Question

June 26, 2008 by missheather
Filed under: Williamsburg

Have you ever had one of those moments when you look at something and burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter?

I had one such moment on Skillman Avenue yesterday when I beheld “The Villas II”.

I wonder where Villa #1 is?

Miss Heather

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3 Comments on Question

Paul on Thu, 26th Jun 2008 10:05 am

Over the past year, I have been looking to buy an apt in the Williamsburg or Greenpoint area. I have looked at a lot of places and this one probably wins the prize for Most Heinous Exterior. I drove by it a few months ago, and didn’t even stop to find out what it looked like inside. Just looking at it made me feel bad, somehow. As for the Most Repulsive Interior, my nomination probably goes to 100 N. 3rd, which has all the homey warmth of a hospital operating room. My question for you – you seem to categorically dislike ALL new construction. Can you provide an example of a new building that you find decent, or at least not distasteful?

missheather on Thu, 26th Jun 2008 5:18 pm

Paul wrote: As for the Most Repulsive Interior, my nomination probably goes to 100 N. 3rd, which has all the homey warmth of a hospital operating room. My question for you – you seem to categorically dislike ALL new construction. Can you provide an example of a new building that you find decent, or at least not distasteful?

First up, your likening the interior of 100 N. 3rd to a “hospital operating room” is fabulous. Mind you, this is my opinion, but I cannot help but suspect the inclination towards Modernism (regarding development here) has more to do with the bottom line than making an artistic statement.

Yeah, I’m naive. Expecting someone to approach a development (be it condos or otherwise) as being both an artistic challenge (I suspect I.M. Pei— whose work I mostly like— would second me on this) AND a moneymaking enterprise is sheer foolishness.

My problem with the development in north Brooklyn is three-fold:

1. Much of it is ugly. VERY UGLY.
2. Much of it is CHEAPLY made and it shows. Big time.
3. Almost all of it is sorely out of context in terms of scale and style. I am not suggesting that there be a Brownstone/Aluminum Siding Revival. Rather, why not employ a little creativity designing housing that is pleasing—and welcoming— on the inside and out? Buildings based on human use, not exploiting zoning laws/loopholes?

I have been meaning to write about “new construction” and modifications to existing buildings that I do NOT find distasteful. Or more accurately, well thought out and not hideous architecture. You just gave me the “push” to do it. And I will. Mind you, this will entail a little leg work (need to take photos of the buildings in question) so be patient!

Thanks again for your input, Paul!

al oof on Sat, 28th Jun 2008 9:51 pm

i work across the street from there. and it totally makes me laugh. why can’t they just make nice apartments that look like the surrounding architecture? do they think new residents hate brooklyn -that- much, that they wouldn’t want to live in a totally sweet apartment that didn’t have a window wall? and the cheap thing, damn. it’s really gross. it’s like, not only are old residents being pushed out, they are being pushed out so that rich people can overpay like a motherfucker for ugly crap.

as for villas 1, it’s norther on skillman. i believe you’ll see it before you get to graham, if i remember right. i saw it once, but usually i don’t go that way.

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