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801 Manhattan Avenue
801 Manhattan Avenue
Offering Memorandum
801 Manhattan Avenue
Mixed-Use Building / Development Site for Sale
Asking Price: $ 2,450,000
EXCLUSIVE AGENTS:
Mark L. Lively
Brendan T. Maddigan
718.307.6524
[email protected]
718.307.6507
[email protected]
Ethan S. Stanton
718.307.6553
[email protected]
Massey Knakal Realty Services
205 Montague Street, Third Floor
Brooklyn, New York 11201
T: 718.238.8999
F: 718.238.6091
801 Manhattan Avenue
The MK Advantage for Buyers
Best Inventory
On average, Massey Knakal exclusively lists
600+ properties at any given time – the largest
inventory of properties in the New York City
metropolitan area. More buyers and sellers choose
to work with Massey Knakal than any other firm
for any size or type of property transaction.
Best Territory Knowledge
The Massey Knakal Territory System™ assigns
only one sales agent to represent property in a
given area, making these agents superior real estate
experts for their territory. The benefit to you is that
our agents can assist you with making a more
profitable buying decision. You can be confident
that a purchase made through Massey Knakal will
be the right decision for your needs.
Best Opportunity
Massey Knakal treats all buyers fairly, which means that you will always have an equal opportunity to purchase a property. Since Massey Knakal
only handles exclusive listings, you will be able to get accurate property information and up-to-the-minute status reports on the availability of all our
properties. The benefit to you is that you will not waste valuable time tracking properties that have already been sold. Additionally, throughout the
purchasing process, you will always be treated with respect and professionalism by our sales agents.
Massey Knakal: We Know New York City. Know Us.
™
801 Manhattan Avenue
I.
Description of Property
Setup
Aerial Photo
Property Photos
II.
Neighborhood Information
Neighborhood Map
Transportation Maps
Zoning Information
III.
Property Specific Information
Tax Map
DOB Overview
Certificate of Occupancy
I-Card
DHCR Report
IV.
Neighborhood Information
V.
Press Releases
Table of Contents
801 Manhattan Avenue
Section I
801 Manhattan Avenue
Setup
801 Manhattan Avenue
Aerial Property Photograph
N
801 Manhattan Avenue
Building Photograph
801 Manhattan Avenue
Ground floor retail
801 Manhattan Avenue
Common Area
801 Manhattan Avenue
Utility and boiler room
801 Manhattan Avenue
Second Floor - Apartment
801 Manhattan Avenue
Second Floor - Apartment
801 Manhattan Avenue
Second Floor - Kitchen & Bathroom
801 Manhattan Avenue
Rear Exterior Roof
801 Manhattan Avenue
Roof
801 Manhattan Avenue
Section II
801 Manhattan Avenue
Neighborhood Map
East River Ferry Dock
Greenpoint Avenue G Train Station
801 Manhattan Avenue
Nassau Avenue G Train Station
801 Manhattan Avenue
Transportation Information
801 Manhattan Avenue
801 Manhattan Avenue
801 Manhattan Avenue is located two blocks away from the Nassau Avenue G train station as well as being serviced by the MTA B24, B32, B43
and B48 bus routes.
801 Manhattan Avenue
Transportation Information
801 Manhattan Avenue has access to major modes of transportation. The G train, the main
thoroughfare between Brooklyn and Queens, is three blocks away at the Greenpoint Avenue station.
Passengers can also use the G train as a transfer to the L Train, which connects to Manhattan. The
neighborhood is also serviced by numerous MTA bus routes.
By car, the property provides easy transit to Manhattan via the Williamsburg and Queensboro bridges.
The Williamsburg Bridge connects downtown Manhattan to Brooklyn via the Brooklyn-Queens
Expressway (BQE), which is accessible a few blocks away. The BQE leads throughout Brooklyn and
Queens and to most major thoroughfares such as the Long Island Expressway, Grand Central Parkway,
Prospect Expressway, and the Belt Parkway.
The three major metropolitan airports, LaGuardia (10-15 minutes drive), John F. Kennedy (15-20
minutes drive), and Newark (25-30 minutes drive) are located in the immediate Metropolitan area.
The caliber of quick access from 801 Manhattan Avenue to local and regional business destinations is
unusual and definitely enhances the attractiveness of the property.
801 Manhattan Avenue
Zoning Information
801 Manhattan Avenue
New York City’s zoning regulates permitted uses of
the property; the size of the building allowed in
relation to the size of the lot (“floor to area ratio”);
required open space on the lot, the number of
dwelling units permitted; the distance between the
building and the street; the distance between the
building and the lot line; and the amount of parking
required. The manufacturing district has three
different classifications.
801 Manhattan Avenue is zoned C4-3A (R6A Equivalent)
Residential FAR 3.00
Commercial FAR: 3.00
801 Manhattan Avenue
Section III
801 Manhattan Avenue
Tax Map and Location
801 Manhattan Avenue
Block: 2596
Lot:
21
Located on the west side of Manhattan Avenue between Calyer Street and Meserole Avenue
801 Manhattan Avenue
Neighborhood Character
Greenpoint
Certainly one of Brooklyn’s most beautiful neighborhoods, Greenpoint, with its leafy parks, well-maintained brownstones and historic
buildings, is a vibrant working-class neighborhood that has perfected the rare feat of welcoming young artists and professionals while
retaining much of its original and diverse population.
Purchased by the Dutch in 1638 from the Native Americans, Greenpoint along with Williamsburg was part of the mid-seventeenthcentury town known as Bosijck (Bushwick), meaning “the wooded district.” Real development began only in the early and mid-1800s.
Traditionally a Polish enclave, Greenpoint is in reality a smorgasbord of various ethnicities. The “Little Poland” area, where many
second and third generation Polish-Americans continue to reside, runs up Manhattan Avenue from Nassau Street up to Java and India
Streets, beyond which the population becomes increasingly Hispanic, with a smattering of residents hailing from various parts of the
Indian subcontinent. The Greenpoint Islamic Center, located on Leonard Street, is a testimony to the neighborhood’s religious diversity.
Vestiges of the Italian and Irish population remain in the neighborhood as well.
For many of Greenpoint’s residents, new and old, the neighborhood is a welcoming environment with thriving businesses and shops
with a touches of old world European feel. In the summer, McCarren Park Pool, a touchstone of New Deal public works, offers residents
and visitors a chance to cool off.
One interesting note: the streets running roughly perpendicular to the East River are named alphabetically, from Ash to Box, Clay,
Dupont, Eagle, Freeman, Green, Huron, India, Java, Kent, Greenpoint (which used to be Lincoln), Milton, Noble, and Oak Streets.
23
801 Manhattan Avenue
Greenpoint Historic District Map
801 Manhattan Avenue
801 Manhattan Avenue is not located within the Greenpoint Historic District
801 Manhattan Avenue
DOB & ECB Violation Overview
No Open DOB or ECB Violations
801 Manhattan Avenue
Certificate of Occupancy
No Certificate of Occupancy on File
801 Manhattan Avenue
Quarterly property Tax Bill
801 Manhattan Avenue
Tentative Assessment roll
801 Manhattan Avenue is Assessed as Tax Class 1
801 Manhattan Avenue
Section IV
McCarren Park
801 Manhattan Avenue
McCarren Park, the largest public park in the Williamsburg/Greenpoint area, is a
constant attraction to Greenpoint natives and tourists alike. It was renamed from
Greenpoint Park after the death of New York State politician Patrick Henry
McCarren. Ever since its establishment between 1903 and 1905, the park’s
beauty has been matched only by its utility: from the beginning city officials
spared no expense to supply the park with state-of-the-art athletic facilities,
including a ¼-mile track, a field that was adapted for use as an ice rink in winter,
tennis courts, a platform for dancing, play equipment for small children, and
fields for baseball, football, and soccer.
(View of McCarrren Park Along Driggs Avenue)
(Greenpointers Enjoying a Game of Tennis at McCarren Park )
(Bird’s Eye View of Track and Athletic Facilities)
It is a park frequently being revamped and improved, making it the
social and recreational hub of Greenpoint. Events are often held here,
including the Annual Mulchfest, where New Yorkers are encouraged
recycle their previous year’s Christmas trees for a healthier environment.
McCarren Park’s full potential has not been realized yet as nearby
residents clamor for more funds to be spent on improving the park’s
conditions.
(View of Russian Orthodox Cathedral from the Track)
McCarren park pool
801 Manhattan Avenue
McCarren Park Pool, three times the size of an Olympic size swimming pool and a capacity of 6,800
people, was first constructed in 1936 during the LaGuardia administration. One of the eleven pools
constructed by the Works Progress Administration at the height of the Great Depression. During its
golden age, local residents were frequented the pool and it became a cornerstone of the community.
By the 1970s the pool fell into disrepair. In 1979 the city approved the spending of $100 million to
halt further deterioration and restore the pool. McCarren Pool eventually closed for repairs in 1984
but the project remained in limbo for years after.
(Concert at McCarren Park Pool, August 2007)
(Fenced Off Entrance to Formerly Abandoned McCarren Park Pool)
The pool sat empty until 2005 when it was opened as a popular venue for concerts,
dances, and movies. Renovations for the park began in late 2008 and by 2012, a
refurbished McCarren Pool opened just in time for that summer. The historic bathhouse
building and entry arch were rehabilitated and preserved to the relief of locals and
activists. The pool is transformed into an ice skating rink in the winter which only
serves as a testament to the pool’s chameleon-like history.
(Former View of the Abandoned Pool’s Diving Board)
(A Vibrant McCarren Park Pool Today)
31
Monsignor McGolrick Park
801 Manhattan Avenue
A few years before McCarren Park came to be, Winthrop Jones, a
Brooklyn Assemblyman, obtained $132,825 for the land that would
become Winthrop Park in 1889. Work on the land began two years later,
and by the turn of the century the park had a rich lawn, newly planted
trees, paved walkways, and a great innovation in children’s play for the
time – sandboxes. In 1910, the shelter pavilion, one of the park’s most
famous landmarks, was constructed. The shelter pavilion is at the heart
of the park, a curved colonnade complementing the vibrant environment
of the park. Along with McGolrick’s two statue memorials, the shelter
pavilion underwent a $850,900 rehabilitation.
(The Monitor and The Merrimac)
The World War I memorial, sculpted in 1923 by artist Carl Augustus
Herber showcases an angel atop a pedestal to commemorate the 150
men from Greenpoint that fought in the war. The other memorial is a
statue of a sailor created by artist Antonio de Fillipo in 1939. Called
The Monitor and The Merrimac, this memorial commemorates the
battle between the two ships in the American Civil war by those names.
The Monitor was the ironclad Union ship constructed in Greenpoint.
Winthrop Park’s name was changed in honor of the pastor Monsignor
Edward McGolrick, a charismatic leader in the community who was
instrumental in bringing about a school, hospital, and church to the
neighborhood.
(A Closer View of the Angel on the WWI Memorial)
(The Shelter Pavilion and WWI Memorial)
Greenpoint Churches
801 Manhattan Avenue
(Saint Anthony’s of Padua, 862 Manhattan Avenue)
Saint Anthony’s of Padua (above) is the oldest Catholic church
in Greenpoint. It was built in 1875 by architect Patrick C.
Keely. Attired in red brick and white limestone, its 240 foot
spire can be easily seen from almost any location in Greenpoint.
The architecture is of Gothic design.
(Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 155 Milton Street)
Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (above) was built in
1891 by architect Theobald Engelhardt. It holds the same name
today as it did when first constructed. Its token flying buttresses and
lancet windows enliven the façade. The style in which it was
designed is German Neo-Gothic. It is faced with red painted brick.
Saint Elias Greek Rite Catholic Church (left) was built in 1869 by
architect William B. Ditmars. The neighboring social hall was built
in 1879 by W. Wheeler Smith. At the time following its structure, it
was known as The Reformed Dutch Church of Greenpoint. Its
construction consists of bulky brick, brownstone, and whitestone,
with the Victorian Gothic polychromy (note the alternating red and
gray voussoirs). Also observe the cast-iron fence with its Gothic
crests, and the octagonal Sunday school.
(Saint Elias Church, 149 Kent Street)
Greenpoint Churches
801 Manhattan Avenue
(Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, 228 N 12th Street)
The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration
of Our Lord (above) was built from 1916-1921 as a bank
and was designed by architect Louis Allmendinger. The
most unique feature of the cathedral are the five verdigriscopper onion-domed cupolas.
(Saint Stanislaus Kostka Vincentian Fathers Church, 607 Humboldt Street)
The St. Stanislaw Kostka Vincentian Fathers Church (above)
was built in 1890 and now serves as the largest Polish Catholic
congregation in Brooklyn. Its most recognizable features are in
its two complex, asymmetrical, octagonal spires
The Union Baptist Church (left) was built in 1863-1865 and was
originally the First Baptist Church of Greenpoint. Its stylistic
qualities represent an early Romanesque Revival Baptist dissenter
from the English Gothic Revivalism of the Protestant Episcopal
church. It lies in the heart of Greenpoint’s Landmark District.
(Union Baptist Church, 151 Noble Street)
Greenpoint Landmark District
801 Manhattan Avenue
Greenpoint is a neighborhood with a rich history. Such is
certainly recognized by the Landmark Preservation
Commission of New York City. In 1983 the LPC
designated most of the area between Java Street and
Calyer Street running north-south, and Franklin Street
and Leonard Street running east-west as an official
historic district. Many buildings in the area are of major
architectural significance. The residential buildings host
a variety of Greenpoint locals, from low income housing
to well kept masonry row houses. The Late Victorian
and Italianate styles dominate the architecture of the
landmark district. Many of the buildings are direct results
of the construction boom of the 1860s and 1870s in
Greenpoint and still exist today as beautiful architectural
landmarks that also house residents.
(A Map of Greenpoint’s Landmark District)
The Greenpoint Historic District is also home to many other significant structures
including an abundance of churches and cathedrals such as the Saint John’s
Lutheran Church with its German inspired architecture, the Romanesque style
Saint Elias Greek Rite Roman Catholic Church, and the towering St. Anthony of
Padua Roman Catholic Church.
(Kent Street in Greenpoint’s Landmark District)
Relatively untouched by the zoning changes that have affected areas in Greenpoint
and Williamsburg, the landmark district will not be an oasis surrounded by
industrial buildings and warehouses for much longer, as the approved rezoning
plan pushes the industries to the far end of East Williamsburg and encourages
developers to erect lofty condos by the waterfront.
Greenpoint Historic Buildings
801 Manhattan Avenue
Constructed of Pompeian red terra-cotta, brick, and rock-face
brownstone, and boasting grand pilasters crowned by fantastic
Composite capitals in Renaissance Revival style architecture is
144 Franklin Street.
The building was originally the
Mechanics and Traders Bank on the corner of Franklin Street
and Greenpoint Avenue. It is currently a headquarters for the
Polish newspaper Novy Dziennik (“New Day”), and is one of
the most well recognized buildings in the area.
(Mechanics and Traders Bank Building, 144 Franklin Street)
In a community with a strong Polish presence, the Polonaise
Terrace on Greenpoint Avenue is the place to be for any
formal Polish event held in Greenpoint. It serves as a banquet
hall for events such as wedding receptions, the 25th
anniversary of Poland’s Solidarity movement, the recent New
Year’s Eve Ball for the Polish community, and the annual
banquet for the Polish American Congress.
(Polonaise Terrace, 190 Greenpoint Avenue)
Architect Theobald Engeldhardt designed the Greenpoint
Home for the Aged in 1887. The property can be described
as a brick mansion with Italianate massing and Romanesque
Revival arches. The building stands out as one of the most
unique in Greenpoint.
(Greenpoint Home for the Aged, 137 Oak Street)
Greenpoint Historic Buildings
801 Manhattan Avenue
(The Astral Apartments, 184 Franklin Street)
The Astral is an architectural masterpiece of a brownstone apartment building that takes up an entire block.
Its main entrance is on Franklin Street between India Street and Java Street. It was originally constructed
for the refinery workers of Astral Oil Works under Charles Pratt. He commissioned the construction of The
Astral when it was being built in 1885-1886. It was modeled after the Peabody Apartments in Southwark,
London, which were also built by an American businessman for his employees. The same architects that
brought this building to life worked on Pratt Institute, one of New York City’s most prestigious art schools.
Located on the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Calyer Street, the Greenpoint
Savings Bank is one of the oldest prime works of architecture in the
neighborhood. The bank was established in 1869, but was built in 1908 by the
architectural firm of Helmle, Huberty, and Hudswell in the neo-Roman style. Its
dome is modeled after the Roman’s Pantheon, which was shingled in the same
pattern but in bronze. The Doric columns are made of limestone and rest on a
granite base.
(Greenpoint Savings Bank, 807 Manhattan Avenue)
Greenpoint Bars
801 Manhattan Avenue
With over sixteen beers on tap and dozens more from around the world, the
Mark Bar at 1025 Manhattan Avenue serves food and drinks every night to
4:00 AM. Residents from both Greenpoint and Williamsburg flock to The
Mark Bar to see some of New York’s hottest bands and DJs perform. If its
your mental capacity that you would like to improve, come in any Monday
night to test your trivia skills.
(The Mark Bar, 1025 Manhattan Avenue)
The Pencil Factory Pub, 142 Franklin Street at the corner of Greenpoint Avenue,
is the perfect place to relax with friends and have a pint. After opening in midDecember in the home of the former Miltonian Social Club, the much needed
neighborhood bar quickly attracted a real cross-section of the community: Polish
gents, artist types and some of Brooklyn’s bravest.
(The Pencil Factory, 142 Franklin Street)
Enid's may be a shoulder-to-shoulder singles scene on weekend nights, but its
kitchen turns out surprisingly satisfying comfort food during the day and evening.
The menu is small and focused on hearty, southern-style grub: fried chicken,
blackened catfish sandwiches, pulled pork, and gooey baked macaroni and cheese.
All-American desserts like chocolate bourbon cake and apple pie come from the
nearby Blue Stove bakery. For people-watching (and smoking) during nice weather,
there’s also a small strip of coveted sidewalk tables. — Kaitlin Jessing-Butz, New
York Magazine
(Enid’s, 560 Manhattan Avenue)
Greenpoint Restaurants
801 Manhattan Avenue
Polish
Thai
Italian
1 - Amarin Cafe
2 - Ott
3 - Thai Cafe
4 - Thai Too
1 - Divine Folly
2 - Carmine's Pizza
3 - Italy Pizza
4 - Monsignor's
5 - Russ Pizza
Sandwiches/Burgers
Cafes
1 - Apollo Deli
2 - Luncheonette Fountain
3 - Frank & Son
4 - Franklin Corner Store
5 - God Bless Deli
6 - My Place
1 - Ash Box
2 - Cup O' Joe
3 - Greenpoint Coffee
4 - Java & Wood
5 - Maria's Coffee Shop
6 - Syrena Bakery
Diners
Spanish/Mexican
Jamaican
1 - Manhattan 3 Decker
2 - Sunset Diner
1 - Accapulco
2 - Naranjito
1 - Bleu Drawes
Chinese
Bars
Bars (continued)
1 - Chinese Musician
1 - Enid's
2 - Europa
3 - Excess Club
4 - Kingsland Tavern
5 - Mark Bar
6 - Matchless
7 - Murphy's
8 - Pencil Factory
9 – Splendid
10 - Thomas Tavern
1 - Antek
2 - Christina's
3 - Continental
4 - Happy End
5 - Jagienka
6 - Lomzynianka
7 - Old Poland
8 - Pod Wierchami
9 – Polmart
10 - Polska
Information obtained from www.greenpunkt.com
Greenpoint Restaurants
801 Manhattan Avenue
A tell tale sign that your neighborhood is changing is the sudden
influx of multiple Thai restaurants. Greenpoint is no exception to
this rule. Moon Shadow, located at 643 Manhattan Avenue offers a
wide array of Thai/American fusion cuisine. If it’s a more traditional
Thai dish you are looking for, try Ott at 970 Manhattan Avenue.
Thai Café at 925 Manhattan Avenue was founded by the owners of
Planet Thailand in neighboring Williamsburg. Their dishes are on
par with their sister restaurant to the south. For the best Chinese in
Greenpoint, head to the Chinese Musician where you get fast
service for low prices on food far superior to the usual Chinese
takeout.
(Chinese Musician, 151 Greenpoint Avenue)
Greenpoint’s Polish residents have made their own contributions
to the area’s culinary atmosphere. Polish delis and bakeries are
situated throughout the major retail corridors of the area. The
smell of fresh baked bread often fills the air along Manhattan and
Nassau Avenues. Star Bakery at 176 Nassau Avenue is a good
bet if you are looking for the freshest loafs. Café Riviera at 830
Manhattan Avenue serves their home-cooked style of Polish
cuisine for both lunch and dinner.
(Thai Cafe, 925 Manhattan Avenue)
Bleu Drawes Café at 97 Commercial Street offers Greenpoint’s
residents a unique blend of Southern and Caribbean dishes served
hot to the order. The Queen’s Hideaway at 222 Franklin Street
only adds to the wide range of great restaurants to choose from in
Greenpoint. Its take on soul food will put a smile on your face.
(Bleu Drawes Cafe, 97 Commercial Street)
Greenpoint Galleries
801 Manhattan Avenue
Located on 117 Dobbin Street, Goliath Visual Space is an art gallery that
began as a temporary exhibition space for only two artists in 1998. Along
with renovations came a ten member artist board in 2003 to expand the
impact of this gallery in the Greenpoint art scene. Within the next few
years, its programs would attract numerous national and international
artists to display their work at Goliath. To date it has exhibited the work of
105 artists. Goliath Visual Space remains a non-profit, artist run gallery
that seeks to establish a tight knit community between artists in the area,
especially those that are new or underrepresented.
(Goliath Visual Space, 117 Dobbin Street)
If you’re looking for a dark mansion setting, Dabora Gallery at 1080
Manhattan Avenue is the place to be. Full of red curtains, elaborate
low-hanging chandeliers, and animal fur rugs over carpet, the
atmosphere has attracted many as much as the artwork itself hanging
on the gallery walls. The Dabora Gallery has been the site of photo
shoots for magazines such as Stuff, FHM, and Korean Vogue.
Pop/Rock bands and various photographers have used the Dabora
Gallery as a backdrop. It is available to rent for filming, photo shoots,
parties, and other special events.
(Dabora Gallery, 1080 Manhattan Avenue)
A Current Exhibition at
Brooklyn Fire Proof,
101 Richardson Street
The Brooklyn Fire Proof Gallery is located in a warehouse at 101
Richardson Street. Its aim is to assimilate artists of all backgrounds
regardless of their medium of expression into an encouraging community.
This gallery seeks to especially help those who use multi-sensory mediums
to create their art. Brooklyn Fire Proof is constantly working to free artists
from any obstacles that would hinder their expression, work which
includes providing financial assistance to artists in need.
801 Manhattan Avenue
Section V
801 Manhattan Avenue
(Rendering of Proposed Development at 77-87 Commercial Street)
Construction on the first of two long-awaited parks along the Greenpoint waterfront is set to begin in 2015, spurred by money from the developers of two
massive residential projects on the waterfront that were approved last year. In preparation, the city's Economic Development Corp. issued a request for
proposals Friday, seeking a contractor who could begin roughly doubling the size of the one-acre Newtown Barge Park at the beginning of 2015, and
construction of the nearby, 2.5-acre Box Street Park one year later.
"We're very glad that these two major, open-space amenities that were committed to back in 2005 are finally moving forward," said City Councilman Stephen
Levin, D-Brooklyn. Plans for the parks were first floated when the gritty Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront was rezoned for residential development in
2005, yet cash to actually bring the greenspaces to fruition vanished. Fast forward to the end of last year, when two massive, controversial projects were
approved by the city. The developers of those complexes each contributed money to build the parks on top of millions in city capital dollars, albeit in
different ways.
The Park Tower group, which is behind the 5,500-unit Greenpoint Landing project, chipped in a total of $5.5 million to fund the construction of Newtown
Barge Park. The Chetrit Group, on the other hand, is expected to purchase air rights from the Box Street Park site for roughly $8 million, which will be used
to help fund construction. That site is currently occupied by a Metropolitan Transportation Authority parking lot, though the city is chipping in up to $10
million to move that facility to the Bronx, which is expected to happen at the end of 2015. Some of the park funding was increased as a result of last-minute
negotiations between Mr. Levin and the developers in December.
43
801 Manhattan Avenue
'Tis the season for rooftop bars, and now the Land of Leeches has added a brand new one to its
repertoire. Northern Territory, an Australia-themed restaurant and bar, opened off the Nassau stop
about a month ago, and is offering up small plates, entrees, cocktails and a view of the Manhattan
skyline.
The eatery is run by the folks behind Berry Park, a beer hall and popular rooftop bar located just a
few blocks away on Wythe Ave. Inside, Northern Territory's a little smaller than its big sister, with
a few tables, booths and a long L-shaped bar that doubles as a dining counter. As is becoming de
rigueur in Northern Brooklyn, the restaurant boasts a rustic decor, with wood-paneled walls, dim
lighting and street art-esque wall art.
(Northern Territory, 12 Franklin Street)
Menu-wise, Northern Territory offers an assortment of small plates—grilled calamari ($10),
"chips" with with sweet chili & sour cream ($5), tomato and garlic bruschetta ($4)—and skewered
meats and veggies, like sirloin steak and onions ($5) and mint marinated lamb ($6). You can also
opt for larger entrees, with Down Under standouts including "fish in foil" served with rosemary
potato wedges ($16) and beef meat pies made by Aussie sandwich cafe Tuck Shop ($13). They've
got Australian, New Zealander and domestic beers on tap ($6-$8) and by the bottle ($7-$12), along
with an assortment of wines, and $11 specialty and classic cocktails.
Naturally, though, the real draw here is the rooftop. Though it's only a few floors above ground,
the roof boasts a solid view of Midtown and the Empire State Building; it has its own bar, and
there are about a dozen or so tables and booths for elevated boozing. We haven't quite hit solid 7080 degree weather, but once it happens, you can bet this rooftop will be packed—maybe it'll take
the heat off Berry Park and Williamsburg favorite Night of Joy nearby.
44
801 Manhattan Avenue
The wheels are starting to turn on the construction of Greenpoint Landing – a mega-project that
will fill 20 acres of the Greenpoint waterfront with about 5,000 apartments.
Greenpoint Landing Associates, an entity of Manhattan-based developer George Klein's Park
Tower Group, has filed plans with the city Buildings Department for two relatively small
residential buildings – a prelude to planned towers of 30 to 40 stories at the site at Commercial
and West streets.
A Buildings Department plan exam is in process for a March filing by Handel Architects to
construct a six-story, 93-unit apartment building with about 2,500 square feet of commercial
space at 21 Commercial St. And this week, Langan Engineering applied for a permit to build a
sidewalk and curb at this location. The desolate fenced-in parking lot has jaw-dropping views of
the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and other jewels of the midtown skyline.
Architect’s Rendering of 33 Eagle Street
On April 1, the Buildings Department disapproved a plan exam for Handel Architects' filing for
the construction of a seven-story, 98-unit apartment building with about 1,500 square feet of
commercial space at 33 Eagle St. There's a new Langan Engineering application for a sidewalk
and curb construction permit for this site, too. The fenced-in vacant Eagle Street lot, which has
views of 1 World Trade Center, is right next to the city Department of Environmental
Protection's East River Sludge Storage Tank. The huge concrete tank will be torn down. Most of
Greenpoint Landing's high-rise apartment construction is as-of-right because of a 2005
Greenpoint-Williamsburg rezoning.
Greenpoint Landing – which includes affordable apartments, a park and space for a public
school – has been a long time coming. With big changes getting underway in Greenpoint, it's a
fitting moment to take a look at the cherished streetscapes of this once-mighty industrial
neighborhood.
On Commercial Street, Future Site of Greenpoint Landing
45
801 Manhattan Avenue
Nearly four years ago, Knitting Factory alums Joshua Richholt and Shay Vishwadia found the perfect space for a music venue-cum-beer hall in an industrial
part of North Brooklyn. This summer, their vision is finally becoming a reality. “I’m super excited,” Richholt told the Greenpoint Gazette. “We’re in the
home stretch.”
Instead of one space, they’ve created two and dubbed them The Wick and The Well. Brooklynites will be able to get their music fix at The Wick, an 8,000square-foot space that will offer food and drinks along with live performances from bands both big and small. Just next door is The Well, an expansive beer
bar and outdoor space with room for over 1,000 people. “We’re trying to keep it as a blank slate,” Richholt said, referring to The Well. “We called it the
“public house” because we didn’t want people to think it’s just a beer garden — the space lends itself to a bunch of different things.”
When this “public house” opens in May, bartenders will offer 60 beers on tap and 150 beers in bottles, mostly from New York breweries. The space is
outfitted with a full kitchen that will serve up comfort foods like pulled pork and barbecue chicken dreamed up by the guys who run the Lodge and Urban
Rustic Food. The backyard area will also feature a food truck.
Richholt envisions the The Wick as a “cornerstone of music” in the East Williamsburg/Bushwick neighborhood, which seems to be crawling with musicians
these days. “There are so many musicians in this neighborhood and so many artists,” he said. “It has such a great music scene.”
But while there are a few smaller music venues in the neighborhood, Richholt says there’s nothing as large The Wick. It works to their benefit that they’ve set
up shop in an industrial area, where they won’t have to deal with noise issues as they would in other areas.
Bringing the building up to code has been a long, stressful process, but Riccholt and Vishwadia were up to the challenge. They’re veterans of this line of work
after all: Together they have nearly 30 years of experience running music venues. They met while working at the Knitting Factory, but split off over three
years ago to get to work on The Wick and The Well. In that time, they’ve seen many smaller music venues open up in North Brooklyn, as more and more
establishments are priced out of Manhattan. It’s only natural they’d all end up in Brooklyn, Riccholt said.
46
801 Manhattan Avenue
Home of Lena Dunham's character on the HBO show "Girls,"
Greenpoint is slightly safer and cheaper than neighboring
Williamsburg. There are a few parks and a whole lot of young people,
making this Brooklyn neighborhood a fun place to shop, drink, and eat.
The median rent in Greenpoint is $1,157 with residents averaging a
median income of $31,703. 14% of residents are 25 to 34 years old.*
*Methodology for Top Metro Areas from Niche Ink as reported by Business Insider reads as follows:
“The Top 25 Cities and Neighborhoods for Millenials ranks the top metro areas in the United States using
more than a dozen factors, including data from the U.S. Census, FBI crime rates, and proprietary Niche
rankings based on surveys of nearly 500,000 college students and recent grads over the last four years”
Click here for full methodology.
or
See article link here: http://ink.niche.com/methodology-25-best-places-live-millennials/
47
801 Manhattan Avenue
More than 5,000 skaters have taken a glide at the shiny new McCarren Park ice skating rink, but
its chances of staying open much beyond the holidays remain on thin ice. The highly anticipated,
60-foot-wide rink in the middle of the newly renovated pool opened nine days ago.
“It’s been great,” said Ed Janoff, executive director of Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn,
which runs the rink in the Greenpoint park. But, he added, it’s still too early to decide whether
there will be enough traffic to keep the rink open past early January. Last year, the Alliance beat
out one other unnamed group that pursued the contract to run the rink, according to the city Parks
Department. Under a 12-year deal, the Alliance will pay the city $1,000 the first year, $2,000 the
second year and $3,000 the third year. The payments increase to $17,000 in the 12th year or 10%
of gross receipts, if that sum is greater.
McCarren Park Pool in Winter
The opening earlier this month was even welcomed by Geoffrey Croft, the city’s most vocal
gadfly on any parks-related matter. “New York City has so few ice skating rinks and North
Brooklyn definitely needs one,” said Croft, head of NYC Park Advocates. The oft-quoted Parks
Department critic noted that the rink’s 7,200 square feet of skating area — it can accommodate
up to 300 skaters — is on the small side. “But,” he said, “I think it will be a welcome addition to
the neighborhood.”
Indeed, North Brooklyn has been quick to lace up its skates. “A lot of kids go to school in this
area so the ice skating rink is ideal," said Victoria Palosinski, 13, who zoomed around with some
of her school friends Sunday. "Sure Central Park is bigger, but the lines are no longer there too.
There is no wait here.” As for McCarren, the pool re-opened last year for the first time since
1984, following $50 million in renovations.
Children enjoying
48
801 Manhattan Avenue
New Park to Blossom on Greenpoint Waterfront
By Matt Chaban
May 6, 2013
Long-promised green space will replace an Metropolitan Transportation Authority
parking lot in a complex deal involving the two developers of a big waterfront
residential property nearby and the $8 million sale of air rights. Proceeds will help
fund park construction.
It took years, but the Bloomberg administration is finally delivering on more of the open space it promised in connection with the massive 2005 rezoning of the
Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront. The city has selected developers David Bistricer and Joseph Chetrit to help develop a 3-acre park at the mouth of Newtown
Creek, bringing desperately needed waterfront open space to northern Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The city is expected to announce the agreement at a community board
meeting in the neighborhood Monday night. In addition to paving the way for 30- and 40-story towers all along the East River waterfront, the 2005 rezoning was
meant to bring a few parks along the water as well. The community has often grumbled that what little waterfront open space has been created has mostly been built
by developers. Meanwhile, plans for major public projects like Bushwick Inlet Park and the Box Street park have languished. The Box Street park can now move
forward, thanks to a deal with Messrs. Bistricer and Chetrit. The developers—who have worked on such high profile projects as the Bossert Hotel in Brooklyn
Heights, midtown's Flatotel and the Sony Building—bought a site at 77 Commercial St. last year for $25 million, with plans to build the kind of soaring luxury
apartment complex that has become the signature of the new Brooklyn waterfront. To help facilitate that development, Messrs. Bistricer and Chetrit are buying
development rights from neighboring 65 Commercial St., a parking lot for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Access-A-Ride buses. As part of the rezoning,
the MTA agreed to relocate its buses to free up the space for a new park, but difficulties in finding a new parking site and the 2008 collapse of the real estate market
delayed the move, angering residents. City Hall has argued that it was doing everything it could to get the parks built, and that only now is the market coming around
to help fund them. Last August, the city finally released an request for proposals for the MTA site, at the corner of Box Street and Commercial Street, which Messrs.
Bistricer and Chetrit won. City officials are expected to announce the agreement at a community board meeting Monday evening. The developers will pay about $8
million for roughly 300,000 square feet in air rights (the exact amounts are being determined through an independent appraisal). Those air rights will be transferred
off the MTA site and onto the neighboring development site, doubling the allowable amount of construction there to about 475,000 square feet. In exchange, the $8
million will go toward the construction of a park on Box Street. The city Parks Department issued a request for proposals from landscape architects and designers in
April and expects to unveil plans in the fall. Those architects are also working on expanding nearby Newtown Barge Park, an effort being funded by an even bigger
development, Greenpoint Landing, a 22-acre development being undertaken by the Park Tower Group. They paid $2.5 million to the city for the park. Both projects
are expected to enter public review together some time this summer, to facilitate a more cohesive plan for this more than half-mile stretch of the Brooklyn waterfront.
Park Tower was also interested in including the MTA site in its development, but the Bistricer-Chetrit team ultimately won out. In addition to the $8 million, Messrs.
Bistricer and Chetrit have agreed to make 200 units of their roughly 700-unit project affordable. (The exact number of units is still being determined for the
Cetra/Ruddy-designed project.) "The city insisted on affordable, so there's going to be affordable housing," David Bistricer said. The project was not going to include
any, but now it will, and can take advantage of programs like 421-a tax credits, which provide tax breaks for building affordable housing. Mr. Bistricer said he is
looking forward to developing his project. "It's a very good neighborhood with new construction on the waterfront, and it's the right time for it," Mr. Bistricer said.
"Especially with this new park, it's going to be very nice."
801 Manhattan Avenue
New B32 Bus Line for North Brooklyn’s Burgeoning
Waterfront
By Adam Janos
May 3, 2013
The MTA held a public hearing on Monday, April 29th to discuss the B32 bus, a new line proposed for the rapidly growing Williamsburg
/Greenpoint waterfront. The new route would run from a southern terminus at Williamsburg Bridge Plaza (and the Marcy Avenue Station,
connecting to the J /Z and M trains) up north along Franklin Street before crossing into Long Island City and finishing at the Court Square station
(allowing transfers to the 7, E, G and M lines).
The B32 is an acknowledgement by the MTA of the significant development the waterfront has seen over the last several years, and the growing
needs of its community. Currently, the closest north-south bus service is on Bedford and Manhattan Avenues, 3-4 blocks away. Commuters to
Manhattan received relief in the summer of 2011 with the opening of the East River Ferry (stops on India and North 6th Streets), but those who
wish to work within the limits of their MetroCards have remained woefully underserved.
Several residents came to the hearing to raise concerns about the plan. Glen Radecky noted the bus’s infrequent schedule (7AM – 9PM, every 30
minutes, Monday through Friday) and criticized the decision to cut off service early in the evening. Given the proliferation of bars and late-night
offerings, he argued, the neighborhood has become a hot spot deserving 24 hour service.
A representative from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s office attended the hearing and read a statement by the legislator, questioning whether
the B32 does enough to help Greenpoint’s larger problem of long commutes into the city. “Residents of Greenpoint and Williamsburg are looking
for better ways to reach jobs in Manhattan. They are hoping for bus service from their neighborhood that goes across the East River into
Manhattan,” the statement read. “There would be strong support for a route that went in a circle from Williamsburg Bridge Plaza… over the Pulaski
Bridge into Long Island City up to the 59th Street Bridge to the East Side of Manhattan… and over the Williamsburg Bridge back to the plaza and
origination point.”
An MTA spokesperson, however, said there are no plans to expand the B32 line. Still, frequency of buses would be subject to change, with the
official noting, “We will observe ridership as we do with all of our routes.”
Assemblyman Joe Lentol thinks that’s selling us short.
“The transit authority treats us like a small village and not the metropolis we’ve become. No mater how we do this, we need to make connections
into Manhattan,” protested the Assemblyman, noting the residential boom as reason enough to add more options. According to the Department of
City Planning, Community Board 1’s population grew by 7.9% from 2000 to 2010, far outpacing the 2.1% growth of the city overall during that
same time frame.
With the public hearing over, the MTA Board will vote on the new route in June. Should they approve, implementation of the service will begin this
coming autumn.
801 Manhattan Avenue
Pay the ferryman! New East River service begins
By J.J. Despain and Aaron Short
June 14, 2011
New York Waterway launched its much-anticipated ferry fleet on Monday, shuttling Manhattan-bound commuters across the East River for the first time
since 2009.
At 7 am, there was already a line at each pier, but service didn’t officially begin until a boatload of giddy public officials, including Mayor Bloomberg, cut
a ceremonial ribbon and boarded a 76-foot catamaran in Williamsburg to celebrate the ship’s maiden voyage to Midtown — the result of a three-year,
$9.3-million subsidy by the city.
Bloomberg called the money an investment in the city’s waterfront development.
“The new ferry service will augment growth of Brooklyn neighborhoods and make it easier for New Yorkers to commute from and get to these residential
neighborhoods and waterfront parks,” he said.
The new service will make stops at Fulton Ferry Landing in DUMBO, Schaefer Landing and Northside Pier in Williamsburg, and India Street in
Greenpoint every 20 to 30 minutes for 14 hours a day.
The ferry is free until June 24, when water commuters will pay $4 for a single ride or $140 for a monthly pass. There’s a $1 surcharge for bikes.
The last company to ferry passengers across the East River pulled up anchor two years ago amid complaints that the city failed to subsidize the service to
allow the company to make any money.
This time around, New York Waterway CEO Paul Goodman said the city’s support, two new piers, and the frequency of ferry service would keep their
company afloat.
“The city’s subsidizing our service allows us to offer rush hour frequency which is different than any previous attempt to provide commuter service,” said
Goodman.
Already there is some carping: One bike advocacy group wants cycles to be free, and the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association wants the service
expanded to Pier 6 at the foot of Atlantic Avenue.
But most commuters were thrilled to set sail.
“It’s really fast, and it was a smooth ride, so that’s good,” said Shavonn Dubois, who picked up a boat from Fulton Landing. “Anything that means I don’t
have to get on a train is a good thing.”
And Williamsburg resident Mary Meehan, who boarded at Northside Pier at N. Sixth Street, called the ride a “treat.”
“Oh my goodness, there’s no city like New York City,” said Meehan. “We’ve got everything now!”
— with Meredith Deliso
801 Manhattan Avenue
Franklin Street Draws Crowd
Kavita Mokha
January 2011
A retail and culinary explosion inspired by new restaurants, chic boutiques and general stores with an old-time aesthetic has taken hold of Franklin Street in Greenpoint,
Brooklyn. A string of independent clothing stores have sprung up within steps of each other on a stretch of Franklin Street between Green and Oak streets in the past
couple of years—some with attached studio workspace where many of the wares are designed and created.
Other clothing newcomers to open their doors on Franklin Street since 2009 include People of the Free Mind, Julia James, Petit Boudoir, Pip-Squeak Chapeau Etc. and
Old Hollywood.
Many along the indie fashion retail strip say they've had a warm reception in Greenpoint, traditionally a Polish stronghold with an industrial past.
"I hit the right audience at the right time—a time when people don't want to look like everybody else." said John-Michael Schlotter, designer-owner of newly opened
boutique People of the Free Mind.
"We see a lot more young families with strollers on the sidewalks," said Jackie Satta, a Greenpoint native who owns Garden Spot Café.
And slightly longer commute is no match for the still-affordable digs that Greenpoint has to offer. "I don't need to go to Manhattan much," said Julia Young, owner of
Julia James clothing boutique. "I just wanted to get in while Franklin was still expanding and affordable.“
In addition to the budding fashion row, half a dozen restaurants offering diverse culinary treats have popped up on Franklin Street. They include pizza joint Paulie Gee's,
Cookie Road Café, French café and crêperie Le Gamin, Vamos Al Tequila and Anella.
Other parts of Greenpoint are also undergoing growth spurts.
"What's happening on Franklin Street is representative of what's happening throughout Greenpoint," said Ed Veneziano, acting chairman of the Greenpoint Business
Alliance
*Excerpt from The Wall Street Journal article
801 Manhattan Avenue
More Waterfront Access Coming to Greenpoint
Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
City Breaks Ground in Brooklyn on New Pier, Park and Waterfront Esplanade
"It wasn't so long ago," said NYC Department of City Planning Director Amanda Burden this past August 3, "that this waterfront was completely fenced
off from the public and badly deteriorating.“
Ms. Burden was at the groundbreaking of a new public space and pier being built by the city along the East River at the Greenpoint waterfront. Because
the site used to be occupied by WNYC radio transmission towers, the future green space has been dubbed WNYC Transmitter Park.
"Across all five boroughs we're working to bring our waterfront back to life for recreational use by New Yorkers, and WNYC Transmitter Park will be the
latest, but not the last, new park we're bringing to Greenpoint," promised Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. The $12-million, 18-month
redevelopment project is part of the Bloomberg Admnistration's vision of continuous public access along the Greenpoint/Williamsburg shoreline
articulated in 2005 when the area was rezoned.
The design of the new waterfront park includes an unusually long pier of concrete platforms connected by aluminum bridges at the end of Kent Street. As
envisioned by EDAW/McLaren Engineering Group/WXY architecture + urban design, Transmitter Park will also feature a pedestrian bridge (right) built
across an excavated historic ferry slip and restored as a wetland accessible to visitors. By early 2012, look for the pier and the esplanade,as well as a large
lawn, a children's play area and nature gardens.
Bushwick Inlet Park
801 Manhattan Avenue
Parking lot paradise on waterfront
By Ben Muessig
April 19, 2008
A weed-strewn parking lot on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg will bloom into a lush waterfront area that features a cutting-edge building topped with a
slanted lawn under the latest city plan to create a world-class waterfront park.
The city moved quickly to release renderings of the first phase of the long-planned 28-acre Bushwick Inlet Park this month — just weeks after the state unplugged a
plan to put a powerplant in the same spot between North Ninth and North 10th streets.
“We want to make every square inch as usable as possible,” architect Gregory Kiss told Community Board 1 on April 8.
“Instead of wasting a third of the space for a parking lot and a maintenance building, we designed a grass slope that will go up and over the building, which creates a
100 percent usable space as well as an overlook for the entire park.”
Neighborhood groups are behind Kiss’s daring plan.
“Covering the roof with a lawn is an amazing solution,” said Dewey Thompson, co-chair of Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks and Planning. “It looked
like we were going to have a big shed or a maintenance building in our park, but the lawn roofing is a great way to get around that.”
And it’s not just the grassy roof that’s going to be green. Solar panels will provide the building’s energy and excess water will go through filters before draining to
the river.
The city plans to break ground on the athletic field this fall and complete it by next summer, when construction will begin on the sloped building. The waterfront
wetlands will come later.