In case you missed it, the New York Times Real Estate section did a nice piece on an architectural designer who moved to the neighborhood after spending a good chunk of his life in Alphabet City. The article was called “Rediscovering New York as It Used to Be” and it starts off like this:
“MICHAEL ANDALORO lived in Alphabet City for nearly 25 years before moving to Brooklyn last year, and he doesn’t long for Manhattan…” [Click here to read more]
He says some things that I’ve heard over and over again from folks who’ve lived a long time in Manhattan–the city’s changed to the point where it’s unrecognizable. I think this is something that many people experience in their lives. They see the place where they grew up or lived out their young adulthood morph into something completely different as the years go by. As Heraclitus said, there is nothing permanent except change.
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12 November 2007, 3:00 pm
This is what I wanted to do originally but I didn’t have $1.2 million to invest …
12 November 2007, 3:50 pm
You know, that’s what caught my eye! The amount he made on his Manhattan property. He deserves it, though. Anyone who took a chance by PURCHASING A PLACE in Alphabet City deserves to reap the benefits of a neighborhood turnaround.
12 November 2007, 4:20 pm
i love it. he seems like a cool guy and his heart and creative vision seem like they’re in the right place. good for him.
also, i wouldn’t kick that terrace out of bed for leaving crumbs.
12 November 2007, 5:07 pm
LOL! Right on about the terrace. I was especially happy to see him living on the property. That isn’t to say off-site landlords are all bad, but I imagine that the average landlord who lives in the same building with his/her rental units is going to take much better care of the property compared to the average off-site landlord.
12 November 2007, 6:27 pm
Funny how people see things. So many positive comments on this site about this man but on Brownstoner…a whole different story.That being said,Bedstuy is getting noticed because of the people moving to it, not the people who have lived here their whole lives.Interesting.
12 November 2007, 8:10 pm
Bravo to bed-stuy, and the great article in the Times. This guy likes being in areas before they take off, and it’s wonderful that he had the guts to move here, and renovate a building into something wonderful. What attracted everyone else to the area? Did you like the bohemian feel or was price the main reason.
Great point about the new people getting the press, but truly any good press for BedStuy is welcomed. Yes there are locals doing good, but they may focus on the new vibe/money being brought into the area.
Yes, there are probably a lot more slumlords around, too many buying cheap housing and renting to section 8.
Brownstoner is a tough crowd, and they discuss million dollar homes all over brooklyn. More relaxed and calm here, and this area is about more reasonable homes and guys like this doing good things.
It’s a good day for BedStuy!
14 November 2007, 1:51 pm
can i rent from him?
16 November 2007, 2:45 am
yeah it does sound like a cool living arrangement. maybe others on this site that have multi family homes will fix them up and offer such apts. i’d bet they would go fast.
alexa said she would if she had the dough. anyone else have experience renovating a rental and trying to get good tenants?