An Appeal From the Owners of the Broken Angel
As many of us suspected, the fire at the Broken Angel has brought increased scrutiny by the Department of Buildings, prompting this appeal from the owners’ son post on Brooklyn Record last night: The New York City Building department is attempting to remove my parents from their home of 30 years, unless we immediatly get…
As many of us suspected, the fire at the Broken Angel has brought increased scrutiny by the Department of Buildings, prompting this appeal from the owners’ son post on Brooklyn Record last night:
The New York City Building department is attempting to remove my parents from their home of 30 years, unless we immediatly get an architect or engineer to bring the building to NYC codes. We do not have the money to do this. If there is anyone out there who is qualified and willing to work Pro Bono we desperately need the help, contributions are also welcome. You can contact my father. Arthur Wood, 4 Downing St, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Also we appeal to David Chappelle and Michel Gondry.Our home became the backdrop for your wonderful concert film, please help us to save it now.
BREAKING: Broken Angel on Fire! [Brooklyn Record]
yeah, folks, it’s interesting how everybody goes hog wild over the house with the ugly ‘backpack’ addition, but here you turn around and say private residences have no bearing on the public. this is what they mean by ‘community,’ it’s not just complaining to the cops about your neighbors.
this makes no sense. when the building was on fire a lot of people reacted as though a precious landmark was on fire. we love it, we admire it, we adore it. Some people think it’s an awful mess but a work of art nonetheless.
isn’t this building an oddity that deserves to be preserved, even if it’s with the pro-bono help of architects.
They probably should try to reach out the design and architecture students over at Pratt
This buildig leaves me speechless. I don’t know whether I hate it or love it. But I think it represents the creative, resourceful and pioneering spirit of old brooklyn.
it’s sad that they had to request public donations. but isn’t the experience of gazing at the broken angel and wondering ‘wtf’ worth at least $5.
maybe they should convert the ground floor into a museum that chronicles the evolution of this structure and keep the upper floors residential.
Wow, that’s lame. Broken Angel is much more than just a “private home,” and I for one would be sad to see that building become another condo development. Just because they don’t have non-profit status doesn’t mean Arthur Wood and his family aren’t providing a public service by bringing art to what had been an otherwise blighted area. Is there anyone else out there who appreciates this building and wants to help bring it to code? Brownstoner, will you post this on Brooklyn Record?
The building must be worth a great deal of money. The Wood family are artists, creative people who paid next to nothing for it 30 years ago. There must be resources here for them. If we are to fund an art project, perhaps it’s time to see if they can get an NEA grant?
I know we should all look out for our neighbors and help in a time of need, but I am finding it hard to open my wallet to help a private property owner who has blissfully ignored building regulations for as long as they have. Love the structure, but that is about as far as my charity goes.
If everyone on Brownstoner/ Brooklyn Record sends in $10 or what they can afford, that might add up. I’ll send mine to the above address. Broken Angel is an important and unique Brooklyn landmark and should be supported in its time of need.
I agree – I’m sorry they this is happening – but they don’t deserve handouts for the work. Perhaps they want to turn the bulding into a non-profit and open it to the public – they perhaps it would be worthy of charity. Fixing up someone’s private home does not deserve donations. If it did, I would be looking for hand outs for a new kitchen.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Broken Angel is beautiful art but poor housing. People could have been killed. The DOB is right to step in.
To be honest, the building doesn’t look that sturdy. If it collapsed then everybody would be after the NYC buildings department.
Maybe a professional arcitect or engineer is a good thing.