Building of the Day: 71-75 Downing Street
The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy. Address: 71-75 Downing Street, between Gates and Putnam Name: Rowhouses Neighborhood: Clinton Hill Year Built: 1890 Architectural Style: Queen…
The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.
Address: 71-75 Downing Street, between Gates and Putnam
Name: Rowhouses
Neighborhood: Clinton Hill
Year Built: 1890
Architectural Style: Queen Anne
Architect: George B. Chappell
Landmarked: Yes
Why chosen: The LPC went out of their way to designate this group of houses. They are considered one of the finest group of Queen Anne houses in Clinton Hill. George Chappell, who is one of my favorite architects, was very imaginative in his use of materials and shapes. All of his buildings are wonderfully eclectic and varied, even if there are similarities. His experiments with the Queen Anne style led to this group, as well as a forgotten group on Pacific Street in Crown Heights North near his masterpiece church, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal, and his most famous QA group on Dean Street, between Nostrand and Bedford, also in Crown Heights North, where much of his work still stands. All three groups have fish scale shingle trims, and his signature woven wrought iron window gates, and unusual dormers, bays and gables. At one time they all had Mediterranean tile roofs. Sadly, all three groups are in pretty sad shape. Surfaces have been stuccoed or stonefaced, windows have lost stained glass, and have been altered or replaced, repairs have not been in the original materials, details have been removed, and all of these houses have been plumb wore out. Since both neighborhoods are on the rise. I hope to see all three rows restored someday. Chappell deserves that much.
(Pacific St, between Nostrand and Bedford, Crown Heights North)
(Dean St. between Nostrand and Bedford, Crown Heights North)
These houses are great. It is 69-77 Downing street by the way (5 houses), Mirrored in a Queen Anne way around number 73
But indeed the facades being eclectic makes it hard to maintain them. Many materials, make for many small tasks that drive up the costs and complexity of repairs/upkeep. The singles are not cedar but terracotta so very hard to replicate (unless anybody knows a good source for that…)
In addition to that, most Brownstone shed all their rain water to the rear, these wonderfull facades are full of gutters, dormers and other items that can start to leak.
Number 77 was restored on a budget with LPC approvals a few years back, window lines line up with the stained glass that remains at 71. However it is missing its gutter around the little tower.
All other windows are indeed al cheap replacements and it would be great if they all would get back to a better state someday soon. At least 69-75 still have the original door with ironwork and not a Homedepot horrorshow replacement!
This row on Downing is actually five houses, no? A former colleague of mine looked at the house on thefar right about nine years ago. It had been gutted and rehabbed very oddly inside – lots of awkward angles. Rob, not sure what to say about your point. Generally I would disagree, but I do think that historically accurate renovations here might be quite expensive, what with the custom windows, shingles, etc.
There are several of these groups that I have long admired. There is one particularly intact shingled Queen Anne house in Crown Hts painted bright lilac. It’s a standout. These rows are just beautiful. Nice selection.
most likely the owners wont even be able to make any upgrades since it’s been landmarked. jk. everyone always says that isnt the case, but i have a sneaking suspicion it is for a lot of home owners.
i like the eclectic look of the street scape tho. very urban hillbilly.
*rob*
looks kind of like a tub of Neapolitan ice cream
Neat. I hope they get revived. Looks like there may be bits and pieces still in place that could be used to select materials for a someday restoration. I like the one on the far right especially. Very unusual.
the one on the far left looks like its been Greenpointed