Update: New Hotel in Crown Heights
Credit: Nostrandpark.com
We’d read about the new hotel development going up near the Nostrand Ave LIRR stop on Brownstoner some time ago, and decided to be a bit nosy and check in on the progress. Seems like things are coming along at this work-site. Peeking in, we could make out what would likely be a concierge desk, and the lights were on in the rooms in the upper floors.
At the time of the Brownstoner post, there was a lot of commentary regarding whether it would be a hotel or a motel, and whether it would be a good or bad addition to the neighborhood. From what we’ve been able to gather, it will be a hotel – either a Best Western or a Quality Inn, but don’t quote us on that – we are still waiting for confirmation NP update 2/17/10 10:36 p.m.: We spoke to a source close to the project who says it will be a Quality Inn Best Western.
We thought that the hotel was being developed by the same developer who developed the condominium project and coffee shop going up at 1311 Pacific Street, but in fact they are different developers who share a subdivided lot. In any event, it’s nice to see some attention being paid to this northern stretch of Nostrand which, at least to us, always feel a bit edgier than the stretch closer to Eastern Parkway.
Popularity: 46% [?]
I think this hotel will be a good addition to the neighborhood… if we are interested tourist dollars.
These types of hotel developments in Brooklyn are one of the weird trends of the recent building boom. There have been several chain hotels built on the streets between 2nd and 4th Avenue from about Baltic all the way to the northern edges of Sunset Park. They were all built in formerly or partially industrial areas (like 3rd and 4th Aves were in general), but reasonably close to mass transit. That part of Atlantic fits the same model almost perfectly. My guess is that these lots are cheap enough that a Best Western can afford to develop it, charge prices that people expect from them, and still turn a profit.
Who will stay there? My anecdotal experience with the Gowanus hotels is that its a lot of European tour groups. I’ve seen a couple groups of dozens of German speakers walk from their hotel to the Atlantic Ave station. I would argue that these hotels are a boon to the frugal traveler who wants to fit NYC into their trip on the cheap. This could have an upside for Nostrand Ave. businesses, though if people go straight from the hotel to Manhattan the effects could be limited.
In hindsight, with AY only one stop away, this may be well positioned property for visitors that want to partake in whatever events happen at the AY arena ( think not only sports but also conventions or large scale conferences)- and then they are only a 5 min LIRR ride away. Not saying that made for the economics, but it certainly enhances the prospects for it to be viable.
@davidb – I didn’t even think about the AY spillover. It’s a really good point.
@nat – I agree and I think this neighborhood could certainly benefit from tourist dollars. Why should Manhattan get all the love?
We have a lot of tourist worthy attractions. CHNA’s working to make Crown Heights home to the largest historic district in Brooklyn, we have one of the largest Caribbean communities in the United States, and we have the culturally rich Hasidic Lubavitch community (which actually already has a couple of popular tours).
Nostrand Avenue businesses could definitely be the beneficiaries of the tourist traffic that comes through, however, tourists have to feel comfortable stepping foot on Nostrand.
Unfortunately, as it currently stands, I can see tourists bypassing the local attractions and keeping their tunnel vision set on Manhattan (or AY as the case may be)…
I could be wrong, but of you are a tourist who is adventurous enough to stay at that location, you may specifically want the Nostrand Ave flavor.
I specifically envision yung, deep pocketed Africans, (Nigerians), West Indians, Europeans, Radta Culture loving Japanese etc. You can have a feel of “authentic” Brooklyn, yet still be a LIRR ride to AY or the airport train.
Not to mention the Southern, Midfle Class Older crowd Coming up North for local Church functions or to visit relatives , but don’t want to crash at the relatives homes,
Post w/out my iphone typo’s.
I could be wrong, but if you are a tourist who is adventurous enough to stay at that location, you may specifically want the Nostrand Ave flavor.
I specifically envision young, deep pocketed Africans, (Nigerians), West Indians, Europeans, Rasta Culture loving Japanese etc. You can have a feel of “authentic” Brooklyn, yet still be a LIRR ride to AY or the airport train.
Not to mention the Southern, Middle Class Older crowd Coming up North for local Church functions or to visit relatives , but don’t want to crash at the relatives homes.
Hmm … I can see the adventerous tourist from abroad being enamored with Crown Heights, Authentic … but the deep pocketed or the middle class older type tourist wandering around Nostrand … I don’t see it.
I actually just checked out the reviews of the Quality Inn that is located further up at the East NY LIRR station on Atlantic:http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=11558117664942588867&q=quality%2Binn&hl=en&gl=us&view=feature&mcsrc=detailed_reviews&num=10&start=0&ved=0CGAQuAU&sa=X&ei=U4d9S5mPNI_uMqWMnYAF.
Most of the commentary is not about the hotel itself, but about the surrounding neighborhood. Granted, Nostrand Ave is much more visitor friendly than the East NY stop, and of course Crown Heights really has tons of great things to offer to interested travellers, but people are going to have to get over the psychological hurdle of that immediate surrounding area – which feels a bit gritty – in order to get to really exploring.
The Older, Middle Class types I see as visiting family in an area the used to live in or are familiar with. With that in mind, The Hotel may suit their needs.
Let’s be glad it’s not the same developer as 1311 Pacific: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/nyregion/13hello.html?em=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1266167432-FrKzebh8SsF0vEFOsag4kw
Crazy, huh!?
Actually, we have it on fairly good authority (though admittedly not from the horses mouth) that the 1311 Pacific Street project is not tied up in the lawsuit drama of the other Hello Living buildings.
As we understand it, the developer of the other Hello Living buildings, Eli Karp, is indeed part owner of 1311 Pacific, but the investor group that is suing him is not. He has a different partner on that project.
If a mini, new hotel can survive at the East NY LIRR stop, one can survive at Nostrand.
(yup, they opened one in East NY!)
The recent hotel/motel craze in Brooklyn serves a couple of benefits for builder/developer/owners.
Unlike Condominium and Apartment building developments, Hotel/Motel development offers the most flexible occupancy category.
On the surface tourist clientele would appear obvious, but I have a different take on it.
NYC has a growing movie/film industry that’s found our armory facilities make great sound stages.
Unfortunately, there’s only one armory in full use as a set location year round in Brooklyn on Union Street.
The other locations are used as homeless shelters. The more options to house the homeless, the more movie production can occur in the Big Apple.
And movie production fees are a boom to the city’s coffers which the Mayor and City Council would like to see growth in employment and locally owned vendors supporting the industry.
(all while surrendering on set employment quotas of local residents to folks from Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester)