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January 8, 2009

Sisters of Mercy: First and Last and, Hopefully, Always*

On the heels of the news that the Sisters of Mercy Convent at 265 Willoughby Avenue would be closing its doors after 146 years, we touched based with the Landmarks Preservation Commission to see what the chances were of it receiving landmark status. Given the possibility that the property could be sold to a developer, the issue has some urgency. Unfortunately, the convent lies outside the boundaries of the original Clinton Hill Historic District. It is, however, mentioned as a possible individual landmark in an addendum to the 70-page survey drafted on behalf of the Society for Clinton Hill that recommends expanding the historic district boundaries and increasing the number of protected buildings from 884 to 1,155 as well as designating five individual landmarks. LPC tells us that it will begin a survey—the first step in the landmarking process—of the proposed extension this month with an eye to completing it this spring. Fingers crossed.
Willoughby Convent Closing, Future Uncertain [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
FG/CH Historic District Extensions: The Big Picture [Brownstoner]
Proposed Individual Landmarks in Clinton Hill [Brownstoner]
*Since most people won't get it, here's the reference.

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Comments

The multi-level balconies on the back of the building are just beautiful and like nothing I have seen around Brooklyn. I hope these buildings can be successfully landmarked and repurposed.

Posted by: Schultz at January 8, 2009 10:34 AM

andrew eldritch called, he wants his headline back!

Posted by: janelle at January 8, 2009 10:47 AM

That's good news. I hope the landmarking goes through easily and quickly. The convent is more than worthy of designation.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 8, 2009 10:48 AM

got the reference b.stoner, and congrats on Brownstoners first 80's classic goth reference. one of my favorite bands.

this is truly a beautiful building. i remember walking for the first time along myrtle ave to see a new developement open house there, and being aghast at the crapitecture, walked back down and happened upon this convent and was instantly relieved to see something pleasant and wash away the previous hideousness.

anyone wanna go halvsies on this place?

Posted by: goldie at January 8, 2009 10:49 AM

So landmarks wants to complete the first step of the landmarking process (the survey) by this spring? Or do they aim to have the landmarking decision on the Clinton Hill extension by this spring?

Posted by: 1842 at January 8, 2009 10:51 AM

janelle, david spade called, he wants his jokes back

Posted by: goldie at January 8, 2009 10:55 AM

EXCELLENT title for this post.....going to listen to them now!!

Posted by: ctrlaltdel at January 8, 2009 11:29 AM

begin a survey?
Ha ha ha!
Will this be the third or fourth survey of thee blocks?
I think that when the Landmarks Commission says "we are begining a survey" what they really mean is "don't hold your breath".

Posted by: sam at January 8, 2009 11:55 AM

My mother went to nursing school taught by the sisters of Mercy in the 1940s and lived in this convent/residence with other nursing students. We drove past it the other day and she was surprised that it was so close to me. It is beautiful. I wish they could stay there. If they can't keep it, I kind of like the idea of converting it to condos and keeping the convent signs up, like the Graham House for old ladies.

Posted by: donatella at January 8, 2009 12:42 PM

Sam, the survey is in response to a submission for extension to to the historic that took years to put together and was submitted last year. It's not just a random survey, it is a survey of the structures and streets listed in the submission to determine if Landmarks deems them worthy of landmarking. That said, I don't know the process from there...

Posted by: 1842 at January 8, 2009 12:58 PM

BTW, if anyone has a thing for religious buildings, there is a lovely convent (aka giant brownstone) for sale on Putnam for a mere $650,000. It's absolutely huge and has lots of original detail. I haven't been inside, but some friends of mine live on the street. There are a ton of churches there.

Posted by: mopar at January 8, 2009 1:10 PM

Mopar, where on Putnam?

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 8, 2009 1:31 PM

donatella, that's a great idea. generic condos are practically a dime a dozen these days, but a nice conversion of an old building, that's much more rare. unfortunately most developers are going to want to max out FAR, etc.

Posted by: janelle at January 8, 2009 1:31 PM

1842, I know it is not a random survey, it is actually a re-survey, or even a re-re-survey. If they wanted to act they would. They know, I'm sure, everything there is to know about these blocks already.

Posted by: sam at January 8, 2009 2:35 PM

Great headline reference - well played! I think I may need to go dig that CD out of a box somewhere.

In regards to the convent, I hope this can be landmarked. I lived across the street for a few years (in the part of the Renken dairy that was recently torn down) and had the most beautiful view of their garden.

I was grateful every day for that view - so happy I wasn't looking out at an ugly building (like mine was, admittedly).

Posted by: lwo at January 8, 2009 4:46 PM

Great headline reference - well played! I think I may need to go dig that CD out of a box somewhere.

I was grateful every day for that view - so happy I wasn't looking out at an ugly building (like mine was, admittedly).

Posted by: lwo at January 8, 2009 4:46 PM

Montrose, I think it's between Ralph and Patchen. I don't know how much work it needs, but that's a very low price for the size of the place. (And I always assume any list price is probably 10 or 15 percent above the real price.) Do you know the block? There's a bunch of photos online showing old cupboards, parquet, and so on. I wish I could remember which agency has the listing. It's probably on realtor.com though.

Posted by: mopar at January 8, 2009 6:42 PM

My friends on Patchen said they were worried it or the related church would be torn down and turned into an ugly building to ruin their block. Right now there's a lot of green space and garden.

Posted by: mopar at January 8, 2009 6:43 PM

My friends on Putnam said they were worried it or the related church would be torn down and turned into an ugly building to ruin their block. Right now there's a lot of green space and garden.

Posted by: mopar at January 8, 2009 6:43 PM

convent is here: http://www.fillmore.com/view_details.php?WebID=721027

Posted by: goldie at January 9, 2009 10:23 AM

Thank you Goldie!

Posted by: mopar at January 9, 2009 4:56 PM

Please sign the petition if you have not already!

http://www.petitiononline.com/convent/petition.html

Posted by: jftprospect at January 9, 2009 5:37 PM