Building of the Day: 503 Atlantic Avenue

Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Loft building
Address: 503 Atlantic Avenue
Cross Streets: Third Avenue and Nevins Street
Neighborhood: Downtown Brooklyn
Year Built: around 1900
Architectural Style: Beaux-Arts
Architect: Unknown
Landmarked: No

The story: I’ve always found this building to be visually arresting, both in the colors it’s been painted, as well as for its design. It is sandwiched, quite literally, between the commercial/residential buildings of the 1870’s-80’s, and the 1920’s-30’s. None of my on-line sources helped me out as to exactly when it was built, or by whom, but here’s what I was able to find out:

The building wasn’t here in 1887, when this location was the home of one Harry M. Hyer. He had a grand birthday party thrown for him at this address, on Dec. 30, 1887. Harry had just turned 18, and was given lots of presents by his friends. Harry was a musician, and his name appears in the Eagle throughout this period of time, as a coronetist, violinist, and bandleader who played social gigs and well as church soloists. Although loft buildings have always been associated with musicians, I don’t think that’s what was happening here. Harry’s home must have been torn down for this building, and could have been an Italianate residential brownstone like its neighbor, with retail on the ground floor.

The next time this address appears in print is 1928, when the Peck Advertising Agency buys in and renames it the “Peck Building”. The article in the NY Times goes on to say that the loft building would be home to the agency, which was expanding to accommodate new clients and business. They couldn’t have picked a worse time, as the Great Depression was on the horizon. In 1931, the building was sold, and the Peck Agency was gone.

Today, the handsome loft building is condos, with a retail store on the ground floor. There are nine residential units in the building and two commercial units, according to Property Shark. It’s a beautiful building, and the eye cannot help but be drawn to the dramatic pressed metal Beaux-Arts ornament at the top. It was painted green a few years ago, and now bright blue. It was white when the Peck Agency had it, as was the rest of the building. I like the brick and the contrast between the ornamental elements and the rest of the building. The storefront also complements the rest of the façade. History making? No, but quite a nice addition to the varied streetscape of Atlantic Avenue. GMAP