Building of the Day: 10 Grand Army Plaza
Editors note: This post has been updated to include new images. 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: 10 Grand Army Plaza Name: Central Branch,…
Editors note: This post has been updated to include new images.
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: 10 Grand Army Plaza
Name: Central Branch, Brooklyn Public Library
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
Year Built: 1937-1941
Architectural Style: Modern Classical
Architects: Alfred M. Githens and Francis Keally
Landmarked: Yes
Why chosen: The Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library is one of Brooklyn’s best Modernist buildings. What many people don’t realize is that this building represents the finished product of a library building begun in 1908. Brooklyn architect Raymond Almirall was commissioned to build a Beaux-Art classical style building that would complement the Arch, the entrance to the park, and the Brooklyn Museum. But in 1913, the funds dried up, leaving a large empty foundation dug, and a west wing on Flatbush Avenue. The uncompleted project sat there for 30 years, until the city got around to resuming the project in 1937. (You think public works projects are slow now?) By this time, Beaux-Arts architecture out, it was the age of sleek, modern, machine age design. A new team of architects, Githens & Keally, were brought in. Confined to the foundations and wall already there, they designed a great library in what is called the Modern Classical style. The Flatbush Ave wing was stripped of its marble sheathing, and worked into the new design. The entrance was redesigned to curve in and welcome visitors. The ornamentation reflects the Art Deco/Moderne sensibility and love of design in relief. The reliefs on either side of the doors were designed by Carl Jennwein, and the bronze screen is by Thomas Hudson Jones. Quotations about seeking knowledge welcome the reader into the library. The cast zinc eagle just inside the entrance once graced the old Brooklyn Eagle Building, razed for Cadman Plaza. Through the doors lies one of the best modernist interiors in NYC, and a great library.
[instagram_embedding url=”https://www.instagram.com/p/BKGZa1cjlsv/?taken-by=bklynlibrary”]
But MM–I’m RIGHT 🙂
True. All the good stuff in Brooklyn is in Crown Heights. How long have I been saying that, anyway?
Fantastic, MM — great history lesson too.
“If I had said either Crown Hts or Park Slope, there would be 45 comments on here about how wrong I was. So far, only YOU!!!! :)”
But MM–I’m RIGHT 🙂
There is a subway station (or rather the bones of a station that was never built) that is adjacent to the new concert/lecture hall (the Dweck). It was, I believe, to be an added stop on the BMT (now the B,Q) line between the 7th Ave. and Prospect Park stations, not on the IRT (now 2,3,4) line.
The library is MAGNIFICENT–and the people who work there are super nice too. Everyone should try to make a donation to BPL before the end of the year. I always love going there and seeing all walks of life using the place. It’s what NYC is all about.
M.M. Bob is right , I’ve live here for 39 yrs. It has always been Crown heights .It is great to see the old building looking good again , but there was a time in the 80’s where gangs use to hang out at the back exit of the library near the park , and they wasn’t studying math . does anyone remember the “autobots” and the “decepticons” ? not to mention the empty crak viles up and down the sidewalk . Yeah she’s come along way.
I love this building . I grew up directly in front of the underhill entrence . It’s funny how we take things for granted just because you see it every day. Got my first kiss at this library and from that moment to this i’ve loved Books. –
Bob, the choices I have for neighborhoods from the data base aren’t that nuanced. I could choose from Prospect Hts, Crown Heights or Park Slope. If I had said either Crown Hts or Park Slope, there would be 45 comments on here about how wrong I was. So far, only YOU!!!! 🙂
Another great BotD; Thanks!
One of my fave buildings of that period too.