It seems that neighbors are disgruntled at the out-of-scale height of the new building, something the developers probably aren't too concerned about, as a look at the prices the building's condos have fetched show: According to Brownstoner, units there were priced from nearly half a million dollars all the way up to $1.3 million, and sold like hot cakes.

But lately the Department of City planning has been receptive to down-zoning, as long as there's a tradeoff nearby for larger developments. Case in point: the northern edge of Sunset Park (or the South South Slope) between 15th and 24th streets along Fourth Avenue. Residents in that neighborhood protested all the large-scale developments going up, and the D.C.P. listened. A height restriction was impose on the streets late last year, while increased scale--up to 12 stories--was allowed on the avenue itself.

Now that the call for height restrictions has gone out, though, look for developers to accelerate any plans now on the books, as they race the clock before anything happens. Impending height restrictions always are an impetus to get that building built before the down-zoning takes effect. (The Brooklyn Paper pdf file)

-Matthew Grace

According to literature released by Minskoff, the building will be of variable height: Along Greenwich Street it will rise up 101 feet for a total of six stories; its Murray Street component will feature 10 floors for a height of 139 feet; a condo tower will rise 382 feet over West Street, for a total of 30 floors; and Warren Street will see eight floors for a total of 134 feet.

This site was originally slated to be developed as a nearly-600-foot office tower, but after the Sept. 11 attacks its scale was decreased.

There will be an approximate total of 230 condo units and 162 rental units, of which 81 will be reserved for affordable housing (with 60 percent of these set aside for "moderate income" tenants and 40 percent for "low income" tenants).

As part of a deal worked out with Community Board 1 earlier this year, Minskoff agreed to contribute $7.5 million to the Parks Department for maintenance of Washington Market Park, located a block north of the development site, and $3 million toward a nearby community center.

Minskoff also reduced the height of part of the building at the community board's request to produce less shadow on P.S. 234, located across Warren Street.

Whole Foods has signed up to occupy 55,000 of the development's 170,000 square feet of retail space, so downtown will finally be getting some high-quality food out of the bargain (try the sticky buns, they're our favorite).

Construction, if the City Council approves the fully privately funded project, will begin on mid-October 2005, with a fall 2007 completion date.

- Matthew Grace