Brownstoner is Brooklyn's most read
website about real estate, renovation
and neighborhood news. Read More»
Sale of the McGovern Florist Building Now Official
Green-Wood Cemetery’s purchase of the McGovern Florist building just hit public records, and the deed shows that the cemetery paid $1,625,000 for the structure. The landmark building, on the corner of 25th Street and 5th Avenue, was asking $775,000, or $1,500,000 along with an adjacent wood-frame house. Both properties went into contract last April. The cemetery plans to renovate the building into a visitors center and museum in hopes to lure more tourists to Green-Wood. No plans or renderings have been released for the building yet.
Will a Visitors’ Center Lure Tourists to Green-Wood? [Brownstoner]
Landmark Greenwood Florist Building in Contract [Brownstoner]
Landmarked Florist Building Up For Sale [Brownstoner] GMAP
02/28/2012 11:00 AM
Comment
City Approves Conversion Plans for Heights’ 72 Poplar
A tipster pointed out that the DOB has approved conversion plans for 72 Poplar Street, the former precinct in Brooklyn Heights that will be turned into a 13-unit residential building. The LPC, which heard about the owner’s designs on the building, has also given its blessing to the plans. What’s in store: An extension of the existing fourth floor; construction of a new fifth-floor addition; a setback of the rear wall by five feet to achieve legal light and air requirements; the installation of a new rear façade; construction of a new accessible ramp at the Popular Street entrance; new window and door openings on the east and west facades; and a one-story rooftop addition on an adjacent garage. Conversion plans have been in the works for the property for a few years now, but they didn’t gain momentum until a new owner purchased the building for for $7.5 million last summer. UPDATE: A representative from the developers, the Daten Group, says they are working with LPC and DOB but nothing has been approved for the conversion yet.
Conversion Coming to 72 Poplar Street in the Heights [Brownstoner]
Former Heights Precinct House Sells for $7.5M [Brownstoner]
Poplar Police Building Back on the Market [Brownstoner]
72 Poplar Whiplash: Residential Again? [Brownstoner]
League Treatment Center To Take Poplar Police Building [Brownstoner]
Heights Residents Want Precinct Housing After All? [Brownstoner] GMAP
Former Heights Precinct Will Not Go Condo [Brownstoner]
02/27/2012 9:30 AM
Comment
LPC Green-Lights Strong Place Design
We got word that the Strong Place townhouse project, at Kane Street, was unanimously approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday. Earlier this month developer Brennan Realty started a series of blog posts here tracking the progress of the project; construction should begin this spring. The prices for the three townhouses are currently between $3.95 million and $5.95 million.
Strong Place Townhouses Construction Blog: Intro [Brownstoner]
Details on the New Townhouses Coming to Cobble Hill [Brownstoner]
Townhouse Trio Planned in Cobble Hill [Brownstoner] GMAP
02/22/2012 10:30 AM
Comment
Checking in on the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Reno
Last night the developers of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank, who are turning the landmark into a banquet hall and museum, made a presentation to Community Board 1 regarding their desire to replace the existing arched windows on the east, west, and south facades of the building. The owners intend to replace all the existing glass and replicate the stone lattice work around the windows. CB1 supported the application and the LPC will hear the proposal at next Tuesday’s meeting. As for the rest of the renovation, a rep said “it’s going very well.” Some members of the board had questions about how financially viable the museum plans are. “But what’s the main purpose of the space?” asked one board member. “Where will the money primarily come from?” The developers conceded the building would mainly be used as an events space. Details concerning the museum – like admission price, types of artwork, and if it would be open to the public – are undecided as of yet. Specifics on where parking will be located are also undecided. The restoration has been in progress for almost a year now.
Williamsburgh Savings Bank Will Also be a Museum [Brownstoner]
Banquet Hall for Landmark Burg Bank [Brownstoner]
Burg Demolition Won’t Affect Landmark Bank [Brownstoner] GMAP
02/16/2012 12:00 PM
Comment
Carlton Avenue Mews Back in Focus
It’s been awhile since the new Carlton Mews Project crossed our radar, but an application to “amend Certificate of Appropriateness 12-7770 for the construction of five new townhouses” at 223-231 Carlton Avenue will be heard by the Landmarks Preservation Commission today. These renderings of the homes were revealed last December, then this summer a “more traditional” plan came to the LPC but was sent back for revisions. Meanwhile at the site, renovations continue at next door townhouse 237 Carlton Avenue as well as the serious rehabilitation of the Carlton Mews Church.
LPC Recap: Nay on 27 Cranberry; Carlton Mews on Track [Brownstoner]
The NEW Carlton Mews Revealed [Brownstoner]
Carlton Mews Sells Again [Brownstoner]
02/14/2012 11:00 AM
Comment
HDC Pushes Against Coignet Stone Lot Reduction
The Landmarks Preservation Commission may have voted to approve a request to reduce the lot around the Coignet Stone building on the Whole Foods site in Gowanus, but a prominent preservation organization is protesting the decision. The Historic Districts Council had the following to say about the matter in an email blast that went out yesterday: “This proposal is an effort [for Whole Foods] to avoid the normal Landmarks Preservation Commission review process. The owners of the Coignet Building should be required to present plans at a public hearing to show how their proposal relates to the designated property. Otherwise, this will point the way for all who want to build upon a landmarked site and avoid LPC oversight.” The proposal still has to be approved by the City Planning Commission and then the City Council Subcommittee on Landmarks, which should happen within the next couple months. Meanwhile, HDC started a petition asking for “proper protection” for the Coignet Stone building and a public hearing about the request to reduce the lot size.
LPC Approves Reduction of Coignet Stone Lot [Brownstoner]
Preservationists: Don’t Shrink Gowanus Landmark’s Lot [Brownstoner]
LPC Hearing on Reduction of Gowanus Building’s Lot [Brownstoner] GMAP
02/02/2012 9:30 AM
Comment
LPC Approves Reduction of Coignet Stone Lot
Yesterday the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to reduce the size of the landmark Coignet Stone Company Building’s lot on 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street. The proposal was to reduce the lot from approximately 125 feet to 55 feet on the 3rd Avenue side, and from 55 feet to 40 feet on the 3rd Street side to allow more room for the construction of the planned Whole Foods. At the public hearing last month, preservationists spoke out against shrinking the lot, with the Historic Districts Council saying, “It is troublesome that after years of planning by Whole Foods, the company is now only dealing with the fact that it owns a designated site and is asking the landmark to bear the brunt of the project.” Whole Foods does not own the building but promised to restore it and began some renovation work last year. It sounds as though the BSA was waiting for this LPC decision to come through before voting on Whole Foods’ variance request, so this clears the way for that to happen next month.
Preservationists: Don’t Shrink Gowanus Landmark’s Lot [Brownstoner]
LPC Hearing on Reduction of Gowanus Building’s Lot [Brownstoner] GMAP
01/25/2012 10:30 AM
Comment
Preservationists: Heights Cinema Shouldn’t be Demolished
There was news recently about how Tom Caruana, the owner of the building that houses the Brooklyn Heights Cinema, at 70 Henry Street, intends to demolish the structure in order to build a new condo, but it turns out Caruana is thinking twice about his plans following criticism from neighborhood preservationists. The Eagle reports on how Caruana decided not to present his plans to Community Board 2′s Land Use Committee:
Both Robert Perris, district manager of Community Board 2, and Judy Stanton, executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association, told the Eagle that this decision followed a meeting between the building owner and the Heights Association’s own Landmarks Committee. She said that the committee, which contains three architectural historians, did research on the building’s history and came to the conclusion that it was an integral part of the Brooklyn Heights Landmark District and should not be demolished. The circa-1895 building was always a commercial building, but had a varied history, before it was converted into a cinema around 1970. Stanton said that research has revealed that the building, as originally constructed, was made of fine brick, had cast-iron columns and other details that were consistent with the neighborhood. Even though many of these details were later covered up or painted over, she says, “four-fifths of the original masonry still exists.” After the presentation, the owner apparently decided he had more homework to do.
Heights Cinema Plans on Hold [Eagle]
Photo via PropertyShark
01/24/2012 9:00 AM
Comment
LPC Designates Bank, OKs 30 Henry Street Design
Besides holding a public hearing for the expansion of the Crown Heights landmark district yesterday, the LPC also voted to landmark the Williamsburg branch of the Public National Bank of New York at 47-49 Graham Avenue, between Moore and Varet streets, and approved a new design for the condo planned at 30 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights. Here’s the writeup on the Public National Bank from its designation report: “The bank, considered one of [architect] Eugene Schoen’s most interesting and intact architectural commissions, was designed in the neo-Classical style and completed in 1923. Designed in the form of a one-story temple, the building is a rare example in New York City of early 20th century Viennese influence… The building, clad in cast-stone, features rusticated columns and corner piers on both of its main facades that framed rectangular and round arched windows, with panels and entrance surrounds featuring a combination of classical and Secessionist ornament.” LPC Spokesperson Elisabeth de Bourbon also reported that a design was approved for 30 Henry Street. The commission voted against a prior iteration of the design last week. We haven’t seen the new renderings yet.
Photo via PropertyShark
01/18/2012 11:00 AM
Comment
Lots of Support for More Crown Heights Landmarking
Yesterday 17 people testified at the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s public hearing to expand the Crown Heights North Historic District. Sixteen of them spoke in favor of landmarking, with one person who testified saying he was neither opposed nor in favor and had more questions. LPC made no vote. Our own Montrose Morris attended the hearing and reports back: “There were many more people from the community there… they were predominantly senior citizens who had lived in the neighborhood for years, and were proud to be there. It was really a moving and touching moment. I saw people I know to be long time homeowners, a minister, an auxiliary policeman, and community and police precinct board members. There were also a lot of just folks, both older and younger. I was very proud of us.” She also said the Commission pointed out the significance of the former Shaare Zedek Synagogue, now Historic First Church of God in Christ, at 221 Kingston Avenue, at Park Place. She says, “LPC called it one of the finest synagogue buildings in the city, and very much worthy of landmark protection.” You can see a picture of the synagogue after the jump.
LPC Considering Crown Heights North Phase III Today [Brownstoner]
Photo via LPC
(more…)
01/18/2012 10:00 AM
Comment
LPC Considering Crown Heights North Phase III Today
The Landmarks Preservation Commission is holding a public hearing today on the proposed designation of the Crown Heights North III Historic District, which consists of approximately 640 homes between Albany and Brooklyn avenues. The first phase of the district was made up of 472 homes, followed by last year’s landmarking of an area with 610 more houses in the second phase. According to the LPC Designation Report [pdf], “The proposed Crown Heights North III Historic District contains a rich variety of late-19th- and early-20th-century residential buildings, including long blocks of well-preserved row houses, the inviting enclaves of Revere, Virginia, and Hampton places, and an extraordinary collection of ‘Kinko’ houses—perhaps the most extensive and varied group of these remarkable two-family houses in the entire city. It also includes one of the neighborhood’s great houses of worship, the former Shaari Zedek Synagogue (Simeon D. Eisendrath and B. Horitz, 1922-25) at the southeast corner of Kingston Avenue and Park Place.” You can see some photographs of noteable buildings in the district here. Check back for a report on today’s hearing.
01/17/2012 9:00 AM
Comment
LPC: 30 Henry Design Could be Better
The Eagle files an extensive report about yesterday’s Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing about the plans for the new building at 30 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights. The commissioners ultimately asked the developer and BKSK Architects to tweak the design, saying details such as the entryway could be improved upon, with LPC Chair Robert Tierney noting that “I find it appropriate now and I would openly embrace it, but I agree with my colleagues that it could be a better building.” Some preservationists spoke in favor of the current design, calling it contextual and appropriate, but reps from the Brooklyn Heights Association called it “boring” and argued for a more contemporary look. Architect Jonathan Marvel, for example, had the following to say: “It’s a threshold site to this district. It’s not an infill building, but a gateway building. …We implore you to inspire, to delight, to raise the bar on originality.”
Design of New Heights Building: Mishmash of Contextualism or Appropriate? [Eagle]
30 Henry Application Returns to Landmarks Tomorrow [Brownstoner]
No Decision From LPC on 30 Henry Build [Brownstoner]
Renderings Revealed for 30 Henry Street [Brownstoner]
30 Henry Street Chasing a Waterfall [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn Eagle Building on the Market [Brownstoner] GMAP
01/11/2012 9:00 AM
Comment
30 Henry Application Returns to Landmarks Tomorrow
The application for a new five-story, six-unit Brooklyn Heights condo at 30 Henry Street hits the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a second time tomorrow. At the previous LPC meeting about the proposal, the commission didn’t take action on the plans because there wasn’t a quorum. All the renderings can be found here. If you’re interested in speaking at the public hearing, it begins at approximately 10:45 a.m. Think this design will make it through this time around?
No Decision From LPC on 30 Henry Build [Brownstoner]
Renderings Revealed for 30 Henry Street [Brownstoner]
30 Henry Street Chasing a Waterfall [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn Eagle Building on the Market [Brownstoner] GMAP
01/09/2012 11:30 AM
Comment
No Decision From LPC on 30 Henry Build
This Tuesday the LPC considered a developer’s plans to demolish the Brooklyn Eagle building at 30 Henry Street and construct a five-story, six-unit condo building. The result was anticlimactic: an LPC rep says no action was taken because there was no quorum. Guess we’ll find out the fate of this design in the new year.
Renderings Revealed for 30 Henry Street [Brownstoner]
30 Henry Street Chasing a Waterfall [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn Eagle Building on the Market [Brownstoner] GMAP
12/22/2011 10:00 AM
Comment
Preservationists: Don’t Shrink Gowanus Landmark’s Lot
Yesterday the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing regarding the application to reduce the lot size of the landmark Coignet Stone Company Building on 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue. The proposal is to reduce the size of the lot from approximately 125 feet to 55 feet on the 3rd Avenue side, and from 55 feet to 40 feet on the 3rd Street side, a measure that would allow more room for the construction of the planned Whole Foods. Seven people testified about the proposal, and all of them opposed the reduction of the lot. Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus (FROGG), the Pratt Institute for Gowanus Studio, and the HDC also submitted written opposition. HDC’s testimony was representative: “It is troublesome that after years of planning by Whole Foods, the company is now only dealing with the fact that it owns a designated site and is asking the landmark to bear the brunt of the project. As shown in renderings, plans and elevations… the Coignet Building would be engulfed by new structures, while the other half of the block would be a parking lot.” Meanwhile, Marty Markowitz submitted the only testimony that wasn’t completely opposed to the plans: “From the outset, I found it acceptable for the Whole Foods Market to abut the Coignet Building. However, should LPC find it appropriate to retain some of the existing yards as nominal side yards to serve as a buffer between the two properties, I certainly would not have a concern with designating such space… so long as this would not compromise construction of the Whole Foods site.” The LPC did not take a final vote on the proposal. It hasn’t been a great few weeks for Whole Foods: There was no resolution in the BSA hearing last week concerning the grocer’s application to build a bigger store than zoning allows.
LPC Hearing on Reduction of Gowanus Building’s Lot [Brownstoner] GMAP
12/21/2011 10:30 AM
Comment
Spotlight On: St. Marks Between New York and Kingston
The homes across from the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Crown Heights are a spectacular mix of styles, starting with the villa-like corner mansion at #839. Known as the Dean Sage House, we’ve covered it here before. Montrose Morris is represented at #855-877, the Romanesque Revival twin-mansion. The rest is a mix of Queen Anne, Renaissance Revival, and Beaux Arts style, all ornate and impressive. Read all about the history of St. Marks Avenue in this Walkabout installment. And, of course, the Children’s Museum is across the street, looking something like a yellow submarine. The building took the place of two old Victorian mansions when it was built in 1976-77. This entire block was part of Phase 1 of Crown Heights landmarking.
12/14/2011 12:00 PM
Comment
LPC Hearing on Reduction of Gowanus Building’s Lot
Next Tuesday the Landmarks Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing on an application to reduce the lot size of the landmark Coignet Stone Company Building on 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue. The reduced lot size will help make way for the construction of the long-planned Whole Foods. (Separately, the BSA is considering the request for a variance for the Whole Foods build today.) The proposal is to reduce the size of the lot from approximately 125 feet to 55 feet on the 3rd Avenue side, and from 55 feet to 40 feet on the 3rd Street side. Some upkeep of the building, which has sat unused for years and is in shabby shape, began earlier this year. Whole Foods, which doesn’t own the property, has pledged to renovate it as part of its construction plans. GMAP
12/13/2011 12:00 PM
Comment
Closing Bell: Petition to Landmark More of Fort Greene
The Fort Greene Association set up a petition for the NYC Landmarks Committee to extend landmarking in Fort Greene. Boundaries, proposed this September, extend the district onto Myrtle from Carlton to Vanderbilt, around Deklab and Ashland, and below Fulton Street over to Adelphi. As the petition says, “We know that from its beginning in 1978, Historic Designation has benefited our area. Virtually all derelict housing and empty lots have been revived, bringing with it new pride and stability for a thriving multi-ethnic community. Additionally in fulfillment of the neighborhood promise many new business have arrived to flourish here because Historic Designation stimulated a resourceful core of consumers. For these and many other reasons, we again request a calendared hearing soonest by the LPC for an extended Fort Greene Historic District.” To sign the petition, go here.
12/05/2011 4:00 PM
Comment
Roof Support for Carlton Mews Church
Back in October, repair work began on the Carlton Mews Church at 233 Adelphi Street, the building previously in danger of collapse. Of particular concern was the building’s roof, which was deteriorating and allowing water to pour through. Now the roof has received some much-needed support. The plan is to remove the slate, followed by a full building reinforcement.
Work Begins At the Carlton Mews Church [Brownstoner]
Carlton Mews Church to be Saved From Danger of Collapse [Brownstoner] GMAP DOB
11/30/2011 2:40 PM
Comment
Will a Visitors’ Center Lure Tourists to Green-Wood?
We missed the Brooklyn Daily story yesterday about Green-Wood Cemetery’s pending purchase of of the landmark McGovern-Weir Florist building that talked about how the cemetery’s motivation for buying and renovating the structure has to do with making Green-Wood more attractive to tourists: “Even with its history, the 173-year-old cemetery just south of Prospect Park hasn’t been a huge tourist draw since the horse-and-buggy days — though in recent years, the cemetery has reached out to a new audience with tours and site-specific dance pieces.” The cemetery intends to turn the building into a visitors’ center and museum. Meanwhile, Aaron Brashear of the Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights is quoted as saying that he thinks renovating the long-dilapidated structure on 25th Street and 5th Avenue will be “a win for both the neighborhood and the cemetery.” The sale of the building hasn’t made it to public records yet, but it was listed for $1,500,000 along with an adjacent wood-frame house. We wonder how much a thorough renovation is going to cost.
Green-Wood’s New Gateway? [Brooklyn Daily]
City Council Approves Sale of Landmark Florist Building [Brownstoner]
Landmark Greenwood Florist Building in Contract [Brownstoner]
Landmarked Florist Building Up For Sale [Brownstoner] GMAP
11/29/2011 9:30 AM
Comment
panyl
May 21, 2012 | 02:16 PM