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February 11, 2009

LPC Moves Ahead With Two New Historic Districts

lpc-districts-brooklyn-0209.jpg
The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously yesterday to confer historic district status upon Alice and Agate Courts, an enclave of 36 late-19th century houses in the Queen Anne style; this is the fifth new historic district created in Brooklyn since 2002. The commission also voted to calendar the Ocean Park Historic District, a row of 12 early-20th century homes between Lincoln Road and Parkside Avenue on Ocean Avenue. Yippee!
Alice & Agate Courts Proposed for LPC Designation [Brownstoner]
LPC to Consider Ocean Avenue Historic District [Brownstoner]
New Bed-Stuy Historic District in the Offing [Brownstoner]




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:30 AM | Comments (20)
Categories: Bedford Stuyvesant, Landmark, Prospect Lefferts Gardens

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Is there any area of brooklyn that has a large number of contiguous limestones?

Posted by: dittoburg at February 11, 2009 9:49 AM

Always good news.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at February 11, 2009 9:58 AM

I second the yippee!!

Posted by: Montrose Morris at February 11, 2009 9:59 AM

There are MANY Dittoburg. One is PLG--Maple II, for example:

http://brooklyncameraclub.org/v-web/gallery/album196/Maple_St_Limestones_lo_res?full=1

Posted by: Bob Marvin at February 11, 2009 10:03 AM

Very handsome Bob.

Posted by: dittoburg at February 11, 2009 10:07 AM

Thank you Dittoburg.

Actually, you'll find many limestones in most any neighborhood that was built after the 1893 Chicago Exposition, which featured white marble buildings and helped put brownstone, and other dark-colored facades, out of fashion.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at February 11, 2009 10:20 AM

Crown Heights has quite a few too. Crown Heights North has several eclectic styles and sizes, Crown Heights South has quite a few rows resembling the ones next door in PLG, as in Bob's photo. I can give you streets, ditto, if you are interested.

There is also a very handsome row in Stuyvesant Hts, on Stuyvesant Ave, near Chauncey. These are generally considered the creme de la creme of the neighborhood.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at February 11, 2009 10:21 AM

Yes, I am interested. I've found myself leaning more and more towards limestones.

Posted by: dittoburg at February 11, 2009 10:30 AM

Dittoburg, there are several blocks in Sunset Park that have block-long rows of contiguous limestones. 62nd St between 5th & 6th Avenues is one. Take a look at it by visiting maps.google.com, input any "500 block" address, zip 11220. There are also beautiful blocks that have rounded front light colored brick, and many people call these buildings "limestones" although I'm not sure that accurately describes the stone. See one example on maps.google.com but inputting any 441 63rd Street, zip 11220. There are a few other streets like these in Sunset Park. They are mostly in the high 50's and low 60's, in the section of the neighborhood toward Bay Ridge.

Posted by: elizabethJane at February 11, 2009 10:31 AM

The Maple Street photo I linked to is one of three rows of PLG limestones designed by Axel Hedman c.1910. The others are on Midwood I and, of course, the Ocean on the Park houses, just calendared [Wopee--PLG will have TWO HDs!]. There are also many other limestones in PLG.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at February 11, 2009 10:35 AM

Thanks everyone.

Posted by: dittoburg at February 11, 2009 10:39 AM

Several limestone blocks in Park Slope, in Boro Park, and in Bay Ridge.

Posted by: vinca at February 11, 2009 10:40 AM

Congratulations to both areas... Now the long over due Bedford Historic district and the extension of Stuyvesant Heights. I am so proud of the people that did the hard work that got this done... The Lincoln Road and Parkside Avenue homes are just beautiful. Crown Heights dose have a large number of limestones check out Prospect Pl. dittoburg you have unique dutch style limestones in that area...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at February 11, 2009 10:45 AM

There are some nice ones on Sherman Street between 10th and 11th Avenue in Windsor Terrace.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 11, 2009 11:02 AM

Ditto, here are some examples:

1374-1384 Dean St, between New York and Brooklyn. South side. Also by Axel Hedman, in 1909. very similar to the Ocean Ave houses, makes sense, same architect.

St. Mark's Ave, between Bklyn and Kingston, across from the Children's Museum. Very large, eclectic houses by several architects, around 1899.

New York Ave, corner Prospect Place. Ginormous limestone rowhouses.

Prospect Place between NY and Nostrand. Gorgeous groups of limestones mixed with free standing and semidetached large houses. One of my favorite blocks in CHN.

New York Ave between Sterling and St. John's.

Lincoln Place, between Nostrand and Kingston.

There are many others, but these immediately pop into mind. Crown Heights South I don't know as well, but there are several blocks near Medgar Evers College, and on the PLG border that are nothing but 3 story rows of bowfronted limestones, some with garages in back.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at February 11, 2009 11:54 AM

What exactly does this mean to an owner of one of these? I get the need to not have developers tear them down for some new condos. Wonderfull. But if I were an owner that lived in one of these (which I am not) what restrictions are placed upon them in terms of renovating rooms, enlarging a space, new windows, etc? Anyone?

Posted by: ou812 at February 11, 2009 12:32 PM

ou812, Landmarking means that the historic facades cannot be altered, except to preserve and restore to their original look, to when the building was built. Present non-period alterations to the buildings are grandfathered in, so no changes have to be immediately made, but if an owner wants to put in new windows, doors, facade surfaces, fencing, etc, the new materials must conform to their historical originals. Permits have to be granted by the LPC, or you risk being fined. Most interior work is not covered by this, but any change to the facade, which includes adding another story or addition that can be seen from the street, needs to be submitted to the LPC for approval. They don't usually care what goes on in your backyard, unless that can also be seen from the street.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at February 11, 2009 1:05 PM

Just passed that lovely row of limestones (and the construction pit from their neighboring casualty) on Ocean Ave. opposite the park today, and sent them good vibes for landmarking--it worked!!!

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at February 11, 2009 6:26 PM

Thanks, Brenda, MM and all who shared the love. It most certainly did work! As a matter of fact, for the first time, in a very long time, we are at least able to exhale for a moment. No doubt we have much more work to do and cannot assume that just because we passed this first hurdle the job is done. But, for now, it most definitely feels good to know that we're officially under the jurisdiction of the LPC.

Posted by: Brooklynista at February 11, 2009 7:06 PM

Thanks. That sounds reasonable. I was under the impression it was more retsrictive and went further within.

Posted by: ou812 at February 12, 2009 9:00 AM

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