One of my favorite properties is rumored to be back on the market in DuMBO - 1 Main Street.
Formally a loft space used for manufacturing and shipping of the once bustling Brooklyn waterfront, and built in the early 20th century, 1 Main Street is an iconic structure - standing over 10 stories between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Its copper clad roof and glass clock differentiated the industrial building from its mostly red brick counterparts.
Through the latter part of the century, however, the busy Brooklyn waterfront and shipping yards were tamed by a shrinking industry and mass exodus. The neighborhood became run down, gritty, and therefore - an artist colony.
Jump to 1998. GENTRIFICATION TIME Y'ALL!! The artists, photogs and aging hippies that have squatted in the dumpy building by the BQE (and enduring the ever-present "Brooklyn Crackhead") were forced out after a simple sale of the entire property; thus, creating the perfect catalyst for DuMBO Dwellings. Renamed "The Clocktower," 1 Main Street stood out as the first poured concrete, non-Jehova's Witness-owned building in the area that would be habitable.
Sales, re-sales, real estate bubble and POP! Flash to 2011. Here we are. Faced with the most fascinating part of the building: it's 4-faced glass clock. What's behind it you ask? A FREAKIN' APARTMENT! OMG!
But not just any apartment. It's the crown jewel of Vinegar Hill (hush, Vinegar Hill is just a realtor name for DuMBO - for those in favor of the ethical treatment of animal pseudonyms). A real life triplex with the post-card views of New York City that no Manhattanite can ever achieve, since nobody in Manhattan can view Manhattan across the East River with all of the famous bridges (B, M, W).
Priced at $25 Million right before the market peaked, this bad boy has SICK written all over it - in Roman numerals no less, and two - make that eight hands total to accentuate its awesomeness.
- Four 14 foot high round clocks
- A glass-walled elevator & a 3-story floating staircase at the center of the space
- 3,000 sq ft main floor with 16-ft high ceilings
- 2,300 sq ft 2nd floor with three bedrooms
- 988 sq ft 3rd floor open loft with a 15-ft ceilings
- Top “crow’s nest”: A staircase that goes to the top of the building.
Of course, @ $25mm, this apartment has enough solariums to make George Costanza take a second look - and consider moving to Brooklyn.
