The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-11


time went begging for tenants are In
such demand to-day that rentals are on
a fair parity with similar buildings In
Manhattan and The Bronx. While
Brooklyn apartments do not OFFER the To-
cations. or rather are not IN as close
proximity to New Yorks greatest amuse-
ment and shopping districts, they have
accommodations which equal and In
many instances surpass some OF the
apartments on this side Of the river. Be
ing q comparatively new departure IN
Brookiyns development, the majority
are constructed along modern lines and
with the cost Of land cheaper than In
Manhattan the builder has been able to
provide larger rooms at no greater ini-
tie cost,
Transit Is naturally the foundation OF
all real estate development and the
steadily improving rapid transit condi-
lions bid fair to place many sections OF
Brooklyn In keen competition with the
upper parts OF Manhattan and The
Bronx. Ffatbush, which for many years
was q settlement almost entirely OF one
and two family dwellings, can now
boast Of numerous modern apartments,
built In response to the demand FROM
Manhattan dwellers who desired to live
in the less populated sections OF the city
Brooklyn builders quickly recognised the
demand. They also realized that no
matter how splendid the apartments
might be constructed nothing would in
duce Manhattan residents to mako their
home across the river until there was
some quick means Of transit when
would take them to their places OF en-
ployment.
With the announcement Of the plans
for the new dual subway system build
eng was started in earnest along the
proposed lines. Flatbush. the Park
Slope and Hill sections were the frst to
respond to this new impetus and hun
dreds Of modern apartments were
erected. They ranged all the way from
the commonplace Ave story walk up
to the carefully planned elevator struc-
lures. Rentals then were at mimi
mum, some returns being just SUFFICIENT
to meet carrying charges. To-day, con-
ditions are different. Manhattan resi-
dents finding II almost impossible to
obtain satisfactory accommodations
within a given radius Of their place OF
business have sought them in Brook
Iyn. The demand from this source has
been so great that OF all the apartments
in Brooklyn to-day there is estimated to
DO less than per cent. vacant. Real
estate brokers are so optimistic over the
prospects that they predict that within
another month or six weeks II Will be
as difficult to find apartments in Brook
lyn as II is in Manhattan.
One Of the chief residential sections
Of Brooklyn. that territory bordering
tho East River and known as Brooklyn
and &C lmbia Heights, is fast being de-
veloped with high class apartment
houses In fact It is claimed that tire
first o. the finer type Of apartment
houses was erected on Clinton street be-
tween Fulton and Pierrepont streets
about thirty-hve or forty years ago
This building contains suites Of seven
rooms and was so designed as to meet
a demand from families who desired
to change their method Of living from
dwelling houses to apartment houses
When opened for occupancy the build
ing, which Is only four stories high
rented at about So n room month
To-day the same building is returning
a rental of about SIS a room a month
with other more modern structures In
the SECTION bringing rentals as high as
s25 TO. $40 room. In fact the high,
est priced apartment in Brooklyn to-
day is. the Casino Mansion at the cor
ner Of Montague and Hicks street. II
is an eight story flreproof structure and
was erected about Ave years ago. The
building such a type Of building in that
location. His wisdom and foresight have
been rewarded. however. by the fine re-
turn that Is being derived from the
structure.
The Heights section which has been
a high class residential section for years
and years Is looked upon as the greatest
apartment house field to be found any
where in the borough. The sites offered
there are exceptional for SUCH improve
ments. since most of them are spacious
and run through from street to street.
These conditions and the present and
proposed transit lines will make the
heights a most desirable location for
the home of the business man whose
Offices are in lower Manhattan.
There is at present In operation the
marlborough subway and a number OF
elevated and surface lines crossing the
Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. The
Clark street tunnel now under construo-
ton will be in operation within six
months and the tunnel 10 be used by
the B. r. T. which will pass under
Montague street and the Brooklyn Bor-
ough Hail. is estimated 10 be within a
year Of operation. Besides the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit and the 1nterborough
Rapid Transit extensions are rapidly
nearing completion in the Park Slope,
Hill. Eastern Parkway and Flatbush
sections. The contraction of transit about
Borough Hall. which will serve the
Heights and other apartment house sec
tions, Is said to be the greatest in any
other portion of the borough.
The present running time on the In
terborough line from. Borough Hall to
Wall street is but five minutes. The
p. r. II. tunnel under Montague street
will convey messengers in the same time
and the new tunnel OF the l. B. T. under
Ola rlx straat r.ll do lil.ouisa tha Z