Transfer

is Dean Street really considered "southside"? if so, what do you call 9th?

I perpetuated the false use of direction in describing real estate in Park Slope, many brokers say 8th ave slope being north slope and 4th ave slope being south. But you're totally right, egregious misuse of actual direction. Dean btw 4 & 5th would actually be Far North Slope, and West of the more 'prime' slope real estate. Thanks.

Yes North Slope is everything above Union Street to Flatbush Ave.
The South Slope is everything below 9th Street (although people now think it is below 16th St which is technically Gowanas or "Greenwood Heights").
There was a time the whole area was called "South Brooklyn" and it is still refered to as that by the Police Precincts.
I have watched this block on Dean Street for about 5 years now (I ride my bike to work over Bklyn Bridge and take this route). It was a bad block with a few of this old wood frame houses. Some of the houses were condemned and falling down, had RAT colonies etc. No one was interested in these properties for a long time. It cost a lot of money and time to develop property. I think the condos do look nice. But yes the guys building fast and on the cheap have really screwed up this block.
At least people are developing here because this block was in really bad shape for a long time.

tom, i think we'd all be willing to live with vacant lots or garages for a few more years if it meant forestalling the development of these monstrosities. why cant we get some decent row house architecture here? something like amsterdam:

http://tinyurl.com/d6xol

Erik -

And how would you propose we forestall these developments? By requiring builders to meet your peronal requirements for aesthetics?

I think they are ugly too, but a vacant lot does no one any good. If everyone (meaning all potential buyers) thought they were hideous, they wouldn't sell, or the price would have to be reduced, thereby reducing the developer's return. Then he might have a reason to build something "nicer." But if he can build this crap, and get paid for it, build he will. He has no incentive (other than taste)to do otherwise.

erik:

one person's treasure is another person's trash.

i think those amsterdam rowhouses are HIDEOUS, especially in contrast to how gorgeous amsterdam's architecture is in general (particularly its more historical canal rowhouses).

Wow those Amsterdam rowhouses are HORRIBLE, and erik no I dont think most people are really willing to live with rats, vacant lots, abandoned properties and all that goes with it (crime, drugs, etc..) for "a few more years" for the sake of architectural taste.