Final Two Buildings at Teen Challenge Compound in Clinton Hill Demolished for Planned Townhouses

The final two buildings on a block-through property formerly owned by a Christian organization in Clinton Hill have been demolished.

One is a carriage house likely dating from the same time as the brick mansion that was formerly on the property that has already been razed. Located at 434AB Vanderbilt Avenue, it was neo-Federal in style and part of a National Register historic district but not protected.

The other was a blue and white building resembling a school that dates from the mid 20th century, located at 443 Vanderbilt Avenue.

The property used to be owned by Teen Challenge (now called Adult & Teen Challenge), a Christian organization that provides residential treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, as well as an after school program for children. The organization was founded in 1960 by David Wilkerson, author of the book “The Cross and the Switchblade” and pastor at the Times Square Church in Manhattan, the same year they purchased the property in Clinton Hill.

They sold the property to 444 Clinton LLC for $17 million in July 2019, but still own a landmarked freestanding Colonial Revival home at 416 Clinton Avenue. Previously, they owned a number of other buildings on the block, including the former Charles A. Schieren mansion at 405 Clinton Avenue, which they sold in 1969.

The new owner — developer Pinny Loktch of The Loktch Group, according to building permits — plans residences on both Vanderbilt and Clinton avenues. Plans call for seven three-story townhouses, permits for which have been filed but not yet approved, at 444 Clinton Avenue. On the other side of the property, which goes all the way through the block, with an address of 445 Vanderbilt Avenue, the developer intends to build a five-story apartment building. According to building permits, there will be 43 units, 25 parking spaces (13 of which will be off site), and 22 spaces for bicycles.

Marvel Architects is the applicant of record for the entire project. Among their many projects in Brooklyn, they have designed two separate nine-story buildings six blocks away at 909 Atlantic Avenue, which launched an affordable housing lottery in August.

[Photos by Craig Hubert unless otherwise noted]

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• Wrecking Ball Comes to Teen Challenge Compound in Clinton Hill Where Townhouses Are Planned
• New Signage at Teen Challenge Center a Real Bummer
• House of the Day: 405 Clinton Avenue

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