A work of architectural genius? Or the most grotesque thing yet to show up on Fourth Avenue? There will be varying opinions but this is Robert Scarano’s at Fourth Avenue and 13th Street. This 12-story building being developed by Isaac Katan will have 135 units. (Anyone want to take bets on whether it’ll be a nondo?) Back in the day, we called this the Olive Garden Building because of a (unfounded) rumor that one of its retail tenants would be an Olive Garden. Then, we thought they could call it the Laundromatic because residents will be able to toss bags of laundry down to the laundromat beneath for that all important wash and fold service. Now, we’ve had a change of heart based on the side view and we’re calling it Big Bob’s House of D and casting our vote in the groteque column.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Brenda from Flatbush // Feb 9, 2009 at 9:25 am
Poor leetle red building, all hunkered down in the shadow of the penitentiary!
2 The Whomas // Feb 9, 2009 at 5:33 pm
A national catastophe.
3 Chris on 12th // Feb 9, 2009 at 6:29 pm
When was this picture taken? Because just today a big banner practically the height of the building went up on the north side announcing that the sales center is open with a big arrow pointing down. It says Studios, 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms and it gives a website address of 500fourthavenue.com but it doesn’t seem to be functional which is weird. If you put up a big banner with a website you would think you would at least have something basic on the website.
4 rsguskind // Feb 9, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Photos taken yesterday, meaning February 8. Sign must have gone up today.
5 Chris on 12th // Feb 10, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Went by it again today and the web address is http://www.500fourthave.com. My bad.
Takes you to a page that asks you to fill in your contact info so that someone can send you info but there are not any details about the building on the site. Prudential Douglas Elliman has the listing but there is nothing on their site. The “sales center” the sign refers to is totally empty with bare concrete floors and walls and a few chairs.
6 byron // Feb 20, 2009 at 10:18 am
Not even near architectural genius, it is clearly a grotesque monstrosity; the obvious indication of greed.
7 12 street resident // Mar 9, 2009 at 9:30 pm
This is the total embodiment of greed its big, ugly, and since its so big and ugly no one will buy the condos for the what they are asking. I hear they are starting at 500k.
So when do they start renting to section 8?
I can’t wait for the dollar store to open on the first floor.
I miss seeing the sunsets on 12th st.
8 marianne nouri // Jul 21, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I think the artists rendition of the completed
building is just breath taking. The laundramat
must go. It looks disgusting next to your
“TRUMP TOWERS”. They have been there way
too long anyway. Out with the old, in with the
new and fabulous.