By Matt Chaban 8/24/12 5:53pm

Superfun

A Gowanus Lighthouse

Superfund Solutions: Gowanus Lighthouse Development Will Be Rental, Not Condo

Who would want to live on the shores of a Superfund site? Maybe the better question is, who would want to own a place on one?

Toll Brothers killed their plan to build a new housing complex on the Gowanus Canal two years ago when the U.S. Enviornmental Protection Agency decreed the canal was toxic, despite protests and counter-proposals from the Bloomberg administration. That is why the news earlier this month that the Lighthouse Group was going to develop the site was so surprising. But part of the developer’s secret appears to be hundreds more units and renting them rather than selling them. Read More

8/01/12 5:12pm

The Mysteries of Brooklyn

Back from the toxic dead.

A Lighthouse on the Gowanus: New Developer Taking Over Toll’s Abandoned Superfund Site

In 2004, just as Brooklyn was becoming a thing, McMansion developers Toll Brothers set their sites on an unusual location in the middle of the borough: the banks of the Gowanus Canal, one of the most heavily polluted corners of the city. After the public review process concluded, the plan was impeded by an unprecedented obstacle: the EPA announced it was adding the Gowanus canal to its Superfund list. And that’s when the Toll Brothers decided to scrap the plans.

But yesterday, Browstoner revealed a new development in the story, hearing that a rather unknown firm, The Lightstone Group, has intentions to take over the Toll Brothers site and build 700 new apartments there. Read More

By Matt Chaban 6/19/12 5:05pm

on the waterfront

8 Photos

A Marvel on the Shore

Anchormen: A New Hotel and Other Developments as Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 Approved

As expected, a team of Toll Brothers and Starwood Capital won the right to develop Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park today. They will be building a new hotel of 200 rooms and a neighboring apartment building with 159 units, a complex that peaks near Fulton Street entrance and sloping down toward the park. The project is designed by Rogers Marvel Architects, whom Toll has initially tapped, with Dumbo-based Bernheimer Architects apparently getting the boot. There will be no mash-up on the shore here. Read More

By Kim Velsey 5/17/12 2:21pm

Picture 5

The Unlikely Protesters of Park Avenue: Neighbors Wave Sheets at Planned Toll Brothers Tower

The residents of Carnegie Hill are not particularly experienced in protest techniques—they are more likely to walk through throngs of the demonstrators than to walk among them. But a new Toll Brothers development on Park Avenue has inspired angry Upper East Siders to take up the picket.

In a vertical city like New York, simple signs on sticks do not do much good, so neighbors have resorted to a more high-flying technique for their “visual protest” this morning, unfurling homemade banners from one of their buildings that read “Save Our History.”

“We’re all rookies at this, not professional protesters,” said Lucinda Ballard, who lives in 1112 Park Avenue, right next to the two pre-Civil War townhouses that the Philadelphia-based Toll Brothers is almost certainly planning to replace with a tower, but has thus far refused to confirm. Read More

By Kim Velsey 4/11/12 3:12pm

Manhattan Transfers

Will these townhouses soon meet the wrecking ball? Signs point ot yes.

Groundwork Continues to Be Laid For Rumored Toll Brothers Tower on Park Avenue

Toll Brothers is still pulling a “no comment” when it comes to rumors of  a Carnegie Hill tower, but plans for something are certainly moving apace on Park Avenue.

The same limited liability corporation—89 Park Avenue LLC—that purchased 1110 Park Avenue for $16.5 million (10 percent more than the $14.9 million ask) has also closed on 1108 Park Avenue for $13 million. And 1108 wasn’t even listed for sale! Read More

By Kim Velsey 4/09/12 4:56pm

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

A Toll Brother's tear down?

UES Residents Want Expanded Historic District To Prevent Rumored Residential Tower

It turns out that Carnegie Hill residents are not so thrilled about whatever plans Philadelphia-based McMansion builder Toll Brothers might have for their neighborhood.

Following news that the builders, who have slowly been expanding their Manhattan presence, had closed on the purchase of a townhouse at 1110 Park Avenue and also had their eye on neighboring 1108 Park Avenue, Tolls’ new neighbors are trying to stop them. Read More

By Matt Chaban 3/23/12 3:43pm

Manhattan Transfers

9 Photos

Toll Brothers Tear Down?

Did Toll Brother Just Buy 1110 Park Avenue, With Plans for More Than Just a Townhouse?

Toll Brothers, the Philadelphia-based McMansion builders, have been making a big play in New York over the past decade. Most of those projects were in Brooklyn, but in the fall, the firm’s New York office, Toll Brothers City Living, moved to Manhattan, and company president David Von Sprekelsen told The Real Deal he would be focusing more of his energy here.

Curbed recently heard rumors that Toll had closed on the purchase of 1110 Park Avenue, a 25-foot-wide redbrick townhouse, and might even have an eye on neighboring 1108 Park Avenue. The former indeed appears to be true, as the property just sold for $16.5 million, according to city records. That is a big premium on the $14.95 million ask, too. Read More

By Matt Chaban 3/06/12 1:17pm

on the waterfront

9 Photos

Starwood Capital/Alloy Development/Bernheimer Architecture/nArchitects

Vacancies at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Hotel Requirement Sinks Developers

Brooklyn Bridge Park has transformed the borough’s waterfront, replacing derelict warehouses with yuppie-packed lawns and playgrounds. The project would not be possible without the controversial private development surrounding it, a handful of apartment buildings, retail outlets, even a hotel. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend the night in New York overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge?

The developers vying for the right to develop Pier 1, that’s who. Read More