Fort Greene

Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Former Feuchtwanger Stable, now condos
Address: 159 Carlton Avenue
Cross Streets: Willoughby and Myrtle Avenues
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Year Built: 1888
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architect: Marshall J. Morrill, conversion to residential by Anderson Associates
Other Work by Architect: Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene, also Newsboy’s Home on Poplar Street in Brooklyn Heights, as well as row houses in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed Stuy, Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights
Landmarked: No, but on the National Register of Historic Places (1986)

The story: Even in the 19th century, a Brooklynite with means needed a place to stash the family vehicle. Like today, most people did without their own transportation, and used public transportation, but some, whether for convenience or status, had to have their own wheels. But you can’t leave a 19th century hay burner and rig out on the street, so commercial stables were the obvious solution. The wealthy had their own private stables, but less wealthy people with horses boarded them in places like the Feuchtwanger Stable.

As the residential streets of Fort Greene grew, the service buildings, especially stables, were established on the fringes of the neighborhood, mostly in wooden framed buildings on Fulton Street and Myrtle Avenue, close enough to walk to easily, but far enough away for most, so that the by-products of horse ownership were not smelled all day. But wood framed buildings were fire traps, so that by the end of the 19th century, city regulations and stable owners began to prefer masonry stable buildings. Since the Victorian aesthetic of beauty carried over to even these humble service buildings, the result could often be a building of great beauty, as well as functionality. This one is certainly a beauty. (more…)

Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Private house
Address: 1 South Portland Avenue
Cross Streets: Corner DeKalb Avenue
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Year Built: 1878
Architectural Style: Italianate palazzo
Architect: Edward Kendall
Other Work by Architect: mostly works in Manhattan, including buildings in the Soho Cast Iron District and the Robert and Ogden Goelet mansions on 5th Avenue.
Landmarked: Yes, part of Fort Greene HD (1978)

The story: This impressive brownstone house is the only free-standing mansion in the entire Fort Greene Historic District. Like many of its neighbors, it is a refined and elegant building, in keeping with the spirit of much of Fort Greene’s housing stock. By the 1840s and 50s, development in the city of Brooklyn was spreading eastward, away from the Heights, and Fort Greene was developed as an upper middle class enclave, laid out on wide streets named after elegant streets and neighborhoods in London. South Portland is named after Portland Place, an upscale street that connected Regent Street and Regent Park Terraces, one of London’s finest areas.

South Portland is often considered the most beautiful street in Fort Greene, and this house is one of the contributing factors. The architect, Edward Kendall, designed a mansion worthy of the best Brooklyn Heights streets, or the tonier parts of Manhattan. He actually chose a design that was a bit passé by 1878, but fit into the existing streetscape of South Portland and DeKalb like a glove. This palazzo is restrained and elegant in design, with subtle details, such as gorgeous steps, a glass transom, elegant French windows, stained glass windows and beautiful ironwork. On top of that, its side windows and expansive bay faces Fort Greene Park, and the other side sports a beautiful conservatory oriel and a generous side yard.

Edward Kendall was one of the more prominent members of the Manhattan architectural world in mid-19th century New York. He was Boston born and educated, and came to NY in 1868. Among his better known works were mansions on Fifth Avenue for brothers Robert and Ogden Goelet, and several cast iron fronted buildings in Soho. He was also the president of the NY City chapter of the AIA, and between 1891 and ’92, was president of the national organization. (more…)