2 Lefferts Comes Into Focus, Exceeds Expectations
The developer of 2 Lefferts Place (at right) deserves some kind of medal or something. Though the property is not within the Clinton Hill Historic District, he still made every effort to build a contextual new building, down to the cornice (which actually looks a little big) and the choice of brick. Hopefully his choices…
The developer of 2 Lefferts Place (at right) deserves some kind of medal or something. Though the property is not within the Clinton Hill Historic District, he still made every effort to build a contextual new building, down to the cornice (which actually looks a little big) and the choice of brick. Hopefully his choices will be rewarded by the marketplace. Meanwhile a few lots down across the street, at 19 Lefferts Place (photo on the jump), a developer’s effort to create some kind of penthouse apartment has just marred the otherwise charming stretch of facades. Nice goin’.
Development Watch: 2 Lefferts Place Gets Windows [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 2 Lefferts Place [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Mini Flatiron Building Coming to Clinton Hill [Brownstoner] DOB
19 Lefferts Place
Actually, the windows aren’t that small, and they have three exposures, north, west and South. I think this looks great. Plus they’ll be planting more street trees (3 on St. James and one in front on Lefferts Place). Frankly, looks like the best one could have hoped for in this situation, imo.
meh. it’s the Jon Benet of buildings. when a little girl dresses up like someone much much much older… it just doesnt work.
*rob*
I agree, MM, given the choice of fedders or this, I would take this hands down.
Sure that’s one possibility. Something so minimal isn’t exactly my taste, but at least it reflects a modern sensibility. One building that comes to mind is that building on the corner of S. Portland & Hanson Place with the yellow base and the wacky metal panel that comes out the side and forms a roof above. That’s cool. it fits in and it’s undeniably modern. Obviously a developer would never build something like that though…
Yawn.
Small windows to boot.
They’ve done a good job, and it is not a pute replication. I actually think the larger cornice works here, especially as you approach from St. James – it being a corner lot it really anchors it and makes for a nice entrance to the street.
We’ll see with 19 Lefferts place. They built to the maximum height after the set back (50′), and it is less visible from other angles (besides the one in the photo). At the end of the day it will depend on the exterior facade finish.
Another smart think, imo, about 2 lefferts place is that it will be two duplex apartments. I would think that would provide two family size apartments of 3 BR each, which are in short supply. With a yard for the bottom, and roof space for the top unit, all in a contextual package on a nice street with close subway access, I would think that they’d sell easily.
TD, given the choice as either-or, I’ll take the fake past anyday. It’s in the middle of an historic neighborhood, and looks great. I think that’s a personality right there, and the style complement buildings that have passed the test of time.
Personally, I think any architect who designs a building that gives a nod to the past and the surroundings, while serving the needs of the present and future, shows more talent than someone designing some space aged fantasy in the middle of a 19th century block, just to show how cutting edge they are. Maybe this building won’t win any originality awards, but I bet the units will sell faster than the condobox down the street.
Something like this, TD? http://bk.ly/M8
I agree that it looks very nice and contextual but I wonder why we can’t find some happy medium for new buildings between the garbage fedder specials and this kind of pure replication of the past. This offers no style or personality to reflect the time we are living in. It’s a fake, what’s the point?