What’s Coming to Pineapple Street?

By on June 19, 2007 12:23 pm in Landmark Preservation, News

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The Brooklyn Eagle reports today that the developer who purchased 71,73 and 75 Pineapple Street plans to build a "contemporary" structure in the vacant lot at number 73.  According to the report the new construction is on the docket for the Landmarks Preservation Commission today (update: action has apparently been LAID OVER) and on the CB2's agenda for tomorrow night's meeting. 

The Eagle says new owner Deepak Raj has hired Alex Nussbaumer of AEN Architects for the project.  Judy Stanton and the BHA have been told about the project and she tells the paper,  "We’ve been made aware that the owner has plans to develop a five-story, nine-unit residential rental building and that the concept is for a very contemporary design. And that’s fine with us. We embrace a contemporary look.”  She added, “We look forward to working with the owners on something new that is sensitive to the historic district and distinguishes itself in the historic district.”

As for AEN, they're currently working on a historic renovation on State Street.

 

Photo: Google StreetView

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  • nabeguy

    “Very contemporary design” but “sensitive to the historic district”. Could someone translate that for me? Does that mean ultra modern but using 19th century bricks?

  • Mtierney

    I am a bit surprised about the plan the build a “a contemporary structure in the vacant lot at number 73″. I would think that both the Heights Association and the LPC would want something that is more harmonious with the structures of the neighborhood and the adjacent homes. I live next door to these properties (71-75) and have been assaulted (along with everyone else who lives on the block or walks on Pineapple Street) by the stench of sewage coming out from the basement of 71 since May 24th. Not to change the subject, but for those who are interested I was told by the Roter Rooter service guy who came to deal with the clog that the pipes in the basement are shot and all need replacement. He was able to temporarily get the sewage to go down but he informed me that it was by no means resolved and will continue until the current owners fix the plumbing. I know they are aware of the issue but to date it has not been resolved. I hope this is not an indication of how construction will go in the future.

  • anonymous

    I think it means mostly glass but not over fifty feet high.
    It would have to be pretty ugly to fit in with those two doggy tenements to either side.

  • http://brooklynheightsblog.com anonymous

    Everyone refers to the fruitty streets as the best in BH. It’s a shame a developer will ruin that.

  • anonymous

    anyone know anything about those loft buildings on pineapple with the green awning. they look nice.

  • nabeguy

    If you’re talking about the ones on the south side between Henry and Hicks, those were originally part of the the St Goerge Hotel complex way back when and were converted to condo’s in the 80’s. As for 71 Pineapple, that eyesore is definitely in need of a reno. And I’ve always wondered what the story was on the lot on #73. Anybody know why was it vacant for so long?

  • steve

    Thanks for the update. I was glad to hear that the LPC has postponed the hearing. It will be very interesting to see the plan and rendering for the proposed building. I Googled the architect, Alex Nussbaumer, in the hope of seeing photos of work he has done, but did not find any. It does appear, however, that Nussbaumer is no slouch. Of course, that is beside the point in answering the question whether a “contemporary look” is appropriate for that part of Pineapple Street. I have to admit here, that I don’t mind 119 Columbia Heights, at the Southeast corner of Pineapple [plate No. 48 in C. Lancaster, Old Brooklyn Heights (2nd ed. Dover Publications 1979)], which some people find to be a cautionary example of how the “contemporary look” can go off the rails.

  • Jeremy

    Yes, it would be much better if the developer built a crappy copy of a 100 year old building instead of something in keeping with the times, but still with sympathetic massing, in Brooklyn Heights.

  • steve

    Hi Jeremy, to go back to the example of 119 Columbia Heights, I think it works because it is appropriate in scale, and because it echoes the form of the brownstones lining Columbia street to the south. I have seen so many great examples of recent, small-scale residential building [a wonderful thing in itself to be encouraged at every opportunity], that I want to hope for the best for that property . . . which, let’s face it, is worth a mint. If the developer grasps that fact, and recognizes the potential added by owning contiguous buildings [I am wondering whether the new building could provide a “core” with elevator and emergency egress for the three-building complex that would allow break-through and combined C/O for the complex, thereby vastly increasing the value], then maybe we have reason to hope that a beautiful building will eventually be built there. For now it is wait-and-see I think. At any rate, I have confidence that this Web site will be on the case.

  • No One of Consequence

    They need to fix that “sinkhole” outside of 75 Pineapple. The pieces of police barricades strung together with “caution” tape is ridiculous.