Building of the Day: 28 Old Fulton Street
Editor’s note: An updated version of this post can be viewed here. 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: 28 Old Fulton Street, corner of…
Photo by Susan De Vries
Editor’s note: An updated version of this post can be viewed here.
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: 28 Old Fulton Street, corner of Elizabeth Street
Name: Eagle Warehouse and Storage Company
Neighborhood: DUMBO/Fulton Ferry
Year Built: 1893
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architect: Frank Freeman
Landmarked: Yes
The Eagle Warehouse and Storage Building is one of Brooklyn’s most iconic and famous structures. The building could have easily been just another warehouse in a district of utilitarian warehouses, but Frank Freeman, one of Brooklyn’s best architects, chose to make it unique.
The difference between a good architect and a great architect is all in the detail. Freeman has designed a building that entices us to keep looking.
First of all is that perfect arch. Totally unnecessary in terms of function, yet so gorgeous, punctuated by the bold lettering, a space which wears the ornate patinated fencing and dragon headed gas light pole like jewelry.
Freeman uses arches well, as evidenced by his great arch in his Fire Headquarters on Jay Street. After you’ve taken that in, the eye roams upward. The deep set windows reinforce the desired notion that this building is a solid fortress, well able to protect the stored goods of the wealthy.
The illusion of a crenelated castle roofline is beautifully achieved with brick and windows. More highly visible signage enables travellers to keep the building’s location and business in mind, as does the fine clock, placed in the exact center of the building.
By the time Freeman built this storage warehouse, the Fulton Ferry area was past its heyday. The Brooklyn Bridge passing overhead took care of that. It was the perfect place for a highly visible, yet discreet warehouse.
The building was built on the site of the old Brooklyn Eagle building, Brooklyn’s venerable newspaper, which was edited by Walt Whitman in this location from 1846-1848.
They relocated to a new building near the Post Office, torn down years ago for Cadman Plaza. Freeman actually retained the old Eagle press room, and incorporated it into the back and side of the larger building.
It can be seen on the corner of Elizabeth and Doughty. The building was the home of the Brooklyn Law School between 1904 and 1928. In 1980, Brooklyn architect Bernard Rothzeid renovated the building into condominiums.
[Photos by Suzanne Spellen except as noted]
The clock was added to the building at some later point.
q man:
yes, precisely. The building was converted to residential use through NYC Zoning Resolution Section 74-711.
“First of all is that perfect arch. Totally unnecessary in terms of function”
Montrose;
I’d have to quibble with you on this point. While an arch is not necessary, it can be argued that it is a better way to form an entranceway. An arch makes an overhead lintel un-ncessary and unlike them, requires little if any maintenance.
I agree that this is a great building.
“the deep-set fortress windows aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.”
Interesting write-up, eSIL. The fortress windows aren’t for me from a livability standpoint, so I didn’t like the apartments I looked at.
ML: 74-711?
I have always loved this building. The use of the type around the doorway is brilliant. All building signs should be so beautifully integrated.
I remember when we walked past this building on a Montrosian jaunt one day. I love how massive and solid this building is- as if its been there and will be there for eternity. Would that it were so. Thanks again, MM.
This building is a combination warehouse and fortress. It reminds me a little of Florence’s Castel Vecchio -without the tower. I agree that it is indisputably the work of a great virtuoso. Freeman was a brilliant architect but unfortunately so few of his buildings survive.
People don’t know that the Landmarks Commission was instrumental in the rebirth of this building. Residential use is not allowed in the Fulton Ferry district so the Commission applied to the City Planning Commission on behalf of the owner for a special permit that allowed its conversion into a co-op. Otherwise I think the place would be vacant to this day.
Anyway, a great building and a great writeup. Thank you!
Actually, the building is a co-op (not condo).
Great ceiling heights but from a livability standpoint, the deep-set fortress windows aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Still, I’d rather take this building and its small windows compared to say, the Love Lane parking garage (which has giant windows but no curb appeal).