Photos: At Home With Motorcycle Maker Max Hazan
Max Hazan has spent the past five years living right in the heart of Williamsburg, and well, the neighborhood’s changed just as much as you might guess it has since he first moved in. Not that he’s complaining. With a courtyard right off his apartment and friendly, long-term neighbors, Hazan also has a pretty enviable commute; the place is just a quick bike ride from the Greenpoint studio he uses to make his one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted motorcycles. Which doesn’t stop him from planning possible ways move the operation closer to home in the building’s garage, and in the meantime, finding room for a drafting table and even a couple of motorcycles in the space he’s got. We stopped by last week for the full tour.
Why’d you first move to Brooklyn?
Initially it was for work, my contracting projects were split 50/50 between Manhattan and Long Island, Williamsburg was accessible (I needed to have a car and 5 years ago there was parking here), I also liked the feel of the area around my block.
What’s your favorite thing about this apartment?
The location and the courtyard.
What’s your least favorite thing about the apartment?
The rent, it’s going up fast. I can’t buy anything, I’m completely out of space.
What are the first three inanimate things you would save in a fire?
The guitar a friend had made for my 30th, a frayed white 80’s sleeveless button-down shirt (a gift), photo albums.
What’s your favorite room in the apartment and your favorite time of day?
The kitchen definitely gets the most play. Late evening during the summer with the door open to the courtyard has to be my favorite…most likely because that time of day is usually paired with grilling and summery cocktails.
If you suddenly received a windfall of cash, what changes would you make?
I would buy out the tenant in the front garage and turn it into a work space, followed by a rooftop patio.
If you could move the house/block/neighborhood to another city, which one would it be and why?
I love this particular block, it’s quiet and everyone knows each other but it’s around the corner from the madness when you want it. If I had to move the place I would probably put it on the West Coast, Santa Monica or Venice.
Follow Virginia K. Smith on Twitter @vksmith.
