Classon Lincoln - your thoughts?

futurebrooklynian · November 2010

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in the new condo at 825 Classon just north of Lincoln. Do any of you live in the immediate area? I walked by one night this week around 8pm and thought it was really a nice spot. There weren't any people around who looked like trouble, but from what I'm finding online it's a "big crack block" and supposedly there are thuggish youths around who are bound to give you trouble. Are people making these comments based on what it was like a few years ago, or is it really there and I just missed it? I know it's a different story as you go up Classon, but this is only one block up from Eastern Parkway. I'm aware that it might have just been too early in the evening to have trouble around, but I'm also aware of how quickly things can change and don't know what to think. I figured I should go straight to the people who live around here for opinions.

Say what you want about it being an eyesore. It may not fit in with the architecturally significant buildings in the area, but the one it replaced wasn't anything worth saving. The Street View on Google maps can tell ya that. This is what gets built nowadays. I don't understand the obsession with trash talking every modern looking building that goes up in Brooklyn. I haven't seen much (any?) of that while I've been lurking here today though, to be fair. If all goes well for this building, you'll have at least 24 new homeOWNERS (24 units, a good number are 2 bedrooms) in the neighborhood who legitimately care about their surroundings and will participate in helping to make sure the area thrives.

I just want to know if the people here think that this is a block worth buying on. Should I feel safe walking from the subway late at night? As a gay white man, should I be concerned? Will I be putting myself at risk of harassment by walking around with my boyfriend? Are there any gay guys here who can talk about their experience in the neighborhood?

I felt great about the block the other night when I was there. I know which ways I wouldn't want to walk unless I had to, but after digging online I'm worried about this particular part of the neighborhood too. I hate sounding like such a drama queen, but this will be my first time buying a home. It's a big deal, and I just want to make sure that I buy in a place that I'll feel safe and welcome. I really appreciate any comments and hope I've come to the right place to get some real opinions out of people, as opposed to the trash people spew on sites like brownstoner and curbed. Hell if I'd ever go there for advice, lol.

Thanks guys!

C

photogirl · November 2010

I recently moved to Crown Heights off Franklin. I really like the neighborhood; very friendly and amenities are getting better all the time. (Check out ilovefranklinavenue for a run down) I walk by that block frequently, although not late at night. My sense is that it is reasonably safe and getting safer. My advice, however, is to spend more time on the block before buying--visit at various times of the day and night and try to talk to people who live on the block.

eastbloc · November 2010

I walk by that building all the time. Classon is somewhat quieter than Franklin. The retail presence there is a little depressed (notice the entire block of shutters between EP and Lincoln) but you have Abigail's and Glass Shop within a stone's throw which do attract a non-criminal (or at least, not specifically criminal) clientele.

There are some large, older apartment buildings that are clearly not revenue leaders for their owners, as they're sorely neglected and yet quite inhabited. There is also the hulking church complex between Sterling and St. John's. Partly abandoned, it still functions as a school. The (mostly) good news here is that it's going to become a center for training court officers. I expect it will make parking a little tougher, but it will turn an eyesore into a point of interest for the neighborhood and hopefully spur more retail and housing stock renewal.

I too had my misgivings, but this is a great neighborhood, and it's getting better by the day. I feel as comfortable here as I did in Alphabet City (yeah, that can go either way).

The building at 825 looks pretty nice, too, though I think the best values in this neighborhood are the small multi-family homes. A lot of them need work, but it's worth it.

whynot_31 · November 2010

I agree with eastbloc.

The only thought I have to add is that new condo building is very susceptible to market changes.

As the nicest, newest building on the block, your investment lose value if the real estate market goes south. I'm more of a pre-war coop buyer as a result.

The transition of church complex to a court officer training center should have a huge impact, (I believe positive) but I believe it won't be finished for 2 years. Literally hundreds of folks are going to eat lunch everyday ...not all of them will brown bag it.

whyfi · November 2010

You'll be fine.

futurebrooklynian · November 2010

Thanks for all of your comments. I visited the building's open house today, and I'm not particularly interested in the building anymore. It feels like the building was rushed and rather shoddily done. There's also the problem of having nothing to look at except the side of one of those sorely neglected large apartment buildings around the corner on Lincoln (from the units I was interested in). Thanks for helping me out though. I'm glad I got some opinions on the area.

catwalkertexasranger · November 2010

dear Futurebrooklyn, this is a little off. The building did not go up fast..really the reverse..They took forever in construction time. They did not have financing in place to finish it. As a result they probably had their "shoppies" do lots of what are perceived as easy jobs. Drywall,tile,paint,carpentry and some mechanical jobs.Many of the contractors they used were from PA in order to save money. A shoppie is a guy that is employed by the company and is not a specialist in any area. The building has some serious concerns. 1 would be the facade. White inexpensive tile exterior is a taggers dream. What is the plan for graffiti removal? As a home owner the materials used on the exterior finish are difficult to repair and maintain..The most striking issue would be the auto elevator. How long is that covered under a construction/builder/manuf warr.? The small number of units in the building will divide the cost of repair and upkeep on the car elevator unit. If it malfunctions it could cause an emergency if somebody is in it or claims that they have a pressing appointment that requires their car. A car lift is a cool concept but in a small building it could be a costly cancer to maintain.I would be interested to see how many years..not months that the builder is willing to stand behind the finished product. If you can buy,move in and anything that goes wrong in the first couple of years are covered it may be a good marketing point. or if your your brother in law has an elevator company.Buildings that go up very,very slowly are the ones you have to worry about..

bcodsnpkslope · November 2010

maybe its just me but as a long time homeowner and as a successful flipper. I would make sure before i plunked money down on any property i stalked it for a while. Id go different days and times from early in the AM to late in the PM and definately on fri/sat nights if it was something that I planned to live in for any amount of time.I would also knock on neighbors doors and introduce myself and ask them about the area..

I realize that this is prolly something that most dont but its prolly the best way to see if the area is a fit for you and or your boyfriend

kniclo · November 2010

I just moved into the area six months ago off of Franklin and tend to walk towards Classon all the time. I really enjoy the street, it's much quieter and have never felt unsafe or threatened, even walking home at 4AM from the bars on Vanderbilt. Glass Shop has fantastic coffee, Abigail's is meh and Chavella's is right up the street. Key Foods is great, a bit expensive, but stocked and relatively nice guys run it. I'm a 20's white female and have never felt unsafe in the area. It's an eclectic mix of people around there, and I know and see many gay men and couples around who love the area. Word to the wise, as it already sounds like you're on this - but the new construction going up around is extremely shotty. I recently moved into a new building and while a lot of the finishes are great, there are vivid structural issues that will be fully exposed in 5-7 years - easily. I would do as much research as possible with the housing authority and see what companies were given permits, etc. Even though info can be outdated/limited, it's worth it. Luckily, I'm only renting, and feel lucky I'll probably get the best years out of our building...as sad as that is. Hope to see you in the hood -- in a nice apartment!

Classon Lincoln - your thoughts?

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