Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Phat Albert Warehouse
Address: 495 Flatbush Avenue
Cross Streets: Empire Blvd and Lefferts Avenue
Neighborhood: Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Year Built: 1925
Architectural Style: Industrial with Classical details
Architect: Unknown
Landmarked: No

The story: For those growing up in Flatbush, and in the shadow of Ebbett’s Field, this was always the Bond Bakery building. In researching this iconic piece of Brooklyn history, I’ve found that everyone who grew up here from before World War II to at least the Vietnam era, remembers the tantalizing smell of baking bread emanating from the bakery. They also remember the clock tower keeping time for the neighborhood.

The Bond Bakery supplied bread to the New York area, and was known for its special rye bread, sold under the Grossinger’s name, which it leased from that famed Catskills resort. I wasn’t able to find out when they stopped baking here, but in 1997, the building was sold by the Denk Baking Corporation to the owners of Phat Albert’s.

It really is a fine building, especially the tower, and serves as the entryway to PLG, and to greater Flatbush. It would be great if the clocks could be restored, and all of the boarded-up windows re-glassed. The tower would make a great community space/museum/gallery. There is now a day care center and school on the second floor. There have long been cries to landmark this building for its architectural merit, place in the streetscape of Flatbush, and its history. I hope that happens; it’s certainly worthy. GMAP

(Originally posted on 7/23/10)

 

Photo: Brooklynpix.com.

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