Dunkin' Brands Inc.
The Round-Up: Wednesday
- JP Morgan Chase negotiating tower near Ground Zero. [NY Times]
- Residents, restaurants view Brooklyn jail differently. [NY Times]
- Manhattan condo conversions switch to commercial. [NY Times]
- Nonprofits maneuver with real estate. [NY Times]
- City building-code changes may up construction costs. [NY Sun]
- Surfer-wear store coming to Herald Square. [NY Post]
- Merrill Lynch mulling tower in Hotel Penn's place. [2nd item] [NY Post]
- Toy Building to offer 800,000 feet of office space. [NY Post]
- City gives tax breaks to undeserving landlords. [NY Post]
- British buy in East Harlem ignites protest. [NY Post]
- Mom-and-pop Donut Pub vs. Dunkin' Donuts in Chelsea. [Daily News]
Did we miss any New York City real estate news this morning? Please send along tips and links.
Shott On Location: The Down-Low On That 'Upscale' Dunkin' Donuts
So this is the "new look" Dunkin' Donuts: garish orange and pink signage, comfortless metallic chairs, raffish menu graphics.
Kinda like the old-look Dunkin' Donuts--and catering to the same ol' stereotypical clientele: cops.
Around 3 p.m. on Thursday, the newest corner location for D.D. franchise Centurian Plaza Donuts LLC, located at 20th Street and Third Avenue, was crawling with recruits in Police Academy uniforms.
This reporter was expecting more distinct changes in appearance and customer base, after reading January's Crain's article.
The company was said to be unveiling a "more upscale store model," in order to lure white-collar workers away from Starbucks. The new 243 Third Avenue location, which opened on Wednesday, was supposed to be the premier outpost of this a la mode makeover.
The change was so subtle, however, I needed to hike six blocks to the next nearest Dunkin' Donuts on Third Avenue, at 26th Street, to even notice.
It seems to come down to this: The new look features trendy track lighting in the seating area; the old model uses mere Kmart-style flourescent bulbs.
If the purveyors of the big Box O' Joe truly want to hone in on the yuppie crowd, perhaps they should borrow a page from the Starbucks playbook--and get themselves a decent wireless-Internet provider.
It took about 20 minutes for this observer to hijack an external wi-fi connection. By that time, my marble-frosted donut and small black coffee were completely consumed.
- Chris ShottMallification of Carroll Gardens
Words of wisdom: “Every dollar you spend at Starbucks goes to Seattle …. ” But with some spaces commanding $16,000 a month in rent, a goodly portion of that dollar is going to the landlord.
-Matthew GraceTuesday: Chain Stores and Slum Lords
- When the big, bad chain store enters an urban environment (read: Wal-Mart to open in Brooklyn), opposition from residents is usually not enough to keep it away. Some design students imagine an alternative, where Wal-Mart's site also serves as a public space, assembly hall or art center. (Land+Living)
- Is this a record? A Queens landlord has some 7,000 housing code violations and owes about $425,000. (The Queens Courier)
- As commuter flights become more common, carrying luggage should be anything but. Architect Peter Yeadon has designed sleek suitcases that follow your voice and utilize motion robotics for hands-free travelling. (Inhabitat)
- The Housing and Urban Development Secretary announced that 16 universities will receive over $5 million to help rebuild communities along the Gulf Coast. Nine of the grants go to Historically Black Colleges and seven will assist other schools. (Inman News)
- Moishe's movers have thick eyebrows and no sleeves. Yowzah! (Apartment Therapy)
- The New York Yankees are distributing propaganda sheets to South Bronx residents about their new stadium, which claim the construction will not cost taxpayers. But, we know all too well that that's rarely true. (Metro)
- If churches own the land in Harlem, by God, developers will find a way to get 'em. (New York Post)
- Christopher Gray paints a dramatic picture with words: "At the 24th floor, the bare facade bursts out with a band of rich neo-Classical ornament in white against a chalky blue background...The top floor — the 25th — is the bravura closing act." (The New York Times)
- Avalon Riverview North will break ground tomorrow. It is the first phase of the Queens West development in Long Island City. (The Real Deal)
- The freaky "rogue economists" are looking for real-estate brokers that offer a "flat-fee service for clients wanting to list a house on MLS, or know a lot about such services." Interested? (Freakonomics via The Walk-Through)
- Community activism prevailed in Manhattan Beach last summer, when residents thwarted the construction of 40 McMansions. But now, the streets are lined with half-built McMansions. (New York Daily News)
- Transit workers vs. NYC: most public transit workers drive to work, are male and married. (Gotham Gazette)
- Brooklynites! Big Brother is watching. Stay away from the Dunkin' Donuts. (A Brooklyn Life)
Free Donuts
No, it's not the starpower of The Apprentice's Stacy J. read more »
More this line from the advisory: "Representatives from Quiznos Subs, Dunkin Donuts, Maui Wowi, Domino's Pizza and Wing Zone will be on hand for an interactive display of products and services."
Interactive!Crime Blotter
