20 Bayard, that big hubristic building on the edge of McCarren Park in Williamsburg filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Friday, The Real Deal reports. Are there no hedge funders left who want to live above a blindingly-lit soccer field, 10 minutes from the L train? The building, which was prominently featured on Top Chef, is "nearly full" of owners or renters, but North Development Group apparently owes more than $10 million to more than 50 creditors. The creditor with the largest unsecured claim? A Brooklyn plumber who just saw $325,000 worth of labor go down the crapper, along with the rest of the condo market. (Which kind of takes the fun out of the requisite Nelson laugh.) [Via Curbed] more ›

Further evidence that Top Chef contestants are staying at one of the fabulous new Williamsburg condos at McCarren Park was obtained this weekend when production assistants were seen loading cameras and equipment into 20 Bayard. A laminated sign on the dashboard of one of their vans read "Magical Elves," which is a production company that often works for Bravo. The fifth season of the popular reality show is being filmed in New York, but Bravo is understandably tight-lipped about details. Nevertheless, contestants were spotted at Whole Foods yesterday and Craft this morning. more ›