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March 13, 2006

Vic. Flatbush from Someone Who Actually Knows It

house
We could have used this site last week when we were diving in head first to Victorian Flatbush with nary a clue. Actually, we linked to the site back in December when it went live and then completely spaced it. Oops. Definitely worth a re-visit.
An Architectural History [Victorian Flatbush]




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:53 AM | Comments (19)
Categories: Neighborhoods

Comments

The Hall of Shame needs some updated photos.

DPW is under: Attach of the Brick. The houses shown in Hall of Shame continue to be swallowed whole by that inexplicable orange modern brick. Plus there is one on Westminster Rd. between Cortelyou and Dorchester that has orange brick creep and a weirdly proportioned colonnade/balustrade.

And in the biggest head scratcher, the Cortelyou and Rugby house was striped back to reveal fire damaged dark green cedar shake shingles and then to the bare wood. And instead of re-siding the house they are now applying brick! And not just any brick, but a weird tan brick that graduates to an edging of maroon/brick. UGH!

Posted by: Anonymous at March 13, 2006 10:46 AM

Anonymous at 10:46 - you beat me to the punch! I was about to update you all here on brownstoner about the house on Cortelyou and Rugby. I pass it every day and it is deeply upsetting to witness the transformation this house is undergoint at the moment.

I apologize for not updating my site recently, but I have had a few (very positive)life changes that are keeping me extremely busy. But I do intend to get out there with camera in hand soon.

Posted by: Erin Joslyn at March 13, 2006 10:51 AM

Erin, your site is beautiful, and I look forward to your updates. Although people have more flexibility in non-landmarked areas, and may buy there because of that, I also wish owners could try and appreciate historic character of these homes and the neighborhood. I grew up further out, in Midwood, and there used to be gardens, porches, generous spacing between homes and big yards, and now there are block after block of brick monoliths built to the property line and small, flowerless lawns. I guess my point is, you could build a new, uniform modern brick monster anywhere, but once these old houses and their charm and character are gone, they're gone forever.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 13, 2006 11:16 AM

Erin, looking forward to updates on your very informative site.

When I saw that they were stripping the house on Cortelyou and Rugby back to the boards, I though maybe they would be doing cedar siding (like the one on your Kudos page). I never guess brick, and why they went with that weird tan brick!?!

Was out walking the area Saturday (what great weather) and stopped and looked at all the brick 'what the hecks' but had not gone down Cortelyou, until this morning, on the way to the subway. I stopped dead in my track when I saw that tan brick, as I said before UGH!

Posted by: Anonymous at March 13, 2006 11:17 AM

What a gorgeous site!

I don't get over to Vict. Flatbush very often, unless I get to borrow a car, and then I roam the streets and drive the locals nuts as I crawl along looking at houses. I love it! It reminds me of upstate cities like Oneonta, near where I grew up: classic small town America. Then, a couple of blocks away you are back in NYC, complete with subways and apartment buildings.

I hope as much as possible is protected by landmarking, it would be a shame to lose most of it because of overdevelopment, or to have more of the houses "renovated" beyond recognition.

I would love to have one of those huge houses, but only if I had the money for proper upkeep. Sometimes having a row house with only the back and front exteriors to really worry about is a blessing. All of those windows, albeit beautiful, as well as siding, paint, multiple rooflines, driveways, porches and lawns, to say nothing of the interior, can be quite a load! All the best to those of you who have one. You are stewards of a fine legacy.

Posted by: CrownHeightsProud at March 13, 2006 11:27 AM

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Victorian Flatbush is NOT landmarked, or protected in any way, including zoning, although that will hopefully be remedied quite soon.

I am sensitive to the costs of maintaining a period home, and while I do support landmarking, I am sensitive to the high cost of maintaining these houses, and often lament the fact that there are no "Garden Districts" in NYC, as there are in some others, where the historic characters of homes must be retained, but allow for more modern materials which are stylistically harmonious to be used in maintaining homes. The recent article in the TIMES about these issues was very informative.

Hardcore landmarking types balk at the use of such materials, but if the alternative was some of the things that have going on in our neighborhood, they might feel differently.

Posted by: Erin Joslyn at March 13, 2006 11:39 AM

Someone want to email us a photo of the offending house at Cortelyou and Rugby?

Posted by: Brownstoner at March 13, 2006 11:40 AM

The great thing about Victorian Flatbush is that you don't need a car. It helps to cover ground, but The B/Q line makes stops at Church (B/Q), Beverly (Q), Cortelyou (Q), Newkirk (B/Q), Avenue H (Q) right down the middle of the various neighborhood subdivisions. 2/5 and Ftrains are a walk, but can be done.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 13, 2006 11:57 AM

Unfortunately 11:57, I am not too close to a junction to the Q/B line, or I'd be over there more often, as I love to walk and walk. Oh well!

Erin, Garden Districts would seem to be the way to go. I consider myself a preservationist, but I think it is unrealistic for Landmarks to be so inflexible, unless they are arranging grants or low interest loans for strict historic preservation. You are right, if they saw the horrible alternatives that are taking place as we type, wouldn't it be preferable to allow new or alternative materials that at least preserve the architectural styles and details that made the homes landmarks in the first place?

Posted by: CrownHeightsProud at March 13, 2006 12:48 PM

But I wonder, how does one even begin to legislate for a Garden District? And how long would that take. Time is of the essence, as these things are happening now. Snail-paced Landmarks seems to be the only real option in NYC.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 13, 2006 12:58 PM

sick, sick, sick with envy. Wearing ashes and sackcloth the rest of the day. :-0

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 13, 2006 2:45 PM

Since we're on the topic of brick - I just thought I'd let everyone know that the house pictured above is one of a handful in the nabe originally constructed in brick (ground floor).

Posted by: Anonymous at March 13, 2006 3:48 PM

Erin - such wonderful memories. Many years ago I used to live on 16th and Dorchester and would relish walking to the Parade Grounds taking different routes to admire all the wondrous homes. Although one of my favorites was a small stone house with a slate roof that I think was on 19th between Dorchester and Ditmas on the east side of the street. Wonder if it is still there.

Posted by: Susan at March 13, 2006 5:41 PM

I know this house you mean, Susan. It was actually built in the 30s. I tried to photograph it for my website, but the foliage is just too dense. I did get a picture of the garage, though, which matches the house and is on the Ditmas Park page. I highly recommend anyone who is interested to take a walk down East 19th b/w Ditmas and Dorchester and take a look. The house is really magical.

Posted by: Erin Joslyn at March 13, 2006 5:44 PM

Erin
I have goose bumps all over. You know what house I am talking about and also think it is "magical". Oh such grand memories of that neighborhood. There even was a Loehmann's next door to Sears and that was when Cortelyou was a very uninteresting street.

Posted by: Susan at March 13, 2006 6:00 PM

Erin I just checked the picture of the garage YES that is it!!!! Oh thank you for putting a smile on my face.

Posted by: Susan at March 13, 2006 6:02 PM

Erin, I once heard that the magical house you guys are rhapsodizing over was owned by the Ebbinger's family, of blackout cake fame. True?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 13, 2006 6:46 PM

You are correct, anonymous at 6:46. It was built for the Ebbingers in 1931 and designed by Frank Foster and R. A. Gallimore. I don't know if it's a question of taste, or a reflection of architectural ambition, but there are a number of houses in Flatbush built in the 20s and 30s that are, in my opinion, among the most impressive in the area. I wish I could say that recent construction made my heart strings sing in the same way... but alas...

Posted by: Erin Joslyn at March 13, 2006 8:25 PM

Sad to say, but the construction crew was actually removing the original white shingle from the front of the Rugby Rd/Cortelyou House this morning. Particularly sad, as the black asphalt/asbestos shingle applied I guess mid-century was restricted to the sides and the back, permitting the facade of this once truly majestic beauty to shine through. The current owner is clearly hellbent on bricking up the entire thing. Rumour had it a few months ago that he would only brick up the sides. I'm not surprised, to tell you the truth. This is someone who removed his gorgeous stained glass windows (he's no dummy though - knew they were valuable and sold them to a dealer). I dread to think what he has planned for the giant acanthus columns...

Posted by: Erin Joslyn at March 14, 2006 9:19 AM

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