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The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.

Address: 555 Washington Avenue, corner Atlantic Avenue
Name: Cathedral Apartments, formerly Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception
Neighborhood: Clinton Hill
Year Built: 1916, Condo conversion 1988
Architectural Style: Neo-Gothic
Architects: Gustave Steinback, condo conversion, John Gillis
Landmarked: No

Why chosen: This impressive Gothic style building began as the Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, a six year high school/college prep program that was geared towards young men who had an interest in the priesthood. The prep school was founded in 1914 by the Bishop of Brooklyn, and continued at this location until 1985, when it relocated all of its facilities to Elmhurst, Queens, where it remains today. The school’s alumni include 3 who attended, but didn’t graduate from here, and went on to quite different careers than the priesthood; famous coach Vince Lombardi , chef Rocco DiSpirito, and Forgotten NY’s Kevin Walsh. In 1988, developer Norman Kirscher paid $2.7 million for the school, 2 rectory houses and the parking lot. He sank another $3 million plus into renovating it into condos. John Gillis was the architect on the project. As visually striking as the main school building is, it was not easy to convert to apartments, walls were found to be 2 feet thick in places, there are odd shaped rooms and layouts, and care was taken to preserve as much of the original detail as possible. The result is a unique condo conversion that has been quite successful. To the delight of passersby, they did save all of those wonderful gargoyles. How positively Medieval!

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What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. Does anyone remember the Cathedral High School newspaper column called “Through the Gargoyle’s Eye”? Well, it has been nearly 50 years since I penned my last column under the pseudonym R. I. Seezall, but I must say I’m glad to see this memorable building – with its gargoyles intact! -is being put to some good use!

    It’s ironic to me that only a couple of former students, none of them graduates, are mentioned as “famous” attendees… but perhaps it’s because the others achieved more infamy than true fame. I referring of course to the pedophiles and their many enablers who haunted these halls! Given the hypocrisy and money grubbing nature of the catholic church heirarchy, it’s no wonder that this and most other catholic seminaries have shut down.

    But among the alumni of this school, there are also many fine, honest, good-hearted people, even though their names will probably remain unknown… except to those Gargoyles with their long memories, and their all-seeing eyes!

  2. I was one of the first owners in The Cathedral and still live here. I chuckled at the comment below that the neighborhood would “never be a prime location”. It is INDEED in a prime location now…the train is on the corner, a huge mall is within walking distance as is the Barclay’s Center and the museums and parks are about a mile away. Not to mention all the great restaurants and markets on Fulton Street right around the corner. The building itself is indeed a bit worn, but the apartments (especially those on the 2nd fl) have 19 foot ceiling and huge windows. I couldn’t afford to buy something here if I were looking today, that’s for sure. So for all the naysayers who gave us pioneers grief for our choices, I think we got the last laugh!

  3. I looked at a unit with front patio entrance. I really liked the concept. The unit itself was…well…unique. but I really enjoyed that front patio entrance w/sliding glass doors. Walking through the building to get to the unit was a little bit depressing but it got you to your own private oasis.

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