Editor’s note: An updated version of this post can be viewed here.

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:
271 Ninth Street, between 4th and 5th Avenues
Name: Former William B. Croynyn House, now Slope Music and residence
Year Built: 1856-57
Architectural Style: Italianate/French Second Empire
Architects: Patrick Keely
Landmarked: yes, also on National Registry of Historic Places

Why chosen: The first time I passed this house, I couldn’t believe it was there, nestled between its neighbors, a bright spot of color amidst some flats buildings and the Van Brunt Post Office. How absolutely cool! The history of the house is equally interesting. It was designed by Patrick Keely in 1856, probably one of his first commissions. He would go on to be the most prolific Catholic church architect on the East Coast, designing hundreds of churches in NY, CT, and Massachusetts. At the time, Park Slope was suburbia, and country villas of this kind were built as retreats for busy successful businessmen like Croynyn, who was a successful Wall Street man. The house remained in the Croynyn family only until 1862. By 1898, nearby 4th Avenue had grown up as a commercial street, and the location was perfect for Charles Higgins to establish his Higgins Ink Company offices and factory. The factory was located directly behind the house, and today is housing. In addition to his very successful, (and still going strong) ink business, Higgins was responsible for the Minerva statue in Green-Wood Cemetery, and is buried behind her, on the hill. In 1981, jazz musician and teacher Charles Sibirsky and his wife purchased the house, and opened a music school. Architect Eric Safyan restored the entryway and the decorative ironwork cresting, as well as a new rear deck. The house has all of the classic Second Empire goodies: the general shape, mansard roof, the decorative slate tiles, and the handsome cupola. It also has many Italianate elements, especially in the acanthus brackets on the porch and those supporting the roofs of the bays. This is a great house, with a great history, fortunately preserved by Higgins Ink for all of the years when it probably would have been lost, ending in the fantastic restoration by the Sibirsky’s.

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Photo: Googlemaps

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Photo: Forgotten NY


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  1. Wonderful building & kept with real spirit.

    FYI, Higgins Ink Company was later bought by Sanford, the folks behind Sharpies, Papermate and Liquid Paper (Liquid Paper was invented by the mother of the Monkees’ Michael Nesmith!). Sanford was then bought by Newell Rubbermaid but Higgins was sold off to the art supply company ChartPak. I hope ChartPak has the right color blue to touch up the house.

    There’s an awesome historical Higgins ad at http://www.higginsinks.com/images/sub/about_lg/ad2.jpg

  2. I walk by this house all the time and share everyone’s love. It would be even better if they had a backyard, but hey – I’d still kill for it. Are there any pictures online of the interior?

  3. 1856 seems very early for Second Empire-style architecture in Brooklyn. I wonder if the house wasn’t originally two stories and the mansard roof a later addition, perhaps added by the new owners after 1862.

  4. About 30 years ago there was still a second similar house on this block of 9th Street that functioned as an excellent prix fixe restaurant, where you were served a meal in the owners Victorian-furnished home. It’s a shame that was torn down. I’m glad this house is an individual landmark.

  5. I love this house. It is one of my favorite painted ladies anywhere.
    I did not know this was designed by Patrick Keely. How surprising.
    I thought he only did churches.
    The roof is really a tour de force! What was up there do you think? A ballroom?

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