Revisiting Mr. Stein's 360 Smith Street / 131 Second Place Oliver House Site

Construction at the 360 Smith Street/ 131 2nd Place site came to an abrupt halt in July 2008, when developer Bill Stein's development was slapped with a Stop Work Order immediately after the City Council passed the Carroll Gardens Wide Street Zoning Text Amendment, which limits permitted building height and density in Carroll Gardens.
Developer Stein promptly took his case in front of the Board of Standards and Appeals, that oh-so-contentious board that grants developers exemptions in cases such as this.

In order to be able to continue, Mr. Stein had to prove that a significant portion of the project's foundation had been completed before the Stop Work Order went into effect. Though inspectors from the NYC Department of Buildings determined that only 20% of the foundation had been completed, the BSA gave Stein what he wanted at a hearing in November 2008. The Stop Work Order was lifted. He was now free to proceed.
But of course, that's when the real estate market went sour...

The construction site in November 2008

Nothing was happening at 360 Smith Street site for months. Until now, that is. According to the document below, Stein transferred the property from 360 Smith Street, LLC, to Boom LLC in August 2009. I have not yet been able to determine if Mr. Stein is still involved with Boom, LLC.

( click to enlarge)

Also unclear is if Boom is going ahead with Stein's "Oliver House" design, or if there will be any changes to the luxury condo building.

One thing is for sure: construction has resumed in a big way. Triton Construction crews have been working all week long. Since the construction is taking place right over Carroll Gardens' main F/G subway station, Community Board 6 recently sent a message that : "New York City Transit has announced its plans to close the Carroll Street (F, G) station's entrance/exit staircase at 2nd Place and Smith Street for 10-12 months beginning on September 15, 2009."

Stay tuned. This should be an interesting few months here in Carroll Gardens.





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Revisiting Mr. Stein's 360 Smith Street / 131 Second Place Oliver House Site

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