Yesterday’s post on Brownstoner that the new condos called Green on Dean (357 Dean, right) have gone on the market drew a few supportive comments about the building and its architectural context.
As an old-house person, I find it a crying shame to have a 6-story modern monster towering above a rare collection of wood-frame 19th century row houses.
Its presence (it went up in a flash) points up the vulnerability of the blocks between Third and Fourth Avenues, where development pressure is great. I worry in particular about St. Marks Place, below, a long, unbroken row of uniform brownstones on both sides of the block.
St. Marks Place between 3rd and 4th Aves
How do you all feel about Green on Dean?
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5 comments
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February 11, 2009 at 11:16 am
Anonymous
I think there needs to be a balance of progress and preservation. It looks like the house there before was beyond repair. The shame is that someone let it rot.
Six stories is hardly “towering,” the architecture could be a lot worse, and if it is indeed “green” (whatever that means) then I guess you can tick the progress box.
February 11, 2009 at 11:31 am
cara
Well, your points are well taken. “Towering” is a matter of context – the building seems HUGE next to its neighbors to the east. I’m grateful at least that it’s next to the massive Art Deco school building, and not in between two small houses. Thanks for commenting, dwarbi. Cute baby!
February 11, 2009 at 1:19 pm
William Harris
Okay, I’ll say it. This property looks like sh*t. Maybe nice inside, I am waiting to see it, but please…. pleeez!…. developers of new properties, please have some respect for what was built before you. You are working in an old neighborhood with old homes around it, these old homes setting the stage for what is torn down and replaced. Context does matter to buyers, as well as to neighbors, so be mindful of that.
February 11, 2009 at 1:23 pm
cara
I’m with you. It’s not a fantastic work of modern architecture, regardless of context. If it was, maybe we could give it a pass. But it’s banal, like most of the new buildings that replace older ones. Thanks for your comment, Bill.
February 12, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Dave
Green, schmean. It’s obscene, like most of the new condo construction in this neighborhood.