Pardon Me For Asking: Gowanus Canal. Gowanus

Lightstone Group's Gowanus development as seen from the 3rd Street Bridge

The public waterfront esplanade at 365 Bond Street taking shape

The development at 363 Bond Street and 365 Bond Street as seen from Hoyt Street and First Street

As seen from the Carroll Street Bridge

It has been a while since PMFA has checked in on Lightstone Group's 700-unit mega development along the shores of the Gowanus Canal. Now with Phase One substantially completed at 365 Bond Street and the second phase at 363 Bond Street well on its way, it was time to take some new photos.
Besides, reader and friend C. had alerted me to the fact that the public esplanade along the canal was
taking shape.
Sure enough, from the Third Street Bridge, one can clearly see freshly planted grass, benches and lights along 365 Bond Street, which runs parallel to the canal from First Street to Second Street . The esplanade will continue along the second building to the Carroll Street Bridge once construction is completed.

According to Lightstone, 365 Bond Street will be ready to welcome residents in early 2016. "Highlights of 365 Bond include a 24-hour concierge doorman, indoor valet parking, a world class fitness center with yoga and spin room, a garden courtyard, and a game room with a variety of recreational activities. Other premium amenities include a library, residence lounge, private dining with gourmet chef’s kitchen and a children’s playroom. The building will also feature multiple exterior rooftop terraces with 360 degree panoramic views, cabanas, barbecues and dining areas. Lightstone is also creating a publicly accessible waterfront esplanade park that will include a boat launch and water access point. The waterfront park will include outdoor learning centers highlighting the history of the Gowanus Canal."
The apartments will feature custom Italian kitchens with Quartz countertops and wide plank white oak hardwood floors. Each residence will be equipped with state-of-the-art Bosch appliances, including in-unit washers and dryers, and Kohler and Symmons fixtures."

The waterfront esplanade looks lovely, but it is a small consolation for those, like me, who feel that the development is way out of scale for Gowanus, given the area's environmental challenges. As we all know, the Gowanus Canal is an EPA Superfund site that has yet to be remediated.

A quick glimpse at the surface of the canal this morning confirms that any resident moving into one of Lightstone's rentals will certainly have to deal with some nasty stuff floating by until the clean-up finally happens.