396 15th Street Recovers Nicely

 Long time IMBY  crack addicts will be especially pleased to hear that 396 15th Street , after many years in extensive rehab, has apparently sold for the asking price of $1.5 million .  The new owners as of August 2012... Carriage House 396 LLC.  
The name of course invites speculation as to whether the current certificate of occupancy (D-1 Industrial/Factory) for the 4,600 square foot, two story garage might be converted to single family residential use. The neighborhood's R6B zoning laws could allow an additional two stories to be added, topping out at some 50 feet with setbacks or something like 7000  buildable square feet in total. 
Crack of Dawn  This week incredibly loud early morning jackhammering required that I research the DOB"S  BIS page to see what's up at this long time vacant property.   Permit activity suggests all that noise is the result of on-going demolition work to remove a "structurally defective" section in the rear of the building.  No applications for change of use though.  No "New Building" plans filed.

396 15th Street between 7th And 8th Avenues across from the castle like Park Slope Armory Sports Center

Architect's rendering for a Carriage House

2nd Floor Mega Skylight

Zoning Porn

Suggested Floor Plans

The seller has posted these interior shots of the second floor as well as some suggested architectural plans, drawn up to give potential buyers an idea as to the property's potential.

If this building truly goes residential it just about completes the block's decade long up scale transformation from auto shops and parking lots to multifamily rentals and condominiums.  

The last hold out?... What remains is the old, cinnamon sugar scented, Rojas Mexican Bakery still baking traditional breads a few doors up the block at 404 15th.







A brief history of 396's survival, in pictures and words from the IMBY Archives...

The Blumpkin:  That's sweet little 396 on the left,  eviscerated, a casualty of adjacent 400 15th Street's improper foundation excavation. That's the basement of 400 15th submerged in water on the right.  They actually tried to build and unbuild both buildings simultaneously.

Collateral damage:  The side wall of 396 collapsed during the construction of 400 15th street.  Braces hold up the roof until new underpinning and cinderblock walls can be rebuilt. The entire front facade had to be replaced as well.

Links: Cracked House