502 New York Ave: Not So Bad? Eh, Pretty Bad
We received another development submission from a reader (keep ’em coming, folks). This one happens to be at 502 New York Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. (Let’s just say we’d be pleased as punch if this discussion could stay on track about the development and design without yet another digression into how safe the nabe…
We received another development submission from a reader (keep ’em coming, folks). This one happens to be at 502 New York Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. (Let’s just say we’d be pleased as punch if this discussion could stay on track about the development and design without yet another digression into how safe the nabe is.) Anyway, here’s what the reader had to say about the new structure:
Certainly the design is not a paradigm of tasteful restraint, but you can see that at least an effort has been made to build something of some quality – not a Fedders box in sight, or any of those window cages so common on other buildings in Hassidic areas. And while the juliette balconies on the front may not be suitable for religious use (except for the top ones), the back has three big, staggered balconies for Sukkoth.
The photo at top right shows a view of the construction site next door to 502 on the NW corner of Lefferts Ave and New York Avenue; at bottom left is a for-sale sign on the lot across the street from 502.
Comment: Looks like a veritable building boom is underway in PLG!
Freedom of religion?? If those window cages are a fire hazard, they should NOT be allowed, regardless of their religious significance.
And about kids falling off windows… No one should have as many kids if they don’t have the time/energy/ressources/whatever to keep an eye on them and take good care of them.
Why would you intentionally go for banality/ugliness? I don’t think that was this developer’s idea at all — and I maintain that it is better that the Fedders boxes going up all over.
Babs,
I’m not aware of any temples in PLG at present. The Moravian Church on Ocean Ave. was a conservative synagogue when I first moved to the neighborhood, but I don’t remember any others.
IMO the buildings, while not especially to my taste, look OK–they could be much worse.
As to the term “spillover”, I’ve heard it used for years with no predjudicial intent. It’s my understanding that the “brownstone revival” in Brooklyn started in the late ’50s with the movement of middle class house hunters across Atlantic Ave. from Brooklyn Heights to the much more rundown Cobble Hill (I’m NOT kidding–I heard this 30 some odd years ago from Everett Ortner who could be considered the dean of the brownstone “movement”). I don’t think the term “spillover” was used then (although it could have been appropriate), but I remember the term being used in the early ’70s to describe people like me moving from apartments in Park Slope to houses in PLG (for example). I’ve certainly never found the term in the least bit offensive.
Exactly, Bx2Bklyn — just because someone dresses in the typical Hassidic style, that doesn’t mean they all believe the same things or worship at the same temples — I know the Satmars (predominantly Williamsburg) and the Lubavitchers (predominantly Crown Heights) can get quite testy with one another at times. And I think the Hassidim on Ocean Avenue are from Boro Park/Midwood as opposed to Crown Heights, whereas this building is targeted at the Crown Heights Lubavitchers.
And there are beautiful fire escapes out there — just not on the buildings on New York Ave., which are primarily post-war.
Especially in light of the PLG hullabaloo we’ve just emerged from, I truly agree with all of you about the need to be more careful not to offend. So, if I have made an unwittingly offensive remark here, I hereby apologize! The hoped for point of my comments is that the area is diversifying in many ways. The arrival of Hasids is just one aspect of the shifting neighborhood demographics.
Babs, Hasidim actually have quite a few different sects, some following different rebbe, others following different sets of strictures.Some are more orthodox than others.
and re balconies vs fire escapes- I’ve seen some beautiful wrought iron fire escapes on victorian buildings that would put any balcony to shame. Still, in NYC they scream tenement. To kids of immigrants like me though, they represent our history so I have a real affection for them. Are there still iron workers who can do that type of work any more?
Unfortunately these blocks of New York Avenue are primarily undistinguished apartment buildings — I don’t think this sticks out as much as the horrible three family Fedders houses going up everywhere. And those balconies sure beat fire escapes.
And I meant absolutely nothing prejudicial in my use of the term spillover — any group moving into a neighboring area represents spillover — as in spillover of Fort Greene residents into Clinton Hill, etc.
And the Hassidim going down to Midwood to worship may be of a different sect than the Lubavitchers from Eastern Parkway — maybe they’re more affiliated with the Boro Park Hassidim?
Come on, dudes, let’s not go down this road…