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Knishes Preview at Brooklyn Heights Cinema a Success

Accordion music, knishes, and egg creams, along with our Heather Quinlan, greeted upwards of 100 guests at the Brooklyn Heights Cinema this evening to see a preview of Heather’s work-in-progress film If These Knishes Could Talk. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz was on hand to give a short talk on the Brooklyn accent, which he, naturally, considers the true American speech (never mind those people who say the real McCoy is found in Buffalo). He also described how one of the best kosher delis in Brooklyn has passed from Jewish to Italian to Egyptian Muslim hands, while remaining kosher. Marty was treated to a birthday knish with candles. Continue Reading →

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TONIGHT! Preview of Heather Quinlan’s “If These Kniches Could Talk”

TONIGHT! Preview of Heather Quinlan’s “If These Kniches Could Talk”

Don’t forget: Tonight, February 9, The Brooklyn Bugle/Brooklyn Heights Blog is presenting a special preview of BHB contributor/filmmaker Heather Quinlan’s If These Knishes Could Talk, “The Story of the New York Accent,” at the Brooklyn Heights Cinema from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. Knishes and egg creams will be served. (buy tickets here).

Quinlan will host a Q&A before the screening of this special 25-minute version of her work-in-progress. All ticket sale proceeds will go to the completion of the full-length film.

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I Want Candy? 20 Henry Condos At Last Hit The Market

I Want Candy? 20 Henry Condos At Last Hit The Market

The condo project at 20 Henry Street is at last hitting the marketplace after years of delays. Final polishes are taking place at the former Peaks Mason Mints building, known as the Candy Factory, with asking prices between $450,000 and $2.56 million for studios up to 4 bedrooms. The building includes 24 lofts (six of them penthouse units, at $2+ million), with an additional 14 units in an adjacent modern structure on Poplar Street scheduled to wrap by summer.

An article in today’s Wall Street Journal reminds us of the building’s history: The former industrial space was built in 1885 Continue Reading →

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That’s Our Girl: Neighbor Björk Performs In Queens To Support “Biophilia”

That’s Our Girl: Neighbor Björk Performs In Queens To Support “Biophilia”

Brooklyn Heights resident Björk has launched a combination concert & performance art event in support of her new album “Biophilia,” at the New York Hall of Science in Queens. If you missed her opening set Friday, she will encore Monday 2/6, Thursday 2/9, Sunday 2/12 and Wednesday 2/15. Continue Reading →

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March On: CFAF Offers Heights “Family Walking Tour”

Until the next Homer Fink Hidden Brooklyn Heights tour, New York’s Center for Architecture Foundation (CFAF), in collaboration with the Brooklyn Historical Society, is offering a “Family Walking Tour of Historic Brooklyn Heights.” The excursion, which takes place Saturday, March 17 (rain date on the 18th) from 2-4 p.m., will “explore the architecture of this beautiful, historic neighborhood on an interactive walking tour with CFAF Educator Jane Cowan.” Continue Reading →

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Open Thread: Compare & Contrast 75 Clinton & 101 Clinton

Open Thread: Compare & Contrast 75 Clinton & 101 Clinton

In the BHB post a week ago about the new 80-unit building at 75 Clinton Street & Montague (on right) going rental, a healthy debate blossomed here between the architectural charms of its facade versus the new 40-unit residential building one block down at 101 Clinton Street & Joralemon (left). You guys took each building to task, with typical opinionated passion.

So let’s put up your dukes, BHB followers. We invite a full-on discussion about the merits—or not—of each property. Continue Reading →

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Heights Neighbor Björk Releases “App Album” “Biophilia”

Heights Neighbor Björk Releases “App Album” “Biophilia”

Warbling Icelandic recording artist and Brooklyn Heights neighbor Björk, who bought a pad on Henry Street with filmmaker hubby Matthew Barney in 2009, has released new album “Brooklynphilia.” No, wait, that’s not right: It’s “Biophilia.” She appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” January 31 to rap about the project and perform tracks.

According to USA Today, the recording is—historically—the “first app album,” in collaboration with Apple. Continue Reading →

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City Council Approves Skyscraper Historic District

Today the City Council approved the Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District by a vote of 46-1, with two abstentions.

The Brooklyn Paper: Preservationists hailed the city for protecting a slew of Romanesque Revival and Beaux-Arts structures, including the tiered co-op 75 Livingston St., which housed some of the designation’s most vocal opponents.

“We’re thrilled,” said Judy Stanton, executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association, the powerful community group that helped push for the district. “The opposition exaggerated the negatives. This is going to be good for Brooklyn as a whole and very good for Downtown and Court Street.” Continue Reading →

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Plymouth Church Hosts Kid-Friendly “Bandana Splits” Feb. 11

Plymouth Church Hosts Kid-Friendly “Bandana Splits” Feb. 11

Plymouth Church is hosting The Bandana Splits, “a concert for kids and their grown-ups,” on Saturday, February 11 at 11 a.m. The female trio’s signature is reminiscent of classic girl groups, a la the Ronettes, Caravelles and Andrews Sisters. Continue Reading →

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NY Daily News Weighs In On Downtown Landmarking: “No Good Reason”

The New York Daily News published a to-the-point Opinion piece titled “The Battle Of Brooklyn” condemning the proposed Brooklyn Downtown Skyscraper District, which is heading for a full City Council vote February 1. The five-paragraph story calls the bid to protect the 21 buildings “transparently nonsense.” Continue Reading →

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Reminder: Knishes Film Preview at Brooklyn Heights Cinema February 9

As we previously announced, Brooklyn Heights Cinema will present a preview of our Heather Quinlan’s work-in-progress, If These Knishes Could Talk, on Thursday evening, February 9 from 6:45 to 8:00. Knishes and egg creams will be served. Proceeds will help to fund completion of the film. You can buy tickets here. We hope to see you there.

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75 Clinton Street Nixes Condo Sales; Goes After “Booming” Rental Market

The gruesomely unattractive condo conversion at 75 Clinton and Montague streets (above Rite Aid) has scrubbed plans to sell the saltine box’s 74 units, instead vying to go rental. The building’s new owner, Dallas-based investment firm Invesco, will bring the project to market early next month, according to Crain’s.

Good luck: Prices range from $2,800 to $7,000 a month. Continue Reading →

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NYTimes looks at Appellate Division on Monroe Place

Recently, the NYTimes offered a superficial and frustrating article entitled: “A Judgeship With Prestige, and, Oh, What a Grand Room“.  The article fails to include any significant historical or architectural information about this building.  On the bright side, at least the St. Ann’s “smoking lounge” didn’t get included in the photo.  Continue Reading →

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Downtown Brooklyn “Skyscraper District” On Track For Approval

Despite vehement opposition from segments of the local real estate community, the downtown Brooklyn “Borough Hall Skyscraper District” is on track for approval by the New York City Council. On Tuesday, January 24, the plan offering landmark protection to 21 buildings that abut Brooklyn Heights, was given a go by the Council’s landmarks subcommittee, all but ensuring the entire Council will ratify it Feb. 1. (See BHB’s previous Jan. 19 post here.) Continue Reading →

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NBC’s Upcoming “Smash” Returns To Lense In The Heights

NBC’s Upcoming “Smash” Returns To Lense In The Heights

NBC’s upcoming mid-season replacement “Smash,” must be counting on a ratings boon when it launches Feb. 6 at 10 p.m. The show’s crew returned to film in Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO Monday. Seen: lead Katharine McPhee, and episode guests Uma Thurman and Jerry O’Connell. The latter pair was photographed with the “Kill Bill” star playing a courier and landing a punch upside Jerry’s face after she handed over a package. Continue Reading →

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