Anyone have any thoughts on this condo? Went to check it out at today's open house...great views, construction looks a little shoddy but is affordable. Although I have to say the female broker that showed me the units basically threw me out to get to the next potential buyer. I've never seen any broker do that. Unbelievable.
We went there a few times a couple of months ago. Views are nice (above 16th floor or so) for now. With the BAM area construction, this will change in the coming years. Construction is not great. Was not impressed. They started releasing units for sale back in Spring 2007. As of a month or so ago, there were approx 15 occupied units. Prices have come down since the original spring release. I think they will be flexible with pricing. We were looking at the 2 br units (C, I think).
Thanks for the info. ITM, I asked about views potentially being blocked and got the "who knows what will happen" response. Do you know how the BAM area construction will change views and if it's a done deal? Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the info. ITM, I asked about views potentially being blocked and got the "who knows what will happen" response. Do you know how the BAM area construction will change views and if it's a done deal? Thanks in advance.
Search BAM Cultural District. I found some renderings about what it would look like. Basically the parking lots next to Forte would be tall buildings. They're breaking ground in a year or so, then it's going to be a construction nightmare (IMO).
BTW, the Fort Greene historical district was recently moved to include Ashland. So the views towards Fort Greene Park and Brooklyn Tech will be protected.
ITM, thanks for all the info. Found this site which might be helpful to others also: http://www.work.ac/ I also read the BAM construction will include low and middle-income housing. Given the uncertainly with the view (unless you stick with a NE view), the questionable construction, the crappy broker and massive construction over the next couple (or more) years...thanks but no thanks.
We looked at Forte, BellTel, One Hanson, Oro and a couple of others. The latter 2 were more expensive, if I remember correctly. A friend owns in the Toy building - I like the look and feel of old factories. Really depends on what you're looking for. BellTel is the old Verizon building (14 ft ceilings). One Hanson is the conversion from Williams Bank (the one with the clock on it).
we looked at belltel, forte, hanson and wound up purchasing at Rockwell Place. We liked the finishes, openness, outdoor space, proximity to subways, and that it wasn't a few hundred unit building.
yes - Rockwell is the 6 story piano factory that is being converted with a 6 story addition. Entrance will be on Rockwell but sales office is on the flatbush side of the building.
CCs are a little on the high side partially because it is a smaller building. But there is an abatement so it helps balance things out a little. And comparing just the price on the 2 bedroom, forte has an 1156 sq ft place listed for 999K and Rockwell has a 1166 sq ft place listed for 870K.
I find the Forte Condo charging too much for their c.c. for so little amenities. Small gym, no swimming pool, no squash courts and sauna. Expect the price to drop further as the sales are not picking up even with the recent price dropped.
I'd much rather live up a few more blocks on Lafayette and be in Fort Greene proper. As far as big condo developments go, it's too bad they didn't build the Toren at this location instead. That seems like a much nicer building.
I like some of the floor plan layouts but I agree that the c.c is way over the top for basically little to no amenities! For those of you who have been following Forte, what are the chances for the prices to drop further? Any insider news? Looks like it's not selling anymore...
In addition to the huge price cuts, they are offering incentives like closing costs/seller's atty fees waiver. I still didn't buy there because, after looking at various new developments, the finish and amenities seem insufficient, especially given the high CC.
I've been looking for over a year now, and I think the 2BR unit I was interested in went down from something like $950k to $650k. I wish them well.
Then again, you are talking about a neighborhood with more new inventory than anywhere else, and basically no progress on fixin up the area (Atlantic Yards delayed yet again).
My take is, if you can't sell the apartments, might as well raise the prices... so the condos you can't sell are "better". Keeps the old buyers from revolting.
nyc don't understand your logic. One, the Toren has continued to sell and two, increasing prices doesn't make them better and three, Toren buyers are a far from revolting.
Truth be told, I don't understand Toren's recent price increases. The developer has, until recent price increases, handled pricing policy to perfection. The latest amendment, given the recent economic news, doesn't make any sense to anyone who has been reading business news. Are they getting greedy and trying to get every last penny they can squeeze from the project? I hope not.
I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since everything has gone so well to date but I agree with cleanslate that the latest round of increases goes against the current economic reality and is perplexing. Hopefully they know something I don't.
Could be a demographic thing with Chinese, approximately 50% of purchasers of Chinese decent, not having the same economic difficulties. I'm stretching with that one but I truly don't understand BFC's logic.
I want to visit Toren again and ask them how they can rationalize the price increase, but that would not be worthwhile. It's a bit of a turn off because you kinda feel now you're really being duped. Why would the price actually increase from two weeks ago? What kind of sales pitch are you gonna tell me to convince me to buy a unit for more money after the economy just got real worse?
I guess you can probably get away with it with folks who do not know the price actually increased...and that's sad.
110 livingston made pretty much exactly the same claims for a year.... They claimed "sold out" in the Times, claimed prices were increasing, all that. When a letter got out from the developer that contracts were broken, their sales team quickly said that it was just a marketing pitch, and everything was sold.
Then, turns out they had to rent apartments because they couldn't sell them.
Brokers will tell you whatever they need to tell you to get you to buy (or not break a contract). I'm not sure why these buildings would be any different.
Allright, going back to talking about Forte, can someone help me answer the question I had that I had posted earlier? For those of you who have been following Forte, what are the chances for the prices to drop further? Any insider news? I saw a post saying they are providing incentives towards closing costs and atty fees....is that true? Despeite that, looks like it's not selling anymore. I live not too far away from there and have been to Forte a few times...still no improvement in their inventory.
humber--yes, the prices WILL inevitably drop, as this particular developer does not seem scared of lowering prices. They are smart.
In fact, if you recently toured there, I am sure you have received phone calls from them, offering incentives on the closing costs/seller's attorney fees. They will also tell you NOT to be shy about making just "any offer." This all happened to me, but it doesn't mean you will expderience the same, though...
Ok...so guess what? For those thinking of buying the C line apartments in Forte, watch out for the views to change dramatically (and lack of sunlight soon)! I found the master plan and rendering of a 30 floor building going to be erected right across next year! Check out the following links..you can actually see Forte on the right side of the rendering picture in the article...
http://www.dbpartnership.org/lookingahead/bamcd/phasetwo I am guessing the developer better drop the prices anticipating a depreciating value...it's overpriced already!!
We had looked into Forte about a year ago. We found out there were building a huge development next door, which was to include 2-3 stories of commercial space (including a movie theater) and government subsidized housing (or what they were calling middle-income housing). And this was at much higher price levels!
ITM - - Thanks, I notice that you have referenced the issue in the posts earlier. I guess my message can be treated as an actual update plus now you can see the rendering becoming reality. So did you end up getting the 2 br C line apartment you were looking for? Have you been there recently?
We ended up buying elsewhere and I don't recall which line we were looking at..it was the one with the curved wall of windows in the living area. I have not been there recently, but one of my colleagues was there maybe 2-3 weeks ago and said only 15 apts were sold/occupied, which is not much more than when we looked (doorman had said 10-12 apts were occupied last winter). He actually offered to buy 4 apartments at a 30% discount and they refused.
If you want to move to fort greene this isn't the place - you should check out places near the park like the Clermont Greene. Nice finishes, a great courtyard and more space for your money. A little far from the subway, but worth it.
Forte Condos...
Anyone have any thoughts on this condo? Went to check it out at today's open house...great views, construction looks a little shoddy but is affordable. Although I have to say the female broker that showed me the units basically threw me out to get to the next potential buyer. I've never seen any broker do that. Unbelievable.
We went there a few times a couple of months ago. Views are nice (above 16th floor or so) for now. With the BAM area construction, this will change in the coming years. Construction is not great. Was not impressed. They started releasing units for sale back in Spring 2007. As of a month or so ago, there were approx 15 occupied units. Prices have come down since the original spring release. I think they will be flexible with pricing. We were looking at the 2 br units (C, I think).
I have no direct experience w/ the Forte, but the name rang a bell. Curbed linked Brownstoner's report about significant price chops recently.
http://curbed.com/archives/2008/01/28/pricechopper.php
Thanks for the info. ITM, I asked about views potentially being blocked and got the "who knows what will happen" response. Do you know how the BAM area construction will change views and if it's a done deal? Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the info. ITM, I asked about views potentially being blocked and got the "who knows what will happen" response. Do you know how the BAM area construction will change views and if it's a done deal? Thanks in advance.
Search BAM Cultural District. I found some renderings about what it would look like. Basically the parking lots next to Forte would be tall buildings. They're breaking ground in a year or so, then it's going to be a construction nightmare (IMO).
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/arts/design/15bam.html
BTW, the Fort Greene historical district was recently moved to include Ashland. So the views towards Fort Greene Park and Brooklyn Tech will be protected.
And (another pro), the BAM building is Frank Gehry designed.
ITM, thanks for all the info. Found this site which might be helpful to others also: http://www.work.ac/ I also read the BAM construction will include low and middle-income housing. Given the uncertainly with the view (unless you stick with a NE view), the questionable construction, the crappy broker and massive construction over the next couple (or more) years...thanks but no thanks.
Agree on all counts. Tons of other developments in downtown Brooklyn.
ITM, do you have any places you'd recommend checking out in downtown Brooklyn? Thanks.
We looked at Forte, BellTel, One Hanson, Oro and a couple of others. The latter 2 were more expensive, if I remember correctly. A friend owns in the Toy building - I like the look and feel of old factories. Really depends on what you're looking for. BellTel is the old Verizon building (14 ft ceilings). One Hanson is the conversion from Williams Bank (the one with the clock on it).
we looked at belltel, forte, hanson and wound up purchasing at Rockwell Place. We liked the finishes, openness, outdoor space, proximity to subways, and that it wasn't a few hundred unit building.
Is that the one you can see from Forte?
yes - Rockwell is the 6 story piano factory that is being converted with a 6 story addition. Entrance will be on Rockwell but sales office is on the flatbush side of the building.
new2fg, looks nice, although the CCs seem quite high. For the 2BRs, ~$1/sq ft. Is that right?
I checked out Rockwell as well. Not bad are the finishes.
CCs are a little on the high side partially because it is a smaller building. But there is an abatement so it helps balance things out a little. And comparing just the price on the 2 bedroom, forte has an 1156 sq ft place listed for 999K and Rockwell has a 1166 sq ft place listed for 870K.
I find the Forte Condo charging too much for their c.c. for so little amenities. Small gym, no swimming pool, no squash courts and sauna. Expect the price to drop further as the sales are not picking up even with the recent price dropped.
I'd much rather live up a few more blocks on Lafayette and be in Fort Greene proper. As far as big condo developments go, it's too bad they didn't build the Toren at this location instead. That seems like a much nicer building.
Squash courts?! Who plays squash in their apartment building?
I like some of the floor plan layouts but I agree that the c.c is way over the top for basically little to no amenities! For those of you who have been following Forte, what are the chances for the prices to drop further? Any insider news? Looks like it's not selling anymore...
In addition to the huge price cuts, they are offering incentives like closing costs/seller's atty fees waiver. I still didn't buy there because, after looking at various new developments, the finish and amenities seem insufficient, especially given the high CC.
I've been looking for over a year now, and I think the 2BR unit I was interested in went down from something like $950k to $650k. I wish them well.
holy bajesus.
Then again, you are talking about a neighborhood with more new inventory than anywhere else, and basically no progress on fixin up the area (Atlantic Yards delayed yet again).
That's 300K down but it's still overpriced. Funny that Toren keeps increasing their prices. Good luck!
My take is, if you can't sell the apartments, might as well raise the prices... so the condos you can't sell are "better". Keeps the old buyers from revolting.
nyc don't understand your logic. One, the Toren has continued to sell and two, increasing prices doesn't make them better and three, Toren buyers are a far from revolting.
Truth be told, I don't understand Toren's recent price increases. The developer has, until recent price increases, handled pricing policy to perfection. The latest amendment, given the recent economic news, doesn't make any sense to anyone who has been reading business news. Are they getting greedy and trying to get every last penny they can squeeze from the project? I hope not.
I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since everything has gone so well to date but I agree with cleanslate that the latest round of increases goes against the current economic reality and is perplexing. Hopefully they know something I don't.
Could be a demographic thing with Chinese, approximately 50% of purchasers of Chinese decent, not having the same economic difficulties. I'm stretching with that one but I truly don't understand BFC's logic.
Please. let them know what they are doing,
If you are from Brooklyn and know Brooklyn neighborhoods, you'd never live here.
If you are from Manhattan, you might not know better and be really excited about the prices per square foot.
Listing prices are increasing, but you really can push and get some serious discounts on these.
I want to visit Toren again and ask them how they can rationalize the price increase, but that would not be worthwhile. It's a bit of a turn off because you kinda feel now you're really being duped. Why would the price actually increase from two weeks ago? What kind of sales pitch are you gonna tell me to convince me to buy a unit for more money after the economy just got real worse?
I guess you can probably get away with it with folks who do not know the price actually increased...and that's sad.
Why be surprised about broker claims.
110 livingston made pretty much exactly the same claims for a year.... They claimed "sold out" in the Times, claimed prices were increasing, all that. When a letter got out from the developer that contracts were broken, their sales team quickly said that it was just a marketing pitch, and everything was sold.
Then, turns out they had to rent apartments because they couldn't sell them.
Brokers will tell you whatever they need to tell you to get you to buy (or not break a contract). I'm not sure why these buildings would be any different.
Allright, going back to talking about Forte, can someone help me answer the question I had that I had posted earlier? For those of you who have been following Forte, what are the chances for the prices to drop further? Any insider news? I saw a post saying they are providing incentives towards closing costs and atty fees....is that true? Despeite that, looks like it's not selling anymore. I live not too far away from there and have been to Forte a few times...still no improvement in their inventory.
humber--yes, the prices WILL inevitably drop, as this particular developer does not seem scared of lowering prices. They are smart.
In fact, if you recently toured there, I am sure you have received phone calls from them, offering incentives on the closing costs/seller's attorney fees. They will also tell you NOT to be shy about making just "any offer." This all happened to me, but it doesn't mean you will expderience the same, though...
Ok...so guess what? For those thinking of buying the C line apartments in Forte, watch out for the views to change dramatically (and lack of sunlight soon)! I found the master plan and rendering of a 30 floor building going to be erected right across next year! Check out the following links..you can actually see Forte on the right side of the rendering picture in the article...
http://www.dbpartnership.org/lookingahead/bamcd/phasetwo
I am guessing the developer better drop the prices anticipating a depreciating value...it's overpriced already!!
We had looked into Forte about a year ago. We found out there were building a huge development next door, which was to include 2-3 stories of commercial space (including a movie theater) and government subsidized housing (or what they were calling middle-income housing). And this was at much higher price levels!
ITM - - Thanks, I notice that you have referenced the issue in the posts earlier. I guess my message can be treated as an actual update plus now you can see the rendering becoming reality. So did you end up getting the 2 br C line apartment you were looking for? Have you been there recently?
We ended up buying elsewhere and I don't recall which line we were looking at..it was the one with the curved wall of windows in the living area. I have not been there recently, but one of my colleagues was there maybe 2-3 weeks ago and said only 15 apts were sold/occupied, which is not much more than when we looked (doorman had said 10-12 apts were occupied last winter). He actually offered to buy 4 apartments at a 30% discount and they refused.
Mixed-income housing right next door? THAT they didn't tell me. The area is sketchy enough as it is... It's a good thing I didn't buy. Thanks.
If you want to move to fort greene this isn't the place - you should check out places near the park like the Clermont Greene. Nice finishes, a great courtyard and more space for your money. A little far from the subway, but worth it.