Sunday, January 26, 2014

Developer yuppifying old Bushwick mansion


From Wyckoff Heights:

An enlargement application has been filed for 1002 Bushwick Ave, a large residential building constructed in 1887 as the home of Louis Bossert, a wealthy Bushwick businessman. Later used as the headquarters for the Arion Singing Society, and more recently “to host international volunteers for a local nonprofit,” the property was purchased by a Williamsburg developer in March of 2012 for $1,300,000.

This is the second enlargement for the building since 2012. The first, which was signed off in October, added 2,300 square feet and converted the building to multifamily residential use with 20 apartments. This new application proposes to add a fourth floor to the building, maxing out the FAR and increasing the number of dwelling units to 35.


Isn't it ironic that the people funneled into Bushwick to "save" it are actually destroying what charm it has left? This is a landmark-worthy building that's about to be crappified.

19 comments:

J said...

I'm always skeptical when someone claims to run a "non-profit",sounds like a kinder gentler form of racketeering.

Anonymous said...

I simple love how my mail box is filled with the latest breathless news on Manhattan preservation.

And that a tiny handful of places listed in Queens stands up to participate in this travesty remaining mute and ignoring that 99% of us are thrown under the bus.

Anonymous said...

Most posters on this site complain about how OTHER people spend their money to do things the posters don't like. How about the posters spend their own money to do something they agree with.
Pool your money if you have to. It is so easy to complain about what other people are doing while you do nothing.

Anonymous said...

...or we could just let the mansion rot, like so many of those glorious mansions were rotting for decades after the neighborhood burned in the '70s.

Queens Crapper said...

Why is money required? The LPC should have landmarked this decades ago. It was desirable for a developer without having been built out to the max.

You have a narrow minded way of thinking.

Anonymous said...

The LPC didn't landmark it when they should have. What's done is done.

I don't understand why you find some fault in this, Crappy. I've been in Bushwick for years; these mansions were left to rot for decades, as the neighborhood was left to rot for decades. Finally, they're being brought back to life-- maybe not as they were a century ago, as you would prefer, but they're no longer left to decay.

At the very least they're not being indiscriminately demolished and converted into the soulless, rectangular, multi-family "Fedders" homes that we all despise.

Queens Crapper said...

What's done is not what's done. They could landmark it tomorrow. The plans haven't been approved yet. So are you going to lead the charge for designation since you think it's worthy?

Anonymous said...

Are you?

Queens Crapper said...

You live there. I don't. And I asked you first. I guess I have my answer.

Anonymous said...

Don't try to make this about some guy in Bushwick. You're the one who complained about the neighborhood. But that's par for the course. And if you want to talk about inaction, you're right up there with everybody else. The only thing you do is complain, but what rallies have you held-- what constructive efforts have you made-- to improve your own borough? And no, posting anonymously on a blog doesn't count.

Anonymous said...

Believe it or not, I agree with you about 90 percent of the time. I've lived in Brooklyn and Queens all my life. You're preaching to the choir, for the most part. But from where I stand, that's about it.

Queens Crapper said...

You're kidding, right? I'm one of the most active civic people out there. I've held TONS of rallies, gotten legislation introduced and created awareness where there was none. So please shut the hell up.

Anonymous said...

Really? Because I don't recall ever seeing the Unisphere sitting on a toilet bowl at any civic meeting or rally, or being pictured or quoted in a newspaper, or standing with politicians at a bill-signing ceremony and/or press conference.

And no, I don't actually think you are the Unisphere sitting on a toilet bowl.

Queens Crapper said...

That's the purpose of a pen name.

Anonymous said...

No kidding.

Anonymous said...

Go back to where ever you came from yuppie !
Queens Crap ROCKS !

Anonymous said...

Louis Bossert founded one of the largest lumber companies in Brooklyn right at the time fo a great economic expansion and he made a fortune. He also founded The Bossert Hotel in downtown Brooklyn which was the classiest hotel in the Kings County. The hotel was a great place up until the 1950.s. As a matter for fact eh 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers celebrated their world series championship there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Bossert

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful building and magnificent architecture we have in NYC! Hopefully one day America will treasure our history instead if always giving it away.

Anonymous said...

I seriously doubt it.