Third and Bond: Not That Bad?

Large developments seem to take a lot of flack in this neighborhood, and, rightfully so. For the most part, large developments need to maximize square footage to make their investors happy and keep the books in the black, and the built environments in Brownstone Brooklyn are altered by these glass and steel monsters. Basically, you can't make much money building brownstones or row houses today.

Or, to put it more accurately, you can't make as MUCH money as you can by maximizing your FAR. And I don't think that any rationale person would tell someone else that they shouldn't make the most money that they can, which is why cohesive regulations are needed, not protests based on each individual proposed development.

But I digress. The point here is just to point out a development that I feel is fairly neutral for the neighborhood: Third and Bond. Located on (guess!) Third and Bond Streets, this development is not great for the built environment, but doesn't destroy it either. Sure, the buildings are on the lot line, as opposed to set back ten feet, and, sure, they're taller than the surrounding environment. And wow, red paneling, really?

But the scale isn't horrible, they include outdoor space, they are at the lowest point of the neighborhood, so they don't really obstruct any views, and their brick work isn't bad. Definitely area for improvement, and lord knows they took long enough to build, but all in all, I'd grade it a "Not That Bad" for Carroll Gardens.