- 248 McKibbin
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255 McKibbin St. (right) and 248 McKibbin St. (left)
255 McKibbin St. in 1939The McKibbin Street Lofts are two opposing loft buildings in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They share similar features, such as 5 floors (16 apartments per floor at 255 and 20 at 248). The apartments range in size from 400 to 2500 square feet (various units between the first and second floors of both buildings are duplexes). Approximately 400 tenants live in the two buildings. The building has a reputation for hosting raucous all-night "loft parties." Given this, and the preponderance of twenty-something recent college graduates living in the two buildings, the buildings have been given the nickname "Art Dorm."[1] The building was constructed in 1936[2] and served as a factory space manufacturing various textiles and garments[3] until 1998, when it was converted into residential lofts[4].
Contents
Potion Cafe
Potion Cafe was in the middle of 248 McKibbin. Open 6 days a week (closed on Wednesdays), the cafe had a wide variety of food and beverages. On Mondays, there was an open-microphone night attended by many local singer-songwriters, hip hop artists, poets, with many performers from all over the world appearing. Potion Cafe has since closed, but the core members have continued to host the open mic at The Tea Factory Lofts (175 Stockholm Street).[5]
Major Events
- On July 4, 2005, at approximately 11 AM, at 255 McKibbin Street, apartment number 222 (304 in the new numbering—see below) exploded, causing major structural, smoke, and water damage to surrounding units. The explosion is thought to have been caused by the combustion of wood sealant vapor. Apartment 222 had recently been vacated, and was being refurbished by the building's management; the wood floor had been coated with sealant, and left unattended to saturate. When sealant vapor reached the pilot light of the unit's stove (which had not been turned off), it exploded. The windows and metal window frames in 222 were ripped out of the building's brick walls.[6]
- On July 19, 2011, FBI agents raided 255 McKibbin looking for members of vigilante group Anonymous. Former residents from rock band Broken Glow were mentioned in a New York Post article as possible suspects.[7]
Notable residents
The building is the current and/or former home of:
- Brooklyn comedy troupe Poykpac, who are best known for their videos "Hipster Olympics" and "Mario: Game Over".
- Guitar player and singer/songwriter Kaki King
- Indie Rock band Bishop Allen
- Jam Band U-Melt
- Indie Pop Band Devious Semantics
In media
- Several scenes from the Spirit Award nominated film Quiet City were shot at 255 McKibbin, during the fall of 2006.
- Currently the local t.v show coincidentally called "The Mckibbin Show" is being filmed as of now. (2010)
- In 2005, writing/director/actor John Cameron Mitchell flyered the buildings in hopes of shooting a critical scene of his Shortbus movie here in which two characters spot each other from across an alley or street. A more appropriate location in two Williamsburg, Brooklyn lofts was eventually chosen.
- An article on the front page of the New York Times on May 7, 2008 described the 248 and 255 McKibbin buildings and their free-wheeling atmosphere extensively.[8]
References
- ^ New York City Board of Standards and Appeals, agenda item 234-04-BZ234-04-BZ [1]
- ^ City of New York, Office of the President of the Borough of Brooklyn, Department of Buildings, Certificate of Occupancy, October 6, 1936 [2]
- ^ City of New York, Borough of Brooklyn, Department of Buildings, Certificate of Occupation, December 15, 1970 [3]
- ^ New York City, Department of Buildings, Work Permit 300818694-01-EW-OT
- ^ openmikes.org
- ^ New York City, Department of Buildings, Complaint 3162192
- ^ http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/feds_hack_attack_z1t7df5hGOXJlHOXd7n90I
- ^ Buckley, Cara (May 8, 2008). "Young Artists Find a Private Space, Only Without the Privacy". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/nyregion/07lofts.html?scp=1&sq=mckibbin&st=nyt. Retrieved May 9, 2008.
External links
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/bushwick-lofthouse-tour-140970
Coordinates: 40°42′21″N 73°56′16″W / 40.705807°N -73.937795°ECategories:- Buildings and structures in Brooklyn
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