Freaky Friday: Greenwood Goth
On the same block as yesterday’s supersized makeover and the now-infamous Tile House sits another facelifted architectural wonder some in the neighborhood have taken to calling the Goth House, perhaps because of the Gothic-style iron work, the castle-like brick work and, yes, the dragons affixed to the facade. You can’t make this stuff up! Update:…
On the same block as yesterday’s supersized makeover and the now-infamous Tile House sits another facelifted architectural wonder some in the neighborhood have taken to calling the Goth House, perhaps because of the Gothic-style iron work, the castle-like brick work and, yes, the dragons affixed to the facade. You can’t make this stuff up! Update: Denton just sent in a photo he had lying around of the Goth House on Halloween. It’s posted on the jump. GMAP
Benson, didn’t the event happen in Queens?
I think it’s fine. The before appearance was nothing to write home about. It’s not in a landmarked block, the modifications are to scale, and reflect the overall materials and vocabulary of a brownstone neighborhood.
Oh, and Slopey, one more thing:
My “groupthink” comment pertains to the reaction that occurs when Mr. B. is criticized. I wasn’t talking about the reaction to the house.
Slopey;
I think we’re fairly close on the issue of taste, context, etc. so I won’t quibble on the differences.
I remain on my point about the homeless story. If Mr. B. kept this blog about architecture and real estate, I would not have brought it up. But need I remind you that he has covered stories about blocked bicycle lanes, people who unleash their dogs during regular park hours, Brooklyn politics, and crime in select areas. For the umpteemth time I’ll say that it is he, not I, who makes a crusade (on Friday’s, it seems) about homes that don’t suit his gentry tastes, now to the point of picking out private homes, in non-landmarked areas, that are NOT for sale.
I think I’m doing Mr. B. a favor in telling him to stop looking at his navel, if he has aspirations to cover Brooklyn/NYC on more general issues.
Unlike the Tile House, I actually like this house. Its not my taste but it does show someone’s vision and love for their house. They put some thought and decent to good quality material into the project. Like Minard said, its not just cheap crap (like Tile House). This is whimsical. And a big improvement over the vinyl clad house.
He gets points for nice windows, window frames, brick quality, wrought iron quality (even if a bit over the top). Minus points for the disproportion on the 2nd floor. Could have elongated windows as mentioned or added a cornice detail. Minus for the odd light fixture and fedders box (at least he took off the sign and painted black to match). I won’t deduct for the odd halloween ornaments (it IS my favorite holiday) because they can be removed by a future owner. Overall B-
yeah, but Benson’s objections make no sense, and so people are free to comment on that as well. to try to knock some sense in him. benson, sweetie, this is a real estate blog, people discuss real estate, do you understand?
benson, what groupthink? Most folks did not join a chorus of condemning the house. I also don’t think what Mr. B intended was that caustic. I think he just throws it out there. I agree with arkady’s take on it.
Your comparison with the story not covered could go for any story on this or almost any Brooklyn blog. I’m not sure where it gets us. The homeless person is more important than the closing of Freddy’s, the opening of a new restaurant, etc. I think you have made a good, but narrowr point, on the limits of context and the imposition of taste on others, and GH is sort of an interessting ground zero to work out those ideas. I don’t think you needed to inflate that point to where you took it.
Yes, Mr. B has kind of discovered Greenwood heights quirkiness. This is a neighborhood where your points about the limits of context are well-taken. There is no real significant architectural history to preserve. Some stuff that would look gruesome on, say, Montgomery Place, are enjoyable here. I think context means something very different in a hood like GH than in prime brownstone areas, and I think Mr. B’s posts lend themselves to a discussion of that.
ENY;
That about sums it up. Thanks. Have a good weekend.
“Like ENY says, take a day off from self-righteousness. Make that a year.”
HEY! I didn’t say that! It was Action Jackson!
I definitely understand where Benson is coming from, but then again this is Mr. B’s blog, giving him the freedom to observe as he sees fit. Benson, in turn can voice his objections. It’s the American way.