Troutman St.: From Crack Den to Condo Hub?
Troutman Street is a strange animal. As recently as a few years ago it was the worst street in Bushwick for drugs and crime. Now it seems to be, along with Jefferson and Starr Streets, part of the residential and cultural backbone of the new Bushwick. Its entire length is being transformed, bit by bit, by developers, investors, entrepreneurs, and artists. Often those categories overlap. Oh, you can definitely still buy a rock on Troutman between Knickerbocker and Irving — I walked right through a transaction one night a few weeks ago.
But the prevalent vibe on Troutman is that of change: condos, renovated apartments, new businesses. Down where the street begins, at Myrtle near Broadway, several attractive old brick buildings are being rehabbed (above). Crossing Bushwick Avenue, the unfortunate hulk of 44 Troutman (left) looms as testament to how clueless developers can be as to what the kind of people buying condos in Bushwick want. I suppose anything will sell at the right price.
Troutman between Evergreen and Central is one big construction zone. Closer to Evergreen, a cute but tragically tiny little house was demolished to make way for what I hear will be three eight-unit rental buildings (right). Across the street closer to Central is, 
of course, 116 Troutman (left), which is probably the largest residential project in Bushwick right now at 167 units. They’ve begun to put the insulation on in preparation for what I am sure will be black brick. In between these two huge developments is the Daptone Records studios at 115 Troutman.
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The next block up, facing the basketball and handball courts at Fermi Playground, several buildings are being renovated. A friend of a friend of a friend (seriously) supposedly bought a building on this block and is creating live/work studios for artists.
There is a lot of activity between Wilson and Knickerbocker: the totally hideous “West Bank settlement” job, which seems to be in the same state of completion as its last mention in these pages, will be a condo (if they can sell it). The only mildly ugly Troutman Lofts (right), which a friend of mine calls the “Purple People Eater,” seems to already be occupied, despite an agency trying to get $3300 for a one-bedroom a while back. 
The above friend used to park her car at 228 Troutman (left), and was moved to finally sell it when the owner of the lot booted everyone off in order to build 14 condo units. Smack in the middle of this block will be Jane Virga’s bar; she tells me she should have her building permits soon!
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Across Knickerbocker is 289 Troutman (right), an old brick tenement being made into condos, which seems to have not been screwed up. So far.
I am worried about what the plan is for this building (left), one of the few wood-frame buildings this side of Bushwick with much of its original facade intact and in good shape.
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Above Irving and past Wyckoff is home to several loft buildings and businesses like Brave Space Design, as well as neighborhood dining fixture Northeast Kingdom.
Doesn’t it seem counterintuitive that the street to see the most new activity is the one that was historically (in recent terms) the worst around? Could that be the very reason? The worst areas tend to be the cheapest. But then, that doesn’t usually go block-by-block. Obviously the large available hunk of land at 116 Troutman could only be used for a large project, but what about the rest?
I’m unable to see this as anything but pure coincidence. In other words, the transformation of Troutman Street is so spontaneous it’s hard pinpoint the reasons for it without knowing the story of each and every new project. I give up on this analysis. Any takers?
April 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
It is funny how certain streets become a nexus of activity. I remember hearing talk about Troutman Street back in 2004 - some of my ex-tenants moved to a newly renovated building there around that time. My guess is there were quite a few vacant buildings and shells around (partly due to the crack problem). From what I can tell, some of our friends in the Hasidic community recognized the opportunity early on and put some money to work, fixed up some buildings, and got the gentrification going. Looks like that early start has fed on itself, and now we’re getting retail and condos. Good stuff!
April 4th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Love it !
April 4th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Thanks Jeremy for doing so much homework on the hood. Keep up the good work.
April 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
not to mention the “Bushburg Lofts” just south of Wyckoff.
April 4th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
About a year ago I found a book set on Troutman St. in the ’70s. SHOOTING DR. JACK by Norman Green. I still have not bought it, but I suggest checking out the first page on Amazon. The first paragraph includes “Fall through the cracks of a better or kinder world, and you find yourself on Troutman Street” and “From beginning to end, it is one of those places where whores, junkies, cars and dreams go to die.”
Oh, Troutman.
April 4th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Nice rundown. Now will someone please buy 173 STARR ST. It’s right on M.H.Park and it sits there empty and forlorn and.. occasionally set on fire by crackheads.
April 5th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Yeah, 173 Starr. wtf?
When we first moved to B’wick early ‘04 that building was active, full of teneants etc.
Then maybe a year later it was boarded up. Since then it’s been a major eyesore. Dumping ground, cracky squat. good times.
I assume the owners just abandoned it?
April 6th, 2008 at 10:54 am
I actually drove up and down Troutman yesterday as I was in the area for other reasons. We drove down Troutman as I had some ancestors who lived there (288).
Having been to BOS events (with venues on Troutman) I have seen the up swing. It is really amazing. Jeremy thanks for the summary of the area.It really put it into a perspective.
April 6th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Those might have been squatters/drug addicts at 173 Starr, Matt.
According to the Dept of Buildings website, 173 Starr had a Vacate Order granted in early 1989 and has been abandoned since:
Disposition Entered By: 04/24/1989
Comments: PREMISES VACATED ON 3/3/89 THIS BLGDS WAS VACATED UNDER VACATE ORDER
It is listed as being owned by someone. One must wonder what the f*ck they’re thinking though. Perhaps they’re sitting on the property waiting for it to get more and more valuable. I’m not sure if that’s a given in the current economy.
One thing is certain however, it could definitely be rehabbed and bring in a good rent roll.
April 6th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Makes sense
things need to fall apart
completely
before they are
transformed.
Troutman - from the worst
to the newest worst.
Ha!
April 6th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
My family owned Universal Fireproof Door on the corner of Troutman and Broadway from 1927 to about 2000. It was hell on earth for many, many years. As a matter of fact, in the movie ‘Ghost’, this corner is used as a representation of hell!
For a long, long time this corner was a crack den. Many of my father’s best customers would pay for fireproof doors with cash with heavy, heavy locks to keep the police out.
Additionally, that police unit was known to shake down drug users for many, many years and traffic alot of product themselves.
Then Giuliani came, and things began to change.
My dad (Danny) would love to hear about his neighborhood.
BTW, he bought the red building across the street for $3,000 cash in 1985! Wow. Those *were* the days.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
My father is retired in Fort Lauderdale now should anyone care to know….
April 7th, 2008 at 10:19 am
We have lived on the Cypress end of Troutman, @ 467, the recenlty renovated “Max” building for close to 4 years now. Apparently, the neighborhood den mothers organized a march down Cypress street
one day before we moved in to protest the prostitutes in the area. Since the shutdown of the infamous Starr St. hooker hut, we only see one or two on warm nights. Also, the gangsters had a nightclub on Cypress and would line the streets every saturday night with their cool cars and reggaeton blastin until 5am. Not sad to see them go. From what I can tell, most of the block down here is affiliated with the NYPD somehow. How strange that they let so much go on right under their noses, so to speak…
April 7th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Trains and easy access to them. this area always had and it is the reason why it will continue to be rebuilt. Trains make all the difference.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:39 am
@ George
I live at 467 Troutman as well. Two questions after reading your post. Why is our building called the “Max” building? Also, what the heck was the “Starr St. hooker hut”?
April 7th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Interesting info, Armstrong. When 173 was ‘active’ it just seemed like any other building on that stretch. Didn’t give off the squatter vibe, but makes sense why it suddenly became boarded up.
Oh and George, where was this infamous hooker Hut on Starr? LOL! I do remember when we were first looking in the neighborhood, back in late ‘03, we saw some homemade signs about the scourge of prozzies and drugging. I think they were posted on a park fence, somewhere on Troutman and Cyprus.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Why are people always so upset about whorehouses? The girls do need a safe place to work, after all.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
For a in-depth story about the “hooker hut” go to NPR online, click the “This American Life” link and in the archives look for a show called “House of Ill Repute”. That should provide some answers.
April 7th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
you were quoted on NY Magazine’s blog…
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/04/stuyvesant_town_a_landmark_for.html
April 8th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Here’s a link directly to the This American Life piece on the Starr St. Crack/Whore house.
http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=325
April 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Speaking of (omg!) NY Mag, I noticed that their centerfold recently was some hipster chick who lives in the Bush. I guess the neighborhood has arrived at last!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Oops, my tag didn’t display at the end of the last comment. Let me try it with brackets instead:
[/snark]
April 9th, 2008 at 11:43 am
That has to be one of the most amazing stories ever told on This american Life.
Oh, Joe. I want a followup. How’s he doing? Where is he?
May 10th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
173 starr st. was mentioned a few times in this thread, and my brother-in-law and I have fantasized and considered looking into a purchase here… Can anyone give me some guidance or general advice about tracking down a landlord? Would the information about the owner of an abandoned building be available to the public, or do I have to wait for the current owner to put the building out on the market? Any help will be appreciated.
May 10th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
ReL 173 Starr Street. I was raised and lived at 167 Starr Street. 173 in the 1950 and perhaps into the 60’s was owned by a Max Bittenson. You may be able to trace the present owners by finding the Bittensons in the public records.
Shebah
May 10th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
This development co. lists 173 Starr as a “completed project” which could mean that it was sold and there are plans for development? Or it could just be a typo. Worth contacting them perhaps. I live on this block and would love to see something happen with that building. Last summer there was a dead dog lying in front of it for days. DAYS.
here is the link: http://www.1800plan.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=30
May 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
kay, just found out more by doing a public records search here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/jump/acris.shtml
Looks like its currently held by Lehman Brothers as of 12/26/2007, and the record does in fact go back to a Max Bittenson.