Friday, March 24, 2017

After Years Of Construction, The New Building At 159 Smith Street Is Revealed, And It's....(Fill In The Blank)

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Original wood-clad house at 159 Smith Street before it was demo'ed in late 2013

The new building at 159 Smith Street in March 2017
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This is what a "proposed 2 story addition to an existing 3 story mixed-use building" looks like, according to the NYC's Department of Building.

PMFA has been following this particular construction ever since a green construction fence was erected along the original wood-clad building at 159 Smith Street, between Wycoff and Bergen Streets in Boerum Hill, in late 2013. A few days later, a demolition crew completely tore down the existing building.  More than three years later, a completely new building has taken its place.e

The original three-story mixed use structure was certainly in need of some attention. However, with its height, ornate cornice and window details, it fit perfectly between its two neighbors. Most importantly, it had probably stood there for almost a century.
The new building (and it is new from the ground up, regardless of what the permit says) is almost done now.  It seems massive next to the neighboring structures. Its façade is rather stark and modern.

Personally, I think it is horrendous, but would like to hear what you have to say.
How would you complete the sentence:
"The new 159 Smith Street is revealed, and its....(Fill In The Blank)"




22 comments:

Randy Torres said...

F-U-G-L-Y x 10 the the 100 power.

Kathleen S. said...

The building looks very much out of scale and out of place style-wise. Interestingly, though, I happened to be collecting some historic neighborhood photos online recently and after reading your article took a look at one I saved of that very street. You can't really see the front of the building, but if I'm not mistaken if you look at the old photo this is the building that had the large "Millenery" sign out front. Also, it looks like there was a building about that same height where the Carroll Gardens diner is now.

http://www.oldnycphotos.com/boerum49.html

MichelleOcampo said...

Insensitive to its surroundings. Sadly, no surprise.

Katherine Lincoln said...

Awful!!! Eye sore!! Why?? Why wouldn't they want to build in keeling with the beauty of the street?

Anonymous said...

Out of context. At least on smith the newer buildings are on corner lots. This "finger" building could be compared with a certain emoji. It's interesting how people can get away with this crap.

Anonymous said...

I can't figure out how they managed to build so deep in lot and couple stories higher.
What is the FAR for that block?
At least it is almost done. What bothers me more are all the non-finished project on Smith that seem in limbo.

Anonymous said...

...a piece of MetroTech that wandered away from its homeworld.

Andrew Porter said...

..."Ugly"...

Anonymous said...

... 2 stories too tall. And I am not a fan of the dull colors. I would liked to see those rectangles in bright pinks and greens or retro pastels.

Formerly from Carroll Gardens said...

Most of the new construction on Smith Street is really terrible! Out of scale, terrible materials, dumb designs.... sadly the get-rich-quick landlords and developers do not see the negative impact of these buildings. How many more chain businesses will be the tenants of these atrocities? The old nineteenth century buildings are a crucial part of the fabric of this neighborhood. Let's restore instead of ripping down and putting up garbage.

Adam "Connor" Tilley said...

T-A-C-K-Y A-F

Anonymous said...

OMG...I cannot find the right words to express the "FUGLINESS" of this structure......

lynchly said...

Disrespectful and greedy.

MrsSam said...

Greetings Katia,

I remember seeing the original building with you. The new structure is the LAST thing I could ever dream of seeing there. They truly just didn't give a crap about even trying to put something at least compatible! I can understand (well, not really) wanting to do something new, but they could have at least tried to build something semi-cohesive! It's beyond reproach!

Katia said...

Mrs. Sam, I'll take you past next time you are in town. It really looks as bad as in the photos.

Triada Samaras said...

OMG How do you say UGLY in Greek? Better yet, very very ugly? πολύ πολύ άσχημο
What a shame! Such a lovely street Smith Street was too! And so DUMB.

rocco said...

"The new 159 Smith Street is revealed, and its....completely awkward looking. Not pleasing to the eye in it's context at all. Was there an approval process with the community board? What a shame that they couldn't be creative enough to find a way to make it blend in more and still get the square footage ( aka $$) they were looking for.

Joao said...

And on today's episode of "Architects On Meth".......

Susan said...

A middle finger to the neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

The new 159 Smith Street is revealed, and it's not just an eyesore, it's the first step in a neighborhood blight.
Holy crap, that is bad. How did that design get approval??

bored at work said...

The Department of Buildings does not approve "designs" i.e. the look of a building, in a non-landmarked area. They approve the adherence to zoning and the building code. You can build it to look anyway you like. And they do.

Lynn said...

This looks like the architectural blight that has descended upon Denver. Small, sweet homes being town down to make way for 4,000 s.f. Homes that in no way fit in with the neighborhood. I'm sad to see architects making no attempt to pay homage to the neighborhood. Very unattractive.