A tipster / friend forwarded us the Curbed article today, featuring the Belltel, Toren and the Oro! It’s like the article I’ve been waiting for! I’m surprised it took this long, surely, we can’t be the only ones wondering how these three properties are doing, competing against each other in such close proximity. Not only that but we submitted offers on all 3, took all 3 off the market (at different times), received all 3 offer plans, and had our poor attorneys review each of them. Not surprisingly it’s triggered quite the polarizing discussion on Curbed. Anyone else want to get in on the action here? At any rate, it’s great to see Downtown Brooklyn sparking the discussion and how people feel about pioneering areas.
Anyone see the mortgage rates today? Rock bottom, a new historical low. Most sites seem to be posting ~ 4.875% for a 30 year fixed. But I’m told that action can be had at 4.75% if you’ve got the right kind of score. Lucky for me, I’m married to the (perfect) man who naturally has perfect credit.
The Queen Bee. She rules over the Flatbush Riviera. All of Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene is her domain. 
Hola. I surfed in from your Streeteasy link. I too did the rounds of these buildings and weighed the pros/cons. We ended up picking Belltel. I was blown away by the views at Oro, but for me & my husband, space was a big issue, and the deciding factor was when he pointed out “our apartment is filled with books, paintings, musical instruments and wine. None of those things like light.” So we went the windowless-rooms-vampire route.
I think Belltel’s sales team is actually doing kind of a crappy job showing off the building’s layout variety — we initially bid on one similar to what it sounds like you did (we went for 8F), and swallowed our concerns about the fact that the windows didn’t get much light. After a protracted back-and-forth about the per-square-foot price, the agent came back and offered an apartment she’d never shown us before, on the 14th floor, and offered it for *less* than our bid. I liked it infinitely better — slightly smaller, but with way better light, views, layout, finishes, and a big terrace, which to me is much preferable to a third bedroom. “Why didn’t you show us this from the start???” I asked. Answer: Because the asking price was so far out of our range that she didn’t bother. But because it was smaller and would show a higher per-square-foot selling price than our prior bid, the sponsor was willing to sell it for 30% below ask. Sheesh.
Anyway, I agree the finishes are nicest at Toren, and the light is beautiful. I’m happy you’re getting the place you fell in love with!
Hi Stacy, that’s too funny. We were locked in for 9F, we would’ve been neighbors. I can’t agree with you more, the sales staff are doing a terrible job marketing. They were slow, unresponsive, and vague to us. We were serious about the Belltel and if they had moved quicker they would’ve locked us in: http://www.joshandmarie.us/2010/04/12/nesting-iii-the-toren/
All that said, it sounds like got an awesome unit. Less than your asking, and a terrace. Nice job. I’m more than a little jealous. @stacy