“The Changeling” from BedStuyBlog was snooping around our hood the other day, trying to foment a turf war, who knows, and snapped some shots of this building at Willoughby and Broadway.
“I love this building, even though would probably look more at home in Soho or Tribeca. I hope that it will bring some nice retail to the area. The DOB filings posted in the window indicate that this building was involved in manufacturing and that it is currently being transformed into retail and residential units.”
I’m aware of the building, and it’s been in exactly this condition since the first time I saw it last year. What’s the hold up? Is there even a hold up — for all I know, people could be living there but the retail isn’t filled yet. It’s a nice storefront but I’m not sure Bushwick is quite ready for a retailer/restaurant that could take up that amount of space and pay the price of a newly-souped up building.
“While I’m happy to see something so nice in this area, who wants to live spitting distance from an elevated train?”
I was at a loft party recently, in this crazy old building on Ellery, about 2 buildings off of Broadway, and the train wasn’t loud at all even with the windows open. Of course, that’s nothing like being so close to the tracks you can read Lisette’s earrings on the J train.
Anyone know what’s up with this place?
Lindsey July 23rd, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I’ve seen this building too and really like it. Thought it might be some luxury condos for the area. Being next to a loud elevated train sounds risky – who’d pay a lot for that. It does look like soho is coming here!
Loft party sounds cool – if it was a crazy old building maybe it wasn’t someone home and they just took it over and had a party.
Seriously, who can afford a loft these days even around here.
The Changeling July 23rd, 2007 at 4:26 pm
If this place turns out to be a cool condo building and a good restaurant, I think we’re going to have to annex the area into Bed-Stuy. I’m thinking we’ll take the Willoughby-B’way building and the Papa John’s Pizzeria across the street.
Chris July 23rd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
The design is awesome. Why annex into Bed-Sty can’t we get credit for it in Bushwick.
Jeremy July 23rd, 2007 at 5:00 pm
You can have the Papa John’s. We have Fortunata’s.
The Changeling July 23rd, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Ok, you can keep it and take the credit. I just wish we had some buildings on our side of B’way that looked as nice. We have a few pretty buildings, but none of them is a stunner like the Willoughby-B’way.
Chris July 23rd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Changeling – are you on the Bedsty or Bushwick side of Bway? I need to know who my allies are.
Jimmy Legs July 23rd, 2007 at 6:49 pm
i could be wrong but when i researched this building i could swear it was being rehabbed as some type of facility for the homeless. the upper floors, anyway. until recently you could see into the rooms on the J train, there are twin/bunk beds inside, which implies something less than luxury condos. if i find the info that led me to this shocking conclusion, i shall post it!
Tom July 23rd, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Good to see not evenone is hook on the L train, and Jimmy takes the J.
Ever notice how no one hardly lives above the business above bway due to the train right there. Imagine having that right outside your window.
The Changeling July 23rd, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Chris, I’m on the Stuy side, but I’m constantly drawn to the borderlands between the two neighborhoods. There’s so much that I haven’t seen in the area running along Broadway.
Jimmy Legs–say it ain’t so! If it’s for the homeless, why not make it for homeless artists? I know plenty of people who are about to get kicked out of the Hotel Chelsea. They’ll be needing a place to stay. This place would be perfect…
Armstrong July 24th, 2007 at 9:59 am
I believe that it is being rehabbed as some sort of residential rehab (of what sort I’m not sure) for veterans.
EJCohen July 24th, 2007 at 10:21 am
That building isn’t far from where I live. Been intrigued by it since I moved here but there’s been no activity since October. There has been some interesting construction activity along Broadway, however… On my block, on the corner of Arion Pl. and B’way, they’ve gutted an entire building. Across the street a new building had been constructed and looks almost completed. As far as elevated Subway noise, my apartment faces away from B’way and I hardly ever notice it.
True Bklyn July 24th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Would people from the Hotel Chelsea really consider coming to Bushwick? What kind of deal did they have there. I picture even a small room there costing $900/month.
That’s awfully fancy for rehab, probably will be expensive to stay there even as a patient!
Jeremy July 24th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Don’t worry, I’m sure the bill is on the taxpayers.
Armstrong July 24th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
“..I’m sure the bill is on the taxpayers.”
As it should be if the patients are veterans! God, have a heart. LOL
Jeremy July 24th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
The Decider would approve that message.
Armstrong July 24th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
When someone posts points of view on a blog, inevitably someone else comes along to offer the opposite. Really, I’m just giving you some shit. So: did u vote for Bush, Jeremy? LOL
who/what is “The Decider?”
Anonymous July 24th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Armstrong I’m with you.
Good points, and they are well taken.
Thanks for caring.
Jeremy July 24th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Armstrong, yes, I know I can count on you to challenge me, though I didn’t think it was just you being contrary for the fuck of it…
The Decider is our wonderful president, George W. Bush! No, I didn’t vote for that pig, and I never supported his crushingly stupid and tragic war on Iraq.
http://politicalhumor.about.com/b/a/256793.htm
Armstrong July 24th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Jeremy, I never lie, unless I’m sleeping.. and thanks to GWBush, our troops have shitty care coming back home so your comment to the contrary puzzles.
Back on topic: the renovation of that building is amazing. it used to be a guitar factory or something similar I believe. It sat vacant for awhile before its current incarnation. it is quite reminiscent of Soho. I do hope for the eventual recovery of Bdwy, but it has a long way to go.
The Changeling July 24th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I know a couple of artists I used to hang out with in the Hotel Chelsea were paying around $1100 for a studio, and get this, they had to share a bathroom and all they had in their room to cook with was a hotplate. I think the $1100 covered the rent, electric and phone. I’m sure they’d be up for moving into Bushwick. I remember thinking at the time that $1100 is a lot to pay for a spot in the Chelsea.
Jeremy July 25th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
You’re right, Armstrong, the Bush Administration has gutted veteran healthcare, I suppose that wasn’t the sharpest comment…but I guess I made it instead of saying “I’m not a fan of veterans.” There, I said it. I think I like crackheads better. At least, crackheads who aren’t veterans.
I’m pretty sure I’ll regret this.
habitat67 August 2nd, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Yeah… the building is mixed use veteran’s residential. I’ve lived a couple blocks away for over two years and watched the whole rennovation process.
Brooklyn Pete September 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 am
I pass this building all the time on the (J) and it still looks unoccupied to me. But I remember when this building looked bomb out lol.
As for t;s history this was built in the early 1900s as the Berliner Dance and then later on Catering Hall.