Architecture 101: Bed Stuy's Boys High School
We were admiring this photo of the Romanesque Revival Boys’ High School at 832 Marcy Avenue on Flickr by gkjarvis (who, in our opinion, is doing some of the best architectural photography in the borough right now), and wanting to write something about it, so we consulted our small library of books that deal with…
We were admiring this photo of the Romanesque Revival Boys’ High School at 832 Marcy Avenue on Flickr by gkjarvis (who, in our opinion, is doing some of the best architectural photography in the borough right now), and wanting to write something about it, so we consulted our small library of books that deal with this kind of thing. After finding only a short entry in the AIA Guide to New York City, we opened Kevin Walsh’s recently published Forgotten New York and were pleased to find this more satisfying entry:
Irish architect James Naughton built the block-long Boys’ High School at Marcy and Putnam Avenues from 1891 to 1892, with its imposing corner towers and rich terra-cotta details. Authors Norman Mailer, Jack Newfield, Isaac Asimov and NBA Phoenix Suns star Connie Hawkins attended school here. Byoys’ High’s towers are of two distinct designs: one is a tall, squarish tower with thin windows, and the other is a more traditional conical tower that seems to match the rest of the building more. Its roof is pleasantly uneven, with cornices, flagpoles, dormers, arches and moldings.
AIA notes that the building’s Romanes is designed “in the manner of Louis Sullivan.” For a broad selection of photos of the building, check out NYC-architecture.com.
Photo by gkjarvis.
My father graduated from here in 1943 and lived 5 blocks away on Marcy Ave. According to my uncle, this is where “the smart kids went to school.” How awesome to get educated in such a building.
My gramps attended school there. Beautiful building.
This is one of the most beautiful and amazing buildings in Brooklyn. Truly gorgeous! The facade and interior were recently restored, and the building is the site of at least 2 alternative schools, and continuing ed programs, so the school is still a valuable benefit to the community.
It’s also the starting place of the Bed Stuy House Tour tomorrow, so if you want to see it close up, and also get inside a bit (the auditorium is beautiful) here’s your chance. Home buying seminars and crafts bazaar start at 9 AM, tours begin at 11AM. School is at the corner of Marcy and Putnam Ave. Take A train to Nostrand Ave.