Building of the Day: 613 Vanderbilt 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: 613 Vanderbilt Ave, between Bergen and St. Marks
Name: Commercial/residential building
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
Year Built: 1898
Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival
Architect: A. Nordberg
Landmarked: Yes

A good commercial street has lots of stores and businesses. A great commercial street is much more than just the goods offered, it’s the entire mix of commerce, architecture and people interacting in the streetscape.

Vanderbilt has everything it needs to fulfill that potential, and is leaping ahead to achieve it. There are examples of at least 100 years worth of different styles on this street, and this is one of my favorite buildings.

It’s one of the most ornate, and the durability and excellence of the ornament shows that the architect, A. Nordberg, and original client, Sophia Freburg, intended to make a strong statement and impact with their building.

It’s got pilasters and Ionic capitals, festoons, lion’s heads, rosettes and a fine cornice with brackets and wreaths. The top floor has ornate pedimented lintels, and my favorite detail, two ornate wrought iron wall anchors.

The storefront has been altered over the years, but the buildings still encourages you to look up and admire all of the ornament. Visual eye candy above and beyond the goods in the store windows.