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October 20, 2008

Another Bay Ridge Teardown

The Green Church isn't the only preservation casualty in Bay Ridge. Local blog Beehive Hairdresser sounds the alarm about the teardown of an old Victorian house at 245 83rd Street. Unfortunately, it looks like it's a day late and a dollar short: Demo permits were already been granted earlier this year. In the meantime, says the blog, "the owner seems to be trying to allow nature to due his bidding desire of tearing the place down."

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that's a cool looking house, especially for halloween! i love those victorian houses. what's going up in its place?

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 20, 2008 12:03 PM

Last I heard there was an asbestos abatement issue at this location.

Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 20, 2008 12:10 PM

Wow, talk about coincidence.
I was going to send Mr. B photos of this house, but was so busy this weekend.

I walked by this house last weekend and photographed it. I even snuck through the fence to get some shots. It had been abondoned for a while. It was also listed for sale for 1.8m not too long ago. As little as a year ago it could have been salvaged.

This is the unfortunate demise of Bay Ridge. Victorians are getting bulldozed for nouveau riche monstrosites. I have been a strong advocate for preservation in this neighborhood and fought on numerous occasions to protect historic architecture. After our recent 2-year battle to preserve the 'Green' Church failed, my heart is no longer in a position to take on these causes. I walk by the chuch weekly and cry as they take it apart stone by stone.

With a lack of community support and only a small handful of individuals fighting for preservation. The neighborhood will surely suffer architecturally.

Mr. B, I'll send you a photo of the hideous house going up across the street. It'll make all the houses THL found look normal.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 20, 2008 12:22 PM

I also walked by this place many times and wished I had the money to buy it and then the money to fix it. Fortunately as much as these homes to be demo-ed stick out like sore thumbs, I have noticed many that are being bought and fixed up. I do wish I could save every one but I guess its just not in the cards. I don't even go by the Green Church. Its too painful. I put in my time protesting on a cold Saturday and the petition recieved over 1000 signatures but I guess when private property is at stake, the public has no say.

Posted by: italiana71 at October 20, 2008 3:08 PM

Someone needs to take a picture of the enormous house being erected across the street from this property. Different from the usual european McMansion garbage being erected but its still friggin huge.

I've watched this property decline over the years. It feels like the house has died and I've nicknamed it the "dead house" since it appears to have lost all color an feels like a black and white image against all the adjecent houses.

Aside from the windows missing on this house the back of the house has an enormous hole it it.

Hey at least they can only build a one or 1 family since the rezoning.

Posted by: turg at October 20, 2008 3:40 PM

Someone needs to take a picture of the enormous house being erected across the street from this property. Different from the usual european McMansion garbage being erected but its still friggin huge.

Aside from the windows missing on this house the back of the house has an enormous hole it it.

Hey at least they can only build a one or 1 family since the rezoning.

Posted by: turg at October 20, 2008 3:40 PM

My wife and I looked at this place before we bought our 85th St Vic. The one pictured here was in VERY bad condition. All beams inside were totally eaten by termites. The place also was totally rotted...im not sure if that was because of all the holes in the roof or what, but this place is in horrible shape.

What we found in the Ridge was that all the Vics for sale had some major issues that had gone on for too long with no one fixing them. Our place was in horrible shape, but it was still salvageable. Im sure Khalils Vic on 77th and Ridge will be next...its been for sale forever, I really hope someone buys it. The old house (not a Vic...but of that era) at the bottom of my street on 85th and Ridge just sold...so thats good. However, Khalils "Great Gatspy" mansion across the street has been sitting there gutted for years now...I would die if that place was torn down!

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 3:41 PM

What is the definition of a "McMansion" anyways?

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 3:47 PM

I think that monstrosity (sp?) is actually going to be two town homes, if I read the work order correctly. I have to say its actually not that bad looking. I was shocked to see that it wasn't simpley a square box and that someone put some thought into it before construction.

Posted by: italiana71 at October 20, 2008 3:55 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMansion

Haha...well, to each his own. I guess I am building somewhat of a McMansion.

Preservation is KEY to a neighborhood, but there is only so much you can do if the house you bought already went to crap. Personally I think the house here is beyond fixing or restoring as I went in it with the owner...and if anyone was to attempt to salvage it they would spend minimum of $500K I assume. I think I would have rather seen a McMansion on that street then this rundown house that no one will ever fix up (just no Greek columns or odd marble structures in front of the house! That really gets me!).

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 3:58 PM

The Khalis vic, is that the huge white one on the corner? I had no idea that it wasn't occupied. the place is beautiful. Whats is going for?

Posted by: italiana71 at October 20, 2008 4:07 PM

Italiana71....

Which corner? He owns 7701 Ridge, 8406 Ridge (on the corner of ridge and 85th), and 232 77th (I think thats the address...google maps is tough to tell. Its a White Vic with a turret.

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 4:15 PM

Ignore my last post. I was thinking of the huge white victorian on 84th or 83rd and Ridge. That one is huge!!!! I wish Bay Ridge held a house tour just so I could take a peak inside that one.

Posted by: italiana71 at October 20, 2008 4:19 PM

Oh ya! That one in huge...everytime I drive down Ridge I stare at that one. But that house is a perfect example of the type of place that needs to forever be preserved...its in good shape now. The one above is in crap...thats the problem in Bay Ridge....the good ones dont go up for sale...only the ones that need to be gutted or torn down because they were never kept up.

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 4:22 PM

I have photos of the monster being built across the street from this house. While I was there, the front of the new house was open and I spied ONE center stair case. I just confirmed it on DOB site, it's a one family. I also spoke to a friend of the architect, who was there. We both agreed, it was too big, too tall, and too ugly.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 20, 2008 4:28 PM

Ya, the place was huge...beyond restoring unless you have big $$$!

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 4:31 PM

BTW - there's another house in the 80's btwn 3rd & ridge that looks like the owner is letting nature take it's course. It's not a victorian, but looks like a farm house. It's empty and all the windows are open.

Also, the one on Ridge btwn 84th, is one of my favorite houses in the nabe. Rumor has it that an old man passed away and left it to his housekeeper. They are doing a fine job of restoring that house. I wish they would clean up some of the shrubbery in front so I can get some good photos of it. I love the cupola and imagine myself up there looking at the bay.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 20, 2008 4:40 PM

By that definition alot of the old houses in BR are McMansions.

Mc Mansion or not, I was mighty surprised to see that it wasn't going to be covered in stucco with quioning. I'm holding my breath that they don't decide that they need pink granite columns to make it look...extravagant.

I wonder if the house is connected to the owner's around the corner on 84th street. They tore down a Vic and put a a rather modest house with a huge side yard, or room for a second house.

Posted by: turg at October 20, 2008 4:43 PM

bayridgegirl -

I think thats my house your mentioning:-) Its on 85th bet 3rd and Ridge....we just gutted it and its been airing out for 3 weeks while we finish the new architectural plans. Sorry for the eye sore...we were trying to incorporate a form of a Victorian style turret on it and we were having problems with the city approving it. Rebuilding will begin early next week if not this Friday and we will be done by Feb.

All the beams need to be replaced...its a mess right now. Termites ate everything from the roof down to the basement, the whole house was sinking into the ground...ugh...I don't want to think what Im getting myself into. However, thats my point...these owners SHOULD have taken care of these places. At least I can salvage the stained glass!

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 4:53 PM

Quoining can actually be seen on many Victorians in Europe. But I know what your saying about it though!

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 5:01 PM

Wow there are more Bay Ridgers on here than I thought. but I'm glad to see that ther are people who care about preservation in the nabe. My hubby and I bought a limestone on 79th between 3rd and 4th. While some of the original detail was stripped away, some of it remain and we plan on restoring what we can.

Posted by: italiana71 at October 20, 2008 5:27 PM

I was looking to rent in BayRidge a year and a half ago and called a broker about an apartment she'd listed on craigslist. She's like, "look, I should warn you, it's Victorian, so that means it's old and it's got all these moldings and stuff..."

Posted by: pfa at October 20, 2008 6:53 PM

hahahahah...lol! As long as its not the one above I think you would have been fine!

Posted by: nybk01 at October 20, 2008 7:53 PM

« Update on IDT Energy Scam Condos of the Day: 134 St. Marks Place »

October 20, 2008

Another Bay Ridge Teardown

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