OfficeOps

My boyfriend and I have been living in the office Ops for almost 5 years and we can't imagine living anywhere else in Brooklyn. At first we lived on the 3rd Floor but after a year or so we needed more space. The Office Ops gives priority to existing renters and we were able to nab our dream apartment on the top floor. Other perks include: freight elevator, security, neighbors that leave you alone, and Mario (our handyman! who I see every morning sweeping the stairs or hallways). We also had our windows completely replaced and we save so much money in the summer/winters. Everyone should live in a loft at some point in their lives!!

I've lived here for quite some time and see no reason to move. It's a neighborhood of mixed ethnicities and ages. The nature of life in New York is either hold on to that great deal, or move every few years like an urban vagabond; people come and go, but 57 Thames is exactly what I wanted: cost-effective, safe habitation, openness from both inhabitants, management, and the neighborhood, proximity to subway and bus routes, restaurants, shops and the like.

The building was an old factory, a piece, and in a place, of old New York. The old factory floors are original, lovely scarred wood, sanded and varnished. The halls are neat and refuse is deposited into dumpsters on the 3rd floor adjacent to an extremely useful freight elevator. Twice a week, the bins are taken to street level for pickup. There are also recycling bins for metal, glass, and plastic.

Exterminator services are performed along hallways and are offered free to any of the lofts, at the residents' request. I've never needed the service; never spotted a rodent either.

The management has always been respectful to me, in tone and action. The building is advertised as an arts space, a performance space, and a living space. Events on the roof are mostly open to the neighborhood for an entry fee, and open to tenants free of charge. They are publicized in advance, with flyers on every floor. The performance artists tend to be talented, and it gives the building occupants an opportunity to meet both fellow tenants and neighborhood residents.

I can say for a fact, every time I see someone move out, within a day there's a crew with paint and cleaning apparatus in there working diligently. I asked them not to do that for me because I like to do it myself - it's a good way to really get to know the space - and even then I noted freshly-patched nail holes sanded smooth when I moved in. I have encountered leak problems a couple of times. One was during a hurricane, the other more like a monsoon. Regular rain hasn't made my loft leak, and calling the OfficeOps team over virtually ANY upkeep issue gets a same day response and a next day fix.

I've never had mail stolen, but the Ops admitted it could happen when I first moved in. It's really not an issue.Even so, it's a New York loft district, not the Upper East Side of Manhattan. If you want to reside where trends are being made, you must deal with the freedoms and bohemian notions that area engenders. I like living here enough not to have wanted to move in four years. I love the industrial aspect of the area…again, like old New York. I love my 11' ceiling and 8' high by 20' wide view of the world, showing me all of that industry every morning. It's a great place to write and it is in the epicenter of the art scene's cutting edge in New York. That's my sincere view.

OfficeOps is a great place to live! Management is cool-they are friendly, and they fix things on a timely basis. If there is too much noise from a neighbor, they will take care of that so you don't have to. On-site maintenance dude is an awesome guy, always available to help out or come to the rescue. The building is well-maintained, very clean, and any time there is an issue it is resolved ASAP. Been living here almost two years, and never had any problems. I started in a smaller loft, then moved to a bigger one, and it's really perfect. The roof is just amazing-so much space, and you can go up there whenever you like-also, if there's a party going on up there, you're invited! (Unless it's a wedding, but you probably don't want to go to a some stranger's wedding-that would be weird?)
All in all, I've been really happy here, and look forward to many more years in OfficeOps. It really is that good (and the tenants are an eclectic mix-everyone's here-makes for a good environment-in case you need someone to feed your cat or water your plants!). Three blocks to the Morgan L, 18 minute walk to the J express, bus a block away on Flushing.
Oh, I forgot, it's also very secure-front door lock of course, and each floor has its own locked security door as well. So you can buzz up the seamless guy, meet him at the security door for your floor, and he doesn't have to see your apartment :)

I've been a tenant here for over a year now and I would say I really enjoy living here. Well, it suits my taste, my life and close to the subways and simply a fun area to be in. If you like eccentric loft spaces with vast open areas and huge windows, tall ceilings then this building offers some of the most unique opportunities. It seems to me that management genuinely care about the property and try their best to keep it safe and clean. There is a sense of community which is cool and refreshing in NYC. I'm also one of those New Yorkers that bounced around all over the city..and I would say this is one of the more authentic and unique NYC living spaces I have come across. YMMV.

As a longstanding tenant (4+ years) I have to say that I adore living here. The building management is beyond great, tenants are friendly, the roof is awesome and the building is secure AND we have FIOS. Add to that.. public transportation is super convenient, and the neighborhood has plenty of everything. CHEERS!