Adventure Incoporated

Sitting on a train

2008-03-16T15:36:00.001-07:00

Im sitting on a northbound Metro North train. The train lulls you into a light sleep as you bounce and clank to and fro up the tracks.

Out the window building slip past. Each block packed with people. You get a sense that you are surrounded by people no matter where you go. Unlike at the shore where open space is abudent in at least a eastern direction.

Like a great purging, the train stops in the station and as the doors open people empty out in to quasi suberbia.

Somewhere north of the city limits.
Away from the Density.

Roosevelt Island

2008-02-19T08:29:00.000-08:00

Some History
Roosevelt Island -: "Roosevelt Island, formerly known as Welfare Island, and before that Blackwell's Island, is a narrow island in the East River of New York City."

Roosevelt Island - Wired New York Forum: "Roosevelt Island, although administratively part of Manhattan, is a different place, with different advantages and disadvantages. It definitely does not have the Manhattan 'buzz' - but that can be a good thing at 3 AM. It's much more quiet, much more open space, and it has great views of Manhattan all over the place."

Beautiful Photos of the Smallpox Hospital
forlorn on Flickr - Photo Sharing!: "Located at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island, this fine Gothic Revival structure was originally constructed for the treatment of that 'loathsome malady,' smallpox, and for many years was New York City's only such institution. It is now a picturesque ruin, one which could readily serve as the setting for a 19th century 'Gothic' romance."

Preservationists say 3M needed to save Roosevelt Island Smallpox hospital: "The Smallpox Hospital, a landmarked building on Roosevelt Island, is slowly crumbling — taking with it an important chapter of the island's history. A portion of the structure's façade collapsed Dec. 26 after years of neglect and exposure to the elements."

Roosevelt Isle landmark is falling apart: "'In preservation terms, we call it demolition by neglect,' said Judith Berdy"

The Henry T. Sloane Mansion

2008-02-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

Brown Harris Stevens has done it again. $64,000,000 listing at the The Henry T. Sloane Mansion: "Built on a plot 36' wide by 100 deep, comprising over 18,500 approximate square feet, with stunning terraces and ceilings on several floors exceeding 17 feet, it was reported in the New York Times on October 3, 1941 that this mansion is notable for 'the spaciousness of its rooms, its marble staircase and its costly wood paneling' and was ideal for the next owner's 'extensive art and antique collection.'"

The Man In The Basement of The $64 M. House: 'Where Would I Go?' | The New York Observer: "For the last 28 years, Jeremiah Oshea has been the super at 18 East 68th Street, the 36-foot-wide, 18,500-square-foot, 103-year-old mansion that just hit the market asking $64 million."

Imagine being this guy, what a job and I hope the new owners keep him on.
The question arises who will step up and empty their pocketbook on the table for this beautiful home at about $3460 a square foot. about 3x the price of normal real estate in NYC.
Here at HH Realty Group, I could get you a high rise for this kind of money or how about all 64 studios for all the family to enjoy...

THE MILBANK MANSION: A NEW YORK MONUMENT

2008-02-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

THE MILBANK MANSION: A NEW YORK MONUMENT
Property values in the city are by no means obnoxious, well maybe...

Today on what can $59,000,000.00 buy me.
How about a Military budget for...:
"#42 Portugal: $59,000,000.00
#43 Philippines: $59,000,000.00
#44 Finland: $57,000,000.00"

CaliforniaMoves.com the real estate site serving all of Northern and
Southern California, Los Angeles: "31,415 SqFt. This exquisite estate is
situated on a nearly 5 acres of magnificentt grounds.The breathtaking
European-style gardens feature an expansive lawn,topiary sculptures,
stained glass domed pavilions,romantic

Kerrville, TX
The Lavaca River Ranch is located in Jackson County which borders
Victoria County. The property is approximately 5,276 acres. The Ranch
fronts the Lavaca River for approximately 3 miles.

Oh yea and a few Hummers, a couple of dozen heads of steer and a really
snazzy cowboy hat. Although you wouldn't have the fun of Congestion Pricing
to go to the back 40 in the morning.

So what is Mott Haven - Port Morris All About?

2008-02-06T19:25:00.000-08:00

While know for its commercial area, if you haven't taken the time to explore the area you will have missed the beautiful brownstones and pretty cool architecture. On the Photo Sharing Site FlickR, NYCbyFoot has documented the area better than I can describe.

March 6 2005 - Mott Haven & Port Morris - The Bronx - a photoset on Flickr: "March 6 2005 - Mott Haven & Port Morris - The Bronx"

This is a great write up about the man and the legend Jordan Mott.

village voice > nyclife > Neighborhoods: Ladies & Gentlemen: The South Bronx by Tim Heffernan: "In 1849, Jordan Mott, inventor of the first efficient coal stove, founded the Mott Iron Works on the banks of the Harlem River in what is today commonly referred to as the South Bronx. Many of his works endure: The manhole covers and drainage grates his factory produced have a half-life rivaling that of Uranium-236, and they continue to perform their humble services throughout the five boroughs."

All Real Estate is Local - You Could be Less Screwed than Others

2008-02-05T21:08:00.000-08:00

The good news is that we are listed as a #3. The bad news is we are listed as a #3.
All Real Estate is Local - You Could be Less Screwed than Others: "About a week ago (on my birthday no less) Countrywide sent out a list of Soft Markets (Countrywide Soft Markets PDF) across the country rated from 5 (the worst devaluation in property value) to 1 (less devaluation). They issued this list with changes made to lending criteria for new mortgage loans made in those areas of the country. Areas rated at 5 were seeing reductions in lending limits by 5% of the loan to value guidelines on first mortgages and 10% on second mortgage products (like home equity lines of credit)."

Shouting "Fire" in a Theater

2008-02-05T14:41:00.000-08:00

The comments on this article are priceless but fairly accurate. There is no need to panic that the market is tanking. Any location 1 or 2 stops away from Manhattan is only going to go up or maintain it's value. We are seeing a market stall, most assuredly but people need to breath and be realistic. Mortgage companies are being more through and the heyday is over where your getting a jumbo no doc package. If you are looking at Williamsburg don't expect to see massive price drops. You will see some readjusting of condos on the more inflated prices. This isn't 1929. There is no need to Jump!

Curbed: New Williamsburg Group Says the End is Here: "These 'Williamsburg Apartment Buyers Unite!!!' fliers were all over the Burg yesterday, most visibly on Bedford Avenue, but also plastered to the construction fence at 125 N. 10 (about which we'll have more in a bit). It declares that 'The real estate bust is here!"

What is an Artist to Do?

2008-02-04T11:52:00.000-08:00

The Local: Matzo-Gate and the Rise of Ridgewood | The New York Observer: "“They’ve purposefully used artists in Williamsburg and DUMBO to bring the neighborhoods into a fashionable state… It’s the mayor’s responsibility to bring buildings into the loft law or to find housing for [displaced] artists,” Ms. Masters said."

I have personally witnessed artists (actors, painters etc) who have been priced out of New York City and are now being forced to live in areas that are not condusive to their work or provide the inspiration needed to succeed.

One great community that does exist is in the South Bronx. Or SoBro (Mott Haven). nter the Clocktower building. I have seen the apartments here and almost rented last year. Mr Fatjo is a very wonderful young man who really cares about his community. The Clocktower suffers from something that many places need to catch, it's called "Pride of Place".

Goodbye South Bronx Blight, Hello SoBro - New York Times: "Now anyone strolling on Bruckner can see boxes of geraniums and satellite dishes adorning the industrial windows of the Clocktower, the five-story red-brick former piano factory that was converted into 75 apartment lofts by a landlord experienced with lofts in East Williamsburg. Those lofts rent for between $1,000 to $2,000, according to Mr. Fatjo, who, in addition to working as a disc jockey at parties, helps pay his Clocktower rent by showing apartments to artists."

There is a fantastic Bar / Restaurant called the Bruckner Bar and Grill ( http://www.brucknerbar.com/ ).
My wife and I have enjoyed several meals here in the past and I can highly recommend the establishment. It has the certain feel about many places in the village try for but don't deliver on.
Open: Mon – Fri 11:30am – midnight, Sat 12 noon – midnight, Sun 12 noon - 10pm

Check out the community. Bruckner Blvd & Lincoln Ave South of 134th & 3rd