Building of the Day: 13 Arion Place

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: 13 Arion Place, between Beaver St. and Broadway
Name: Former Arion Hall
Neighborhood: Bushwick
Year Built: 1887
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architects: Unknown
Landmarked: No

Why chosen: The Arion Mannerchor, once the Eastern District’s best and most famous German men’s chorus, had this hall built for their meetings and performances. As quaint and antiquated as a men’s choral society sounds now, it was an important part of life in the German-American community, and a place for men (and their women supporters) to meet on equal social footings, prepare music for concerts, network, and have a good time. Beer was king in Bushwick at the time, and brewery kings, merchants, and other community members met here to celebrate all things German. The musical symbolism of the lyre is used often on the facade. The street was originally called Wall St. but was changed to Arion Place, in honor of this hall’s importance to the community. When singing societies became passe, the building became a catering hall, and like many buildings in a changing urban landscape, this one too was a boarded up shell up until 2003-2004, when the building was converted into loft apartments, by developer Mayer Schwartz. It’s now called the Opera House Lofts. Most of the tenants are musicians, artists and performers. Oddly enough, the original entrance of the building was closed off for living space, and the entrance to the lofts is far to the right, through the frame buildings next to Arion Hall. Interior shots on the Opera House Lofts website show bare spaces without a lot of construction or amenities. There may have not been anything left to save, but at least the building, which was an important part of Bushwick’s history is still with us.