Building of the Day:1341 Bedford Avenue
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: 1341 Bedford Avenue, between Pacific and Dean Streets, aka Grant’s Square Name: Apartment House, ground floor occupied by…
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: 1341 Bedford Avenue, between Pacific and Dean Streets, aka Grant’s Square
Name: Apartment House, ground floor occupied by Erskine Funeral Home
Neighborhood: Crown Heights North (Crown Heights North Historic District)
Year Built: 1888
Architectural Style: Queen Anne
Architect: George P. Chappell
Landmarked: Yes
This is the oldest multiple-unit building in Crown Heights North, built when Grant’s Square was one of the finest addresses in Bedford, as the neighborhood used to be called.
Situated next door to Montrose Morris’ Imperial Apartments, and across from the 23rd Regiment Armory and the Union Club, this was the center of social life in this part of Brooklyn. The building is only 21 feet wide and was once fashionable bachelor’s flats.
The facade is remarkably well preserved above the first floor, with pressed metal, carved stone, and wrought iron details.
The attic floor is now closed off, and was probably the original servant’s quarters. The presence of the Erskine Funeral Home, which has been there for years, altered the ground floor and original entrance, but does not overly distract from the vertical power of this slim tower.
This building joins the rest of the fine buildings facing Grant’s Square, still holding its own with the other masterpieces there.
[Photos by Suzanne Spellen]
Rob, there are 4 units, I don’t know anything else, sorry.
Pigeon, parts of Bed Stuy and Crown Heights were known as Bedford 100 years ago. Grant Square was the jewel of Bedford. Later, this part of Bedford became known as the St. Marks District. Fifty years ago, some people called this area part of Bed Stuy, although the name Crown Heights has been around a long time. I think its finally settled down into Crown Heights North.
are those just regular apartments now? condos? coops?
*rob*
Funky little bachelor pod.
I didn’t know Crown Heights North had once been called Bedford.