The Real World in Downtown Brooklyn?

What part of Brooklyn will MTV's newest seven strangers inhabit when their show "The Real World” moves in this summer? The Brooklyn Paper reports that they may move into the BellTel Lofts (pictured) located Downtown...and decidedly "unhip." Allegedly MTV has scouted the penthouse units at the Bridge Street building, which is still under construction.

Executive Producer Jim Johnston confirmed that he has looked at the building, though he would not say if a lease has been signed.

“We [do] want to be close to Manhattan,” he said, but rattled off other areas he has explored, including Greenpoint, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Heights, Red Hook, and Coney Island (so much for “close to Manhattan”).

When asked why the network chose Brooklyn for the latest season, he noted the borough's "cachet and vibrancy," adding that its most attractive feature is its popularity, saying, "it seems like everybody is talking about Brooklyn right now." Quick, everyone talk about Hoboken.

Filming for the series will likely start in July, not giving MTV (who usually take two months to get the house ready) much time to find the perfect pad.

Photo of BellTel via 110 Livingston.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on May 20, 2008 2:51 PM

Comments [rss]

robingee

They're all going to get hit by turning garbage trucks.

bklyngrrl

I hope they get mugged.

WhatsMyNameAgain

omg, do it in Washington Heights! It's like the new West Village!

They could go to frat parties at Yeshiva University and drunkenly eat Dominican food all night!

What a life...

Anna_Merkin

dear veeelchop, "jen chung r a fox." married fox, to be sure. all your base r belong to us.

i love brooklyn, but not because of this.

my bets for non-manhattan visits (in no particular order):

- wmsburg, that whole street of douchebaggery known as bedford

- gowanus yacht club

- cherry tree in/around park slope (if they can stay open)

- habana outpost in fort greene

- my bedroom (the hot, trashy white chick)

RevWaldo

Tonight on The Real World: Park Slope - Kimberlee and D!-Moz argue over which jogging stroller they should buy! Meanwhile Kaieesha and Ashton and attend a community board meeting to contest a liquor license renewal!

veeelchop

to jen chung

u a fox

and brooklyn, like new york city manhattan, is the story of the immigrants. in this case its just west coast casting. i think downtown is a very cool spot. urban but not the city, multi ethnic to the maxxy maximumum. brooklyn house of D, fresh pitas and bam and the motor vehicles office to pay the inevitable parking tickets.; I foresee a sequence with quick, teary eyed or drunken dramatic wander on the streets to the promenade. pretty spectacular location.

and then there's FLATBUSH

babyhitler

I once accidentally stayed on the Q train 5 stops past park slope and got off and was scared shitless!!!!! East new York is not cool.

sonyactivision

Definitely the McKibbin Lofts. But first, they need to get a really bad urinary tract infection started there. Shouldn't be too difficult given the "shared" ammenities.

kcin122

these people will have someone drive them everywhere. It doesnt matter what the surrounding area looks like.

also every city they have ever filmed has some nasty ghetto areas so saying they should film in ENY is sophomoric at best

TN

I second Meowster's comment as winner of this thread. Just find a place in Williamsburg and get this over with. Downtown Brooklyn is a ghost town at night, which means either you take the train to Manhattan or you walk in the heat to Smith St., hopefully not ending up in a mediocre bar/restaurant .

jibbly

Holydriver, I second that motion. Also the entire cast needs to be as pale as possible.

I would definitely watch that.

HolyDiver

Please, please, please film it in East New York. I'd watch that.

pazzia

hoboken is awesome! *nudge*

fishermb

This would be a great publicity push forward if they could get the cast to move into the top floor of the Jails with Condos/Brooklyn House of D.

AnonEMouse

Skip Brooklyn, I agree with whoever said to film in Hoboken. The Real World cast will blend right in with all the drunks and frat boys that already populate the area...

Nick S

The rumor last year was that they were scouting the McKibbin lofts, so that's a possibility!

amsci

They should hole them up in the McKibbin lofts.

TheKlaus

There will be blood

Jen Chung

I think people are secretly worried about the health of these kids who will go on the show--you know, some crazy confrontations and many trips to Kings County during this season.

Nick S

i'm declaring Meowster the early winner of this comment thread.

and OMGz no!! A Real World in brooklyn!? Now all the genuine artists and thinkers like the dude from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Jen Carlson are going to have to relocate! its so hard for us artists.