Brooklyn construction 9/03

[Gulcrapek]

'Twas a beautiful day and perfectly fit for a photo walk, or any walk for that matter.

Stern made a comment a while ago describing south Downtown as looking like Radio Row in Lower Manhattan when it was being demolished, a massive reconstruction project. Today was the first time I felt that way. Although not quite as massive, within four blocks are four major construction projects underway, and probably at least one more in the near future.

Those in that area are marked A.

Atlantic Terminal - Tower is finishing up pretty quickly. The base is less than pleasing, at least the curved section.

*Bonus WSB phallic shot*
http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/atl.sized.jpg

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/atl2.sized.jpg

Hanson Place side

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/atl3.sized.jpg

'Jail' side

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/atl4.sized.jpg

^In that picture, the structural end of the development can be seen in the foreground. Attached to this will be the main transit center entrance, a 30 foot high wall of stone and glass.

A* Brooklyn Law School Dormitory - three floors above grade.

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/blsd.sized.jpg

A* 53 Boerum Place - 6 floors up. The facade bricks have arrived and are on site.

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/53bp.sized.jpg

Just for size relativity

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/53bp2.sized.jpg

A* Court Street YMCA & Towers - the garage is gone. Excavation continues.

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/ctymca.sized.jpg

295 Atlantic Avenue - behind the Soilmec truck there's a foundation pit. Steel is already on site.

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/295atl2.sized.jpg

Rendering
http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/295atl.sized.jpg

The *A project not listed is across the street from the YMCA site. A foundation is being poured for a building of unknown size, however it will most likely be a 10-11 story residential building following the new zoning.

Random views:

The Heights, shown once in a previous thread from a distance. This is closer and from a different side.

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/hts.sized.jpg

It contains a Barnes&Noble and a UA movie theater.

The Court Chambers Building past the shell of the Brooklyn Law School Dormitory

http://galleries.soaringtowers.org/albums/album22/cc.sized.jpg

[Kris]

Thanks for the update.

Brooklyn construction today is generally frustrating; it can neither be too high nor look resolutely modern.

[TonTonmaKoute]

You know as person with an Architectural background I find some of the new building in NYC quite remarkable, but on the other hand the closer I observe the more disgusting I seem to be getting. It seems to me the ones that seem to be building all these new buildings and reconstruction the city seem to be leaving out at 75% of its occupants. The city is completely being reconstructed for the more acceptable groups, the Caucasians, what they want to refer themselves as the white people. Now don’t get me wrong I’m by no mean what they refer as a RACIST individual. I do not go around hating people just simply because their skin color is somewhat beige. To simply hate someone due to their skin color is the most ILLOGICAL, and to lower myself to these levels would be like taking a gun and shoot myself in the head. But back on the subject all I saying is that I find the behaviors of these people totally nauseating and by out right getting played out. The question that remains is how can one live with oneself with this state of mind in today’s world?

[Gulcrapek]

How does racism play into any of this?

Are you angered that some of the new buildings are beige?

[MidnightRambler]

what the hell are you talking about?

[billyblancoNYC]

Who is this ass? Funny, I was at the Atlantic Antic frestival today and they had one stand trying to permanently close the jail and one talking about ways to enhance Atlantic Ave and the surrounding areas - trees, muni-meters, etc. At both sites people came up and bitched about gentirification. Give me a break, you'd rather have a jail and empty lots amd gas stations rather than brand new buildings and new stores. C'mon. I just can't stand this nonsense viewpoint anymore.

[matt3303]

I really believe that if left up to the NIMBYs from day one, there would be no buildings over 10 floors in this city.

[Gulcrapek]

The Atlantic Avenue development/improvement (I forget) group is not completely classic NIMBY. The places they'd like to 'clean up' could use it, and with regards to new development, they're not totally against it. An article in the Times read that they advocate 'major development' at two sites on Boerum Place and Atlantic (on opposite sides of the street).

Also, there really isn't much that needs improvement or replacement along the stretch of avenue they specify. The buildings are predominantly in excellent shape and the few vacant lots are being filled in with new buildings (ie a 5 story one on Atlantic&Bond).

[LeCom]

Not as tall as they could be, but still pretty good.

[BrooklynRider]

Who is this ass? Funny, I was at the Atlantic Antic festival...

I was there too. The Atlantic Avenue Coalition that presented their masterplan did a very admirable job and seemed to looking for a balanced area. I think they are being sensistive to the fact that south of Atlantic is (and should remain) pure residential. Therefore, much of their design foucused on the avenue as a gateway and a transitional zone from downtown commercial development to residential neighborhoods.

I found it most interesting in talking to the the groups that they have not taken a formal position on the new arena. However, there was A LOT of Forest City Ratner bashing going on. Again, that is amusing because Bruce Ratner, more than any other single person in the last 15 years, is the primary driving force behind Brooklyn commercial development.

[billyblancoNYC]

That is pretty funny. People just don't like progress, bottom line.

[GowanusGuy]

I live near some of Ratner's cheap looking, poorly designed buildings, and I understand the opposition. Since he's practically synonymous with Brooklyn's commercial development, most opponents equate development with his ugly architecture. Remember, Ratner is also the person most responsible for PREVENTING development at the old Post Office site near Pathmark on Hamilton Ave.

[Gulcrapek]

I'm not familiar with that....

What examples of architecture are you talking about? I can only think of three of his buildings which are cheap looking (2 and 3 Metrotech, 1 Pierrepont). Two of those are only ten floors.

Ugly.... it depends on your point of view.

[Freedom Tower]

Hey Ton, I'm a little confused. :? What is it you're rambling about? Even midnight "rambler" is making more sense than you ;) No, but seriously, I don't understand what you are trying to say. Why are you opposed to construction in Brooklyn?

[TLOZ Link5]

Skyscrapers.com has listed the Gallery at MetroTech Tower as being 48 stories. A good sign.

[Kris]

http://www.rion.nu/v5/post/092603/IMG_6821lg.jpg

www.rion.nu

[TLOZ Link5]

Nice.