Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Looking at the East Village Brownstone

So 13 months have passed since we checked in on this under-renovation brownstone at 224 E. 12th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

Last year!


Now!


The building is called The Brownstone.


Per the organization's website:

The Brownstone uses New York City as an experiential classroom to promote personal, communal and social responsibilities for young Jewish participants to develop a code of ethics for living with integrity and purpose as contributing and leading members of society.We collaborate and build partnerships with a wide range of organizations to further Jewish education and identity and to strengthen young Jews’ commitment to Israel.

Our mission is to strengthen Jewish identity and peoplehood, foster community development, and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

The building will include a rooftop terrace, sleeping quarters, library, and classroom and workshop space. No word on a completion date.

Here's a rendering...


Previously on EV Grieve:
12th Street brownstone becoming mini university for Jewish education

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

why on earth would they change the facade? it went from being classic brownstone to brick poophouse

Pinch said...

That can't be right. It's still BRICK. Where's the complete glass facade?? Something's wrong here. It must be a fake-out. The brick is removable. The glass facade is behind it.

Anonymous said...

Pinch,

It's a facade facade.

Pinch said...

Ohhhhh…a FAÇADE façade. Ok. Phew. I was freaking out there for a second.

Anonymous said...

Didn't FAÇADE façade used to play at the Pyramid back in the 80's? Pretty sure I've got one of their 12" around here somewhere...

Victoria said...

The windows in the current "brownstone" are horrible. are horrible.

dwg said...

Couldn't be more bland and nondescript. An ugly addition.

Anonymous said...

It is awful and generic -- AND they stole my view (I live next door).

Ken from Ken's Kitchen said...

Agreed about the windows.

What was pleasing about the old facade (besides the proportions) were the really minor details: the roof cornice and the windows, which featured really simple details like the slight arch, the slightly protruding sills, and that they were recessed.

These new windows are not recessed and are as featureless and boring as the rest of the new facade, which is apparently what the architect and client were successfully going for.

I understand that these days form follows function but the new windows don't even function, they don't open. Ugh.

randall said...

oy vey

Anonymous said...

It is beyond ironic that an entity called "The Brownstone" that promotes social responsibility purchased a browstone and proceeded to un-brownstone it.

Anonymous said...

I get that they needed to install modern windows, however, where are the lintons and sills from the drawing? Where is cornice? I hope they're on their way. It doesn't seem like they would have added that much to the cost.

Gojira said...

Jewish ethics do not allow for the original bricks and cornice? A pox on all architects and renovators who think they have to put their own 'personality' on projects.

Shawn said...

Applaud your mission and concept Brownstone! Kinda bummed about the renovation which isn't all that inspiring...

However, thanks for keeping Jewish roots right and pride right here on the Lower East Side where the Jews in America story started!

Anonymous said...

Ugh...ruined a perfectly functional and attractive facade by altering the windows and facing it with cheap, modern bricks and windows. And they are now calling this The Brownstone? Why? To mock the rest of us?

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:13, yeah, I could only find a dusty LP of FAÇADE façade's last album at Bleecker Bob's but it got cracked during my last move. Sucks. You just can't find their stuff anymore. :(

Anonymous said...

THAT'S HORRID! In the architectural rendering, the bricks seemed more varied in color and the windows had more style.

There is no character and it looks like a building that will have the word "Fuck" spray painted on it within 2 days of the construction wall coming down.

Anonymous said...

"Thou shalt not bear false witness"

As per that commandment, these people have sinned by presenting a plan for the building which preserved the proportions of the original windows - then went and installed some cheap horrible crap.

Seems like they are a lot more beholden to the Golden Calf then the God of the old Testament.

What observant Jew would have anything to do with these people?

Anonymous said...

This isn't bad, it's really bad!! NY
is slowly vaporizing.

CAS said...

Agree with Anon 10:38, welcome to the 'unbrownstoning' of the East Village.

Marc Kehoe said...

I can only say OH NO!

Anonymous said...

Why would they do that to a classic brownstone?

IF you wanted something new , then build it on a vacant lot.

I am in real estate, but will never understand why owners destroy what makes their area great.

Also, given their mission, why not have purchased one of the many underutilized and endangered synagagues in the area, restore it and re-use it for Jewish education?
That would have maintained some of the true original character of the area and brought it into the 21st century. another missed opportunity

Mark said...

That is some ugly ass sh*t!

Boo!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is awful- why remove those brownstone details- the charming window details etc. and then call it "The Brownstone"- Is this irony at play?

Anonymous said...

Only these people could destroy a neighbourhood who in a planning commitee signed of on this and they are ruining the neighbourhood