Modern Day Hatfield and McCoy?

Neighbor Daniel Goldstein, better known as the guy who didn’t want to leave his Prospect Heights pad when the Barclays steamrollers were waiting at the door, is now playing the role of big developer as neighbors cry foul over his South Slope home renovations. It was bad at the start last year, and it hasn’t gotten better, according to the New York Times:

“I don’t know why he bought that house,” said Johanna Frost, 64, who lived in the house directly to the east of Mr. Goldstein’s new home for most of her life. “I think it’s going to look hideous and totally out of sync with the neighborhood.

After hearing of the construction plans, neighbor Kathryn Roake actually told the architect that she “hoped his house burned down.” Yikes!

In response to hullabaloo, Goldstein says that:

His addition was within existing zoning regulations, and that despite more than half a dozen complaints made to the Buildings Department, not a single fine or penalty had been issued. Similar renovations, he said, are happening every day throughout the neighborhood.

I get the supposed irony of Goldstein switching roles, but come on New York Times. The aspect of the photo you included with the report is deceiving. Anything is going to look gigantic when shot from that angle.

The guy is within zoning regulations, you can’t see the renovations from the front of the house and other than a few noisy neighbors (that have both sold their homes and are leaving–and at what seems like a good price, as one was listed for $1.425M), he appears to have the support of those currently living around him.

Anyone else on that block have strong feelings about it, one way or the other?

Photo via Robert Stolarik/New York Times