Restoring the Old Nassau Brewery

joshb

Wow. Game-changer. The news from Brownstoner:

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2015/01/crow-hill-development-to-restore-adapt-historic-crown-heights-brewery/

whynot_31

Yes, the large site was recently broken into 2 sites. 

The northern, non-brick, portion was sold and is in the process of become a modern residential building. We are been jabbering about it here: The part of the Old Brewery that is becoming a huge complex (Franklin & Dean)

It was believed that the owner would used the proceeds of that sale to renovate the southern, brick portion. And, it seems said beliefs have merit.

So, let's use this thread talk about the Southern portion.   The brick part that lines Bergen. 

 Here's an ancient shot of the brick part of the complex:

Here's a "present day shot":



Here's a rendering of what it should look like in a few years

(note, the low lying buildings on the right are becoming a mid rise glassy building as we speak)

theburgerking

Yeah just read this as well.  This is great!!!

whynot_31

It is a big enough development that I have given it Brooklynian's highest honor:

Inclusion on the list of "Big 16 developments in western Crown Heights" http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44634/links-to-the-big-16-developments-in-western-crown-heights/p1

goldemi1

This is such great news.  I had heard rumors that the building was beyond salvaging, and feared it would become another glass condo.  Fabian is the brooklyn hero of the day.

crownheightster

Fabian is not just a hero. Fabian is a GOD. Or, at least, in the running for the most loved developer in Brooklyn.

goldemi1

Just curious why Fabian went with the above direction, when in June the story about this property showed it going in what looks like a more income-generating direction:  link

whynot_31

@goldemi1
The site has been broken into two.

The northern, non-brick, portion was sold and is in the process of becoming the modern residential building by ODA that you link. It lines Dean Street.   We have been jabbering about it here:   The part of the Old Brewery that is becoming a huge complex (Franklin & Dean)

The southern, brick portion was not part of that plan. It is being restored, and will become mixed use commercial and residential.

The southern portion is at the top of this aerial view:

The part in the yellow square at the the bottom of the photo is becoming a modern, glassy structure.   Discuss it here:   The part of the Old Brewery that is becoming a huge complex (Franklin & Dean)

antivirus

Both Fabian's plan and the the new ODA designed building will be amazing for the area. Regardless of what people think about the design, its time to accept that certain buildings can not be preserved. The real estate market is just as any other ordinary commodity; the owners are there to make money on their product. It boggles me to see people whine about the new glossy developments in Brooklyn. If you dont like whats being built then either dont rent it or buy the property for yourself and deed it to the public for recreational space, where the "artists" can draw inspiration from the asbestos filled rundown buildings. 

goldemi1

antivirus, its that mentality and definition of commodity that is the problem leading to the loss of character and beauty in neighborhoods.  One definition of the word is a mass produced unspecialized product, a class in which an unique historic structure doesn't belong.

The problem is not with buildings that cant be preserved, most people accept that reality.  It's when the developer does have an option but chooses bigger/glassier out-of-context units for the profits. I lean right, but support government intervention to protect neighborhoods from vultures. 

whynot_31

In this instance, the government was able to offer incentives that were significant enough to "cause" the owner of the property to save the large brick portions.

I don't know whether this stems from the owner's appreciation of the structures, or whether it made the most financial sense to do this.

...I can't say I care which was the motivating factor.   

I will simply say that I believe I will like having this big complex of brick buildings continue to be on my regular dog walks.

ehgee

@antivirus I have a feeling that people would like new development in Brooklyn a lot better if they hired, say, this dude to design the buildings:

http://www.meleca.com/?var1=http://www.meleca.com/content/projects/multi.php

If his fee pencils out for building in Pittsburgh and Columbus it sure as shit pencils out for Brooklyn. There's a lot of amazingly schlocky architecture on half-million one-bedrooms. That's why we're pleasantly surprised at how nice these projects are. I'm in favor of supply meeting demand in the apartment market. But I'm also in favor of new development that doesn't look like a pile of turds.

rogers_sterling

Anyone who lives on that block will appreciate the fact that the beautiful artist rendering of the site includes that shitty red van that is always parked on Bergen on either side of Frankin.

mcpoet

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2015/01/21/apartments_shops_to_remake_decrepit_crown_heights_brewery.php

"the factory building will be adapted by architect Formactiv into a 50,000-square-foot mixed-use complex that will house ground floor retail and 38 apartments. The building may also host an underground restaurant in its 1860 lager vaults. Très Brooklyn."

Wasn't sure if anyone had seen this particular tidbit regarding the redevelopment....

whynot_31

The commercial aspects of this development will create a large commercial district that attracts people from far and wide. It will be anchored by:

-1000 Dean

-Berg'n

-the warehouses that are rapidly being converted into gyms (ie Crow Hill Cross Fit) and entertainment complexes, such as Global Square: http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/37947/893-dean-st-to-become-a-beer-garden-located-btwn-grand-and-classon/p1

-the retail that will be available as part of the new building that will be constructed at Dean and Franklin.

-The transformation of buildings along nearby Atlantic, such as this one: http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44908/980-atlantic-avenue-presently-a-parking-garage-near-grand-avenue-would-like-major-makeover/p1

-Nearby residential construction which causes the demographics to not only change in composition, but in shear quantity: http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/34884/compare-supermarket-brings-in-the-builders/p1

I don't think the vast majority of people in the area understand the huge transformation that will occur by say, 2018.

While large, this development is just a part of a puzzle that is rapidly evolving.

whynot_31

Renovations on the brick portion of the site have yet to begin.

whynot_31

Update:  They have begun installing the framing for the dormer on second highest roof.    Visible in this rendering above the U in Nassau.

howncreights

looks good but there is still a TREE growing out of the building

whynot_31

yes.   Three trees can be seen in this somewhat recent google streetview shot, and at least one tree is still clearly visible from the street.    

whynot_31

Aforementioned dormer:

The remaining tree can be seen just to left of the traffic light, growing from the top of a window opening.

whynot_31

"The building will include 32,493 square feet of residential space for 36 units. Retail space and restaurants will be located on the ground and below-grade levels, and the remaining square footage will take on some form of manufacturing use. Commercial Observer reports an $18 million construction loan was recently secured, and completion is expected in early 2017."

937 Bergen

945 Bergen

http://newyorkyimby.com/2016/01/1809209.html

ehgee

So somewhere under $500k per unit construction costs, accounting for the manufacturing/retail units.

whynot_31

TRG will soon begin marketing the retail units:

"We are very excited to begin marketing the historical Nassau Brewing Company in Crown Heights" 

https://twitter.com/Laurenmusacchio/status/704329140481220609

whynot_31

The remaining tree growing on the side of the building has been removed.

https://twitter.com/thecitywanderer/status/707665350251438080

whynot_31

Exterior work has begun. I presume they will install a roof on the shell simultaneously.

whynot_31

This site continues to be one of the sites I believe will make a large impact on western Crown Heights:  http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/47007/the-big-18-developments-the-whynot-31-wont-stop-talking-about?new=1

whynot_31

whynot_31

Nov 16:  Work continues on this site, but very little is evident from outside other than the brick work.

The completed apartments will be quite large, and I'm interested in what the ground floor commercial/industrial space will be.

naturegirlbk

And will this building be rental units, not condos, as well??

whynot_31

This building might become condos.

I don't think it has accepted any of the incentives that would require subsidized rentals.

So, the developer could wait to see whether market conditions favored market rentals or market condos as they near completion.

whynot_31

36 units, occupying 32k sf.

So, these individual units will be larger than many rentals that have come on the market recently.

As pointed out above, the builder already spent about $500k per unit before construction began.

So, I am going guess we will see high end condos, but ones that lack amenities for families with kids because the local school district is not deemed "ready yet" by couples with school age children who have $1M to spend.

..that's about $950 a sf for a 900 sf apt.