The Last of the Bungalows
[nggallery id=”33327″ template=galleryview] How far Far Rockaway has fallen. (The Rockaways are technically in Queens but we’re making a rare geographic exception in this case.) In the 1920s, the seaside community was a popular summer spot for the New York elite. Now, as these recent photos from the intrepid photographer Nathan Kensinger show, the beachside…
[nggallery id=”33327″ template=galleryview]
How far Far Rockaway has fallen. (The Rockaways are technically in Queens but we’re making a rare geographic exception in this case.) In the 1920s, the seaside community was a popular summer spot for the New York elite. Now, as these recent photos from the intrepid photographer Nathan Kensinger show, the beachside bungalows that define the Rockaways in the public’s mind are largely abandoned, though some are occupied by squatters and others are being used for illicit activities like dog-fighting. Sad, indeed. Check out the Kensinger website for more interior and exterior photos.
Far Rockaway: Abandoned Bungalows [Kensinger]
Actually, the LIRR used to go through the Rockaways. It was discontinued in the 60’s I believe. There is a LIRR stop on Nameoke Ave that is way under used, it gets you to penn station in less than 45 mins as opposed to the 1 – 1.2 hours on the A train but it’s on a deserted, industrial street close to the housing projects.
a couple of months ago i took an afternoon trip down to rockaway to tour the new averne by the sea condo development. i was downright impressed with the grounds and properties. but the surrounding area is still so dilapidated and depressing. honestly, it reminded me of the Caribbeanm where you see exclusive beach resorts plopped down in the middle of poverty.
In case readers don’t realize, these bungalows are literally half a block from a gorgeous, empty, ocean beach.
No comment from the What, telling us that this is how all of NYC will look in six months?
He’s grown complacent.
There is a Far Rockaway stop on the LIRR – I’m not sure how long that would take, as it curves back through Nassau County before heading to Penn Station – but it has to be quicker than taking the A. it is expensive though.
As part of the old Urban Renewal plan, HPD has designated developers to build affordable housing on vacant land that probably once held bungalows. I just finished a group of 1 and 2-family homes priced $310,310-$426,163 near to the Beach 36th St A-train stop. (Go to http://www.hudsoninc.com/homes4sale/oceanview/index.htm for more details.)
There are definitely people who want to live out there year-round as well as seasonally. Personally, I think a resurgence of summer bungalows would be great. Probably be more a labor of love than a money maker though.
FYI, no high speed rail planned, but there are plans for a ferry (around Beach 85th) to lower Manhattan that would take 45 minutes.
-Alison from Third + Bond blog
My mothers family is from Belle Harbor and the rockaways. SOme of the bungalows are being used as surf shacks with the openings of the surfing beach at 92nd St.
Yes, the Rockaways east of 116th are a textbook perfect example of how not to do urban planning. It’s amazing to me that the area around a perfectly nice beach in the country’s largest city is such an eyesore.
The A Train is certainly a huge part of the problem. It can be faster to catch a bus to Avenue X at Bklyn College if you want to get to manhattan. Not sure how you get around that– the city isn’t going to build a new causeway for a high speed line, that’s for sure.
I lived in Far Rockaway once and certain parts are truly a sad reminder of the city’s neglect. The clustering of Public Housing, the lack of retail and entertainment options for its mostly car less residents – and that horrible A -train. That is changing somewhat, especially in the Averne section. I used to jog by these bungalows, they would be prime beach front property anywhere else in the world. Rockaway Park is much better but it’s no way close to the glory days when Playland was there.
Growing up in ENYin the 1970s and 1980s, we frequented Riis Park. One of the city’s best-kept secrets. My first experiences as a driver include zooming along the Belt Parkway in the family car taking a bunch of my friends out to the beach at Riis, which at that time had a nude section.