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Avalon Fort Greene

‘Real World’ house gets Buzz-ed!

By Mike McLaughlin
The Brooklyn Paper

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The first star of the MTV’s “Real World” to book its next leading role is the Red Hook set itself.

Once home to eight wild and crazy exhibitionists, the historic Pier 41 warehouse with breathtaking views of the harbor is slated to become a catering hall run by renowned restaurateur Buzzy O’Keeffe.

Brooklyn Bridge Realty

Red Hook developer Greg O’Connell, who converted another Civil War-era warehouse into the Fairway supermarket and owns this site near the end of Van Dyke Street, announced the proposal for a high-end wedding hall on Tuesday at the Brooklyn Real Estate Roundtable, a regular gathering of industry powerhouses.

O’Keeffe acknowledged that he’s involved in negotiations, but said a deal is not final.

“Let’s just say that there have been discussions about doing a catering operation,” said the impresario of posh waterfront establishments like the River Café at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge and the exclusive Water Club on Manhattan’s East Side.

It’s no longer “Dead Hook,” but the potential future space for lavish nuptials and other precious events will still be in a remote, hardscrabble neighborhood.

O’Keeffe is undeterred and pointed to his own track record of spotting iconic destinations.

“Why would anybody want to open on a barren piece of land underneath the Brooklyn Bridge?” he asked rhetorically, referring to his decision to open the River Cafe in 1977, when the end of Old Fulton Street was desolate.

“Everyone said I was crazy,” he added.

Rico Furniture

©2009 The Brooklyn Paper

←Bridge ‘Park’: Pier pressure at Brooklyn Bridge ‘Park’
→Prospect Heights: The battle for Brooklyn — Museum

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