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April 17, 2008

Bed-Stuy Church Sold to Developer

Lutheran-Church-Bedford-0408.jpg
The Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church recently sold off its big church on Skillman Street and Bedford Avenue, in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The property fetched $4,100,000, according to public records. A representative for the church said the only section of the property that it will retain control of is the parsonage, and that it hopes to continue to provide housing for priests there. One of the investors who purchased the property is Michael Lichtenstein, who is also currently involved with a planned development at 681 Driggs in Williamsburg, a building that may not happen as originally conceived because of the recent rezoning of Grand Street. The DOB hasn't issued any permits for work on the property. Let's hope that whatever's planned doesn't involve a wrecking ball. GMAP




Posted by Gabby at 9:01 AM | Comments (8)
Categories: Bedford Stuyvesant, Development

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Comments

Oh God, not another church going to a developer!

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 10:04 AM

May it rest in peace.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 11:32 AM

Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 11:54 AM

Cherish the photo, that will be all that's left. There is no way a developer would be buying a church if they didn't want to tear it down. Too bad. I don't know anything about the history of the church, but I'm sure it is interesting as a part of the development of the area. Being pessimistic today, I hope the stained glass, pews and other artifacts can be salvaged and appreciated by others.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at April 17, 2008 2:01 PM

I have no doubt that if the Michael Lichtenstein who bought the church is the same one doing the Fedders building next door to me, that the church is history. He may tell you he's keeping it or, if not, that the new building won't be that big and be "designed by a good architect and be really nice looking." He'll even claim the hideous eyesore of a brick box that's at least 3 stories more than he promised will somehow increase the property values of his neighbors, like he's doing everyone a favor. Then he'll proceed to hire folks who specialize in cutting corners and the site will be shut down several times by the DoB for all sorts of illegal, dangerous things and damage to others. The neighborhood will be left with an ugly, cheaply built building whose back yard comes a parking lot to meet zoning requirements and is esthetically worse than all the condos in the south slope that currently aren't selling. The neighbors will have to put their lawyers on speed dial. All that instead of a lovely repurposed church.

Sound like fun? Come on over to my house and see how fun it is.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 2:07 PM

Oh, Montrose, the stained glass is history, too. His demo crew will be taking hammers to them like they did to the ones in the Victorian house next door to me.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 2:10 PM

Once all the beautiful churches are gone, replaced by glassy condos, we will be sorry.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 4:22 PM

I love you, 2:07. You are spot on.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 6:16 PM

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