New look, New Feel For Be@Schermerhorn

Online, July 22, 2010 (Newswire.com) - DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN - Great views of Brooklyn and Manhattan from almost every floor and unit are what this writer found most striking on a recent tour at Be@Schermerhorn, the new 26-story condominium development in Downtown Brooklyn that is re-lunching its sales effort this week.

The oversized and wall-to-wall windows offer views plus great light in the 246-unit building that also has a five-story portion facing Livingston Street.

There have been some made changes since Jamestown Properties purchased the mortgage of the unfinished project last year and became the major owner/developer, along with SDS Procida.

"We have altered the personality of the building somewhat," said Michael Phillips, marketing director for Jamestown, on a tour of the building Tuesday.

"That means a cleaner, simpler look architecturally," he said.

It also has a different feel, according to Aaron Lemma of Corcoran, who with Frank Castelluccio is heading the sales effort.

"With the different color palette, it offers a more restful experience," he said.

Originally the building was designed to attract young first-time homebuyers but now it is appealing to a broader scope of Brooklyn buyers, like empty-nesters and young couples with children, both Phillips and Lemma noted.

Other changes include opening up a larger portion of the rooftop for communal spaces and creating a bike room.

What hasn't changed, according to Lemma, is the original goal of creating a community.

"From the greenhouse to the courtyard to the lounge and pool room, to the gym and media room, there are many different nooks where residents can congregate," he said. "It's an extension of the home."

Added Phillips, "That's consistent with the original Be@ theme, with its focus on community."

Prices described as mid-level, range from $265,950 for a studio to $741,000 for the largest of the two-bedroom, two-baths units. There are also six penthouses.

"Ninety percent of the units in the building are priced below $600,000," Lemma noted. "That's phenomenal."

Lemma also told the Eagle that several of the buyers from the original sales lunch "held on" but most were lost in what became a two-year process.

Amenities by the numbers include:
• 14 private roof terraces available for sale;
• 66 storage units;
• 86 bike racks in a private bike room; and
• 150 parking spaces in an attended garage.

There is also close to 14,000 square feet of available retail space - a 4,300-square-fooot space facing Livingston Street, and a 0,300-square-foot space running the length of the building, Schermerhorn to Livingston.

But there are no retailers lined up as yet.

"We have been focusing on completing the building and getting it ready for occupancy, so we have not focused on the retail," said Phillips. "We're patient in our process."

A broker's open house took place Thursday and, on Sunday, an open house for interested buyers is planned. In the meantime, appointments are booked solid for several weeks, Lemma said. And a new website has been lunched: www.beatschermerhorn.com.