, they are doing well now.
.
.
.
The 1000 Dean Building:
.
.
.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
The part of Franklin closer to Atlantic desperately needs this. It's been largely untouched by the flourish occurring closer to Eastern Parkway.
-
I suspect that the Bedford-Atlantic men's shelter is partially to blame for this area's "hesitation".
I am optimistic that the 100 Dean project will cause folks to overcome the hesitation.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Only a matter of time before that shelter becomes a YMCA, no? Didn't Markowitz secure a few million to put towards its conversion?
-
Epicly-
Yup. Markowitz scored some $ for its conversion, but first the city needs to do things like decide whether it will move the shelter that occupies the relatively small front portion of the building, and figure out if the converted facilities could still be used as "Disaster Surge Housing".
The massive drill hall presently has such a designation, and is largely dormant in part for this reason.
As a result, I would not count on a conversion anytime soon, and believe the surrounding blocks will change despite it.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
The city has committed $14 million to converting the unused portion of the armory, and an RFP process is underway to determine a plan and a developer.
http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/166887/leaders-hope-to-convert-brooklyn-armory-into-community-space
Exterior work has been ongoing at the armory since around the time the RFP was announced.
Of course, this doesn't necessary mean anything. But it might mean something. I'm optimistic, especially with 1000 Dean and other recent developments in the immediate vicinity.
-
1000 Dean is supposed to open in the summer 2013, and I would give it an additional six months to be fully occupied.
So, around this time in 2013, there will hopefully be substansial pressure on the city to develop the Bedford-Pacific armory. However, I don't expect the shelter for single men to be relocated to another neighborhood.
I expect 1000 Dean to fill up quickly, especially if it is able to offer cheaper rents than the nearby work share places. ...this is a central part of its advertising pitch.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Part of the disadvantage of the Flea is that vendors have to constantly move their stuff, because the venues are only available on the weekends.
By providing a permanent location, 1000 Dean will allow small vendors to have a permanent space in the "mall".
By making so much space available, it may temporarily increase supply to the degree that commercial rents on Franklin plateau. It will certainly cause more people to walk further. ...Presently the foot traffic drops off North of St. Marks, this development will change that.
It may also bring peds South from the 'hoods on the other side of Atlantic.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
This thread discusses the food court and beer hall that is to be associated with this project, and located nearby: http://brooklynian.com/forum/crown-heights-and-prospect-lefferts-gardens/899-917-bergen-street-a-soon-to-be-food-court-and-beer-garden-smorgasborg
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Similar space coming to Atlantic between Classon and Franklin:
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Was just going to post that. Very interesting to see what's happening to the warehouse buildings
-
RE the rectangle that is bounded by Bergen, Classon, Atlantic and Franklin....
I think the warehouse buildings will be brought back to life in a different form first.
I am already seeing construction on the small empty lots.
Next, I expect to see the auto salvage yards and bus depots be cleared out and housing constructed.
Then, we will see conversions of the taller warehouses and light manufacturing spaces.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Not sure that all the bus depots will go. One is the home of Monsey Bus Lines, the commuter line between Hassidic communities upstate and those in Williamsburg and CH. And those folks use those buses religiously (no pun intended). Not sure that the combination of cheaper land and possible development costs is an offset for time and gas getting those charter buses into the city every day.
-
I'm thinking the buses would continue to live in Brooklyn, but somewhere less glamorous.
...In my opinion, where Foster Ave intersects with Ralph Ave seems economically right.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Construction update: 1000 Dean now has new windows throughout.
...the workers have "closed the envelope" and are now busy working inside.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
As expected, the economic opportunities are leading the owners of nearby buildings to cash in; 964 Dean is a multistory building on the same block.
After a brief renovation, it would make 18 residences, complete with high ceilings.
CB8 » On January 3, there will be a community forum on the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) application for 964 Dean Street for conversion of the manufacturing property to residential use.
Come hear the specifics of the project at the next Housing/ULURP Committee meeting of Community Board No. 8.
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 6:30pm
Photo: Property sharkFor better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Once one of these goes, I predict the rest will follow in short order.
-
Yup. However, we will have to wait until March to find out whether they will get a variance. It was to go before CB8 tonight, but was postponed until March.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
CB8 would have to be completely stupid to not grant it.
-
As a result of being present in the mtg as I type this, I decline to be really elaborate. Suffice it to say, not everything makes sense.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I had the chance to look at the 1000 Dean St site today.
The windows are complete. Rough electrical, plumbing and HVAC is in place.
The work men are busy constructing the interior walls. It looked as if sales people were showing prospective vendors (aka renters) around. Suffice it to say, this photo taken a few months ago is rapidly becoming very dated:
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Here's the pitch being given to prospective tenants of 1000 Dean:
1000 Dean Street brings all the best Brooklyn ideas in creative work space together in one building. Featuring fully renovated modern open plan white box offices with all new electrical, plumbing, roof, HVAC, elevator systems, and fiber optics, 1000 Dean is the only BKLYN building with a full service food, coffee, beer hall and bar under the same roof.
Located in the affordable, emerging and historic Crown Heights neighborhood, 1000 Dean is two blocks from Atlantic Avenue and 4.5 to 8.5 blocks to the A,2,3,4,5,C and S trains. Bus lines in every direction including direct to Williamsburg up Bedford Avenue and south to the Flatbush area. A low-rise community of houses and small buildings, Crown Heights North boasts a new generation of restaurants, bars and quick fine food, supported by hardware, cleaning and child care services, with reasonable residential rents.
1000 Dean gathers shared work, private office, production and collaborative spaces in one place. On the ground floor, where East Williamsburg’s 3rd Ward is creating a food incubator facility, two entrances serve both Dean and Bergen Streets. A nine-thousand square foot beer hall, coffee house and outdoor garden with several varied food outlets as well as a private room is being developed, soon to be the largest and most comfortable gathering place in the neighborhood, serving tenants with meeting, eating and drinking space.
Tenants seeking interconnections with their neighbors will be able to access a building-specific intra-net that will include a listing of area resources.
Launching 1000 Dean as a fine creative work space building requires a holistic approach, sharing gathering and working spaces while supporting the success of its tenants in a safe, comfortable modern environment.
http://www.aptsandlofts.com/rentals/1000-dean-street-unit-varies-brooklyn-ny-11238
Move-in is 4/1/2013. Rent for a unit is $18,333, but the site doesn't state how big a unit is, or how long the minimum term is....
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
whynot_31 said:
As expected, the economic opportunities are leading the owners of nearby buildings to cash in; 964 Dean is a multistory building on the same block.After a brief renovation, it would make 18 residences, complete with high ceilings.
CB8 » On January 3, there will be a community forum on the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) application for 964 Dean Street for conversion of the manufacturing property to residential use.
Come hear the specifics of the project at the next Housing/ULURP Committee meeting of Community Board No. 8.
Thursday, January 3, 2013, 6:30pm
Photo: Property sharkCurbed and other media have recently run articles on the effort. It seems the Cb8 Housing Subcommittee recommended that the variance be granted, and it will soon go before the full CB 8 board.
http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/03/08/artists_want_crown_heights_warehouse_as_livework_space.php
...a few more variances like this, and anyone buying a property in the manufacturing district should be able to successfully argue "Me Too!"
Hence, this is turning into a big windfall for the owners of the nearby autobody shops.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
There were people living in that building illegally as long ago as 2006 - I recognize the big rock out front that they used to tell people to look for when coming to their parties. So it's very much the DUMBO model of "artists' squats turned condos" - only without Two Trees.
And I would take that aptsandlofts.com listing for 1000 Dean Street with a grain of salt, because I'm on the "notify me when you're ready for tenants" email list for that building, and I haven't heard a peep.
-
Yes, being that the square footage of the units in 1000 Dean is not listed, it seems as if this may be some exploratory fishing at that price range for potential renters in this and other developments.
Prime the pump.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Here's the original advertisement for the 1000 Dean Street site, created by the realtor to woo potential buyers:
http://www.masseyknakal.com/listingimages/setup/pdf/634449579119428540_Setup.pdf
I post it because I think most people don't realize how big this building is from the street, and it has aerial photos, measurements and the like.
...It is really big!
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Looking close to finished on the Dean St side today. All new glass, and a new archway entrance peeking over the construction fence.
-
Oh and btw the new brownstone directly across the street at 1003 Dean is in contract at $1.3MM.
Not bad for a block that's frightening to walk after dark (for now).
-
Here's a photo taken of last weekends' (4/5/2013) crowd at the Smorgasborg:
Photo: BrownstonerIf everything goes as planned, a similar size crowd will be attracted to Dean St. every weekend, starting Fall 2013.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Time to install the A/C Units on the roof of 1000 Dean:
Please be advised that Dean Street between Franklin and Classon Avenues will be closed due to the operation of a crane and hoisting of equipment on Tuesday, Aprill 30, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.If you have questions, please call Skylift Contractor Corp at 718-609-1860.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Has 1000 Dean released an estimated date of when they'll be fully operational?
-
I have not heard a date, but I have heard a season: "Fall"
This ad for renters says the sites would be available 10/1/2013: http://www.aptsandlofts.com/rentals/1000-dean-street-unit-varies-brooklyn-ny-11238
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
today, May 10, 2013:
Brownstoner has confirmed the above move in dates, and provides some more details, and interior pictures:
http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2013/05/1000-dean-street-progress-report/#more-113911
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I might spontaneously combust once the beer hall is finished. A new cheese place? Several new resteraunts on the way? 3 floors at the Studebaker building? Sigh, this is gonna be a rough second half of the year for my ever expanding gut.
Welcome! Please log in to post, or register a new account!