53 Boerum

According to a recent article in the New York Post, “Brooklyn’s swiftly rising profile is set to go sky high in 2006.” The article outlines the exciting boom that is currently happening - and rapidly picking up speed - in our borough.

Here is a sampling of projects on track for 2006:

- Transformation of the Red Hook waterfront to include a Fairway, IKEA, and cruise ship port that will be home to the Queen Mary 2
- Brooklyn Marriott expansion
- Thor Tower in downtown Brooklyn (I believe this is the one slated to go up near Fulton and Red Hook Lane, can anyone confirm?)
- Nets Stadium in Prospect Heights

There’s also a lot of residential action going on around here… a walk to Target this weekend turned into a tour of active construction sites and condos on the rise. It’s exciting to see the neighborhood grow and change. Can’t wait to meet the new neightbors… Boom!

Don’t let the odd name fool you - Noodle Pudding serves some of the finest Italian food in the neighborhood. Heights locals who’ve already discovered this treasure are quite familar with the low-key facade (there is only one very subtle sign in the doorway), so if it’s your first visit, look out because you might miss it. The cozy, rustic decor are as friendly and welcoming as the cheerful host who will greet you at the door. They do not accept reservations, so on a busy Saturday night you may have to wait.

Over our already several visits to Noodle Pudding, we’ve tried the fried calamari, beef carpaccio, mushroom risotto, and fresh mozzarella appetizers. All were fantastic and tasty, especially the risotto! On our most recent trip, we had the steak entree for two, which was cooked to perfection. The fettucine bolognese that our friend ordered looked great as well. We topped off our meal with a delicious chocolate mousse cake, and a shot of limoncello and fresh berries. …Just like being in Sorrento.

Noodle Pudding, 38 Henry Street, between Cranberry and Middagh

Sunday is a great day for real estate porn. Me and the husband went for a walk around DUMBO, and I convinced him to take a detour with me and see what was up with the J Condo on the corner of Jay and Front Streets. We entered the sales office at 147 Front Street and were greeted by a friendly rep who had us do the obligatory sign-in. We were offered chilled bottles of Poland Spring (I accepted) while we waited for an agent to meet with us. In the lobby were ambient videos playing on sexy flatscreen TVs, and - hang on to your sweet tooth - bowlfuls of “official” J Condo chocolates, and candy canes hung upside down to look like the letter J. Frickin’ genius.

Our agent greeted us and took us through the sales office. There was an impressive scale model of the 33-story, 267-unit building, which lit up to highlight the different amenities. Snazzy. We also saw a model kitchen (the cabinet handles and appliances were reminiscent of our very own 53BP) and models of the bathrooms (the master suite bathroom was quite impressive in size but lacked enough medicine cabinet storage space, in my opinion).

We were shown a few 2 BR, 2 bath floor plans in the 760K - 825K range. One had a decent layout, but in terms of liveable space many of the rooms in our place here at 53BP are comparable, or bigger. All units had their own washer-dryer, which is nice. …But if you want anything at the J with a desirable Manhattan view, you’ll have to cough up at least $1M or higher. Occupancy is expected for Spring 2007.

The most popular new year’s resolution that is made (and broken!) is to get in shape and lose weight. All you 53BPers who are looking to build some biceps or lose some of that winter coat will be thrilled to learn that uber-sexy Equinox fitness club will be opening an outpost in Brooklyn Heights… an exact location has not yet been released. According to the under-construction web site, it looks as if spa services will also be available. Bring on the hot rocks!

Happy new year to all our fellow 53BP residents. We hope you enjoyed the holiday season!

It looks like 2006 is finally going to bring those neighborhood changes that have been looming on the horizon. Gothamist has summarized the mayor’s budgetary plan, which includes $89 million earmarked for Downtown Brooklyn’s economic development. Suggested improvements on the table include widening and landscaping the median down Boerum Place to Atlantic Avenue as part of a traffic calming initiative and creation of more office space. This appears to be the third largest amount allotted to one area, behind the mammoth Williamsburg/Greenpoint waterfront project and the Brooklyn Navy Yard development.

Those of us at the 53BP blog and message board wish all our fellow residents a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.

With the drama of the to-be or not-to-be transit strike still looming, it’s not surprising that some resourceful Downtown Brooklynites are going to try and make some cash off the situation. Check out this “transit strike special” parking spot on the corner of Livingston and Hoyt - only $300 cash per day while the strike lasts! Hurry folks, this deal won’t last. Craig’s List via Curbed

Often when donating to large organizations, you can’t help but wonder, “did my money really go to the cause I wanted it to?”

Worry no more. My lovely 53BP neighbor Tina recently told me about DonorsChoose. “DonorsChoose is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.”

I did a search for Brooklyn schools and came up with many interesting projects. Here is a sampling of some in the arts:
> Digital photography program for special needs students
> Frames needed for exceptional student artwork
> Musical instruments for eager students

Help Brooklyn students this holiday season. Please consider donating to one of these wonderful causes!

Happy first official snow day to everyone at 53BP! Bundle up, bust out your Bing Crosby CDs and make some hot chocolate this weekend… (with marshmallows, of course).

The Real Deal reports that construction sites at 230 Livingston Street and 225 Schermerhorn Street (between Hoyt and Bond) will contain a combined 226 housing units and *18,000 square feet* of ground floor retail space. Our neighbors over at the Court House apartments appear to still be looking for some retail tenants. Anybody hear any rumors as to what might move in? My fingers are still crossed for a Trader Joe’s…