We were settled on the Oro, having gone back and forth, poring over floor plans, and running the number over and over in excel, we were spent. It was the Oro, with her jaw-dropping Manhattan skyline and flex 3 bedrooms. But we weren’t done. The same day the Purchase Agreement from the Oro went out, the Toren out of nowhere came back and offered us the unit we had been eyeing for price we couldn’t say no to, it was below even our low bid! The deal with the original bidders had fallen through (financing), but the sponsor had already drawn up all the paperwork at that price, so if we were willing to take it, it was ours. Shocked, with a new sense of OMG! We did a full rinse and repeat ran the numbers, made a pros-cons list, and arranged to see the unit they were offering the next day. And just as the old saying goes, we learned that indeed first love never dies. The Toren had won us back. Truth be told the units were very comparable. The Oro had more space, better views, slightly more affordable common charges and offering substantial incentives by covering a big chunk of our closing costs. The Toren had a very competitive price — the Oro needed the incentives to make it a good value, but the Toren was priced at a good value. A price (unlike the Oro) meant we’d have something on our menu besides ramen. Toren also had a 25 year tax abatement, custom finishes, and a very nice view even if it wasn’t the Manhattan skyline. Plus, there’s something to be said about branding. The Toren designed by SOM Architects to be a green building, who’s daring mark on the Brooklyn skyline hasn’t been matched since the Williamsburg Savings Bank, has a certain brand to it. The sales offices were busy, and the activity on streeteasy, rapid. We felt assured that if people were clamoring to move in now, they would still want to be moving in 10 years from now.
So we broke up with the Oro, and have ignored her calls to come back. Yes, we feel guilty. And yes a part of us will look at the Oro (now that we’ll have a daily unobstructed view) and wonder “what if”. But I think we made the right choice.
The Queen Bee. She rules over the Flatbush Riviera. All of Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene is her domain. 
I know this sounds like a ridiculous question given that you’re a future owner at the Toren… but if you could do make your decision all over again, would you pick the Toren over the Oro and BellTel? I’m looking at those 3 as well. Also, the Bridgeview Tower on 189 Bridge St. is peeking my interest. And stupid me, of all significant ameneties, the basketball and squash courts at the Oro keep luring me back…
Hi Chillo — well it’s impossible for me to judge objectively at this point, since i do live in the Toren now and know so much more about it. But what i can share is this: http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/11/16/the_bestselling_buildings_are_all_in_brooklyn_and_toren_is_tops.php
pretty nice bragging rights isn’t it?
Me and my wife just had an offer accepted at Toren. We also looked at Oro and The Edge and dismissed Oro right away. The Edge had amazing amenities but the views and finishes at Toren appear to be amazing.
Any word of caution before we sign the contract next week? Also, how is life at Toren for a relatively newly married couple with a child on the way? I am a little bummed for leaving Manhattan but how is Downtown brooklyn? BTW is Toren in downtown or fort greene?
Thanks!
Hi there I found your webpage by mistake when i was searching Bing for this subject, I have to express your site is truly very helpful I also really like the theme, it is beautiful!
Welcome aboard!