355 St. Marks is about to get huge and (probably) butt-fugly

When the ragged little row house at 355 St. Marks (between Washington and Grand) appeared to change hands last fall, it looked as though it was about to get a welcome gut renovation. The three-story building – smallest on the block – had been occupied by a bottle and can collector and appeared to be just this side of condemnation.

This week, when a number of orange surveyor marks appeared on the west wall of its much larger neighbor at 357, it piqued our interest and we checked the DOB filings.

Turns out the owner has bigger plans for 355 – MUCH bigger. The zoning diagram filed in January shows a huge expansion to a five-story, four apartment building that’s 20 feet taller and more than triples the building’s floor space from 2,576 to over 8,000 square feet. Full diagram here: http://bit.ly/Izwwx4

Then I checked the architect’s website and threw up in my mouth. Mozer Architect Design of Gravesend specializes in the sort of frosting-covered, out-of-context cartoon buildings that make you stop in your tracks and wonder “what the hell happened here??” Don’t take my word for it. If you have a strong stomach, click Mozer’s project gallery here: http://bit.ly/IHFJrd

We LOVE seeing developers’ renewed interest in investing east of Washington Ave, but we’re praying Mozer turns over a new leaf with this one…

Attached files 355_St_Marks_expansion.pdf (59.5 KB)

Holy smokes, that's one hell of an extension!

Judging solely by the images on the referenced website, it appears that Mozer could very well rename itself as "McMansion Inc."

Indeed. It looks like those four apartments will be quite large. Will there be something commercial on the first floor?

DOB Change of Use has it converting from 2 family + store to four family, no store.

So, I assume the owner will get to live in 2 floors, and there will be 3 apartments on the other three floors.

I wonder if they will be rental or condos....

I wonder if the facade of the dinky, existing building will be saved.

BTW, Brownstoner picked up on this thread today: http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/05/big-addition-in-store-for-355-st-marks-avenue/#disqus_thread

Well, look at it like this...if the neighborhood didn't warrant it they wouldn't build it. Remember....location, location, location. So...be happy you live in an area that's gong to eventually become so high rent you won't be able to afford to live there.

Construction is well underway.

As per the diagram below, they have kept the front facade, and set back the addition 15'.

The external walls of the addition are currently cinderblock, but they will be given a coat of something else by the time this goes to market.

Interior layout of massive "addition"

http://www.nebglassmetal.com/sub/usneb/project34.htm

That whole block is full of weird lots. Those buildings are really shallow relative to their lots, and their neighbor is surprisingly deep.

The units are done. 2 out of 4 were sold before the others were listed. The 2 that are available look lovely. Anyone have 1.75M or 2.5M?http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/01/24/crown_heights_condos_hit_market_with_2_of_4_units_taken.php

PastPresentPhotos by Brownstoner and Curbed, not Whynot_31

Very tastefully done. Bravo.