Remember when I told you about Microsoft’s possible retail venture and how it’s generally an awful idea? Well, as it happens, Microsoft looked into retail space right here in Brooklyn, on the ground floor of the Williamsburg Savings Bank Building.

Gothamist has the story and more details about the space itself:

The 33,000-square-foot space spans two levels, and cannot be altered due to its landmark status. Faith Hope Consolo, of Prudential Douglas Elliman, said they “will lease the former bank space for $2 million per year or sell it outright as a single ‘commercial condo,’ has been talking to other high-end outfits, including Barneys, Sony and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.”

33,000 sq. ft. of Microsoft? What would they sell? They better have one helluva selection of wireless mice. Maybe cool Microsoft golf shirts like they wear in Redmond. I wonder if they’ll try and cash in on the ever-growing trend of retail space as social space. Maybe the hipster crowd will enjoy it as the next ironic social venue.

Brooklyn is still the hot target for tech retail with plans for a Williamsburg Apple Store still in the ether. While it will be convenient to have an Apple store right in my ‘hood, it will be one more excuse for my landlord to raise the rent. Oy, the downside of gentrification.

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