The Real World in Downtown Brooklyn this Summer

Breathe a sigh of relief Carroll Gardens, The Real World's newest seven strangers won't be moving in to your neighborhood after all -- the original report of the cast heading to Downtown Brooklyn is now confirmed.

Their keys will open the door to a 6,000-square-foot, two-story penthouse in the BellTel Lofts (video); and while that's a lot of square-footage for a New York abode, it's still the smallest home in Real World history. The loft "includes two terraces, five bedrooms and 10-foot windows. A Jacuzzi and other amenities are also on the way." The show looked at 24 other residences before signing the lease on the $6 million digs.

The owner of the building assures The Daily News that "there are safeguards in place to make sure the reality show's stable of rowdies don't irritate the 100 families who call Belltel home in real life" -- for instance, the show signed a contract saying they would not film in the common areas.

The Real World began its series in New York (recap of the first season here), and has since been back one more time. This will be the show's first time in Brooklyn, and interestingly enough, Kevin Powell (who was in the first season) is running for Congress in the 10th District, which includes the BellTel Lofts. Cameo!

The NY Times visited the area last week, and locals told them the cast "could get mugged out here.”

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

By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on June 2, 2008 10:46 AM

Comments [rss]

Anna_Merkin

I'm glad they didn't do Ft. Greene. Of course nobody in the neighborhood would probably

rent to them.

sonyactivision

When they get done with that $6 million penthouse, it's going to be worth $450k. See if residents from Stuyvesant Town don't go sniffing around there at all hours.

missminerva

I hope they get mugged... maybe rents will stop rising....

JMH

Crap. That's right by where I live.

robingee

I'm sure they appreciate the sympathy.

Rocknrope

Agree with Dev, if you're past the quarter century mark and still giving two shits about this show, I feel sorry for you.

steuben

A block away from my lab... fabulous. I wonder if we're allowed to ban them from the MetroTech Commons and the surrounding streets.

TK

maybe they can get jobs at Bear Stearns in MetroTech... oh, wait maybe not.

JavySan

Matty: Actually S.F was the third season and yes I agree were the best two. Season Two was the "Trooo Store-Ray" that had my all-time favorite R.W. line: "It wasn't not funny!" by Tami.

dev

it went in the crapper for each of us after we got out of college and it became irrelevant to our lives.

robingee

These kids will have nothing in common with Kevin Powell or any of the first-seasoners. Any opinions on when it went in the crapper? I say after Boston.

Gothamist_Cynic

They should have stuck them in a crack house in Bed Stuy or Bushwick.

matty

Anything after NY and the SF ones were crap. I think that was seasons 1 and 2

Think2wice

Remember when Real World was purported to be a documentary/social experiment of the 18 to 30 zeitgeist.

Now, it's Temptation Loft.

ed_Extinct

bornbrednewyorker: you read it so what does make you, a fuckingdouchebag?

Steven

An even better place would be Park Slope.

sonyactivision

At least we'll finally know where that "syrup smell" is coming from.

aveB4life

see you on the F train

ladywarfield

the Fulton Mall at night is like the old west...tumbleweed rolling across the street and shoot-outs. have fun kids!

west side Michael

I think they should shoot (no pun intended) at

Sunset Park.

bornbrednewyorker

Another stellar Jen Carlson report!

whantmoore

To bad its not in redhook or bushwick trust me the crime on the show would boost ratings, on how people from the midwest adjust to a crime ridden neighborhood with in a stones throw from the City.

JRod5417

While I'm glad they won't be filming in my neighborhood, Downtown isn't the best representative of Brooklyn. That place is a ghost town at night. Fort Greene would have been a better choice. Anyhoo, my sympathies to the Beltel residents.