NY’s Most Loathed Architect

The Post sure didn’t pull any punches in its profile of prolific architect Karl Fischer. Fischer is responsible for some pretty questionable buildings (I still can’t figure out where the entrance to 20 Bayard is), but he is far from the worst practitioner of architecture in Brooklyn.

On the other hand, I think it is telling that his “least favorite” buildings in NY are the Herman Jessor-designed co-operative village buildings in Corelears Hook (Seward Park Houses and Corlears Hook Houses) – some of the most successful working-class housing developments in the city, and the culmination of four decades of progressive housing in the neighborhood. The designs might be simple, but the planning and execution are wonderful. And they’re still standing (and in demand) 50 years later.

Williamsburg Slab Hotel “Unlikely”

Remember that lovely rendering of a set-back slab hotel that would go next door to the Williamsburgh Savings Bank building on Broadway? Turns out that it is very theoretical:

“Our architect did a design on spec — we don’t have that kind of money,” said [Juan] Figueroa, [owner of the site]. “I don’t know why he put it out there. He’s crazy to put it out there like that.”

So much for the “international design competition” the architect says that he was part of.

(Figueroa’s larger point is worth noting – someday he hopes to put a hotel on that site, just not necessarily this hotel. Maybe he’ll opt for a plan that has developable floor plates?)

Tower Day #2: Klein May Move Forward in Greenpoint

11/02/2011 | Comment

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Greenpoint Waterfront: The Future
(Rendering by City Planning)

More tower news (it’s Greenpoint’s turn)! Matt Chaban in the Observer has a piece on the imminent launch of phase one (at least) of the 10-tower project at the very north end of the Greenpoint waterfront. The project would be completely as of right, thanks to the 2005 rezoning, and would presumably benefit greatly from the construction of Barge Park to the north, if that ever happens. As with other waterfront developments, the project will include the buildout of a waterfront esplanade and the construction of 20% of the units as affordable (onsite, I believe).

Tower Day #1: Williamsburgh Savings Bank Hotel Tower

11/02/2011 | Comment

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WilliamsburgHotel, proposed


The Architects Newspaper has the winning renderings from an “international design competition” for a hotel on the parking lot to the west of the landmarked Williamsburgh Savings Bank, which look pretty amazing in a 40-story sort of way. Brownstoner wonders how theoretical this project is, and the answer is probably “extremely”. The developer is not named , nor are the other competition entrants (the design is from Oppenheim A + D [warning: Flash site]). It is not clear if this is requires zoning waivers, or if the project is using development rights (and waivers) from the landmark bank next door. Etc. Etc.

Still – pretty pictures (pigeons and all) to contemplate.

Fallout From Housing Official’s Arrest Hits Vulnerable Neighborhoods And Workers

NY World, writing in the City Hall News:

The impact of the alleged criminal activity is especially vivid on the streets of Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, two low-income neighborhoods HPD programs sought to assist. Under HPD’s HomeWorks program… developers were supposed to take vacant city-owned buildings and sell them to new homeowners. But in one of those projects – the three-story brick townhouse at 53 Rochester Ave. in Bushwick – thieves have torn through immaculately painted walls in search of copper and pipes to sell. Once-polished floorboards jut out dangerously, splintered and cracked.