The Curious Case of 341 Eastern Parkway - formerly known as "The Hole".

How come? To be fair, I end up hating on most modern buildings that get put up because they're either hideous or straight out of context (check the building that's being put up on Rogers which is both.) I actually really like the way this building looks from the rendering. I hope when it's finished it's as nice as it looks there

Are you talking about the building on Rogers and Sterling, Epic? That's actually not a new construction, but a "major alteration" <sic>.

I don't think it's terrible for a rental. I've seen a lot worse, i.e. look at 590 Sterling Place, or 658 Classon. At least on Rogers they don't have exposed air conditioners and plenty of windows, and the architect (weakly) tried to break up the monotony of the flat roof line in a nod to the original building (which looked just like the ones to the right of it).

Brownstoner wrote about it today and took a nice photo

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2013/01/eastern-parkway-build-going-up-quickly/#disqus_thread

In a different thread:

dmiami said:

What's commercial space going for accross EP at the new building being constructed?

To my knowledge the tenants have not been announced. However, I have heard that a non-compete contract was signed with Bob & Betty's, and Pulp & Bean.

So, we know the tenants will not be a coffee shop or a supermarket type store.

ah, my mistake.

I think 341 EP (as big, new Class A building) might be a bad comp

....the spaces soon to be occupied by the Hummus Station or the Pizza place might be better.

similar size.

old building

On one hand, they are not on the corner of the building. On the other hand, they are on the wealthier side of EP.

Aesthetically, the building can reflect the preferences of the developers, not the board's.

The developers may not want the obligations that come with the 421-A tax exemption. It might be more profitable and/or easier to build with out it.

This design firm seems to be actively working on the design:

http://meshberggroup.com/project/341-eastern-parkway/

Here's a rendering:





There's more renderings, including some interior ones, on the above link

Here's their pitch:

This 70 unit new construction rental building is located on the prominent corner of Franklin Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Limestone and brick facades line Eastern Parkway alongside major buildings like the Brooklyn museum and the Grand Army Plaza Entrance. We recreated the grandeur of the turn of the century architecture but with today’s means and methods. The interiors are clean with transitional cabinetry and modern hardware and appliances. The bathrooms are stylish and functional with timeless character and contemporary features. Designed for the young professionals and the families of Brooklyn this building will become the newest landmark to be built on Eastern Parkway in the past century.

Note, unless they are simply using round numbers, the number of units has grown from 63 to 70.

Also of interest is how far they show the building as being set back from the street. This set back likely allowed them to build the additional two stories (8 stories, instead of the zoned 6).

I think the rendering looks wonderful! Let's see what the building actually looks like. My guess is, lots more straight lines, fewer curves, and more flat surfaces, fewer textures.

whynot- to clarify, I'm talking about the only window currently installed in the building as of last Saturday. It's on the second floor on the southwest corner (facing EP). It seems cheap, very small and not like the other spaces framed out for windows. If this is a sign of things to come it is very concerning.

If you look at this project, it is moving along pretty quickly.

Usually, they first finish the structural steel, then work on the exterior walls, then work on the interior walls and systems.

In this case, they seem to have various crews working on all of this at the same time.

...the building has yet to reach its max height, yet they are already working on interior stuff.

some logistics!

I like how in the second rendering, only the front of the new building is taller than Tony's building.

However, the first rendering shows it is as being massive in comparison. (I think the first will be more accurate)

Also, when one looks at the first floor of the renderings, you can see first version has arches and the second does not.

...I'm not sure whether I like the arches or not.

I don't think the pic 2 is actually supposed to be placed at the site. Note that the buildings on what should be EP are completely different as well. Whether the Bob and Betty thing happens, I don't think I'll live long enough to see the EP houses knocked down and rebuilt.

I'm not sure how we can see that from your pic, whynot.

The expanse of sidewalk is actually one of the best possible parts of this new construction. If the building and sidewalk end up looking like the rendering, we're going to have one of the nicest corners on EP.

Either way, this is a HUGE win for the nabe, and I can't wait to see it come to fruition. I just hope the ground floor isn't going to be a dialysis clinic.

Any ideas about how much the rents will be? Will it be a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom apts.? Maybe some studios?

Hmmm. I was surprised to read on the Meshberg Group website that they will be rentals. Should be interesting to see how much they end up going for.