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Cadman Plaza Park Gets a Cafe Upgrade – Proposals Due February 15

By
Dann Berg
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Cadman Plaza Park Cement Building Cafe

Get ready, Brooklynites! A brand new cafe is coming to Cadman Plaza Park in Downtown Brooklyn, and it’s going to be absolutely amazing. The NYC Parks Department is currently accepting proposals from businesses interested in setting up shop in the circa 1950s concrete maintenance building near Cadman Plaza West and Tillary Street.

The chosen concessionaire, who must have experience in the food service industry, will be tasked with turning the current structure into a cafe that adds to the ambiance of the park and provides a much-needed amenity to park goers. And the best part? The successful bidder will be able to expand the current 450-square-foot building and add tables, chairs, and umbrellas, as well as seating on the surrounding lawn if decking is installed and on the park’s center oval (pending Parks’ approval, of course).

Cadman Plaza Park Upcoming Cafe

But that’s not all! The twin building opposite the cafe site will also be converted into a comfort station at some point in the future, so there will be a place to freshen up after all that caffeine. And if you’re feeling a little tipsy, don’t worry – the cafe will be able to sell alcohol “to complement the food service,” as long as they get a license from the State Liquor Authority.

So if you’re a business owner with a passion for coffee (or alcohol) and a love for all things Brooklyn, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Don’t miss out – proposals are due on February 15. We can’t wait to see what amazing new cafe will be coming to Cadman Plaza Park!

Primark Brings Budget-Friendly Fashion to Brooklyn

By
Dann Berg
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Are you tired of overpriced, trendy fashion? Look no further than Primark’s latest store at City Point in Brooklyn, New York! Because nothing says “happy holidays” like budget-friendly fashion essentials for the whole family. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love the excitement of fighting their way through hordes of fellow penny-pinching shoppers to get their hands on the latest homewares and gifts?

But seriously, New York recently topped the list of the world’s most expensive cities, so it’s no surprise that residents are on the hunt for budget-friendly options. And with 49,000 square feet of retail space, Primark’s City Point store is sure to have something for everyone. Plus, with the retailer’s aggressive expansion plan to reach 60 stores by 2026, you’ll soon be able to enjoy the thrills of cheap fashion at a location near you!

But don’t worry, Primark hasn’t completely forgotten about sustainability. Through its Primark Cares initiative, the company is working to make all of its clothes from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials, ensure that its clothing is recyclable by design, halve carbon emissions across its value chain, and pursue a living wage for workers in its supply chain. So go ahead, shop guilt-free at Primark. Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.

Gentrification in the Skies: The Brooklyn Tower Rising

By
OhNoDoBro
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9 Dekalb towering over Ft. Greene Park

(Editor’s Note: This opinion post was made by an anonymous contributor. Please contact us if you’d like to contribute.)

The Brooklyn Tower is a towering monstrosity currently under construction in the outer boroughs of New York City, because apparently Manhattan wasn’t enough for all the wealthy yuppies looking to gentrify yet another neighborhood. Standing at an impressive 1,066-feet, this 93-story behemoth will surely block out the sun and ruin the skyline for everyone else. Developed by JDS Development and designed by SHoP Architects, the Brooklyn Tower will feature a whopping 550 units for the rich and wealthy, with a measly 150 units for purchase and a slightly more generous 120 units for affordable rentals. Because God forbid the average person be able to afford to live in a decent neighborhood anymore.

But don’t worry, the Brooklyn Tower isn’t just a place for the wealthy to rest their privileged heads at night. No, it also features a whopping 100,000-square-feet of retail space, because we definitely need more overpriced coffee shops and trendy boutiques in Brooklyn. And if that wasn’t enough, the tower will also have a range of luxurious amenities, including a 24-hour attended lobby, package valet, and in-house coffee stand. Because nothing says “luxury living” like waiting around for someone to take your packages and getting a slightly overpriced caffeine fix in the comfort of your own building.

But the cherry on top of this gentrification sundae has to be the roof deck of the Dime Savings Bank, which will feature an outdoor swimming pool, kids pool, whirlpool, sundecks, hammock lounge, and outdoor dining area with barbecue grills and a fire pit. Because nothing says “welcoming to the community” like building a giant tower and then barricading yourself atop it, looking down upon the plebeians below with disdain. But hey, at least there’s a basketball court on the 66th floor for all the poor, displaced Brooklynites to enjoy. Or they could just stare wistfully at the Sky Lounge on the 85th floor, where the wealthy elite can sip champagne and enjoy panoramic views of the city they’ve ruined. The Brooklyn Tower is set to be completed in the first half of 2023, so mark your calendars for the official start of the Brooklyn gentrification apocalypse.

Beloved abolitionist Landmark finally getting much-needed stabilization work

By
Dann Berg
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Stabilization work at abolitionist 227 Duffield Street
Photo by Susan De Vries

Downtown Brooklyn played an important role in the underground railroad and the larger abolitionist movement. Most of those relevant neighborhood locations have been torn down (many in the past decade). But there’s one building that survived — 227 Duffield Street — and has since been granted landmark status and promised some much-needed stabilization work. Brownstoner recently spotted some construction workers at the site, meaning that work may be moving forward:

Workers were busy at the beleaguered former home of 19th century abolitionists in Downtown Brooklyn when Brownstoner stopped by Monday — a possible sign that stabilization of the landmarked but neglected building might be inching forward.

With all the history of this building (and the street), I’m happy that at least one location will remain standing amongst all the new construction.

The Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood has changed so much over the past decade and a half, and Duffield Street is one of the most striking illustrations of that change.

If you’re not familiar with the how this neighborhood used to be, you should take a step back in time to 2009 using Google Street View. Take a look around at block full of Brownstones and (relatively) short buildings. Then travel through the years using the navigation panel in the top left to watch it transform into the street we know today.

Duffield Street in 2009 from Google Street View
Photo via Google Street View

I’m looking forward to the day when we can finally see a clear view of 227 Duffield Street, unblocked from all the construction work. Much like the remnants of the old “Cafeteria” sign on Fulton, this building will be a singular glimpse into the past in a neighborhood that’s otherwise unrecognizable.

Comedy Variety Spicy Medley Show at Dekalb Market

By
Dann Berg
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Spicy Medley Comedy Show

Spicy Medley is the HOTTEST comedy variety show in Brooklyn. Hosted by Tess Tregellas and Sara Bergmark who are iconically known as the “girls in the pepper suits.” Spicy Medley features a mixed bag of comedic acts including, Stand Up Comedians, Musical Comedians, Character Actors and always something SPICY. This show is perfect for a memorable night out in Downtown Brooklyn. Bring a group of friends, invite your visiting parents, or have a unique date night, without breaking the bank. Each show features new acts that are guaranteed to spice up your night, every other Wednesday at the Dekalb Stage.

Upcoming Shows:

When: September 1st, September 15th, September 29th!
Time: Doors at 730pm Show 800pm
TICKETS: HERE!
Where: DeKalb Stage 445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Downstairs in the Markethall!)
Who: Acts from Comedy Central, Netflix, Broadway, and many more!

Sept. 1st Line Up

ASHLEY GAVINN
@ashgavs
We’re Having Gay Sex Podcast, Comedy Central, Netflix is a Joke

GIANMARCO SORESI
@gianmarcosoresi
Netflix, Vanity Fair, Comedy Central

VANNESSA JACKSON
@nnessleigh
A Little Late with Lilly Singh, ABFF Comedy Festival

NILES ABSTON
@thenilesabstonshow
Co-Host of The Clowncast Podcast, Comedy Album “Girls Don’t Twerk to Jokes”

HARPER ROSE DRUMMOND
@harperrosed
Co-Host of The Clowncast Podcast, The Comedy Store

SAMI SHWAEBER
@samischwaeber
UCB, The Bell House, Union Hall

Ruth Bader Ginsburg honored with statue in City Point

By
Dann Berg
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg statue

The legend herself is now immortalized at City Point in Downtown Brooklyn. You should pop in and see it next time you’re in the area.

I must say, the location of the statue is pretty cool. It’s right inside the entrance to City Point from Flatbush. It’s one of the lesser-used entrances, north of the typical Trader Joes entrance. But you can see it easily from the street as you’re walking past.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg statue

Aerial view of the Dekalb/Fulton/Flatbush triangle

By
Dann Berg
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Demolition at Dekalb, Flatbush, and Fulton

I discussed the demotion that’s happening at the triangle between Flatbush Ave, Fulton Street, and Dekalb Ave in a prior post, but didn’t have this super-cool aerial view at the time.

I know that Redsky Capital own the lot that’s at the bottom of hte photo, closer to Albee Square, but I’m not sure about the lot along Flatbush Ave. I assume they own that, too?

If both lots are owned by the same company, I imagine there are quite a few stories about trying to purchase that middle section that’s still in-use.

I’m super curious about what’s going to happen here. I really like how open Albee Square feels without any building there, but I imagine that we’ll get another skyscraper in there soon enough.

It’s a good lot own, since the old Dime Savings Bank (the dome you see in the bottom left of the picture) is landmarked, so air rights are already protected.

Dekalb/Fulton/Flatbush triangle with labeled streets

New York City takes top honors for most car-congested city

By
Dann Berg
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Brooklyn Queens Expressway Traffic
Photo by Rachid H

From the New York Post:

New York City roads also accounted for the second, third and fourth most congested in the country, according to INRIX’s analysis — with the Brooklyn Queens Expressway from I-145 to Tillary Street, the Cross Bronx Expressway west of the Bronx River Parkway, and the BQE between 38th Street and Downtown Brooklyn taking the dubious honors.

We win!

But seriously, this shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. An obscene number of people got cars during the pandemic. We’re going to feel that for years.

Passing Moments: Saturday, February 27th, 2021

By
Dann Berg
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Construction on 9 Dekalb as seen from Bond St

Saturday, February 27th, 2021. Construction on the 9 Dekalb Skyscraper rising up from the Dime Savings Bank dome. As seen from Bond Street. Photo by Dann Berg.

Tallest Office in DoBro set to open amidst uncertain rental market

By
Dann Berg
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0
One Willoughby Square office building
Photo from 1wsq.com

One Willoughby Square is certainly impressive. The architecture so striking that the architecture firm that designed is has leased three floors in the building. So far, they’re the only tenants.

But the fact that the firm that designed the building is leasing space is definitely part of the marketing story for the building. In fact, the New York Post has a full story on that fact.

FXCollaborative, previously known as FXFowle, is the anchor tenant at JEMB Realty’s nearly-finished One Willoughby Square in Downtown Brooklyn. The 34-story, 500,000 square-foot structure next to the DeKalb Avenue subway hub is the borough’s tallest new office building and scheduled to open later this year.

“We’re not just the tallest in the borough but the best-in-class asset in Brooklyn,” JEMB principal Jacob Jerome cheerfully boasted.

The entrance to the building is on Albee Street, right across from the entrance to City Point, providing easy access to Target, Trader Joes, and the Alamo Drafthouse (someday…). The location is also right next to the future Willoughby Square Park, which will exist someday, right?

Downtown Brooklyn was originally conceived as an office hub, similar to the Financial District in Manhattan. At least that was the original vision when the neighborhood was re-zoned. Instead, residential after residential building has popped up instead. One Willoughby Square is the first big new office complex (aside from Jay Street Metrotech, which has existed for a while).

The neighborhood is idea for commuting, with nine subway lines nearby, many of which are a single stop or two out of Manhattan.

But the Post buries what I feel is the real lead:

FXCollaborative is the only office lease so far.

Oof. I may be misremembering, but I think that lease deal was in place before the pandemic started.

I think a lot of people are just waiting. Waiting to see how this all shakes out. With more and more companies telling their employees to work from home indefinitely, even the companies that want a “home base” are waiting to see how things shake out.

Will offices of the future look like offices of the past? Will people only come into the office a couple days a week? If so, how will offices change to adapt?

Office leases, unlike apartment leases, are usually for 5+ years or more. They also involve working with contractors to design the ideal layout for your business. Whenever everything about working in an office is up in the air, it’s no wonder the market is soft.

I’m personally optimistic for office working, and for One Willoughby Square. I love working in an office. But not everyone is of the same opinion. And we’ll have to see how things shake out.

 

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