Monday, May 26, 2008

Stamford, NYC, Trump's Looming Cranes

Welcome back from what I hope was a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I spent Saturday shopping at the Stamford Mall; both my sis and I needed more work clothes. We made a rare voyage to Norwalk (husband's idea) to see the new Indiana Jones (horrible) and eat at Kazu (awesome). On Sunday, my sis moved into her NYC apartment and we spent Sunday and Monday walking around the city. It was lovely to be outside and lovely to leave Stamford only because it makes me love it even more when I return.

As I zipped up 95 today on the way home, I caught my first glimpse of Stamford and felt a rush of love- what fun things will I do here this week? Then, I realized I was catching a glimpse of Trump Parc and the teetering crane! You again! I thought. You, hovering over the trees and the roads. You, dropping chunks of metal through car roofs. Anytime I go toward Target or the train station, it's you, totally in my face!

I'm not sure why I have not yet seen angry letters about last week's crane incident in the Advocate. Is the topic just too obvious? Not to freak you out, but click the following link for pics of last winter's crane accident at Trump Soho that killed a worker. Two Trump crane incidents within six months of each other? Not cool!!! I hope Stamford's fearless leaders (who is that? Malloy?) have this under control. Click here to see a pic of the hole the falling metal caused when it crashed through the truck's roof on Broad St. You know, the road where we all drive every single day.

To end on a positive note, I'm going to have a moment of meditation for crane safety: ................ done.

22 comments:

Ricks said...

I was just noticing the Trump building yesterday as I was coming down High Ridge Rd by the Lord & Taylor. It's 2 miles away or so, but you can still see the Trump better than buildings that are closer.

Anonymous said...

If anything like that happened to me, I would sue the pants off these people.

Anonymous said...

The crane had nothing to do with the accident.

And it doesn't compare with the fallen crane at RBS site last year. No outrage there because the homes of the less affluent were endangered (and evacuated)?

Trump is only the brand. The builders are responsible and highly regarded Rich from Stamford and Louis Cappelli from White Plains.

I for one think the building looks vibrant and metro as you drive down down Broad past the hospital.

BTW, when occupied, the nearly 200 families with disposable income will help revive the failing downtown restaurant and entertainment scene Stamford Talk so cherishes.

Anonymous said...

I fully agree with the last post. Read the Advocate article again and you'll see that the incident had nothing to do with the crane. Trump is only helping this City become a better place to live for the surrounding businesses and residents.

Anonymous said...

After the last crane accident in NY Malloy had another inspection done on all the cranes in Stamford. He did it even though they were all just inspected. Got some heat for it too, but he wanted to make sure everyone was safe!

Anonymous said...

I have faith in OSHA to figure this all out ;)

Stamford Talk said...

Very true that the building will bring business to downtown when it's done. I can't wait to see the effect it has. Maybe it will bring more people in to the great jazz I heard at Dragonfly tonight!

Spike and Roxy said...

Ahhh, who cares about the crane.

Back to the new Indiana Jones movie....I agree, it was horrible. What a letdown.

irenesbooks said...

I wonder where those 200 families are going to go grocery shopping? Hop into their cars?

Anonymous said...

"BTW, when occupied, the nearly 200 families with disposable income will help revive the failing downtown restaurant and entertainment scene Stamford Talk so cherishes."

1) It will take years for that building to be fully occipied if at all. Look at the Trumps in New Rochelle, White Plains...several years after completion, they are still high vacanies and over 50% rental.

2) The building will NOT attract new tennants...people will not move to Stamford for the building. It will be largely those who live around here.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if it will fill up but white plains is not Stamford. they do not have Ubs and Rbs two of the bigest banksin the world, and the brokers to go with it, and alot of other big paying jobs.so not to fast betting agaist Stamford.

Anonymous said...

You cannot compare Trump Parc Stamford to the Trumps in New Rochelle and White Plains, the City of Stamford is far more developed then both of them. Buyers will come from Manhatten to escape the high cost of living, they will come from the surronding towns to downsize, and anyone who is transferred to Stamford for work will most likely purchase at Trump because of it's convenient location. So whomever said that people will not move to Stamford for the building is flat out wrong.

Anonymous said...

I WANT all the development in Stamford to work out and benefit the city. But even I have a hard time imagining the Trump building filling up. There are tons of other luxury apartments/condos in downtown Stamford, and they aren't full. Why would the Trump building be any different?

Sarah said...

On a totally different topic: I love Kazu in SoNo. I need to go there soon! :)

patty said...

Irene, I think Stamford will remain a driving city, no matter how many people live downtown. Although there's an ok convenience / grocery selection next door at Target, from the Trump location I'd drive to Super Shop Rite and / or Whole Foods to do my shopping.

As I drove by the Trump site this morning, it looked more and more like the bones of an attractive building and less like a construction site.

I don't hold out much hope for RBS, though. What's with those yellow subway tiles on the street level?

irenesbooks said...

Patty, I think downtown Stamford badly needs a supermarket in todays increasing "green" environment. I heard this weekend that there are noises that one is planned at the to be reconstructed St. John's Towers site.

In Europe, shopping malls usually have supermarkets. Of course there would be a problem with operating hours here.

(I'm also upset that the plans for a Whole Foods on Bull's Head have been scrapped. We either have to go to Greenwich or to Westport.)

Anonymous said...

"You cannot compare Trump Parc Stamford to the Trumps in New Rochelle and White Plains, the City of Stamford is far more developed then both of them. Buyers will come from Manhatten to escape the high cost of living, they.."

YOU MUST BE A TRUMP SALES AGENT! Stamford more developed than While Plains? White plains has a whole foods, cheesecake factory, 2 malls, trump, Ritz and several restaurants/bars and all walkable...ITS ALSO 20 MINS FROM MANHATTAN. Not as nice as Stamford but for those who move out of the city FEW venture beyond Westchester.

THE CLASSIC condos downtown, which have all the bells and whistles of Trump for 40% less are struggling to sell their units 3 YEARS into their rental to condo conversion. They have been forced to rent a large % of their units.

Do your homework.

Anonymous said...

A WORD ON RBS for all the Realtors, flippers, clueless ane pumpers who are counting their chickens before they hatch

1) They recently have announced a 25% layoff after their merger with ABN AMRO

2)Their STAFF IS HERE ANYWAY! They are less than 3 miles away in Greenwich. They are simply consolidating 2-3 spaces and building capcity for future growth.. NONE of their Manhattan staff is supposed to move in. My friend is in facilities planning there and confirmed.

Anonymous said...

I'll leave the word on UBS..JUST GOOGLE them..they will be lucky to last the year in STamford.

Anonymous said...

All the sales material for downtown Stamford new construction shows 1) The Avon 2) Capriccio 3) Palace theater. Full stop. Reality is you will pay through your nose to live in the midst of IT programmers and temps who all inexplicably have a baby carriage 1/4th to rent or buy next door.

Anonymous said...

RBS is already in Stamford. They have leased part of the GenRe building. The other locations are Greenwich and Manhattan.

Anonymous said...

another piece of debris (or something) fell today around 3:00 p.m. and hit a car; no injuries reported.