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New York Shitty Day Starter: 239 Banker Street
Two selections from Craigslist:
I keep posting ’em and little happens. I wonder why?
New York Shitty Day Starter: Today’s Selections On Craigslist
Everyone needs a hobby during the dog days of summer.
I have decided featuring a few of (the manifold number of) advertisements on Craigslist for the former “Sweater Factory Lofts” in this site will be mine.
As you can see there are quite a few of them.
Hmm…
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: 239 Banker Street, Revisited Once More
Curious to see the latest Stop Work Order issued to this property today I decided a trip to this, Greenpoint’s most (in)famous address, was in order. Not surprisingly, there was nary one to be found.
As you can imagine I found this quite fascinating. Thus, on a lark, I decided to see what gives on the Department of Buildings Information System.
It would appear that this property not only still has a standing Stop Work Order on it…
but they have wasted little time violating it!
To be continued, no doubt…
P.S.: Here’s a yet-to-be-investigated complaint yours truly found rather amusing.
Word of advice to “Zoey”: If/when advertising an illegal residential space in an Industrial Business Zone, it maybe advisable to refrain posting a photo of the building in question which clearly features a sign in the foreground that reads “Industrial Business Zone”.
New York Shitty Day Starter: Business As Usual
Yesterday before I celebrated our nation’s birthday, I felt a constitutional was in order. I wanted to see the latest Stop Work Order issued to 239 Banker Street (which I reported about in this post) in person. This has become my hobby. But alas, it was not to be.
Sure, I saw ample amounts of detritus. The stuff which fell onto an adjoining property’s backyard, and in so doing, wrecked a barbecue grill. Major party foul.
No Sir: nary a Stop Work Order was to be found. And when I got back home I learned why:
In a rare act of bureaucratic efficiency/mercy it has been lifted! And I suppose it goes without saying our real estate professionals have wasted no time posting capitalizing on this most miraculous turn of events.
To be continued, no doubt…
P.S.: Oh yeah, you can see the above advertisement by clicking here.
LAST GASP: 239 Banker Street Gets SWO’ed (again)
Perhaps this has something to do with the pile of debris this fellow saw at this building’s “open house” last weekend? Among other things. Follows are a few complaints about this property I found interesting. Enjoy!
Reader Comment Du Jour: A Dispatch From 239 Banker Street
Some of you might recall that last week I posted an item about Greenpoint’s my favorite illegal residential conversion: 239 Banker Street. More specifically that this— one of Greenpoint’s more notorious “loft spaces”— was to have an “open house” last weekend (as seen at left). In this tome I wrote:
Your eyes are not deceiving you, Greenpointers. This weekend there will be an open house at 239 Banker Street! Those of you who are curious to see what an illegal residential conversion in an Industrial Business Zone looks like (or simply want to ask Mr. McHale a lot of really uncomfortable questions about the legal status and history of this building) this is your golden opportunity!
Guess what? Someone did! A commenter who calls himself/herself “gittlebass” writes today, July 2nd, 2012 (NOTE: I have taken the liberty of bold-facing my favorite passages— and there are many!):
i went to this.
1) the first broker never showed. when asked if we could see an apartment he said “if the door is open just go in and look around” which i did, and it was a horror show reminiscent of the basement scene from the burbs, i just couldn’t find the furnace. Also, they did the ol’ “This apt is on calyer and franklin” then when i got there “oh its a mistake in the ad, go to 239 banker st”
2) he said the rooms can be built out to whatever i would like. Ok, ill bite, how about…i dont know…windows and floors!? there was a huge mound of dirt in the middle of the hallway and bricks for where there should be a window. the realtor on the phone assured me that this would be ready for july 15th, which is impossible just short of a miracle in which jesus returns as the carpenter he was in order to build lofts for the poor.
3) All the apts had to be moved in by august 1st, no exceptions. i found this odd and asked them about it, they didn’t have a reason why, just that they had to be occupied. I was offered a free months rent to get me in there
4) It was a realtor frenzy there. I asked about the legality of the building because of its sordid past, and they offered to show me the documents that proved they were legal, only thing is, they had the docs in the office and had to go get them if we wanted to see them. i said i did and that i’d wait patiently, but she couldn’t leave cause there were other people coming to check out the place (red flag). She also told me that all my info was wrong and that no one was ever evicted. then there was this other broker who asked if i had a broker, i said he didn’t show up and then the broker who was there did the “money rub” with his fingers and at that point i left
overall it’s a shit show there and i feel bad for anyone who gets duped. save your money and get a nice place to live for cheaper. hell, even the gawdy condos they keep building are cheaper and LEGAL.
Fascinating!
UPDATE, 11:45 p.m.: It would appear 239 Banker Street was served a Stop Work Order this weekend. Click here for the deets (they’re interesting to say the least).
From The North Brooklyn Community Group*: Open House!
Your eyes are not deceiving you, Greenpointers. This weekend there will be an open house at 239 Banker Street! Those of you who are curious to see what an illegal residential conversion in an Industrial Business Zone looks like (or simply want to ask Mr. McHale a lot of really uncomfortable questions about the legal status and history of this building) this is your golden opportunity!
Tell him New York Shitty sent you.
*Here’s what a member of said forum (a real estate agent, no less) had to say when I pointed out these lofts are NOT legally allowable for residential use:
Well damn. At some point they’re gonna have to tell them that the space is not zoned for living. Its gonna say it right on the lease!
Heh.
Reader Comment Du Jour: No Children Allowed At 239 Banker Street?
If a commenter we’ll call Wayne is to be believed this would appear to be the case. He writes:
The shenanigans at 239 Banker invoked enough curiosity that I called the broker. Apparently, these lofts have been renting like hotcakes as only five remain. I explained to the broker that I am looking for 1,500 square feet. Of course, he wanted to know my credit and income and how soon I could move in. Fair enough. Must have been my lucky day since of the five remaining lofts, there is one 1,500 square foot space. Upon further inquiry about what I could expect for a monthly rent of $4,000 [not the lesser amount noted on craigslist], the broker told me I would get just an open space. No heat. No hot water. Though the building has a laundry. Fair enough. It is what it is. I asked if the landlord would allow me to construct two bedrooms. Yes. I asked if a two-year lease was possible. No, was the retort. Only one year leases. I asked when my wife and two children could inspect the space. That’s when the conversation turned around. The broker informed me there’s graffiti across the street and all over, the area is dirty and very noisy, and the building in particular is very, very noisy. I explained to the broker that we are Greenpoint loft dwellers [100% legal building I might add] and what he was stating about the neighborhood does not match reality [except for the graffiti across the street, but so what]. He went on to tell me that the building is full of shares and egads, yes, hipsters, and there are no children in residence. Of course, not wishing to rent to a family is wholly illegal [the broker is clearly unaware of this] yet one has to give this broker a modicum of credit as he fully knows 239 Banker will blowup again with the DOB and to have a family evicted would not make for good press, particularly when the new owners just plunked down $9.1 million for this shipwreck.
Fascinating. Than again, given all the laws being broken here what’s another one?
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