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October 12, 2006

TONY: So. Portland Best Brownstone Block. Period.

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In a surprise upset, South Portland Avenue was awarded the #1 ranking in Time Out NY's Best Blocks issue. Ever since Charles Lockwood anointed it the best brownstone block in the city, it's had a special place in consciousness of Brooklynites and architecture freaks, but, as much as we dig it, we were surprised that it was able to take the top spot in the seven-factor model employed by TONY. Guess it's just another sign of Fort Greene's rise to city-wide prominence. Other Brooklyn blocks in the Top 10: Montgomery Place between Prospect Park West and Eighth Avenue, Park Slope (6); Coffey Street between Conover and Ferris Streets, Red Hook (8); Columbia Heights between Clark and Pierrepont Streets, Brooklyn Heights (18); and 11th Street between Prospect Park West and Eighth Avenue, Park Slope (20). Any glaring omissions that you can see?
The Rankings: 1-10 [TimeOutNY]




Posted by Brownstoner at 8:57 AM | Comments (51)
Categories: Neighborhoods

Comments

I have lived in Brooklyn for most of my life and now live in Fort Greene and I have to say, there are many blocks where I would rather live than S. Portland.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 9:11 AM

Care to elaborate?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 9:16 AM

Haven't seen TONY's '7 factors,' but--unless this game is only for rowhouses--can't fathom why they left out a prime block in Prospect Park South--say, Marlborough between Albemarle and Beverly--unless you object living 2 blocks from the subway in a cross between Newport, RI and Main Street, USA...

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at October 12, 2006 9:42 AM

S.Portland is a very nice block. Best in the city? Possibly. It is kind of a weird ranking idea in the first place.

But Brenda, the omission here is from Brownstoner not listing all the Brooklyn blocks in his post. Marlborough betweeen Albemarle and Beverly is in fact #36.

Big ups also to some Wallabout recognition with Clinton between Myrtle and Park snagging #31.

The rest of the Brooklyn blocks are:

#21: Park Place between Carlton and Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights

#23: 3rd Place between Court and Smith in Carroll Gardens

#35: Kent Ave. between Franklin and Manhattan in Greenpoint

#40: N.6th between Kent and Wythe in Williamsburg

#45: Havemeyer St. between Grand and Hope in Williamsburg

#47: Emmons Ave. between E.14th and E.15th in Sheepshead Bay

#48: Grace Ct. between the Promenade and Hicks in Brooklyn Heights

Don't know if I'd want to live on N.6th with all the evening foot traffic there must be there. But I guess if you want to be near the action, then it's a good spot.

Posted by: arsenal at October 12, 2006 10:10 AM

methinks somebody on the time out staff lives on this block (or near enough to covet).

Posted by: Jimmy Legs at October 12, 2006 10:10 AM

47th Street, between 5th And 6th.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 10:11 AM

Of course these rankings are just meant to sell magazines (much like this is meant to inspire "hits" on brownstoner.com). I myself appreciate the unity of South Portland, but personally find the "brownstone" material to be dark and oppressive. I prefer more variety in a streetscape. And no, I don't think Putnam Avenue at Classon will win any awards in the near future...

Posted by: putnam-denizen at October 12, 2006 10:17 AM

South Portland isn't even the best block in Fort Greene - that honor goes to Washington Park between Dekalb and Willoughby . . .

Posted by: dcardoni at October 12, 2006 10:19 AM

Beautiful block, yes. best in the city, or even Ft. Greene! Nope. 2 way traffic, unkept stoops, crappy sidewalks...the sycamores make it picturesque, but I agree dcardoni on Washington Park, though there are other blocks as well that are just as nice.

First hand experience to my 2 cents, after living on S. Oxford around the corner for 10yrs.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at October 12, 2006 10:22 AM

I'd like to point out that there is more than one block on So. Portland Ave! I live on the block closest to Ft. Greene Park and do think it's a pretty special place-- one of the prettiest blocks around with great access to the park, Ft. Greene restaurants and public transport. I also really like the architecture on the blocks of Clinton Ave. and Waverly between Willoughby and Lafayette.

Posted by: so portland at October 12, 2006 10:28 AM

Time Out NY is a magazine for Hipsters and Metro sexuals. Not the architecturally savvy audience thats on this site.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 10:41 AM

damn
i smell more brokers still trying to sell the $4mm overpriced house on wash park between dekalb and wil.
sorry guys living between dekalb and lafayette is better. close to subways/stores and not as dark as wash park.
good luck post price down to 3.8mm... try again

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 10:42 AM

11th Street bet 8 & PPW?? 10th is much nicer.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 11:12 AM

Washington Park is an attractive block and has great access to the Ft. Greene Farmers' Market, but I agree w/ anon. 10:42 (if I'm interpreting the comment correctly) that it isn't the safest block in the neighborhood. All that park frontage creates a place for people to lurk and come out to do nefarious things. Washington Park is also close to the not-so-nice area to the north of the park, making it less desirable in my mind.

Posted by: so portland at October 12, 2006 11:22 AM

Not as dark as Wash Park? It's much darker - Wash Park doesn't have houses on both sides of the street blocking light at all times - thus, much more light gets in during the afternoon. Wash Park is also closer to restaurants and farmer's market, and has MUCH better (and more available) parking.

Do you really think any broker thinks a post on Brownstoner saying Wash Park is the best block will dupe someone into spending $4MM for a house there?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 11:29 AM

10th is nice, but that block of 11th st. has one of the prettiest, best-kept groupings of 3-story brownstones, although to my eye, even nicer is 14th st. btw. PPW and 8th.
I also think 3rd St. btw 8th and the park edges out Montgomery Pl. for most gorgeous Park Slope block, though both are equally Grand.

Posted by: petunia at October 12, 2006 11:30 AM

It's a bit of gimmick, but that's pretty cool that the beauty of that particular block is recognized, regardless of whether you subjectively agree.

Just keep the parks department from ruining the trees. Check out the photo. They've pruned the limbs so that they don't begin until the third story or above. I've seen a few healthy trees 60+ year old trees in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill so severely and inexpertly pruned, that they started to die the following year and were subsequently cut down.

Posted by: lp at October 12, 2006 11:33 AM

I lived for many years on that block of 11th and, while nice enough, I always coveted 10th for some reason. That block of 11th has some big nondescript bldgs on its ends and way too much dog excrement! Not too mention a Mr. Softee truck idling ALL summer long.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 11:36 AM

While I'm off topic, the trees on Adelphi between Dekalb and Lafayette are all in danger due to the ivy growing all over them. that eventually kills the trees. In the spirit of preserving these beautiful blocks, residents need to tend to the trees too and understand what hurts them...

Sorry for the rant.

Posted by: lp at October 12, 2006 11:36 AM

petunia - I completely agree about 14th between 8th and PPW. I thought the same thing when I saw the list. 11th is nice enough, but 14th street just has that something special. I'll even go out of my way to walk down that block.

Maybe it's better to keep it off the list, though, and preserve a bit of the "my little secret place" feeling. It always bugs me a little when something I love gets overexposed. Before we know it the big red tourist bus will be invading Park Slope.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 12:01 PM

Forgot #31, Clinton Avenue between Myrtle and Park Avenues, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 12:01 PM

I always enjoy walking along 6th Avenue in Park Slope between Berkeley and Union.

It's a very short block but the overhanging trees give it a very movie-like, and moody, atmosphere.

Posted by: EiNY at October 12, 2006 12:13 PM

Let's here it for:
#36 Marlborough Road between Albemarle and Beverly Roads, Ditmas Park, Brooklyn:
Awe-inducing Victorians make this a splendid street to come home to, especially given the small-town feeling that’s absent in most of the city. This is a neighborhood on the rise; pioneers will reap future rewards.

Score:29
-with a 6 for the Aesthetics, but a puzzling 3 for the tree icon (Green factor)
There ARE lawns in front of the houses, and plenty of green. And lots of back yards with trees and vegetable gardens.
Country Living with in the City was the founding principal of the whole area.


#1 South Portland Avenue between DeKalb and Lafayette Avenues, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Score:40
-with a 6 for the Aesthetics and a 6 for Green factor .
Sure Fort Greene Park is right there, but the actual block is not as green as some others. *puzzled*

Posted by: Arsenic and Old Lace at October 12, 2006 12:16 PM

First time I set foot on South Portland was last year, winter time, late evening, coming out of the Lafayette stop and walking north towards the park. Now I'm a longtime New Yorker, but I swear I heard myself gasp before saying, out loud and to no one in particular, "This is the most beautiful block in New York."

Whether it's those trees, those high stoops, the wide sidewalks or the slight incline towards the park gates, with the park all hilly and high up behind the walls, there's something spectacular about that street.

And yeah, it helps that it's one stop from Manhattan by 2 subway lines (among 6 others in the area), that there are increasingly good restaurants around and that 2 bridges into manhattan are 5 minutes away by bike.

I'm totally not surprised, and commend TONY for actually having reporters scout enough to discover it, tucked away as it is behind the traffic hell of flatbush.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 12:32 PM

I think TONY has done a real service by picking nice representative blocks in many NON-Manhattan neighborhoods. It would be silly to take their designations literally--as many have pointed out there are other equally nice or nicer blocks in each area--but I'm impressed that out of the way areas, like the Longwood HD in the Bronx and the Hunters Point HD in L.I.C., made their list. (Of course, I'm sorry that no blocks in MY nabe were listed--my vote would be for Midwood bet. Flatbush & Bedford--but that's a minor disappointment).

Posted by: Bob Marvin at October 12, 2006 1:14 PM

Check out www.nolandgrab.org and you will see that this block will be in shadow most of the year if Atlantic Yards billion dollar boondoggle gets built

Posted by: arnelo at October 12, 2006 1:22 PM

arnelo

while I do have issues with AY, and the shadows the buildings will cast, the shadow sweep diagram can be misleading. It is a sweep over a period of time on the shortest day of the year when the shadows will be the longest, so it is not representative of what it will be like. You could get the impression that all of Fort Greene will be in shadow all the time.

I'm not saying I'm happy with the shadow issues, I'm not, but broad generalizations are sometimes made.

Posted by: lp at October 12, 2006 1:37 PM

I live on Coffey Street between Ferris and Conover Street and I must admit it's like living in Brigadoon - a cute little street that appears out of nowhere. However,it is a bit premature to name it one of the top ten blocks in NYC. There's not even an active block association and some of the homes are very rundown- like they don't have windows! Thanks anyway TONY.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 1:51 PM

Where is Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill in all of this? I say Dean or Pacific St. between Hoyt and Bond.

Posted by: maggie at October 12, 2006 2:16 PM

dean and Pacific have too much traffic and noise to make it because many cars take it as an alternative to Atlantic ave.although I will admit those are stunning blocks. But the traffic probably hurt their rankings.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 2:53 PM

Tompkins Place in between Kane and Degraw in cobble hill
Best block in Best neighborhood. Don't live there but wish i did.

Posted by: CobbleHillEnvy at October 12, 2006 3:10 PM

The strangest block? 3rd Place btw Court and Smith. Don't get me wrong, I live a block away and the neighborhood is fantastic. But this particular block is either a typo or just a screw-up. For one, the block doesn't hit Smith St., it hits the F/G track, just before it dips below ground for the Carroll St. station. If an elevated train track at the end of the block is a criterion, then it scores high. Why not just say btw Court and Clinton?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 3:14 PM

i'm also terribly disappointed none of the blocks in Lefferts Manor made the list. i happen to like Rutland Road between Flatbush and Bedford for its diverse architecture. check out the houses at night when they're all lit up. they're gorgeous and charming with so much appeal that reflects the artistic and creative folks who live on that block!

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 3:28 PM

Even though I live a block away, I find Park btwn. Carlton and Vanderbilt a VERY odd choice, with the subway on one end, the dry cleaner/former head start space on the other, fedders type building in the middle. There are certainly more beautiful PH blocks!

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 3:39 PM

petunia, i agree! My vote for #1 is also 3rd street between 8th ave and PPW in park slope. And no, I don't live there - I'm in greenwood heights. (which is the best neighborhood in brooklyn, IMHO ;)

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 5:16 PM

I live on Park Place and, while honored to be included, I must agree that I'm surprised to see it on this list. The portion of the block closer to Vanderbilt is more attractive than the end near Flatbush, but there are much prettier blocks in the neighborhood.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 5:25 PM

I live on Washington Park near Myrtle, and I droooool over the places on the next block up btw Willoughby and DeKalb.

I walk the South Portland block (#1) and I often comment to my wife that it is one of the nicest blocks around. I was ecstatic to see it win. Currently there are about 4 houses on that block getting rennovated, so it must be a loud place to live.

However, my rent is going up $100/month this January and another $100/month in January, so I will likely have to move out soon. Fort Greene is my favorite neighborhood in the entire city by far, but as the prices rise I fear the neighborhood will lose its income and racial diversity which make it so great.

Posted by: Christian at October 12, 2006 5:27 PM

EiNY, I think the same thing all the time when I walk on 6th Avenue between Berkeley and Union. Your description of its atmosphere is perfect. Like it's from a movie.

And I agree with someone who said they were surprised there were no Lefferts Manor blocks on that list. There's a reason that neighborhood has had a successful home and garden tour for decades. Maple Street between Bedford and Rogers is like something from a movie too, just like EiNY described his/her fave block.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 6:00 PM

Two words about why we have to love Fort Greene (btw I don't live there)....Cakeman Raven!

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 6:02 PM

I live in Fort Greene and am proud that So Portland made the grade. However, was there any ention of Polhemus Place in Park SLope between Carroll and Garfield Pl.? It is a special block. Uniform and quiet. One way trafic. Totally intact. Once walked down that block just behind 7th ave on a snowy evening and was in love.

Posted by: anon at October 12, 2006 9:29 PM

What about Luquer between Columbia and Hicks?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 11:04 PM

I know, I know, it doesn't meet the criteria (no anti-bed-stuy rants please), but I sure do love Hancock between Marcy and Tompkins! And no, I don't live there - just covet.

Posted by: amybnyc at October 13, 2006 7:58 AM

What about the Beautiful blocks n Stuyvesant Heights (Bedford Stuyvesant). One block in particular, MacDonough st. betw. Stuyvesant and Lewis Aves. is one of the most amazing blocks in Bklyn. It almost surely comes in the top 5 in the Greenest Block in Bklyn. contest.

I invite you all to come to the Bedford Suyvesant House Tour on Sat. 10/21 to see these great blocks.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 13, 2006 10:08 AM

all the blocks people mention are beautiful. It's nice that TONY mentioned a diverse cross section. Too bad they can't list them all...

Posted by: lp at October 13, 2006 12:08 PM

As usual, Mr. Marvin is right on target when it comes to his "neck of the woods - Lefferts." And I don't live there! But having been fortunate enough to attend the last three annual House Tours sponsored by the Lefferts Manor Association, I'm happy to say that nabe is increasingly becoming a star!

A Sunday New York Times article that ran on May 16, 2004 pumped up the heat:

"What links the residents of this still diverse area is a renovation passion that predates the nesting cult formented by HGTV and Martha Stewart." That really is an under-statement - the nabe is sizzling! I have marked my calendar not to miss any of Lefferts upcoming tours (each year first Sunday in June)- and TONY should do the same. Though they did several recent stories obviously spending time and connecting with the locals one would wonder what's the problem?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 13, 2006 5:31 PM

Maybe Lefferts Manor isn't sexy enough for TONY. Like I wonder if TONY thinks their readership is too young and single to be interested in Lefferts Manor, where NY Times suggests Martha Stewart devotees reign, people who have roses in the backyards, not keggers. Whenever I see the sex and party-kid covers of TONY, I think I've already outgrown the magazine even in my 30's.

That said it was nice to see TONY give props to the other blocks in Brooklyn.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 13, 2006 7:38 PM

yay fort greene!! i'm so proud!

Posted by: lc at October 13, 2006 7:40 PM

Who's TONY? Don't have a clue -- must not be important.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 13, 2006 7:56 PM

TONY is Time Out New York.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 14, 2006 12:08 AM

I think that the problem witht he blocks in Stuyvesant is not their beauty they are unbelievably pretty and the people are great. It's how far they are from things some people consider important in a neighborhood like good retaurants, good food markets and lets face it good transportation the C or at best A trains are a bit slow.

Posted by: anonymous at October 15, 2006 6:19 PM

Never underestimate the subtle power of prose that stays in print: Willensky and White plugged Montgomery Place decades ago in their AIA Guide to New York City, and Charles Lockwood added to the hubbub with his recent paen to South Portland Avenue in the newly-revised edition of his brownstones book. Decades in and decades out, such books are starting points for editors of popular magazines. Expect the "best blocks in the city" articles to become a twice-a-decade story. And thanks one and all for the reminders of so many otherwise un-mentioned blocks, for the leads on so much beauty. I hope to see such blocks in beautiful light this autumn.

Posted by: Walter Dufresne at October 27, 2006 10:41 AM

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