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Coney Island – Riegelmann Boardwalk Repairs Still Stalled

Here we are, July 2023 and the 100 year old Riegelmann Boardwalk in Brooklyn, NY desperately needs repairs. Jeff Grandis, Accord Real Estate Broker says “I frequently ride my bike down to the boardwalk in the Spring and Summer”. “ While riding along the boardwalk, there are many loose boards that feel unsafe to ride or walk on”.

Coney Islanders are pushing for NYC Parks to use materials that are safe for both locals and the environment in the repair work.

Craig Hammerman, Co President of the Coney Islanders for an Ocean Ferry says “ Many residents aren't in favor of these remodels. He fears the Parks Dept will start a construction plan that doesn't reflect the needs and wants of the community”.

River Ring Dumbo Project Rezoning Approved

Community Board 1 has approved an ambitious rezoning proposal along the Williamsburg waterfront, Brooklyn NY.

The Board's approval is based on the conditions that the project has two towers of mixed income housing, a YMCA and a waterfront park facing the East River.

In compliance with the Board's recommendations, Developer Two Trees will redesign the towers, a reduction of overall units and increasing the number of affordable apartments. David Lombino, managing director at Two Trees says “We appreciate the concerns expressed by the community board members and we are eager to follow through on our commitment a new model for Urban Waterfront Resiliency. The plan will have a 1st of it's kind public beach and in water park that will insulate the inland community from flooding. The Park will have 3 acres of public open space + 3 acres of protected in water access.

New Parks Planned For Brooklyn

Construction will begin on 4 park projects in Brooklyn, NY at a cost of more than $31M.

There will be a brand new park in Greenpoint, reconstruction of an Ocean Hill playground and the addition of a skate park, revitalizing a park in Downtown Brooklyn.

50 Kent in Bushwick Inlet Park is a brand new park coming to Northern Brooklyn, New York. This new $7.7M park will have new seating areas, gathering areas, expansive lawns, an overlook with beautiful views of the city and a water play area to keep cool in the summer months.

Brooklyn’s Crown Heights

Today’s Crown Heights is nothing short of magnificent, diverse, evolving and a very exciting neighborhood to live, work and play in.

Crown Heights sits next to Prospect Heights to the West, Flatbush and Prospect - Lefferts Gardens to the South, Brownsville to the East and Bedford Stuyvesant to the North.

Crown Heights has a history of being a fashionable residential neighborhood beginning in the early

The new New York City Ferry

The new New York City Ferry. Wow!

Brilliantly conceived, brilliantly planned but at least for now demand for The South Brooklyn Ferry Service has far outweighed the supply of ferries to accommodate the crowds of enthusiastic commuters, tourists and fun seekers.

The new NYC Ferry has a Rockaway Route Ferry service and South Brooklyn Ferry service. The cost of the fare is

Brooklyn’s Spectacular Rooftops

This time of year, when the weather is warm and wonderful it’s a great time to marvel at a few of Brooklyn’s most spectacular new rooftop experiences.

Fabulous is the best word for the 22nd floor rooftop bar and restaurant called Westlight located in the wonderful new William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg at 11 North 12th Street. The views of New York City are panoramic and magnificent. The restaurant is surrounded by a wonderful wrap around outdoor space looking out in every direction. The menu of small plates and bar offerings are original and delicious.

The brilliantly renovated Empire Stores on the Dumbo waterfront has just opened a public space which has an amazing landscaped rooftop. The views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges

Fleet Week New York 2016

Fleet Week 2016 has come to New York for a 28th annual celebration to honor the members of the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. This seven-day celebration in New York City began May 25th, and it will continue through Memorial Day.  It is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services of U.S Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. The event is free and

Coney Island Step By Step Attention From Developers Growing

For decades Brooklyn’s world famous Coney Island neighborhood on the water has been neglected and forgotten. Gradually retailers and developers have dipped their toes in the water there. Several new developments are

The Brooklyn Queens Connector - streetcar line project

A streetcar line called The Brooklyn Queens Connector is receiving big support from Business and Government.

The proposed route for the streetcar line would run from Sunset Park through Gowanus, Red Hook, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Vinegar Hill, The Brooklyn Navy Yard, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and on to Long Island City and Astoria Queens.

Downtown Brooklyn’s Junior’s Restaurant Sale Update

Attention to all real estate companies in Brooklyn and real estate agents in Brooklyn who love Junior’s cheesecake!

Famed Junior’s restaurant located on the corner of Flatbush Avenue Extension and Dekalb Avenue since 1950 will

Park Slope Pavilion Theatre Condo Conversion

I’ve been going to see movies at the Pavilion Theatre for years. The Pavillion building was originally built in the neo Rennaisance Style and opened in 1928. The building has a great location in the beautiful and historic Park Slope neighborhood. Many real estate companies in Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Navy Yard – Visit an Urban Farm

I’m sure that many hard working real estate agents in Brooklyn working with busy real estate companies need to relax and clear their mind from time to time.

If you are looking for a truly lovely experience, consider The Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Urban Farm, Brooklyn Grange located on the roof of building 3. Installed in 2012, the farm is a massive 65K sq ft roof towering twelve stories over the East River.

Brooklyn Food Shopping

With all of the busy Real Estate Companies in Brooklyn as well as all of the busy Real Estate Agents in Brooklyn, where do we go to do food shopping?

There is an alternative to Fairway and Whole Foods Markets when it comes to fresh, high quality and reasonably priced food.

3 Guys From Brooklyn, located on the corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway and 65th Street on the edge of the Borough Park neighborhood has been a Brooklyn favorite since

Brooklyn Is The Literary Capital of the World

To all great Brokers and Agents in Brooklyn Real Estate, be aware of this latest news about Brooklyn.

The Center For Fiction is relocating from their building located in Midtown Manhattan at 17 East 47th Street to 280 Ashland Place, a mixed use development in the heart of Brooklyn’s Cultural District.

Coney Island’s “Outdoor Museum”

Thor Equities is a development firm which many real estate agents and real estate companies in Manhattan and Brooklyn are familiar with.

Thor Equities owner Joseph Sitt is creating an outdoor museum on Stillwell Avenue and The Bowery, one of Coney Islands main walkways.

Brooklyn’s New York Marriott Hotel Remodels

Brooklyn's New York Marriott Hotel wants to stay on top and undergoing a total renovation. The hotel was opened in 1998 in Downtown Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Bridge when there was the only full service hotel in Downtown Brooklyn at the time. Through the years The Marriott has held several conferences for real estate agents representing many of Brooklyn’s real estate companies.

Fast forward to 2015 and many new hotels

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens – A Neighborhood Treasure

Since I’ve been a real estate broker in Brooklyn for over 27 years, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many of Brooklyn’s incredible neighborhoods, her second to none housing stock, magnificent architecture and a wonderful diversity of festivals and goings on.

In October of 2014 we blogged about the Brooklyn Heights Neighborhood Street Fairs

Brooklyn’s Barclay Center - A Magnet for Restaurants

As a real estate broker and lifelong resident of Brooklyn, I occasionally like to write a blog about Brooklyn neighborhoods, food and Brooklyn Commercial Real Estate news.

Brooklynites, whether newcomers or lifelong residents can all agree that when it comes to food, there is no better place for great quality and more diversity of cuisines in so many restaurants as we have in Brooklyn, NY.

From 8^th Avenue in Sunset Park,

The Charm of Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach Neighborhoods

Relax And Enjoy The Charm of Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach Neighborhoods

Had a rough week at work? Need to clear your mind and have some quality downtime? The perfect prescription for you is a weekend trip to Sheepshead Bay, a neighborhood with it's own fishing village and a stop off at nearby Brighton Beach, where you will find the world famous boardwalk along the beach and ocean.

These neighborhoods were

Spectacular Dumbo Festivals

The much beloved Dumbo Arts Festival, in it's 18th year, took place on the weekend of September 26th through the 28th. This year's festival showcased local artists as well as artists from around the world.

Historic Brooklyn Grand Prospect Hall

 

 

The Grand Prospect Hall in Park Slope, is truly one of the crown jewels of Brooklyn's historic places to visit like the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden and The Brooklyn Museum.

Brooklyn Zombie Run and Celebrating Halloween in NYC, 2014

Zombies arrived in Brooklyn, just in time for Halloween 2014! A Run For Your Lives, 5K Zombie Run event was held on October 25th at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Event creators Ryan Hogan and Derrick Smith came up with the slogan before they came up with the event to go with it. 

  There was a zombie transformation process which included makeup, bloodiness and shredded clothes. Both zombie and non zombie participants run a muddy track with hurdles, rope ladders, water slides and other obstacles. Eventually run participants arrived at a safe zone called the Apocalypse, where there was drinking, dancing and plenty of partying going on to celebrate Halloween!

Wonderful and Fun Neighborhood Street Fairs - A Brooklyn Tradition

Every year, Brooklynites in different neighborhoods across the borough organize an amazing array of festivals and street fairs.

The Cranberry Street Fair, a Northern Brooklyn Heights celebration of the coming of autumn has been going on for the past 35 years. Organized by John and Richanda Rhoden, according to Ms. Rhoden "part of the charm is the fair's small size, it's so human and we don't want it to get bigger".

In all of the years of the Cranberry Fair there has never

Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn - A Historic Place to Visit

Brooklyn is a wonderfully historic, architecturally and culturally diverse borough and is home to the magnificent, 175 year old Greenwood Cemetery sandwiched in between the neighborhoods of Sunset Park and Greenwood Heights. The Cemetery is 478 acres in size and is New York City's oldest natural landscape.

There is a lot to see and experience in Greenwood Cemetery such as the incredibly beautiful Greenwood Cemetery Chapel

The Rebirth of a Flatbush Treasure

The Loew's Kings Theatre located at 1027 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn NY has been undergoing a meticulous, museum standard $94 Million restoration. The magnificently ornate 3,200 seat venue is being restored to it's original condition which will include a magnificent staircase to the mezzanine, 80 foot ceilings, period details from the guilded age of the 1920's when the theatre was originally built, a modern backstage area for dressing rooms and set storage as well as a two truck loading dock and much, much more.

The restoration is being done

Coney Island Annual Sand Sculpting Competition

On Saturday August 16th, the 24th annual Sand Sculpting Contest was held in Coney Island. The proceeds from the contest go to help Coney Island residents still rebuilding from Super Storm Sandy. The sponsors of this year’s contest were Astrella Development Corporation and Brooklyn Community Services.  

There were 70+ contestants registered for the competition and thousands of people stopped to admire the wonderful sand sculpture creations as well as enjoying a day of live music, food and activities for the kids. The contest was held opposite Deno's Wonder Wheel, on the beach and the boardwalk from West 10th Street to West 12th Street.

South Williamsburg Brooklyn Architectural Treasures

As a young real estate agent in the business I came to appreciate many of Brooklyn's beautiful neighborhoods and the rich architectural history of some of the homes and buildings.

Now, many years later as an owner of a real estate company Accord Real Estate Group, I am still captivated by the architectural treasures that we have in Brooklyn.

Today, there are many buildings that have become city landmarks Some of the buildings are

Accord Real Estate Group Proudly Sponsors BJO Concert

On Sunday December 15th a wonderful Duke Ellington/ Billy Strayhorn arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite, originally composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was performed by The Brooklyn Jazz Orchestra at The Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church located at 85 South Oxford Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Brooklyn NY Real Estate - BAM Cultural District Update

One of the topics that we write blogs about is the evolution, emergence, sometimes reemergence and transformation of various Brooklyn neighborhoods. On July 18th we focused on the emergence and forward progress of Brooklyn's Tech Triangle which encompasses the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, The Brooklyn Navy Yard and Dumbo. On May 10th we touched on the Future of Fort Greene/Downtown Brooklyn.

Today's blog is a continuation from that May10th Blog and is an update of specifically The BAM Cultural District a mini neighborhood whose boundaries consist of Flatbush Avenue, Fulton and South Oxford Streets and Hanson Place.

Brooklyn’s First Tomato Battle

Coney Island Brooklyn Real Estate News

Amongst Brooklyn's many historic and wonderful neighborhoods, Coney Island has a rich and varied history. Coney Island was at one time the playground for the very wealthy, then a gathering place for the masses and then experienced a decline. Today Coney Island is attracting a new wave of retailers and restaurants. According to Mr. Zane Tankel, owner of the Applebee's restaurant chain, "Coney Islands time has come. It's the renaissance of the neighborhood". Mr. Tankel has just signed a 20 year lease on a Surf Avenue spot and this newest Applebee's location was set to open on June 17th.

Come to Visit or to Live in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn NY

If you want to have a wonderful, fun and interesting day whether on the weekend or during the week please come to visit Prospect Heights in Brooklyn New York. Prospect Heights is one of many beautiful Brooklyn neighborhoods.

The two main streets that run parallel to one another through Prospect Heights are Vanderbilt Avenue and Washington Ave. You can stroll for hours amongst the magnificent trees, pastures and gardens at the 52-acre Brooklyn Botanical Garden or take a walk or bike through the gorgeous and sprawling Prospect Park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux after they completed Manhattan's Central Park.

Real Estate in Brooklyn New York

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York as a kid and then young adult, graduating from Brooklyn College and now as a licensed real estate broker marketing and selling properties in Brooklyn for over 25 years, I have had a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of Brooklyn, New York real estate.  Even as a young kid, my identical twin brother and I would ride our bicycles through different Brooklyn neighborhoods to visit our friends. Things were much different then. Real estate in many spectacular Brooklyn neighborhoods has a rich historic architectural mixture influenced by residents from countries as varied as new comers who came here to live. Brooklyn New York real estate is in high demand like never before! While Brooklyn real estate has seen years of incredible value appreciation and sky high prices as well as a decline in value as a result of the economic, mortgage and housing crisis of 2008-2009, the market forces unique to Brooklyn real estate have stabilized since late 2011. The Brooklyn real estate market continues to remain stable resulting in increased selling and buying activity in many neighborhoods.

Williamsburg Brooklyn - Young Families Moving in

Williamsburg is one of many spectacular neighborhoods in Brooklyn New York that is in high demand by young families who are looking for a great place to live, raise their families and put down roots. And it’s easy to understand why. Besides an easy commute to New York City, families can choose from gorgeous new condominium constructions that have a spectacular views of Manhattan as well as coop apartments and 1,2 or 3 family houses.

Welcome to Red Hook Brooklyn New York

Spend the day or choose to stay. We recommend that you visit the Red Hook neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York and spend the day shopping, relaxing and having fun. A little bit out of the way via public transportation, but easily accessible by car or New York Water Front Taxi. Red Hook is one of Brooklyn's most historic and interesting waterfront neighborhoods.

At the intersection of Columbia Street and Sigourney Street lies Old Todd Memorial Park, which is now home to Red Hook Community Farm, an agricultural oasis in Brooklyn.                                                                       

Welcome to Homecrest, Brooklyn NY

You may never have heard of the Brooklyn neighborhood called Homecrest, but it is an incredibly exciting and vibrant place to visit, and explore and to live. Easily accessible via the Q train to Kings Highway, Homecrest is worth the trip for many reasons. Homecrest has one of Brooklyn's most popular shopping and dining destination called Kings Highway. Kings Highway at any given point in time filled with the sounds of different languages of its diverse residents, such as Russian, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Tagalog, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Pakistani and let's not forget English. When you arrive at Kings Highway, if you realize that you forgot to go to the bank to get some cash to spend, not to worry, there are at least 10 banks large and small within a 15 block stretch. The shopping on Kings Highway attracts people from all over Brooklyn with many boutiques, clothing and shoe stores such as FOX’s, Designer Off-Price Department Store, Aldo, Chuckies, Steve Madden, Central Sports, Baker, Shoe Lab just to name a few.

Historic and New Brooklyn NY Parks

How lucky can Brooklyn residents get? There are several outstanding, historic and one still under construction, but amazing and very worth seeing park in Brooklyn New York today. Let's start with Prospect Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux after they completed Manhattan's Central Park in Manhattan. Prospect Park has an amazing bicycle path that twists and turns all through the park. This path is a bike riders dream and bicyclists can be seen year round riding through the park's wonderful bike path. There are pastures and lakes and an amazing abundance of gorgeous trees throughout the park. There are many events, cultural and otherwise held in Prospect Park, especially in The Spring and Summer time such as Bird watching, The Greenmarket, Dog events, Craft activities, Googa Mooga festival - a celebration of food and music on May 20th, The Food Truck Rally (a favorite of many) on May 28th, The Rhythm Revue Jazz and R&B concert June 25th and much much more!

Brooklyn By The Sea

The neighborhoods of Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Sea Gate and Manhattan Beach are all located right on or are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. According to Jeff Grandis, a lifelong resident of Brooklyn and a Brooklyn Real Estate Broker " For a truly relaxing ,fun, historic, interesting and delicious experience every New Yorker or tourist should visit these Brooklyn neighborhoods." Sheepshead Bay is the New York version of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Sheepshead Bay has both fishing and party boats depart from the piers going out to sea morning and night. Restaurants, clubs,shops and expensive condominiums abound. Brighton Beach is the mecca of Russian culture in Brooklyn. Brighton Beach Avenue is a wonderland of specialty food markets, cafes, nightclubs and restaurants. The boardwalk stretches for several miles along the beaches of Brighton Beach and Coney Island ending at Sea Gate, Brooklyn's oldest gated community. Coney Island is at least for now still the home some great old amusement park rides that are a wonderful slice of Brooklyn history, i.e. The Cyclone and The Wonder Wheel.

Brooklyn Real Estate Market Outlook for 2010 for Mixed Use and Commercial Property Sales

The Brooklyn Real Estate market in 2009 was a year that most if not all brokers, agents and realtors are glad is behind us. As a broker for 22 years selling Brooklyn Real Estate in many Brooklyn neighborhoods, I've seen in the last year that few Brooklyn neighborhoods saw any price increases in property values. For most Brooklyn neighborhoods, since we have been in a downward trend price wise, for the last 3-4 years prices remain at the lowest level since last real estate boom. While the 2010 Brooklyn Real Estate Market is expected to bring an improvement in sales volume, meaning, there will be more people selling and buying properties, I do not foresee an increase in property values yet and commercial property sales will still be slowed. Most mixed use and commercial properties will be difficult to sell in this overly cautious lending environment and slow business forecasts.

Dining out in Bay Ridge Brooklyn New York.

Brooklyn New York has a stunning array of great restaurants!

If Italian food is your favorite and it is definitely mine I highly recommend “The New Corner' restaurant on 72nd street in Bay Ridge Brooklyn NY. Moderately priced and consistently great food, the following are some dishes that I highly recommend. Start out with the combo seafood salad & chef salad, it is to die for.If you are really hungry also go for the Zuppa di Clams or Mussels in a red sauce. The herbs and fresh sautéed garlic make it a real winner.For your main dish, whether you choose a traditional Veal Cutlet Parmigiana, Veal Chop alla Chef or Lobster Fra Diavolo with linguine, or you choose anything else on the menuit will be a great meal.
If you still have room for dessert the Profiteroles with ice cream, Ricotta Cheese cake (the Italian version) are a home run.

Your lifelong Brooklyn resident and also your Brooklyn Neighborhood Real Estate Broker,

Jeff Grandis