Past and Present: 97 Columbia Heights
A Look at Brooklyn, then and now. The Hotel Margaret stood majestically on the corner of Columbia Heights and Orange Streets in Brooklyn Heights. Designed in 1889 by Frank Freeman, one of Brooklyn’s best architects, in his signature Romanesque Revival style. It was a residential, as well as transient hotel, built by coffee magnate, John…
A Look at Brooklyn, then and now.
The Hotel Margaret stood majestically on the corner of Columbia Heights and Orange Streets in Brooklyn Heights. Designed in 1889 by Frank Freeman, one of Brooklyn’s best architects, in his signature Romanesque Revival style. It was a residential, as well as transient hotel, built by coffee magnate, John Arbuckle, and named after his sister, Margaret. For many years it was Brooklyn’s tallest building, offering to guests facing the river, fabulous views of Manhattan and the bay, and from the inland side, the vista of the growing city of Brooklyn and beyond. The Margaret could be seen from miles away, and was a local landmark. Freeman designed the building in polychrome shades of stone, adding to the uniqueness of the hotel. Famous tenants and guests include H.G. Wells, who was a frequent guest when in New York, and Betty Smith, who wrote A Tree Grows in Brooklyn while living here. In 1980, the building was being renovated into condos, and was almost complete, when it caught fire and was totally lost. Many people still remember the huge 5 alarm conflagration, on a cold winter night. The Jehovah’s Witnesses bought the property and built this building in 1987. Its design was meant to be an homage to the original hotel, and after some controversy, they were able to build it the same height as the original. Today it is called the Margaret Apartments, and is a Jehovah’s Witness residence.
(Photo: Property Shark)
I have several dozen photos of the fire and the aftermath, including shots of the molten copper from the roof dripping down during the fire, and of the street lights, which fell because of the weight of the ice. Afterwards, the demolition was terrible, as parts of the facade could easily have been saved. The brownstone to the immediate left on Columba Heights, and the building on the corner of Willow, which were part of the hotel, were saved. The parking lot on Willow Street behind the Margaret now houses a newly constructed apt building which fits into the neighborhood quite well.
The fire took place during the coldest night of the winter, and burned all night.
Scenes from the movie “Taxi Driver” were also filmed in the Margaret; you can see the BQE through the windows in them.
Me too RinTinTin. I lived in the Heights in 1980 and don’t remember that at all.
“Well, I have a fondness for gloomy, hulking affairs, which I don’t find ugly at all. I also liked Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre.”
Same here, MM! I’m amazed that I don’t remember this fire. I was a student at NYU then and my step-brother lived on Hicks Street btw Orange and Pineapple. Man, was I really smoking that much weed? 🙂
That the fire claimed this entire “hulking affair” is fearsome. Like I said, I don’t believe I can’t remember this fire.
Thanks, nyc. After MM died in 1916, his sons carried on, although neither was the architect dad was. They pop up here and there. Didn’t know about this one. Thanks, much!
My great grandmother had pea-green shag throughout her house, I remember as a kid being assigned the job of raking it so that it would look fluffier. I have to say, it was kinda fun. My best friend and her hubbie bought a 1960’s manse in Williamstown MA that had similar in the bathroom. Was sorry to see it go, but only because it made me laugh.
And, unlike denim couches (where you’re immediately doomed), there is a continuum of tapestry upholstery, so you may be safe, cgar.
*may* be. I’ll be sending over inspectors.
CGar- he is not referring to the Aubusson, he’s referring to the 5$ pillows you (the generic “you) buy at Tarjay.
benson, I can’t comment on the orange shag as my father had kelly green. “It looks like grass, but better.” However, now that we see your taste level, it explains everything.
Well, I have a fondness for gloomy, hulking affairs, which I don’t find ugly at all. I also liked Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre.
I happen to think that my orange shag carpeting is in very good taste.
bfarwell, I have “tapestry” upholstery. What of it???
🙂