The Greenpoint Lofts

It has been several months since I have lavished attention upon the above-mentioned “business ready condos” so on a lark I swung by 231 Norman Avenue to see what’s shaking.

Because, you know, nothing says getting down to business like a fitness center and panoramic city views*. Don’t believe this flier actually possesses this advertising copy? Click here and see an unannotated copy of it for yourself.

Miss Heather

*Mark my words: People will be living in this building before you can say 600 square feet for $255,000.

Crosstown Local Cavalcade Volume XI: REPENT!

This week I decided to see what was shaking at the Nassau Avenue stop of the G train. It has been my experience that this station sports some of the more provocative subway poster desecration to be found in Brooklyn —and very well— the city at large. What I found was interesting alright, but not in the manner I have grown to expect.

I have seen a lot of missives scrawled on this poster. Most of them lament the erosion of our civil liberties. This poster too sports a lamentation. Albeit one of a slightly different caliber.

I call this piece “Of Love And The D.E.A.”

This isn’t to suggest there wasn’t any anti-corporate rhetoric to be found. There was.

And last up, what would getting religion on the Crosstown Local be without a mention of the Dark Prince? It doesn’t strike me as being a very effective policy to admonish people about the anti-Christ on the G line. Even if we were disposed to do something about him, it would take us too long to get moving.

Or maybe that is the point? This poster actually reads “GGG”!

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Clay Street

I was recently asked by a reporter what my favorite things in Greenpoint were. I rattled off the old Meserole Theater on Manhattan Avenue, the bath house on Huron Street, the glory that is the Beadel Street House of Leopard Print and this.

When I first moved to Greenpoint I lived on Clay Street. I always loved looking at this sign as I was coming or going from my apartment.

I have tried to learn more about this organization but information seems to be pretty scant. I can state, however, that per the Department of Buildings there was a “club” located on the first floor of this building. One would presume that it was the Russian People’s Home of Greenpoint. This space has since become an art studio for some lucky person, but I am glad to see that the owner of this property has seen fit not to remove this lovely old sign. Go down to 106 Clay Street and check it out yourself!

While you’re at it, swing by Huron Street and look at this lovely old advertisement before it is bricked over by (undoubtedly) a steaming pile of Fedders crap.

Miss Heather

NEXT WEEK: Transmitter Park Meeting

Next week, April 14, GWAPP will be hosting the first meeting regarding Transmitter Park. For those of you who are not in the know, this is the park slated to grace the western terminus of Greenpoint Avenue and several million dollars has reputedly been earmarked towards its creation. The purpose of this gathering is to give “interested community residents” to an opportunity to “discuss the park’s design, construction and timetable, and create a park ‘friends’ group for this new soon-to-be jewel on the waterfront”.

I strongly recommend that any and all who have the time attend this meeting. I have do doubt it will be very interesting and am personally very curious to see an up-to-date rendering of what this park will look like.

Transmitter Park Meeting
April 14, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Red Star Bar
37 Greenpoint Ave (between Franklin & West Street)
Brooklyn, New York 11222

To RSVP, please shoot GWAPP an email at info (at) gwapp (dot) org.

See you there!

Miss Heather

143 Huron Blooms!

I’m not too sure what “look” this architect was trying achieve. If I had to take a guess I’d say Imperial Storm Trooper meets Jawa Sandcrawler with a dash of Mondrian thrown in for good measure.

As you can see 143 Huron fits in seamlessly with its neighbors: a three story house with chartreuse aluminum siding and a Neoclassical bath house dating from 1903.

I suppose that’s why I listened to the workers at 143 Huron hammer away until 8:30 last night. I could call 311, but that would only be, well…

Seemless.

Miss Heather

P.S.: I love it when the workers from this site hang out in front of Bagel On The Run and throw bottles onto the street just (as Johnny Cash would say) to watch them die.

Meet Green Tree

The last time I walked by this store they were installing the bay window. It would appear that Green Tree (which purports to help you be green without becoming “granola”) is open for business in Greenpoint, the Garden Spot of the Universe!

Green Tree
95 Norman Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
(347) 422-0565
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 1:00 – 7:00 P.M., Sunday 12:00 – 6:00 P.M.

I can safely state this is the only place I have seen Barack Obama’s portrait on a tee shirt in Greenpoint. Sure, I have seen a flier here and there touting his candidacy but…

Miss Heather

Animal Planet, Revisited

This morning as I was running errends I noticed Greenpoint’s latest addition to the pet supply store scene is open for business.

Animal Planet
1084 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
(718) 349-0602

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: A Whole Lotta Beer

We Greenpointers sure love us some beer.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Marty For Life

I found this flier at McCarren Park this afternoon. First Jamie was caught hoarding Murakami swag, now the Markowitzes have kicked it up a notch by plotting world domination!

Miss Heather

P.S.: Here’s another bit of Martymania from a Manhattan Avenue pay phone!