Here comes 1515 Bedford, at Lincoln

whynot_31

The demolition of the theater/church that previous occupied this lot was discussed on this thread:   http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/26049/big-building-on-northeast-corner-of-lincoln-pl-and-bedford&nbsp#Item_95

This thread follows the construction of the new building.

Here are pics of the new building. Mix use building, residential and community facility.10 story over cellar, approximately 110,000 sf and 114 residences.

(old rendering)

southeast

Looks really nice.  Nicer than 341EP.  I think Bedford around EP is going to be a beautiful area once all the dust settles.  Likely, even the "midtown" of CH.  All these new buildings - this one, the future one where the gas station is now, whatever is to be built on the corner lot on the south side, and the future of the armory - will likely have retail/attractions.  Franklin is so yesterday (Tongue-in-cheek).

whynot_31

The buildings you describe will be especially interesting because of the elevation of this intersection.

The higher floors will allow views in several directions.

southeast

@whynot_31 - I was always curios about this... Bedford and EP has to be one of the highest points in Brooklyn.

Mount Prospect Park is noted as the second highest point in Brooklyn; Battle Hill in Greenwood Cemetery appears to be the first.  When walking, it always feels like Mount Prospect Park is downhill from Bedford and EP (or at least the entrance).  Either way, you can't build on Mount Prospect Park or in the cemetery so this corner may be the highest point in Brooklyn where one can build.

southeast

One of those developments will be able to market the "highest bed in Brooklyn" or a Top of Brooklyn restaurant...

whynot_31

I do hope that Edison lightbulbs and lightly sanded reclaimed wood are out of fashion by then.

whynot_31

Brownstoner published a new rendering and some info today:
"The apartments are no longer set back from the retail stores below, the windows have changed, and the facade materials are more uniform and lighter in color. There are some other small changes too at the ground level. Overall, it looks similar to the initial concept but, if we may speculate, less expensive to build."

"The new building will include ground-floor space for a synagogue, as we have previously reported. "

This would be the view along Lincoln. Bedford Ave is on left.

More details: http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2015/02/updated-rendering-posted-for-fox-savoy-theater-site-in-crown-heights/?ic_source=ic-featured-frontpage-top

Note:  The term synagogue is being used to denote "house of worship".    The actual use will be a church, run by the church that used to reside in the theater. 

theburgerking

Not reliable but I hear Trader Joes in the old BP. 

mugofmead111

Not reliable but I hear Trader Joes in the old BP. 

I'll believe it when I see it. We saw what happened about the rumor about TJ's going into the old bank building on Washington Avenue.

whynot_31

Said rumors should be put on the thread that talks about the former BP site: http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44338/here-comes-1535-bedford-between-eastern-parkway-and-lincoln-formerly-a-gas-station-and-a-car-wash#Item_70

...we should try to only repeat rumors from sources that we believe to be credible.

whynot_31

The apartments on the back of this building will have good views.

The apartments on the front will have their views obstructed by the residence that will be built on the former BP station. Lincoln is pretty narrow, so this building will not get a lot of light.

This site is one of 16 large developments in western Crown Heights that I closely watch:   http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44634/links-to-the-big-16-developments-in-western-crown-heights/p1

thecosmicrain

What a delightful-looking prison!

whynot_31

Long time readers may recall that a church owned this site, and then sold it to developer under the condition that it and its members get space in the building.

From Laurie Cumbo's facebook feed:

"Congratulations to Charity Neighborhood Bethel Cathedral on the occasion of their groundbreaking ceremony for their new church home, housing project and local business enterprise. Located right on Bedford and Lincoln Place, community residents came out even in the rain to celebrate this extraordinary opportunity for the whole community!"

whynot_31

The hole for the foundation is large.

whynot_31

whynot_31

"Twenty percent of the apartments—or 22 units—will rent to households
making 60% of the Area Median Income, which ranges from $36,300 for a
single person to $46,600 for a family of three."

http://newyorkyimby.com/2015/07/tracking-affordable-housing-and-rezonings-in-crown-heights.html

whynot_31

Still working on that very DEEP Foundation

whynot_31

A small bump in the road:

whynot_31

Foundation appears complete.   The concrete has begun rise.    

It might be above the level of the construction fence by Jan 1.

whynot_31

Winter seems to have slowed them down, they are now at the level of the construction fence, but not above it.

whynot_31

Now above the fence:

whynot_31

whynot_31

Another floor.

whynot_31

This site continues to be one of the sites I believe will make a large impart on western Crown Heights:  http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/47007/the-big-18-developments-the-whynot-31-wont-stop-talking-about?new=1

whynot_31

4 floors poured, 6 more to go

whynot_31

The seem to be building this in two parts:

The tall structure on left (along Bedford), then the shorter part on the right.    The tall part is not yet as high as a the short structure will be when it is finished...

whynot_31

whynot_31

whynot_31

View soon to be obstructed by building in foreground.

whynot_31

jfinks

Not sure if anyone can answer this, but what is this large space between the left of the tan building and to the right of the new building going to be?

In the rendering it looks like a lower portion of the same property, but it doesn't seem like they've done much of that. Granted, I know nothing about the building process.

whynot_31

I believe they are creating the building in two stages.

The tall part it (stage 1) is now at its terminal height.

The remaining void is next

whynot_31

The last floor is now being poured for shorter portion.

whynot_31

http://newyorkyimby.com/2016/11/114-unit-rental-tops-out-at-1511-bedford-avenue-in-crown-heights.html

1511 Bedford

Marco555

Anyone know anything about the synagogue said to be renting the cellar and ground floor space?

crownheightster

I kind of like how the height of the building is managed by the downward slope of the hill it is built on. 

whynot_31

Marco555 said:

Anyone know anything about the synagogue said to be renting the cellar and ground floor space?

It believe it will actually be a church. See above photos of congregants.

My theory is that the DOB is stating it is to be a synagogue because the person who filed the plans was Jewish.

whynot_31

crownheightster said:

I kind of like how the height of the building is managed by the downward slope of the hill it is built on. 

As a result, this building is larger than it may appear.

Nearby businesses should get a big boost, and I would be surprised if the building on the NW corner of EP and Bedford (presently the story home to Chase, some healthcare, and some MEC offices) is gone by 2022.

Pepper

whynot_31 said:
As a result, this building is larger than it may appear. Nearby businesses should get a big boost, and I would be surprised if the building on the SW corner of EP and Bedford (presently the story home to Chase, some healthcare, and some MEC offices) is gone by 2022.

NW corner, no?

Also, oddly, 1515 has no windows on the North side of the building.

crownheightster

THIS is my biggest problem. It is just a HUGE blank wall on the North side!!! wtf?

Pepper said:

whynot_31 said:
As a result, this building is larger than it may appear. Nearby businesses should get a big boost, and I would be surprised if the building on the SW corner of EP and Bedford (presently the story home to Chase, some healthcare, and some MEC offices) is gone by 2022.

NW corner, no?

Also, oddly, 1515 has no windows on the North side of the building.

Pepper

My guess is that they were unable to secure an easement from the (much lower) building next door.

whynot_31

They likely expect the Friends of Crown Heighs Daycare to be demolished in the future. (Two story brick thing at SE corner of Bedford and St Johns).

Yes the Chase - MEC building is on the NW corner of EP and Bedford. Typo.

whynot_31

whynot_31

Concrete work complete.

Rick656

Anyone know if this building is going to include Zipcar parking?  That would be nice. 

whynot_31

It would be. ...the area could also support a traditional rental car company, like Enterprise.

whynot_31

Rough electrical and plumbing now going in.

Marco555

Windows installed.

whynot_31

Yup.

whynot_31

A banner has been mounted to advertise the church: Charity Neighborhood Bethel Cathedral. I am not sure if they get to select the residents of the affordable unit that will be developed.

whynot_31

Facade now up on much of building.

whynot_31

whynot_31

CROWN HEIGHTS - A Crown Heights church says the developer it sold its property to is walking back on the terms of the deal. The Charity Neighborhood Baptist Church sold the property five years ago on the condition that there be ground-floor space for a religious sanctuary in a new apartment building at 1515 Bedford Ave. But now, critics say the developer has relocated that religious space to the basement, which also has no windows. The ground-floor space went to commercial units. Church officials say they would not have sold the property if the agreement had involved putting the sanctuary in a basement. The church's attorney says a resolution without litigation is preferable, but the community is prepared to go to court over what they describe as a clear breach of contract. http://brooklyn.news12.com/story/36026890/crown-heights-church-accuses-developer-of-breaching-contract

Rick656

Would be very interested in seeing the contract. Real estate contracts are one of the few places where courts will order "specific performance" rather than money damages. In other words, if required by the contract, the developer may have to move the church up into the first floor commercial space, rather than paying the church money that it could use to move into an alternative location.

b_funk

The pastor has some nice duds...

Mechanical_Whispers

Sounds like a lot of drama. I agree that the contract would be an interesting read.

whynot_31

"Calls for comment to the developer’s office and Yosi Cohen were not returned Tuesday. The church has support from high-profile attorney Sanford Rubenstein, who spoke on their behalf Tuesday, members of Black Lives Matter and Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner and aunt to Evans, who has attended the church since 2009. She took issue with the developers trying to force her congregation into a basement. “Nobody would build a church in the basement,” she said. “We don’t want them to disgrace us to dishonor us. They would have never done this in other certain neighborhoods.” https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170802/crown-heights/charity-baptist-church-1515-bedford-development-contract

ehgee

Per the article, 'the church agreed to sell after signing a contract with the company stipulating Charity Neighborhood would receive “approximately 5,000 square feet of ground floor space for use as a religious sanctuary,” the document reads, and another 2,000 square feet in the basement for a community facility.' Seems like a pretty open-and-shut case.

whynot_31

The DOB Schedule A filing at the time of approval states there will be a 211 person Main Sanctuary in the cellar. A 67 person fellowship hall is also in the cellar. The first floor only has gathering spaces for a 15 person office and 61 person Accessory Gift Shop http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JB2ScheduleAServlet?requestid=5&passjobnumber=320592587&passdocnumber=01&allbin=3032187

whynot_31

So, the developer seems to have been planning to put it in the cellar since the plans were filed. Hence, it would seem that any "relocation" (breach of contract?) took place prior to the plans being approved. [note I would have to read what the developer promised the church in order to form an opinion on whether this was a breach]

crownheightster

i wonder if the real story of why the building was sold for only $575,000 will ever come out...or if the developer knows something about this, and feels like it is enough to get the church to settle for the basement when it has a contract or writing for the ground floor space, and is taking a bet on whether the church leaders want their business made public.

whynot_31

Above (March 2015) I wrote "Long time readers may recall that a church owned this site, and then sold it to developer under the condition that it and its members get space in the building. From Laurie Cumbo's facebook feed: "Congratulations to Charity Neighborhood Bethel Cathedral on the occasion of their groundbreaking ceremony for their new church home, housing project and local business enterprise. Located right on Bedford and Lincoln Place, community residents came out even in the rain to celebrate this extraordinary opportunity for the whole community!"

whynot_31

Keywords: "church home, housing project and local business enterprise". So, it seems the church agreed too be paid $575k not merely in exchange for permanent worship space. They also may be getting the gift shop, offices, and commercial kitchen described on the Schedule A at far-below-market rates. In addition, they may also have obtained the ability to exclusively place their members in the some of the apartments, notably the the 22 apartments that are designated for persons making 60% of AMI (i.e. these apartments may be exempt from the city lottery). Depending on the rates for these spaces and the length of the arrangements, this may make the $575k seem like a savvy deal.

crownheightster

It does sound like a savvy deal; but if the new owner is being this flagrantly violative of the contract, I wonder how much of the contract between the church and the developer is actually iron-clad. I'm definitely very curious about whether the affordable housing will actually go to the church members.

whynot_31

Yes, we would need to know all the terms. For the sake of the church, I do hope that the developer is not involved in the ongoing management of the property. If that were the case, the church could lose even if they win.

whynot_31

NYT had a piece today on why churches sell their properties to developers: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/nyregion/congregations-look-to-sell-houses-of-worship.html

whynot_31

Rick656

Not new, but this brownstoner article provides a a few additional details about the fight between the developer and the church that I hadn't seen before http://www.brownstoner.com/development/brooklyn-development-fox-savoy-theater-crown-heights-1515-bedford-avenue/ I hope this gets resolved quickly and fairly.

whynot_31

Some good photos and updates here: https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/market-insight/features/future-nyc/see-progress-two-new-crown-heights-rentals-1515-bedford-1535-bedford-avenue/13482