Starbucks vs Brasil coffee coffe house
Up to Neighborhood Discussion
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Well, we all knew that it was only a matter of time. According to an article about LIC in the Daily News on Friday (3/30/07), Starbucks will be opening in the second Eastcoast Rockrose Building. The article has more about LIC, but here's the section about the Rockrose development:
The new rentals: With a marketing plan that filled 650 units in eight months, developer Rockrose has a huge success at 4720 Center Blvd. overlooking the East River next to the famous Pepsi-Cola sign. Now it only has to do again and again as plans call for six more waterfront towers devoted to rental and condominiums.
How did they fill the first one so fast? A craigslist Web posting blitz helped with no fees for any apartment-seeker sealing the deal. Brokers who found renters were paid a commission of one month's rent. Rent-ers had to come up only with the first month's rent and one month security deposit. Some even received a free month's rent.
Zach Schwartz, a 23-year-old Californian who went to school in Providence, R.I., moved in last fall.
"I found the ad on craigslist," says the bright-eyed health care professional, who works in midtown. "I'm at work in 17 minutes."
Only a $5,200-per-month penthouse remains at 4720 Center Blvd. One-bedrooms with water views went for $2,100, and two-bedrooms went for $3,200.
"When you get in early to an area," says Jon McMillan, director of planning for Rockrose, "you get lower prices for your land. We pass that on to our renters."
Rockrose's second rental building - with 35,000 square feet of retail - opens this summer. It includes a Starbucks.
The new rentals: With a marketing plan that filled 650 units in eight months, developer Rockrose has a huge success at 4720 Center Blvd. overlooking the East River next to the famous Pepsi-Cola sign. Now it only has to do again and again as plans call for six more waterfront towers devoted to rental and condominiums.
How did they fill the first one so fast? A craigslist Web posting blitz helped with no fees for any apartment-seeker sealing the deal. Brokers who found renters were paid a commission of one month's rent. Rent-ers had to come up only with the first month's rent and one month security deposit. Some even received a free month's rent.
Zach Schwartz, a 23-year-old Californian who went to school in Providence, R.I., moved in last fall.
"I found the ad on craigslist," says the bright-eyed health care professional, who works in midtown. "I'm at work in 17 minutes."
Only a $5,200-per-month penthouse remains at 4720 Center Blvd. One-bedrooms with water views went for $2,100, and two-bedrooms went for $3,200.
"When you get in early to an area," says Jon McMillan, director of planning for Rockrose, "you get lower prices for your land. We pass that on to our renters."
Rockrose's second rental building - with 35,000 square feet of retail - opens this summer. It includes a Starbucks.
The first Rockrose building has 650 apartments? I thought more along the lines of 300+ or 400+.
Also, the article said there's six more Rockrose buildings on the way. Unless they've changed plans, there's only 5 more...one condo, Rockrose's third building, and four more buildings after that, but no word yet if they're rentals or condos.
Also, the article said there's six more Rockrose buildings on the way. Unless they've changed plans, there's only 5 more...one condo, Rockrose's third building, and four more buildings after that, but no word yet if they're rentals or condos.
well I'm sure Starbucks will make enough money since they will have a captive market of all the high-rise dwellers, but I don't see those of us who live in the rest of the neighborhood schlepping there for coffee, besides, their coffee isn't all that great and is expensive. I'll take Paris Donut or Brazil coffee over Starbucks any day. that's the start of the downfall when a chain comes into the neighborhood, what's next, a Gap?