720 Nostrand empty lot was drilled for core sample

Dawndew

Yesterday, I saw a drill truck set up and take a core same from soil inside the lot.  Someone has a permit for construction I am guessing? Or perhaps investigating what can be built.  Since it is landmarked I suppose it cannot go higher than existing buildings. Has anyone heard about it?

whynot_31

720 Nostrand, near Prospect Place

This old listing describes what can be built: http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18064288/720-Nostrand-Ave-Brooklyn-NY/

Obligatory pre construction photo from loopnet:

Dawndew

The previous building sat for sale for years till they tore it down. It was solid brownstone facade construction with full property width steel I-beams that seemed a shame to lose.  Knocked down about 6 years ago.

homeowner

The previous building was the source of a bit of controversey in the neighborhood. As the story goes it had street level retail that were burned out of the building following a mysterious fire. The building sat vacant for years until the roof started to cave in. DOB issued a bunch of violations, but the owner didn't act on any of them. Scaffolding was erected to keep debris off the heads of people waiting for the bus, but no additional work. Fast forward two more years and the rest of the building starts collapsing following a weekend of rain. DOB finally declares it unsound and demolished the building. The owner pays a fine and now has an empty buildable lot without the need to evict or demolish anything.

whynot_31

Might be a different owner now.

whynot_31

The lot is also known as 718 Nostrand, and is soon to be a six story building:

"10 apartments spread across 12,000 square feet, according to new building permits filed last week."

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2014/08/six-story-10-unit-building-planned-for-nostrand-avenue-in-crown-heights/

In other words, about 1200 sq ft per apartment. Sounds like 2 BR condos or rentals to me.

Dawndew

So 6 stories is now the new code? Landmarked or not. Seems out of character

Dawndew

Perhaps it is just the other side of Nostrand that is landmarked as of now? Nice for them.

whynot_31

They probably have to do some setbacks on the higher floors, like the buildings on Vanderbilt in PH.

It won't look that out of character once similar buildings are constructed.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=718+Nostrand+Avenue,+Brooklyn,+NY&hl=en&ll=40.674098,-73.950104&spn=0.000016,0.011319&sll=40.674081,-73.950362&layer=c&cbp=13,265.49,,0,-22.36&cbll=40.674098,-73.950104&hnear=718+Nostrand+Ave,+Brooklyn,+New+York+11216&t=h&z=17&panoid=aHN6KRDJyYn3aJ6xhjAA8Q

Dawndew

6 stories is not similar unless you mean a dozen others are coming to Nostrand between Fulton and EP.  And Vanderbuilt is not a good comparison to NCH. You can bet this would not happen on any avenue in central park slope

whynot_31

Vanderbilt will soon become a good comparison to Nostrand.

For a while, I've been waiting for someone to buy the decrepit wooden houses at 666 and 668 Nostrand, tear them down and put the sites back to use. They are among the next sites to "go":

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2013/08/building-of-the-day-666-668-nostrand-avenue/

Re: Park Slope. Some neighbors of Methodist Hospital are try to stop its expansion, because they feel it is out of character and too high. The hospital was able to get variances, so I'd be surprised if the neighbors' suit is successful:

http://online.wsj.com/articles/brooklyn-community-group-sues-hospital-over-proposed-expansion-in-park-slope-1406753191

...the best way to preserve the present is often to take pictures.

Dawndew

This isn't about a hospital growing outside its borders. It is about density. I guess you are ok with unbridled density increase.  Pictures, really?...you are changing the discussion and subject to one about nostalgia. The thread started with test holes and core samples.

whynot_31

The zoning code and the methods to amend it, prevent unbridled density increases.

Western Crown Heights was recently rezoned. Both sides of Nostrand were affected:

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/37919/crown-heights-west-zoning-and-naming-fun/p1

As a result of being able to build higher on Nostrand:

-The vacant lots will likely be built on.
-The structures not being used will likely be torn down
-The single story structures are at risk as well.

The structures that replace them will (for the most part) be build to take advantage of the taller heights and FAR allowed, and the business and residential mix on Nostrand will be much different in 5 years than it is now.

CB8 and the City Council overwhelmingly supported the rezone.

Dawndew

thanks Whynot, for the correct outlook. Now I see the sarcasm in your earlier remarks. Favors were passed around. I was not grasping the effects of rezoning in 2013. This building will mark the beginning of the new Nostrand Avenue distruction. Every landowner who can will rebuild to the new height.

whynot_31

Present and potential landowners on the commercial strips had been looking forward to the decision for quite sometime.

Because it was such a "sure thing", the value of land increased before the zoning changes were officially passed.

whynot_31

Rendering up, completion date Summer 2016.

Seems optimistic.

whynot_31

capt. planet

Historically, Nostrand was the main shopping strip for all of Crown Heights North and much of the area around it.  Unlike Franklin, Bedford and Rogers, all the buildings on Nostrand between EPW and Atlantic have retail on the ground floor.  That's 10 blocks of solid retail with subway stops on both ends.  I've met long time residents who recall when you could get anything you really need along Nostrand.  A new dress, an ice cream sundae, a new suit, a new hat (hats were still big in the 50s), new shoes, a fur coat, a great deli sandwich, etc.  History has a tendency to repeat itself you know.... The most historic homes in CHN are just east of Nostrand.

whynot_31

Yes, one can see hints of "what was" in some of the signs that survive.   

However, as a result of Amazon and other factors, I don't think retail will return. Instead we are likely to get a vibrant strip of franchises, and hospitality places.

 ...much like 5th or 7th avenue in Park Slope.

capt. planet

The types of merchandise purveyed may change, but not the quantity and quality, in my estimation.

whynot_31

Yes, the "new" strip will match the means and preferences of the area.   

I have been spending a fair amount of time on Kings Highway, near E 15th St and have been impressed at how much is available even in the "present era" 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kings+Hwy,+New+York,+NY/@40.6086958,-73.958292,3a,75y,270h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sFZ_5v3AAQydaz-v7sJQQqg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DFZ_5v3AAQydaz-v7sJQQqg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D73.237206%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c25b4b5b78b09b:0xf09f825aed9743c8

Dawndew

Nostrand and St Marks
http://www.oldnycphotos.com/crhts38.html

whynot_31

The strip seems headed that direction

whynot_31

The building on the right (718 Nostrand) just rec'd another floor and appears almost done.

whynot_31

Going up.

crownheightster

Updated picture. 

Dawndew

Wish they would not keep taking liberties to extend further over sidewalk with balconies lately. As if it were the same as a fire escape( which was added for safety after the buildings were up) which you cannot legally sit on. they should stay with in thier property lines. oh well. Business with HPD as usual. Building up should have been enough allowance.

whynot_31

whynot_31

Dawndew

they took off some of the balconies seen in earlier photos. I thought it was odd to have these hanging over the sidewalk (rather than set back) where someone passing under could get bonked on the head by a stray martini glass. Kinda industrial finish for an historic district. I see the final look is alot cheaper than the promotional rendering.

whynot_31

Here's the website for the firm that is developing the site: http://www.urbanview.nyc/720-nostrand-ave-brooklyn and a crappy screen shot of their rendering Click site for better shot.