The Next Brooklyn?

The largest population shift since the rise of suburbia has begun!  Americans, young (especially young…) and old alike are moving back into cities at higher rates.  Whether it’s New York, Los Angeles, or even Kansas City, the city is the place to be.  The repopulation of America’s urban core has led to massive gentrification on a scale never seen before.

Brooklyn Baby!  This borough is the poster child for urban redevelopment.  The rise of neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Bushwick, DUMBO, and so many more, have quickly transformed desolate and often abandoned city blocks into reinvented breeding grounds for the creative class.  While Brooklyn was the first, it certainly will not be the last urban neighborhood to rise from the ashes.

The Real Deal published a great article looking into this phenomenon and asks what’s next.  Whether it’s “Brooklyn by the Bay,” Center City, Philadelphia, or a growing list of other cities, this article helps explain the real estate shifts occuring in this country, and gives great insight in to what is to come.  Take a look at the full article here.

Urban Outfitters Williamsburg Opens Friday – Hipsters Flee

The Gothamist just reported on the ongoing gentrification of Williamsburg.  Urban Outfitters plans to open its newest store this Friday, just steps from the Bedford L train.  The national chain has been on a big push across many developing areas of New York City, opening a massive store in the Financial District just a few weeks back.  

Urban is just of many chain retailers making the jump across the East River.  This particular UO will be part of the space ninety 8, a new and Williamsburg’s first urban mall.  Sephora, J.Crew. Gant, Whole Foods, have all moved into the area in the last year alone.  WIlliamsburg has now been called Times Square for hipsters, among other titles.  It won’t be long before the strollers move in and the hipsters move out.  

Gentrification Complete – Williamsburg Finally Gets A Starbucks

Believe it or not, Starbucks still does not have a location in Williamsburg.  After years and years of gentrification, it appears that the tipping point has finally been reached.  The coffee shop will soon call 405-409 Union Avenue home (a few steps away from the Metropolitan subway stop).

For more info on the story, check out EaterNY’s article.

 

Brooklyn Set To Welcome Its First Sephora

Downtown Brooklyn is seeing a steady stream of name brand retailers infiltrate the very granola neighborhood.  Sephora set their eyes on the area a few months ago when the cosmetic chain announce they will be setting up their first Brooklyn shop some time this year.  That day has finally come.  The store announced it will be handing out a handful of goodies to the first 100+ customers who make it to the opening this Friday.  

 

This store, along with Whole Foods, JCrew, Urban Outfitters, (and even Mamouns) now see Manhattan’s ugly stepsister as a lucrative investment/growth opportunity.  It appears that soon, there will absolutely no reason for Brooklynites to commute to Manhattan for the modern luxuries they have become so accustomed to.

 

Check out the complete details via Racked.com

Two Ace Hotel Projects Coming To The Lower East Side

The Ace Hotel is quietly moving forward with not one, but TWO projects on the Lower East Side.  The first project is located at the end of Orchard Street (and Canal), while the second building under renovation is located at 225 Bowery.   The Bowery Boogie has the complete story, however I was able to speak with a real estate broker who is organizing the Bowery deal.

The broker, who chose to remain anonymous, first reported that he was working a deal at 225 back in June.  He told me a “high end and well-known hotel” was scouting the Bowery location for a new project.  It was also mentioned that they are in the city already and have an interest in at least three locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Apparently things are really moving forward with the deal.  No completion date has been announced, however I have been reassured it will NOT be for the next year at least.  More to come as the project really starts to take shape.

A little more on the Ace Hotel – The New York Ace Hotel is located in the trendy NoMad neighborhood (North of Madison Square Park).  This chain is a personal favorite of mine.  Similar to the Standard Hotel chain, The Ace features beautiful public spaces (the lobby also has free Wi-fi and is a great place to see and be seen) as well as an Opening Ceremony, Stumptown Coffee, and the Breslin restaurant.  

The boutique chain also has locations in London, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and a growing list of other locations.

 

“The real purpose of these drawings is not to predict the future. Their real goal is to control it.” NYT

A great article was published today in the TImes today regarding the importance of a good rendering.  Take a look at the difference between supporters and naysayers of a new mega-development project that has been proposed for the Greenpoint waterfront.  

 

 

The article does a great job of expressing the difficulties architect’s face when designing a new building.  Not only must they develop a building, but they also have to present a project that can gain approval from the city.  It is a rare occurrence for a rendering to be “lifelike,” because a tower simply wouldn’t stand out.  Take a look at these renderings and see if they are truly lifelike.

 

REal

Green Roofs From Across The World (via BuzzBuzzHome)

President Obama is starting to get serious about climate change.  In recent talks, he has mentioned the need for massive increases in green living.  Anyone who lives in an urban core can tell you how hot and unbearable the summers can get.  A great way to combat both air quality and spikes in urban core temperature readings comes in the form of green roofs.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been a leader in bringing green roofs to one of the largest cities in the world.  The city even announced the rise of rooftop agriculture with the largest urban farm in the US currently under construction on a Brooklyn rooftop.  Bloomberg, Obama, and politicians across the world are leading the way in reclaiming urban space for non-industrial use.

These green roofs serve a variety of purposes that are both helpful to those in the building, and everyone around.  First and foremost, green roofs lower the temperature of the buildings roof by considerable amounts.  Rather than having black tar or reflective tin roofs that can sizzle in with surface temperatures upwards of 130 degrees, green roofs rarely get hotter than the actual air temperature.  Roof or rain gardens also help with rain water run off, something that is a major issue in coastal cities.  Rain gardens filter excess water, and some can even store water to be used by the building tenants later on.  A third attribute green roofs provide is fresh, clean air.  Trees, plants, and other shrubs help clean the air and lessen ozone levels that so often spiral out of control in urban cities.

The super cool pictures below show how urban architecture can be infused with green design.  Most of the pictures are taken from abroad, let’s incorporate them into US design!

 

Top of Chicago’s City Hall

Green Parking Garage in Namba Park, Japan

Vancover Convention Center

 

Vancover Convention Center (cont’d)

Manhattan

Life of a New York City Realtor

The glitz and glamour that is often associated with the world of New York City real estate is something that draws thousands into the industry each year.  The funny thing about New York is that not everything is as it seems.  I have found that this city is 100% built on raw talent.  Sure your well-connected parents can get you a job, but it is your job to learn the traits, network, and excel.  The true innovators in this city are aggressive, fierce, and not afraid to speak their mind.  Nowhere else do these statements hold more accurate than in the world of residential real estate.  This is not a business for the light-hearted, easy-going, average Joe.  You have to be willing to send emails at all hours of the day, scavenge, and flat out work.

Many fall into this industry because they see the potential for fast cash.  While that may be true, especially during the summer month’s, the true leaders in this industry have tried and true methods that have landed them listings upwards of $100 million.  This blog is a daily journal of my accounts in real estate.  I try to be as “real” as possible, something that is very easy to get lost in when talking about real estate.  I will put the struggles I have as a realtor, the struggles my clients have as renters, buyers, sellers, and investors, and will also spotlight neighborhoods, cool articles, and trends happening in the city.  Feel free to tag, post, like, share, or suggest anything you feel should be on this blog.  We are connected 24/7 with the Internet always at our fingertips, be sure to let me know what you think!

And remember, a referral is the greatest compliment anyone working in real estate can receive!