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A BuildingoftheDay:10-18St.FrancisPlace
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(Photo:14St.FrancisPlace,PropertyShark) Brooklyn,onebuildingatatime. Name:RowHouses Address:10-18St.FrancisPlace CrossStreets:St.JohnsandLincoln Places Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth/CrowHill YearBuilt:1901 ArchitecturalStyle:ChicagoStyle RenaissanceRevival Architect:F.L.Lowe, BuildingsbyArchitect:17-33Linden Boulevard,Flatbush Landmarked:No,butshouldbe. Thestory:In 1900,VennetteF.Pelletreau,oneofBrooklynsbetterknown realestateagentsandinvestors,becameinterestedin thiscornerofBedfordbecauseofits proximitytothenewBrooklyn InstituteoftheArtsandSciences,aswellastransportation alongtheBrighton Elline,andseveraltrolleylines.Theblocksbetween St. Johnsandwhatwasthen DeGrawSt.wereemptyfieldsusedasplaygroundsforlocalkids.TheBrooklynEagletellsusthathegottogetheragroupofinvestors,they boughtthelandandcutSt.FrancisandSt.CharlesPlacesbetween thestreetsandunderthedevelopmentofbuilder/developerJohn Erikson,thisgroupofhouseswas built. Theywantedsomethingdifferent,innovativeandsellable,andthenewChicagoStyle houseswerethoughttofitthebill.TheyhadlowstoopsandwerebasicallyEnglish basementhouses,with thekitchen anddiningroomon thefirstlevel,theparlorsandlibraryaboveopeningoffafoyerfromthefrontdoor.Thebedroomswereabove. Theseparticularhomeswerekittedoutin hardwoodtrimandthelatestin tilebathrooms. TheBrooklynEaglewroteupthehousesin theirspecialrealestatecoverageofBrooklyn,toutingtheeconomicbargain thesehouseswere,andhowtheywerecopiesof betterhomesin theSt.MarksDistrict,aswellasin Clinton Hill.Theydoresemblesomerowhouseson ParkPlacedesignedbyWilliamDebus,andothersin Clinton Hilland ParkSlope,sotheyhadsomethingthere.TheyweredesignedbyF.L.Lowe,whodesignedasimilargroupon Linden Boulevard,in Flatbush,alsoformerBOTDs. Ireallylikeboth ofthislittleblocksanyway,andrememberthefirsttimeIdiscovered themon awalkalongtimeago.Both St.FrancisandSt.Charleshavealways been welltaken careof,andarewonderfullittleenclavestuckedawayfrombusyFranklin Avenue.Thesehouseshavegreatrooflines,andthemixtureofredbrickand

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Building of the Day: 10-18 St. Francis Place

limestonebandcourses,windowcasings,andquoinsareveryfine,anddogivegravitastothebuildings,asdotheuseofClassicalpedimentsandcartouchesandother trims.Theyareveryhandsomehouses,indeed,andquitedifferentfromthelimestonesaroundthem.Goodjob!GMAP

Composite:PropertyShark

By Montrose Morris|02/17/20123:28PM

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BuildingoftheDay:777ClasssonAvenue
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Brooklyn,onebuildingatatime. Name:St.TeresaofAvilaCatholicChurch Address:777Classon Avenue CrossStreets:CornerSterlingPlace Neighborhood:CrowHillsection ofCrown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:begun 1874,finished1905 ArchitecturalStyle:Romanesque Architect:Unknown Landmarked:No Thestory:Brooklyn hasalotofCatholicChurches,prettymuch allofthemextremelyfinebuildings,andthestoryoftheChurchsexpansion acrosstheborough isthe storyofimmigration toourshores.European Catholicswhosettledherein thesecondhalfofthe19th centurywereavariedlot,butwhen itcametobuildingchurches, themajorityofthosein northern andcentralBrooklyn werebuiltbyandfortheGermans,in thenorth,andtheIrish,throughoutcentralBrooklyn. Brooklynsmostwell-known Catholicclergyman wasIrish-born BishopJohn Laughlin,whobecamethefirstBishopofBrooklyn in 1853,andwasheadofallofBrooklyns Catholicsuntil1891.In the38 yearsthatheheadedBrooklynschurch,heauthorizedthebuildingof125 churchesandchapels.St.Teresascamein themiddleofhis tenure. BrooklynsIrish population grewbythethousandsmid-centuryandlater,astheeconomicdevastation followingthePotatoFamineearlierin thecenturybroughtmillions totheseshores.TheycametoBrooklyn toescapethecrowdingofManhattanstenements,butalsoforwork,in thecitysfactories,homes,anddocks,andascivilservice workerswith thepoliceandfireservices.TheChurch boundthecommunitiestogether,andasthepopulation grewstrongerandwealthier,thecallformorechurches madenewparishesaboomingindustry. St.TeresaofAvilaparish wasorderedbyBishopLaughlin in 1874.Thefirstserviceswereheldin theparlorofaMr.D.Gallagher,wholivedat685 ButlerSt.(Sterling PlacewasoriginallyButlerSt.)150 peoplecrowdedintothehousetoattendmass.Thecornerstoneforthischurch waslaidthreemonthslater,andsoon masswas celebratedin thelowerchurch basement,astheupperchurch continuedtobebuilt.Thechurch wasnotdedicateduntil1887.Duringthattime,aschoolandconvent werealsobuilt,both ofwhich openedin 1883. Ithadalwaysbeen theplan forthechurch tohavetwin towersthatroseoverthismiddle-classrowhouseneighborhood,buttheywerenotfinisheduntil1905.From

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Building of the Day: 777 Classson Avenue

photographs,itappearstherighthandtoweralwayshadclockfaces,buttheleftheldthecarillon often bells.Theywerecastin afoundryin Troy,NY,andeach hadthe nameofan Irish saintinscribedon it.Therectorywasbuiltin 1913.Ihavenotbeen abletofindarecordofthearchitect(s)ofanyofthebuildings. St.Teresaschurch,school,conventandrectorybuildingsstillstand.Theparish ismuch diminishedovertheyears,astheIrish whofoundeditarelonggone,replacedby Italians,replacedbyblackandHispanicpeople.Theschoolclosedin 2002,andlayabandoned,butthebuildingwasjustrecentlytaken overbyBrooklyn JesuitPrep School,which openedin 2006,movingheremorerecently.Theconventbuildingwaslongagoturnedintoaseniorcitizen home.Likemostchurches,St.Teresasisin needoffundingforboth visibleandunseen repairs,buthereshopingthischurch,which isoneoftheneighborhoodsmoststrikinglandmarks,ispreserved,protectedand staysopen forthepeopleofthispartofCrown Heights.GMAP

Photo:NicholasStriniforPropertyShark,2010

Postcarddatingabout1907.

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Building of the Day: 777 Classson Avenue

St.Teresa'sin 1941.Photograph:NewYorkPublicLibrary

By Montrose Morris|01/26/20123:30PM

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BuildingoftheDay:554ProspectPlace
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Brooklyn,onebuildingatatime. Name:FormerTempleIsaac,nowFaith ChapelBaptistChurch Address:554ProspectPlace CrossStreets:Classon andFranklin Avenues Neighborhood:CrowHill(Crown HeightsNorth) YearBuilt:1922 ArchitecturalStyle:Moorish Inspiredwith ahintofArtDeco Architect:Martyn N.Weinstein OtherBuildingsbyArchitect:Ocean ParkwayJewish Center Landmarked:No Thestory:Thewestern partofCrown HeightsNorth,nowcalledCrowHillbymany,andridiculousacronymsbyothers,washometoaverylargeJewish population in the 1920s.Somuch sothatthelargehospitalcomplex,Jewish Hospital,stilldominatesasthetallestandlargestbuildingsin thearea.Thesurroundingrowhouses,flats buildingsandapartmentbuildingswerehometothousandsofobservantJewswhoneededtohaveashulnearby.Today,almostallofthesebuildingsaregone,with onlya fewexceptions. In an articlein theJewishDailyForward,publishedin 2010,theauthor,PaulBerger,writesabout73 yearoldRabbiElkanah Schwartz,whowalkedfromhishomein Boro Parkallthewaytohiscongregation atoneofthefewremainingOrthodoxtemplesin CrowHill,KolIsrael,on Franklin Avenue,acrossthestreetfromthepopularwatering hole,Franklin Park.Therabbimadethis6 hourroundtripeverySabbath totakepartin servicesatKolIsrael.Herememberedwhen therewasasynagogueoralittle room,known asashtiebel,on almosteverystreet.Mosthavedisappearedorhavebeen convertedforotheruses.ThenearbyOrthodoxTempleIsaacistodayaBaptist church.OppositetheformerTempleIsaac,theonce-imposingJewish HospitalofBrooklyn isnowan apartmentblock. TheformerTempleIsaacwasbuiltfor$64,000,designedbyMartyn N.Weinstein,an architectwhohadofficesat16 CourtStreet,in downtown Brooklyn.Weinstein designedtemplesandsynagogues,aswellasapartmentbuildings,with commissionstakingplacebetween 1920and1940.HewasthearchitectofthebeautifulOcean ParkwayJewish Center,on DitmasAvenueandAvenueF,which wasplacedon theNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesin 2009.Healsodesignedan ArtDecoapartment buildingon 8th Avenuein ParkSlope,oppositeMontgomeryPlace. ThistemplehasgreatsoaringMoorish inspiredarches,alsoon theside,with geometricpatternedstainedglassandveryinterestingdiamondpatternedbrickwork.The templewassoldtotheFaith BaptistTemplein 1972.TheJewish Hospital,whosepatients,visitors,andstaffprobablyfrequentedthetemple,wentbankruptaboutthe sametime,probablypromptingthesale.Thisbuildingispartoftheareasrich heritage,asahome,overtheyears,tomanydifferentpeopleandtraditions.GMAP

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Building of the Day: 554 Prospect Place

By Montrose Morris|09/22/20113:30PM

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BuildingoftheDay:1198PacificStreet
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Brooklyn,onebuildingatatime. Name:ImperialApartments Address:1198PacificStreet,cornerofBedfordAvenue Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:1892 ArchitecturalStyle:RenaissanceRevival Architect:MontroseW.Morris.Restoration:GMArchitects,2006 Otherbuildingsbyarchitect:Bedfordshire,nextdoor,ChatelaineHotel,acrossthestreet.AlsoAlhambraAptsandRenaissanceAptson NostrandAvenue,BedStuy,much of HancockSt,between Marcy-Tompkins,BedStuy. Landmarked:Yes,individuallandmark,1986. Thestory:AnyarchitecturaltourofCrown Heightsleadsonetostandin frontofthisbuilding.ItistheDakotaofCrown HeightsNorth,amagnificentapartmentbuilding designedforawealthycustomerwhodidntwanttheexpenseormaintenanceofan entirehouse,buthadcertain expectationstowardcomfort,sizeandamenities. MontroseMorriswasin theprimeofhisdesign careerhere,andwasthego-toarchitectforLouisSeitz,an upscaleapartmentbuildingdeveloperwhohadhelpedlaunch Morriscareerwith hiscommission fortheAlhambraApartmentson nearbyNostrandAvenueatMacon St,in 1889.Thetwoofthemcollaboratedseveraltimesafterthat, includingthisbuilding,theBedfordshire,rightnextdoor,andtheRenaissance,alsoon Nostrand,allthreearound1892. Morrisisbetterknown forhisRomanesqueRevivalbuildingstheAlhambra,theArlington in Brooklyn Hts,andtheRoanokein FortGreene,aswellashisHancockSt,and DeKalbAvenuesinglefamilyhouses.Butbytheearly1890s,hewasin touch with thenew,moreClassicsensibilitythatwouldreallyflowerattheChicagoExhibition in 1893.Thisbuildingisacelebration ofthatnewClassicism,burstingwith columns,arches,andClassicalornament,inspiredbyFrench Renaissancechateaux.Theuseof lightcoloredbrickandbandsofterra-cottatrimaretypicalofMorrisattention todetail,andarehighlightedbythepatinatedcopperroof,decorativewindowframesand dormeraccents.Healsolavishlyuseshisfavoriteroofdetail,theturretedtowerorbay,aswellasdeepcofferedarchedbays,bestseen on theBedfordAvenueside. When thebuildingfirstopened,itwashailedasthefinestapartmentbuildingin Brooklyn,andin theposh GrantSquarearea,arivaltotheDakota,accordingtotheDaily Eagle.Each apartmenthad7 to9 rooms,with thepublicrooms,theparlors,libraryanddiningroom,leadingfromonetotheotherthrough largepocketdoors,enabling themalltobecomeonehugeentertainingspace.Thefinestwoodworkandusualfurnishingswereused.Theearliesttenantswerestockbrokers,importersandbankers. Alas,theselargeapartmentbuildingsalwaysseemtosuffertheworstwhen neighborhoodshavedownturns,andbytheendofthe20th century,thebuildingwas boardedup.In 2006,amassiverestoration oftheexterior,andreconfiguration oftheinteriortookplace,headedbyGMArchitects,forPacificVillage,LLC.Theinteriorwas gutted,andreconfiguredforaffordablehousing.Theexteriorwasnotonlyrepaired,itwasrestored,with coppertrimputbackwhereithadoncebeen,andallowedto patinate.Otherperiodandoriginaldetailswerealsorestored.Thiscostmuch morethan astandardaffordablereno,reflectedthecarethatwentintosavingoneofour bestbuildings,andhelpedearn thedeveloperandarchitectsa2007Brooklyn ChamberofCommerceBrooklyn BuildingAward.

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E BuildingoftheDay:715St.JohnsPlace
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(ViewalongBedfordAvenue) Brooklyn,onebuildingatatime. Name:FormerMonasteryofOurLadyofMountCarmel Address:715St.JohnsPlace,cornerofBedfordAvenue Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:Late1920s ArchitecturalStyle:Pareddown Northern Italian Renaissance Architect:Unknown Landmarked:No Thestory:In 1907,asmallgroupofCarmelitenunsmovedintoan old,butlargewoodframedhouseon thecornerofSt.JohnsPlaceandBedfordAvenue,calledthe McCann Mansion.TheneighborhoodwasmostlyIrish andItalian,atthistime,andthenunswerefroman orderofcloisterednunswhohaddedicatedtheirlivestoisolated contemplation andprayer.In thelate1920sHelen Morton,thedaughterofLeviP.Morton,an ex-GovernorofNewYorkStateandformerVicePresidentunderPresident Benjamin Harrison,hadthismonasterybuiltforthem.MissMorton wasawealthyladyofNewYorkhigh societywhowouldcarryon aGildedAgetradition ofmarryinginto European aristocracy.ShemarriedtheComteBoson dePerigord,son theDucdeTallyrand-PerigordofFrance,in 1901.Hersister,Alice,alsopopularin high society,and thewifeofaprominentfinancier,diedsuddenlyin 1917,attheageof38,fromaburstappendix.Asshelaydying,shetoldhersisterthatshehadhadavision ofSt. Theresa,whoaskedherWillyou buildmymonastery? Helen Morton wouldcarryoutthisvision,in theformofalargeself-containedcomplex,with achapel,workrooms, cloister,garden,livinganddiningquarters,allsurroundedbyahigh concretewall,keepingoutsidersout,andthenunsascloisteredastheirfoundingmember,St.Theresa ofAvila,haddesired,in the1500s. Foralmost80 years,thenunslivedamedievalmonasticlife,with littlecommunication with theoutsideworld.Donationsandprayerrequestswereputintoalarge revolvingbarrelbuiltintothewall,calledaturn,which couldspin andbeopenedbythenunson theinsideofthewalls.Conversationstookplacebehindthickscreensand metalgrilles,thepriestwhocametocelebrateMassatdawn everydayrarelysawthem,astheyreceivedcommunion through ascreen.Thenunsthemselves,who averagedaround20 in number,woretraditionalbrown homespun habitsandsandals,slepton strawsackmattressesuntilthe1980s,changingonlybecausethey couldntgetstraw,andneverleftthegrounds,exceptforgraveillness.When theydied,theywereburiedin acryptbeneath thechapel.Theirmission on earth was prayer,bestachievedwith nodistractions,andbyshuttingouttheworld. Astheneighborhoodchangedovertheyears,themonasterydidtoo.Itneededrepairs,andsadly,security,in theformofbarbedwirealongthetopoftheeighteen foot high wall.Oneoftheouterwallsfellover,andthestainedglassin thechapelhadtobeboardedover.Fewerandfewernunswantedtolivein such isolation,andthe nationalCarmeliteorderitself,sawtheBrooklyn branch asabitextremein theirself-isolation relicsofthepast,unabletomoveintothepresentorfuture.Mostofthe parishionersin nearbySt.Theresaschurch hadlefttheneighborhood,returningbycarwith foodofferingsandprayerrequestsforthenuns.By1997,theorderdecided toclosethemonastery.Atthistime,therewereonlyahandfulofnunsleft. TheChurch stillownedthesite,andupon closing,torethewallsdown,revealingabeautifulcomplexthathadneverbeen visiblebefore.Awidearchedcloisteredwalkway stretchesalongtheBedfordAvenuesideofthebuilding,andthegroundscontain gardens.An atriumallowslightintothecenteroftheramblingbuilding.In 2002,the complexre-openedasaseniorcitizen residencewith 31 units.Today,itisbeautifulandpeaceful,andnowpartofthegreatercommunity.

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Building of the Day: 715 St. Johns Place

(Photo:NYCMunicipalArchives,late1930s)
By Montrose Morris|05/13/20113:00PM

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BuildingoftheDay:1515BedfordAvenue
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:1515BedfordAvenue,cornerofLincoln Place Name:SavoyTheater,nowCharityNeighborhoodBaptistChurch Neighborhood:CrowHillsection ofCrown Heights YearBuilt:1926 ArchitecturalStyle:Neo-Classic Architect:ThomasLamb Landmarked:No Whychosen:Thegreattheaterarchitect,ThomasLamb,designedthishuge,3000seattheaterforWilliamFox,which openedtogreatfanfarein 1926.Beforehebuilthis FoxTheatrein Downtown Brooklyn,thiswasthelargestofFoxstheaters,andwasthetopBrooklyn showcasetheaterfortwoyears,untilthedowntown Foxopenedin 1928.Thetheaterran firstrun moviesaswellasvaudevilleshows.WilliamFoxeventuallywentbankrupt,andtheSavoybecameapartoftheRandforceCircuit,andwas thatorganizationscorporateheadquartersin officespacein thebuilding,aswellasoneoftheirpremieremovietheaters.Thelastmovieshown herewasin 1969,when thetheaterclosed.ThebuildingwaspurchasedbytheCharityNeighborhoodBaptistChurch.Theyremovedthemarqueeandalteredtheentrancewherealuncheonette hadbeen,buttheinteriorremainsprettymuch intact.Thedecorativepaintinghasmostlybeen paintedwhite,butsomeoftheoriginalstagecurtainsstillremain,and manyoftheoldscenicbackdropsaresaidtobestoredin thelofts.Crown Heightshadthreemajormovietheatersin thefirsthalfofthe20th century,theKameo,nearby on Eastern Parkway,theLoewsBedford,in GrantSquare,andtheSavoy,allprovidingfondmemoriesforpeoplewhowerekidsbeforethe1960s.Allthreearenow churches,preservingthesepiecesofBrooklyn history,atleastin somepart.Allthreestillhavealotoforiginalinteriordetail,aswell.

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Building of the Day: 1515 Bedford Avenue

Photo:AmericanClassicImages.Phototakenin1972.Theaterwasclosed,beforethechurchmovedin.

Photo:WarrenGHarris.Photofromthebalconylookingdownontostagearea,whichisnowthealtarofthechurch.Alargebaptismalfontisinfrontofthebackdrop.
By Montrose Morris|11/17/20103:30PM

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BuildingoftheDay:1313BedfordAvenue
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:1313 BedfordAvenue,between AtlanticAve.andPacificSt. Name:S.Brooklyn 7th DayAdventistChurch,formerlyMedicalSocietyoftheCountyofKings Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:1903 ArchitecturalStyle:ColonialRevival Architects:D.EverettWaldandR.M.Cranford Landmarked:No Whychosen:Locateddirectlyacrossthestreetfromthe23rdRegimentBedfordArmory,(which castsacrenelatedshadowhere)theMedicalSocietyoftheCountyofKings buildingisalmostlostin thestreetscape.Which istoobad,becauseitsanicepieceofcivicarchitecture.Itsitsatthenorthern edgeofGrantSquare,whereRogersand BedfordAvenuesmeet,attheturn ofthe20th century,thecenterofsocialandciviclifein theBedford/St.MarksDistrict.TheMedicalSocietyoftheCountyofKingswas foundedin 1822bysixBrooklyn doctorswhometatatavern on PineappleStreet,with thepurposeofestablishingandupholdinghigh standardsin doctorsandmedical care,andtoadvocateforitsmembersandpatients.By1890,theSocietysheadquarterswasat356 BridgeSt,in Downtown Brooklyn,in aspacetheyhadlongoutgrown, with notenough roomfortheirgrowinglibrary,ortheirrisingmembership.Theplansforthisbuildingwererevealedattheirannualmeetingin 1899,andthebuildingwas finishedby1903.In addition toa2ndfl.Librarywhich occupiestheentirefloor,theSocietysbuildingalsoincludedalargeauditorium,offices,meetingrooms,anda custodiansapartment.TheSocietywasstilllocatedherein 1976,butsoldthebuildingin 1986tothe7th DayAdventists.Thelargewindowsoftheauditorium,locatedat therearofthebuilding,can beseen fromAtlanticAve.Thefrontwindowshavebeen almostentirelyfilledin,robbingthefacadeofthegrandeurthatcan beseen in the 1899rendering,although therestofthebuildingisremarkablypreserved.

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Building of the Day: 1313 Bedford Avenue

FromtheHistoryoftheMedicalSocietyoftheCountyofKings,1899

By Montrose Morris|10/22/20103:00PM

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BuildingoftheDay:972DeanStreet
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:972Dean Street,between Classon andFranklin Avenues Name:PirikaChocolateCompany Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth/CrowHill YearBuilt:early20th century ArchitecturalStyle:early20th centuryindustrial Architect:TheobaldM.Englehardt Landmarked:No Whychosen:ThePirikaChocolateCompanywasoneofseveralsuccessfulchocolatiersandcandycompanieswith factoryheadquartersin Brooklyn.Thisbuildingislocated in Crown Heightscommercialcore,between Crown HeightsandProspectHeights.ThePirikaChocolateCompanyopenedthisfirstfactory,theirheadquarters,in 1895. Theyarelistedatthislocation in the1916BrooklynEagleDirectory.Thisbuildingison thelistoffactoriesdesignedbyTheobaldM.Englehardt,oneofBrooklynsbusiest architects,mostlyactivein theWilliamsburg/Bushwickarea,wherehegrewup,theson ofGerman immigrants.Englehardtdesignedhomesandfactoriesformanyofthe areaslargestbrewmeistersandemployers.In 1919,theNYTimestoldofcandymanufacturerspreparingforboomtimesduetotheupcomingProhibition lawsbeing enacted.Pirikawasbuildinganotherfactoryon Dean Street,nearCarlton.Thereisnoexactaddresslisted,butthatbuildingwouldhavebeen amongthosetorn down for AY,ifitwasstillthere.Unfortunately,candywasnosubstituteforalcohol,andthePirikacompanyfailedin 1925,goingintobankruptcy,owingover$500,000,avery largeamountforthetime.Therewasan investigation intohowthebusinessbecamesoheavilymortgaged,andgreatprotestsfromcreditors,resultingin an investigation thatwenton foroverayear.Theassetswereeventuallysold.Todaythebuildingisforlease,andwouldmakegreatsmallmanufacturingspaces,studiosorlofts. TheCrown HeightsNorth HouseTouristhisSaturday,from11-4.Startingpoint,St.GregorysRCChurch,cornerofSt.JohnsandBrooklyn.$20advance,$25dayof tour.www.crownheightsnorth.org.

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Building of the Day: 972 Dean Street

Photo:worthopedia

Photo:Brooklyn EagleAlmanac1916
By Montrose Morris|09/27/20103:30PM

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BuildingoftheDay:555ProspectPlace
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:555ProspectPlace,cornerofClasson Ave. Name:Brooklyn Jewish Hospital Neighborhood:CrowHill,partofCrown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:1901-1927(otherpartsaddedlater) ArchitecturalStyle:RenaissanceRevival Architects:Main building:GeorgeMorse Landmarked:No Whychosen:TheBrooklyn Jewish Hospitalwasincorporatedin 1901,andwasdedicatedin 1903.Bythebeginningofthe1950s,ithadgrown tobeoneofthelargestand besthospitalcomplexesin Brooklyn.In addition tothemain building,which facedClasson Avenue,thehospitalhadanursescomplexandresidence,builtin 1927,and severaladjoiningpavilions,wingsandclinics,thelastofwhich seemtodatefromthe1950s.AlbertEinstein wasasurgerypatientherein the1950s.By1979, unfortunately,atatimewhen almostallcityhospitalswerefailing,thehospitalhadfiledforbankruptcy,andwouldmergewith St.JohnsHospital,creatingInterfaith Hospital,which isnowlocatedin BedfordStuyvesant.By2000,thehugecomplexwasabandonedandcouldhavegonethewayofsomanylarge,andnow,unwanted institutions,butwastaken overandredevelopedintorentalhousing,beginningafewyearslater.Thereviewsofthesuccessoftheprojectaremixed,assomeofthesix buildings,which arerun separately,havehadsomepersistentproblemswith gettingtheirCofOs,andgettingneededrepairs,buttheresulthasstillbeen anewvillageof people,spurringnewretailtrafficon Classon andFranklin Avenues.Theoldest,andmostbeautifulbuildingswererepurposedfirst,andnow,someofthenewerbuildings arealsobeingrenovated,andplansforasupermarketareoncemorebeingentertained.
By Montrose Morris|09/03/20103:00PM

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BuildingoftheDay:578LincolnPlace
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:578Lincoln Place,between St.FrancisPlaceandFranklin Avenue Name:PrivateHouse Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth (CrowHill) YearBuilt:Unknown ArchitecturalStyle:RenaissanceRevival Architects:Unknown Landmarked:No Whychosen:Thishouseiswedgedintoasmallpieshapedlotbetween twoapartmentbuildings.Iwasattractedtoitforseveralreasons.On ablockwith somecolorful paintjobs,thishousedrawstheeyebecauseofthecreamywhitewith thegolden wheatcolorofthetrimandgroundlevel,butalsobecauseofthearchitecture.Thisisa widelittlehouse:27.33feet.Itsonly35 feetdeep,buthasthreelevelsandislistedasatwofamily.Thearchitecturepacksapunch worthyofamuch tallerandlarger building.Thekeystonesabovethewindowsarequitelargeandwelldone,andthen thereisthatcornice.Swags,floralarrangements,andcartouches.Thewreathsringed through brackets,which arereallywelldone,arethen echoedon thesecondstorybracketsin asimplifiedform.Sometimespaintjobsdonetohighlightarchitectural ornamentarereallyamistake.Thisworksbecausethecolors,although striking,areharmonious,andtheelementschosen tobepainted,such asthelintels,the basementlevel,theentirekeystones,alongwith thecornice,allbalanceout.Theycouldhaveeasilyblown itbypaintingthedoors,ortheornamentalstoneon thesides, orthewindowframes.
By Montrose Morris|07/09/20103:00PM

BuildingoftheDay:548LincolnPlace
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:548Lincoln Place,between Classon andFranklin Name:PrivateHouse Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth/CrowHill YearBuilt:Unknown ArchitecturalStyle:RomanesqueRevival Architects:Unknown Landmarked:No Whychosen:Itsnotfancy,itwasntbuiltbyanyonefamous,itsnoton an impressiveblock,itsnoteven big.Itsanicemiddleclasshome,asurvivorofthegrowth of thecity,oncepartofarow,nowalone,sandwichedbetween twoapartmentbuildings.Asmuch asIlovethefancyhomesofthewealthy,andtheworkofthearchitects whobuiltthem,Ihaveasoftspotforthesehouses,andfeaturethemin anyneighborhoodIfindthen,becausethisiswherejustplain folksaspiredtoliveandraisetheir families.Thishousehaswonderfulsymmetry,thearchedwindowsanddoorarequitepleasingtotheeye,especiallythatimpressivewroughtiron andglassfrontdoor.The newwhitepaintjobisalsonice,makingthehouseveryelegant.ThePropertySharkphotofrom2006showspeelingpainton thecornice,with adullredpaintfacadeand tan trim.Thisissomuch better,contrastingwellwith thesurroundingbuildingsandstandingtallon itsown.Welldone!
By Montrose Morris|06/16/20103:30PM

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BuildingoftheDay:442-4ProspectPlace
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:442-4ProspectPlace,between GrandandClasson Name:PrivateHouses Neighborhood:CrowHill(partofCrown HeightsNorth) YearBuilt:1915 ArchitecturalStyle:Eclecticwith PrairieSchoolinfluences Architects:Unknown Landmarked:No Whychosen:Thesetwohousesmustbeseen asawhole.With thepeakedroofline,oversizeddeepcornice,archeddoorwaysandwindows,alongwith therectangular windowson theupperstories,thesehouses,tome,areaBrooklyn rowhouseinterpretation oftheMidwestern PrairieSchoolFour-Squarehouse,with aSullivanesque RomanesqueRevivalarch orthreetossedin.TherearetouchesofearlyFrankLloydWright,andPurcellandElmsliein there,alongwith classicrowhousenecessities:the lowerserviceentrances,thestoops.Admittedly,thereplacementiron gatesandthegroundfloormetalawningstakeawayfromthemoment,butthesearestillvery uniqueandinterestinghouses.Idontknowiftherooflineanddormersarestillthere,butnotvisiblefromtheangleIshotthem,oriftheywereremovedsincetherather blurryGoogleMapshotwastaken.Thesehouseshavemanymysteriestobesolved.
By Montrose Morris|05/03/20103:30PM

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BuildingoftheDay:953DeanStreet
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:953Dean Street,between Classon andFranklin Avenues Name:Stable/CarriageHouse Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth (CrowHill) YearBuilt:Unknown ArchitecturalStyle:RomanesqueRevival Architects:Unknown Landmarked:No Whychosen:Thisstretch ofDean Streetisalmostallcommercial,with autobodyshops,iron works,scrapyards,parkinglotsandwarehouses.In themiddleisthisold stableorcarriagehouse,areminderofthelate19th century.You can stillseetheoriginallinesofthe19.5widebuilding,includingthenowfilled-in entryway.Ive noticedthisbuildingsincethefirsttimeItooktheDean StreetbusfromDowntown,home,manyyearsago,andhavealwayswantedit.Ican pictureitwith new,wide barn doors,windowswith flowerboxes,andasolidwallofwindowsin thebackleadingtoagarden,itson abiglot.Andatallfence.In an idealworld,whatagreatlivingor workspace!Aroseamidstthorns,perhaps,butworthyofsomeonedoingsomethinggreatwith thislittlesurvivor.Imsuresomeday,someonewill.
By Montrose Morris|04/14/20103:30PM

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BuildingoftheDay:1372BedfordAvenue
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:1372BedfordAvenueatBergen St.aka37 GrantSquare Name:Washington Temple,Church ofGodIn Christ Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:1902 ArchitecturalStyle:RenaissanceRevival Architects:Unknown Landmarked:No Whychosen:ThiswasoriginallytheLoewsBedfordTheatre.Beforebecomingapopularneighborhoodmovietheatre,itwasavaudevillehouse,whoseclaimtofamewas thefirstappearanceofFannyBricein 1906.By1951,ithadbecomeachurch,laterre-namedtheWashington Temple,in honorofitsfounder,FrederickDouglas Washington.In 1959,afouryearoldAlSharpton gavehisfirstsermon here.Today,thechurch is7,000 membersstrong.Thebuildingstillretainsmanyoftheoriginal theatrefixtures,includingtheprojection booth,balconysculptures,adomedceiling,and6 oftheoriginalboxseats.Thebuildingoccupiesoneoftheimportantcornersof GrantSquare,Crown HeightsNorthsmostimpressivepublicspace.
By Montrose Morris|03/25/20103:30PM

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BuildingoftheDay:1341BedfordAvenue
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:1341BedfordAvenue,between PacificandDean Streets,akaGrantsSquare Name:ApartmentHouse,groundflooroccupiedbyErskineFuneralHome Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth (Crown HeightsNorth HistoricDistrict) YearBuilt:1888 ArchitecturalStyle:Queen Anne Architect:GeorgeP.Chappell Landmarked:Yes Whychosen:Thisistheoldestmultiple-unitbuildingin Crown HeightsNorth,builtwhen GrantsSquarewasoneofthefinestaddressesin Bedford,astheneighborhood usedtobecalled.SituatednextdoortoMontroseMorrisImperialApartments,andacrossfromthe23rdRegimentArmoryandtheUnion Club,thiswasthecenterof sociallifein thispartofBrooklyn.Thebuildingisonly21 feetwideandwasoncefashionablebachelorsflats.Thefaadeisremarkablywellpreservedabovethefirstfloor, with pressedmetal,carvedstone,andwroughtiron details.Theatticfloorisnowclosedoff,andwasprobablytheoriginalservantsquarters.ThepresenceoftheErskine FuneralHome,which hasbeen thereforyears,alteredthegroundfloorandoriginalentrance,butdoesnotoverlydistractfromtheverticalpowerofthisslimtower.This buildingjoinstherestofthefinebuildingsfacingGrantsSquare,stillholdingitsown with theothermasterpiecesthere.
By Montrose Morris|03/19/20103:00PM

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BuildingoftheDay:1024DeanStreet
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Brooklyn,onebuildingatatime. Name:TheNassau BreweryIceHouse Address:1024Dean Street CrossStreets:Classon andFranklin Avenues Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:1884 ArchitecturalStyle:RundbogenstilGerman,RomanesqueRevival Architect:John Platte Otherbuildingsbyarchitect:709 BushwickAvenue(privatehouse)andaformerBrewersandBuildersBankon thecornerofMeseroleandGraham. Landmarked:No Thestory:Asweallknow,thebrewingofbeerwasoneofBrooklynslargestandmostlucrativebusinesses.Brewerieswereconcentratedin theBushwick/Williamsburg areabecauseofthelargeconcentration ofGerman immigrantsin thosecommunities,andtheywereresponsibleforbringingbeerintothelivesofmillions.Butbreweries existedoutsideofBushwick,andoneofthelargerbrewerieswashere,on acornerofBergen andDean StreetsandFranklin Avenue.Thebreweryopenedin 1849asthe LibergerandWalterBrewingCompany.In 1866,thebusinessexchangedhandsandwasre-namedtheBedfordBrewery.In 1883,thebreweryagain exchangedhands, andbecametheBudwiserBrewingCompany.AlawsuitfromAnheuser-Busch causedthemtochangetheirnametotheNassau BrewingCompany.Whileitwasstill Budwiser(theirspelling),thecompanyexpanded,andthisicehousewasbuilt. Thearchitect,John Platte,wasamemberofBushwicksGerman community,andmostofhisbuildingson recordarein thatarea.Theyincludeseveralstorefront tenements,brickrowhouses,andabankbuildingfortheBrewersandBuildersBank.Healsoseemedtospecializein icehouses,andhisnameappearsin connection with severalin theBushwickarea.Healsogotsuedbyoneofthem,forshoddyworkmanship.Hmmm.Themostpopularbeersin NewYorkwerelagers,andthesebeerswere traditionallystoredin cavestokeepthemcool,with thatsparklingqualitythatmadethemsotasty.Icehouseswerethecavesofcityandthisparticularicehouseisa sturdyandattractivebuilding,with thickwallsandfloorsforinsulation.TheNassau Brewerywasin production until1914. Thebuilding,alongwith therestofthebrewerycomplex,then belongedtotheHeinzcompany,ametalfabricator,andbythe1970s,amovingcompany.When Sue Boyleandherhusband,Benton Brown,boughttheicehousein 2002,ithadbeen abandonedfortwentyyears.Theyhadfallen in lovewith thebuilding,andproceededto transformitintosixapartmentsandstudiospace.Although theyhadmadeloftspacefromanotherbuildingin Williamsburg,neitherwasexperiencedin thegreen and sustainabletechnologiestheywantedtoemployin thisbuilding.Theyhunkereddown andlearned,andoverthecourseofseveralyears,alotofloans,grants,mistakes, andsweatandtears,theytransformedtheNassau BreweryIcehouseintooneofBrownstoneBrooklynsmostimportant,acclaimedandsuccessfulsustainableprojectsof itskind,which ledtoentirelynewcareersforboth.Today,theIceHouseisstilloneofthebestgreen projectsin Brooklyn,asattractiveasitisinnovative.GMAP PleasejoinmeinawalkingtourofCrownHeightsNorth,thisSaturdayat11am.TourstartsatthecornerofDeanandBedford,infrontoftheformerUnionLeagueClub.Costis$20,andthe tourtakesabout2hours.Hopetoseeyouthere.Seewebsiteformoredetails.UPDATEDUETOTHEHURRICANE,TOURHASBEENCANCELLED.

www.brownstoner.com/blog/2011/08/building-of-the-day-1024-dean-street/

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Building of the Day: 1024 Dean Street

Photo:CarolineAllison forReadyMade.com

IceHousein the1970's.Photo:Lowimpacthousing.com

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Q BuildingoftheDay:651-675ParkPlace
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Brooklyn,onebuildingatatime. Name:Rowhouses Address:651-675ParkPlace CrossStreets:Franklin andBedfordAvenues Neighborhood:CrowHillsection ofCrown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:1894 ArchitecturalStyle:Queen Anne Architect:WalterM.Coots OtherWorksbyArchitect:AliceandAgateCourtHD,BedStuyrowhousesin Crown HeightsNorth,ProspectHeights,ParkSlope,Bushwick,BedfordStuyvesant,and elsewhere. Landmarked:Notyet.Calendaredin 2010. Thestory:TheCrowHillsection ofCrown HeightsNorth ishometoalotofgreatblocksandgreatbuildings.Much ofitcouldbe,andshouldbe,landmarkedforanumberof reasons,thegreatestbeingthattheyareworthyofit,on theirarchitecturalmerit,alone.Sandwichedin between ProspectHeightsandtheoldSt.MarksDistrict,now Crown HeightsNorth,CrowHillishometosomegreatresidentialblocks,mostbuiltbetween 1885and1895,andsomeimportantcommercialandmanufacturing buildings,aswell. An activecampaign bytheresidentsofCrowHill,ledbytheCrowHillCommunityAssociation,togetsomelandmarkingin herebeforetheareaistotallyblown upbynew development,hasledtoonlythis:athirteen housesection ofParkPlace,between Franklin andBedford,tobecalledtheParkPlaceHistoricDistrict.Itwasproposedand calendaredin 2010,andisstillnotyetapproved. ThenewdistricttakesunderLPCprotection arowofthirteen three-storysinglefamilyrowhousesdesignedin 1894byBrooklyn architectWalterM.Coots.Cootshada flourishingpracticein thelastdecadesofthe19th century,andwasan inventiveandimaginativearchitect.Hespecializedin rowhouses,andallofhishomesshow imagination in howhecombinedelementstomakehishousesasuniqueandattractiveaspossible. TheeclecticQueen Annestyle,popularin thelate1880s,early1890s,allowedhimtousebrick,hisfavoritemedium,with brownstone,terra-cotta,stainedglassandcast iron,creatingfacadeswith variedrooflinesandshapes,with archesgalore,stainedglasstransoms,roundandtriangulargables,mixedwith acoupleofplainerflatroofed housesforvariety.Therowisavisualdelightofshapesstraightlinesmeetingcurvedlines,rough stonemeetingsmooth brick.Itsgoodstuff. Overtheyears,someofthedetailshavebeen removed,therearealotofHomeDepotdoors,andcovereduptransoms,aswellasawealth ofcurbcuts,allowingpeopleto parkin theiryards.In spiteofallthat,thegroupstillexudesapalpablecharm,andisworthyofdesignation. WhiledisappointingthattheLPCdidntgofortherestoftheblockon both sides,aswellastheblocksaroundit,especiallySterling,St.Marks,andSt.CharlesandSt. Francis,thisisaworthystart.Imhopingtosomedayseeamuch largerCrowHillHD,which includestheJewish Hospital,aswellasan AutomobileRowHD,andaNassau Breweryindividualdesignation.GMAP (Allphotographs:LandmarksPreservationCommission,2010)

www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/06/building-of-the-day-651-675-park-place/

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Building of the Day: 651-675 Park Place

www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/06/building-of-the-day-651-675-park-place/

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9/17/12

Building of the Day: 651-675 Park Place

By Montrose Morris|06/15/20123:00PM

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R1

WalkaboutWithMontrose:AutomobileRow
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The20th centurywasatimeofextraordinaryinvention andinnovation,andthepopularityoftheautomobilechangedtheworld.Asweknowtoday,Brooklyniteshave alwayslovedtheircars.By1910,BedfordAvenue,which nowstretchedfromWilliamsburgtoBrooklyn College,wasamajornorth-south transportation corridor.Atthe earlydecadesofthecentury,much oftheareabetween whatisnowcalledEmpireBlvduptoFulton Streetwasundeveloped,with largetractsofavailableland.Because ofitsproximitytoaffluentCrown Heights,Bedford,andParkSlope,aswellastheattractionsofnearbyEbbettsField,ProspectPark,theBrooklyn Museum,theBotanic Garden andChildrensMuseum,BedfordAvenuebecamealogicallocation forthegrowingnumberofautomobileshowrooms,gasstations,parkinggaragesandrepair shops.Asearlyas1912,TrowsBusinessDirectorylists25 automobileestablishmentson thisstretch ofBedfordAve.Beginningin 1911,theBrooklyn AutoShowwas heldin thevastconfinesofthe23rdRegimentArmory,on BedfordandAtlantic.In 1918,theNewYorkTimesnotedthat107 exhibitorsweresignedupbytheBrooklyn MotorDealersAssociation,andan entireweekofthetwoweekshowwouldbededicatedtopassengercars,ofwhich 35 makeswerebeingshown.Ayearlater,theTimes wouldreporton adisplayofalmost200passengercarsrepresenting44 makes. By1929,BedfordAvenueandadjacentblockswerefilledwith showroomsforcarsandtrucksmadebyChrysler,Buick,Pontiac,Ford,Marmon,Haas,Studebakerand GeneralMotors.Theareawasknown asAutomobileRow.ThemostimportantremainingbuildingfromthattimeistheStudebakerBuilding,locatedon thecornerof BedfordAvenueandSterlingPlace,about4 blocksnorth ofEastern Parkway.TheStudebakerbuildingisan immensebuildingofwhiteconcreteandwhiteterracotta, designedbythearchitecturalfirmofTookerandMarsh in 1920.Theoriginalbuildingwasfourstoriesandamezzanine,with acornertowerof5 stories.Typicalof automobileshowrooms,thefrontofthefirstfloor,which hadlargewidewindows,wastheshowroom,agaragewasin thebackon thisfloor,andofficeswerein the mezzanine.Specialheavyloadbearingwallson theupperfloorswouldallowforcarstorage.By1934,theshowroomwassellingused,aswellasnewcars,butby1941, Studebakerhadstoppedsellingcarsatthislocation,andhadcutbacktheirbusiness.DespitepurchasingPierceArrowin 28,andmergingwith PackardMotorsin 54,andwith yearsofwelldesignedandpopularcars,theywereunabletocompetewith theBigThreeautomakers,andStudebakerclosedtheirplantsforeverin 1963. Continuethestoryonthejump TookerandMarsh,whomostlydesignedschoolbuildingsin thetri-stateareas,designedtheStudebakerBuildingasaneo-Gothicmonumenttotheautomobile.The buildingiscladin whiteterracotta,themosticonicfeaturesbeingtheStudebakerbannersneartherooflinewith awheelwith blackspokesbehindthebanners.In classic Gothicfashion,archedwindowslinetheupperfloors,andcolumnsfeaturecarvedfiguresholdingshields.Carvedfacesandquatrefoilmotifscompletetheneo-Gothic theme.In 1941,thebuildingwasaltered,andturnedintoadressstoreandshowroom,with storage,offices,andafurnituremanufacturerandhisshowroomon the upperfloors.When thebuildingwassoldin 1999toadeveloperforaffordablehousing,achurch occupiedthegroundfloor,andtheupperfloorswereartistsstudios.A verysensitiverenovation alteredtheoriginaltwostoryshowroomandmezzaninewindowsandfacade,andcreatedtwofloorsoflivingspace.Itishardnowtoseewhere thoselargeshowroomwindowsoncewere,asthefaadewasredecoratedwith complementingconcretetrim.Thebuildingnowholds27 lowincomeapartmentsanda socialservicecenter. Manyoftheotherautomobileshowrooms,servicecentersandparkinggaragesnowhaveotheruses,aschurches,andretailstores,oneisboardedup,awaitingnewuse. Manymorehavebeen torn down,andnewbuildingsbuilton theirsites.Thearmoryisnowusedonlyasahomelessshelter,andresidentsarenowfightingitsuseasthe intakecenterforallofthecityshomeless.ThephotosandtheFlickrlinkshowtheStudebakerbuilding,formerautoshowroomsandgarages,andthe23rdRegiment

www.brownstoner.com/blog/2009/04/walkabout-with-1/#studebakerbuilding-1

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Walkabout With Montrose: Automobile Row

Armory,alllocatedon ornearBedfordAvenue.ThisimportantpartofBrooklynspastisnowpartoftherebirth oftheCrown HeightsNorth andCrowHillneighborhoods. In 2000,theLandmarksPreservation Commission awardedlandmarkstatustotheStudebakerBuilding,citingitasan importantbuildingin thedevelopmentofNewYork City,theonlyautomobileshowroomtobedesignedbytheNewYorkfirmofTookerandMarch,an excellentexampleofneo-Gothiccommercialarchitecture,andafine exampleofaterra-cottacladcorporateicon,manufacturedbythefamousAtlanticTerraCottaWorks.Theinformation forthispieceisfromtheLPCreportandtheNew YorkTimesarchives.
By Montrose Morris|04/14/200910:30AM

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R2 BuildingoftheDay:1391BedfordAve
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Brooklyn,onebuildingatatime. Name:Commercialbuilding Address:1391BedfordAvenue,cornerSt.MarksAvenue Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:Unknown ArchitecturalStyle:early20th centuryshowroom Architect:Unknown Landmarked:No Thestory:Thislongbrickedupbuildinghashadan interestinghistory.Itwasbuiltin theearly20th centuryasan automobileshowroomforoneofthemanycar companiesthatoncelinedBedfordAvenuefromEmpireBoulevardtoGatesAvenue.BeforetheBigThree carmanufacturersabsorbedorobliteratedmostofthesmaller companies,thereweredozensofcarcompanieswith fullshowroomsalongBedford,aswellasamultitudeofgarages,servicestations,andothercarrelatedbusinesses. Bedfordwasknown asAutomobileRowfromtheteensuntilthe1950s. Manyofthesecarcompanies,andeven thegarages,wereattractivebuildings,themostprominentremainderbeingthelandmarkedStudebakerBuilding,atSterlingand Bedford,which isnowhousing.Thisbuildingisstrategicallysituatedin atriangularplotoflandrightbeforeRogersandBedfordAvenuesmergeintoBedford,andtherefore hasthreewallsfacingastreet:on Rogers,Bedford,andSt.Marks.Largedisplaywindowsonceallowedpassers-byandshoppersan unprecedentedviewofthe merchandise,perhapson both floors,orelsesalesofficesandshowroomspaceforsmallerproductsweretobehadon thatfloor.Itsaprimelocation.In 1930,thespace wastaken overbytheMotorVehicleDepartment,listedbytheNewYorkTimesasanewbranch thatwouldbehandingoutlicenseplatesandtakingvehicleregistrations. Thebranch didntlastverylong,perhapstheDepression preventedtheofficefrombeingasbusyasneededtobetostayopen,soby1944,thespacewasaBannerDairy Store,oneofseveralin Brooklyn.DuringtheWar,theywereoneofmanystoresthatcollectingrecycledpaperandmetaltobeusedin thewareffort. BannerDairywentthewayoftheDMV,andby1969,thebuildingwasnowapopularandestablishedeventspacecalledtheBellroseBallroom.Asidefrompartiesand events,itwasusedbyCongresswoman ShirleyChisholmforpoliticalralliesandpressconferences,andthereareTimesentriesforhereventsin both 1969and1972.The Ballroomeventuallylostthebuildingfortaxesin 1983.Thebuildingwassealedbythecity,andboughtbytheWashington Temple,anearbychurch,for$55K.Theyhave longintendedtodevelophousingon thesite,butnoplansexistatthistime.AGooglesatelliteviewshowsdamagetotheroof,butthebuildingseemstobesound.Asa Crown Heightsresident,IhopetheTemple,orsomeoneelse,putsittogooduse.ItsitsatthefarendofGrantSquare,an areathatshouldonceagain becomeavibrant culturalandentertainmenthub,with restaurants,stores,andotheramenities.Thisbuildingcouldbeavitalpartofthatrenaissance.
By Montrose Morris|06/06/20113:30PM

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R3 BuildingoftheDay:1423BedfordAvenue
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TheBOTDisano-frillslookatinterestingstructuresofalltypesandfromallneighborhoods.Therewillbeold,new,important,forgotten,public,private,goodandbad.Whateverstrikesour fancy.Wehopeyouenjoy. Address:1423BedfordAve,cornerofProspectPlace Name:CommercialBuilding Neighborhood:Crown HeightsNorth YearBuilt:Unknown ArchitecturalStyle:Commercialwith vaguelyNeo-Classicalelements Architects:Unknown Landmarked:No Whychosen:When built,probablyin thelateteensorearly1920s,thisbuildinghousedoneofthemanyautomobilerelatedbusinessesthatgavethisstretch ofBedford AvenuethenameAutomobileRow.Itprobablyhousedadealership/showroom.Theclassicalurnswouldhavemadethisaveryswankyshowroom.You can justpicturea coupleofthosesleekJazzAgeroadstersin thelargewindows.Itsreallyratheramazingtheseurnsandthebalustradehavesurvived,aswellasavestigeofthewhite glazedterra-cottatiles,which probablycompletelycoveredthefacade.Bythe1940s,allofthecarcompaniesweregone,mostoutofbusinessormergedwith Detroits BigThree,andmanyofthesebuildingsfoundotheruses.Someofthelargershowroomsbecamechurches,clinics,stores,oreven housing.Thisbuildingwasadaycare center,anditslatestincarnation,upuntillastyear,wasaBeverageBarn,awholesalebeerandsodaoutlet.Iwonderwhatitwillbenext.
By Montrose Morris|05/19/20103:30PM

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MoreCH:23rdRegimentArmory
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23rdRegimentArmory,1322BedfordAvenue Withitseightgreatroundtowers,onesoaringoveritspeers,andarchedentrycompletewithportcullis,thiscrenellatedbrick-and-brownstone fortressfortheNationalGuardlacksonlya moattobeoutofKingArthursrealm. AIAGuidetoNewYorkCity,p.740

By Brownstoner|07/20/200610:10AM

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