Building of the Day: 32 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, one building at a time. Name: former Frank Squier house Address: 32 Prospect Park West, between Montgomery and Garfield Places Neighborhood: Park Slope Year Built: 1888 Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival Architect: George P. Chappell Other buildings by architect: In Park Slope, 283-289 Garfield, 37-43 Montgomery, CHN, BS, and Clinton Hill. Landmarked: Yes, part of…
Brooklyn, one building at a time.
Name: former Frank Squier house
Address: 32 Prospect Park West, between Montgomery and Garfield Places
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Year Built: 1888
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architect: George P. Chappell
Other buildings by architect: In Park Slope, 283-289 Garfield, 37-43 Montgomery, CHN, BS, and Clinton Hill.
Landmarked: Yes, part of the PS Historic District, designated in 1973.
The story: Back in the late 1800’s, Prospect Park West was called Ninth Avenue, and was lined with mansions and fine rowhouses. As the popularity of the neighborhood increased, many of those mansions and homes were razed for the large apartment buildings that now line the street. But fortunately, some of the row houses and mansions remain, and they are among Park Slope’s architectural treasures. This house, by George P. Chappell, is one of them. Originally there were two houses; 32 and its mate, 33, lost to the apartment building on the left. They were built for Frank Squier, a successful paper merchant with offices in Manhattan. He was also Brooklyn Parks Commissioner during the 1890’s, and must have enjoyed his largest office just across the street. It was he who was responsible for the commissioning the Quadria statues atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Grand Army Plaza, as well as the Horse Tamers statues at the Park Circle entrance, and he commissioned Stanford White to re-design the north entrance to the park. He also moved the headquarters of the Parks Dept. to Litchfield mansion. George Chappell designed his home in rustic brownstone and brick; rather humble materials for this grand avenue, but totally in synch with the philosophies of Olmsted and Vaux, the designers of the park. This house would fit in quite nicely on any of the side streets in the area, but stands out here on Prospect Park West. Chappell was a master of stylistic nuance, and this house, so ordinary at first glance, has a lot going on. His use of materials, the subtlety in the carved elements, and his use of brick as ornament is classic Chappell. The best part of the house is in how he plays off the rounded arches of the windows and door against the squareness of the bay, totally clad in rough cut brownstone. Add the long, thin slot window in the steeply pitched gable and you really have greatness. In 1919, the neo-Federal houses were built next door, adding to the architectural mix that makes this block of PPW so interesting.
Especially with the bike lane.
CPW or Fifth? Having lived on one for 7 years and a block and a half from the other for another 7 years, I prefer PPW.
“All this subject to Benson’s review, of course.”
Mr. Gray;
As you may have noticed, I’ve scaled back my comments. However, since you asked…
…..I think your assessment is dead on. The only comment I would add is that if this city were truly progressive, this home, and the one next to it, would have been torn down to make way for an apartment building. PPW could be our CPW or 5th Ave, one of the jewels of Brooklyn.
It has a certain butch charm. Very broad-shouldered, Chicago-esque. But it’s the windows that are doing it such a disservice. I’m assuming the original design would have been 1-over-1 or even 2-over-2?
the second photo crops the gable in an unfortunate manner because the pointy top is perhaps the facade’s best feature.
Interesting that Mr. S. built two houses at once, frequently done when a congenial occupancy – friend or relative – is projected as the next door tenant. That was Elijah R. Kennedy, insurance guy and, like Squier, a parks commissioner.
Strange that, on a 1929 landmap, the footprint of 33, although matching the facade line of 32, is completely different as to the side and rear. But RERG stated that (1888) they were going to be “in one design.”
Christopher
Ho hum. Awkward, clunky, homely. Scrumptious parts, sub-mediocre assembly. Picture windows aren’t helping, but Chappell has done much better. All this subject to Benson’s review, of course.
Kudos to the owner on the garden, though.
Christopher Gray
I’ve seen the guy that lives there, I think he is some kind of celebrity. Very Cool looking. At least he still kept the character of the house intact.. I would love a tour of the inside.
I like that Chappell is all over the place with his styles…