When Tishman Speyer purchased Stuyvesant Town in 2006, residents anticipated major changes in the way the complex would be managed. Now some two years later, they feel management lacks any real vision for Stuy Town's future. A walk through the Oval during their amenities / essentials open house reveals the psyche of a management company that is so completely out of touch with the community it purchased that it will try anything it can to keep its pulse beating no matter what the cost.For the past five months Tishman Speyer has been working on a series of small function rooms in the Oval that are sometimes referred to as amenities and at other times are called essentials. The project has seen continued delays and their marketing of the spaces has been a huge failure. Glossy postcards and pamphlets sent to Stuyvesant Town residents provided vague descriptions of the spaces that promised to "engage the body" and "challenge the mind." Along the way they used Frank Sinatra and Keith Haring in a questionable attempt to show the amenities / essentials are multi-generational. The one message they could clearly convey is that the spaces will be available for private party rentals...as private as a party in a floor-to-ceiling glass cage can be.
The marketing materials were followed by a series of poorly written, typo drenched emails that encouraged tenants to attend a weeklong open house for the spaces and repeatedly stated residents should "see for yourself." Well, tenants did see for themselves. They saw that, in a rush to present the group of unfinished amenities / essentials to an already skeptical community, management failed to prove anything other than the spaces are small, nearly identical, and they can't sustain free refreshments for more than an hour. Residents are already wondering what these spaces will be converted to next year.
Oval amenities / essential representatives give conflicting information over the phone though most agree that membership includes a $250 initiation fee and a monthly charge of either $20 or $25. Click here for the schedule of "events."
Such beautiful glass. What a marvelous retail space that would make! Wouldn't it be nice to say "goodbye" to OvalKids, and...hello Lane Bryant?! Now THAT would generate some much-needed moolah!!! And why stop there? Add an Old Pueblo Traders, a Hanes, and a Newport News and we'll have our very own Oval "Fashion Path!" A regular "Miracle Quarter-Mile!"
Help!!! I'm dizzy at the very thought!!!
"Out of touch" is a nicer way of saying "completely and utterly unqualified".
The unobstructed view inside is a pedophile's dream come true. Parents should really think twice before taking their kids to such a poorly run place......especially since you just know management didn't bother to run extensive background checks on the staff.
Edna,
As far as I know, Lane Bryant doesn't sell swimming dresses.
Dear The "E" Line,
Who in the world enjoys afternoon walks around the Oval admiring the colorful fall foliage while wearing a swimdress? Are you daft? No, you'll find mother and I sporting our new dressy pullover tops with fun swirl prints and keyhole necklines with faux stone accents and Bend Over® fly-front stretch pants, thank you very much.
And again I ask, where are the facilities? Our spotless ladies and gents rooms were torn down and replaced by the OvalLounge which I guess is marvelous for somebody although I can't for the life of me imagine who, but what about the rest of us? Especially for those of us with reduced bladder control?!
Edna, by the way, your missing swimdress was finally located. Third bag from the left:
http://stuytownluxliving.com/2008/10/martha-stewarts-composting-101.html
I'm sorry my dear girl, but composting is the decomposition of once-living materials. Nothing involved in the construction of our missing swimdresses contained "once-living materials." But mother and I certainly appreciate your rummaging through the trash of others to search it out. Keep up the good work! There may be a dollar in it for you if you are successful!
http://www.lanebryantcatalog.com/pagebuilder/lane_bryant_catalog_product_page?item=883131&pagesize=3
Who says Lane Bryant doesn't have swimdresses?
My friends from LI love the new Oval, they said it reminds them of home.
Dear Amy,
Do your friends live near a strip mall?
They do live near a strip mall! How did you know? I don't care for that strip mall because all of the stores look the same and there's little merchandise in them. She loves it because it makes her feel "cool" and "safe" and part of her community.