Building of the Day: 278 Clinton Avenue
The Building of the Day 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: 278 Clinton Avenue, between DeKalb and Willoughby avenues Name: Private house Neighborhood: Clinton Hill (Clinton…
The Building of the Day 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: 278 Clinton Avenue, between DeKalb and Willoughby avenues
Name: Private house
Neighborhood: Clinton Hill (Clinton Hill Historic District)
Year Built: 1884, approximately
Architectural Style: Queen Anne, with Neo-Grec elements
Architects: Unknown
Landmarked: Yes
The 1981 LPC designation report for Clinton Hill calls this house surely the most eccentric house in the historic district and is, unfortunately, one of the major houses for which historical information is unavailable. It really is some house.
It’s next door to the grounds of the wood-frame Queen Anne at 284 Clinton Avenue, which affords even more curb appeal, and the expansive foliage softens the edges of this large mansion, surrounded by an ornate wrought iron fence. Then there’s that unusual corner bay, which juts out like a castle turret, with a sturdy balcony held up with carved stone brackets.
The whole house, which is quite large, projects a massive sturdiness, from the use of the contrasting red brick and white limestone, to the large porch and upper balcony on the front of the building.
A photo of the beveled glass side window, shot in winter without foliage, shows the delicacy of form amid the massive columns, brackets and cornice, as does the intricate brickwork. There are lots of great houses on Clinton Ave. If I could have any of them, I’d take this one. It’s long been a favorite.
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Building of the Day: 284 Clinton Avenue
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One of my favorites as well. There is another house, I think between Lafayette and Greene, that also always catches my eye, of a similar massing, though not at this jaunty angle. It has some interesting ornamentation though, including Stars of David. I wish I could remember the number, but it’s been a while since i lived in that area.
I should add that I like many of the individual elements/details, just not all of them at once.
Obviously a matter of pure taste, but I find this house incredibly ugly, although impressively so. Definitely tests the limits of how *period* I can get.
Opinion offered only in the interests of balance, since everyone else seems to love it. 🙂
MM, simply outstanding photo today 🙂
No cars, trees, or street lights. No glare, or left/right tilt, only a trace of lean, well done!
This looks somewhat Montrosian to me, but maybe a little over the top even for him. I like the use of the poodle order for the columns.
Taxes are 12K. Which makes me think it’s still a single family abode.
Very unusual. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Beeeyootiful. Nice choice, MM.
Furking awesome. Love the corner skew.
Can we get some market intelligence on this puppy?
***Bid half off peak comps***