bricked-over windows
I’ve seen many bricked-over windows in various kinds of apartments (brownstones and tenements) throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. Very often a column of windows one on top of the other in the whole building will be covered. Some buildings even have multiple columns bricked over, with beautiful exterior window frames intact. I always assumed that this…
I’ve seen many bricked-over windows in various kinds of apartments (brownstones and tenements) throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. Very often a column of windows one on top of the other in the whole building will be covered. Some buildings even have multiple columns bricked over, with beautiful exterior window frames intact. I always assumed that this was due to building renovations where dividing walls were put up or hallways/stairways added, but as I’ve looked to buy, I see that many of these bricked-over windows are in spots in the apartments where an extra window would be very nice. Why were those windows bricked-over? Could a co-op owner open up those windows (on board approval), or are there landmark or other zoning issues involved?
it could also mean that the property next to it went in after and they had to seal up the windows.
This doesn’t completely answer your question, but I think sometimes “false’ windows were built to balance the facade.
What you may be looking at are false windows that were an architectural feature meant to balance the design of the facade. This is especially true in end of row houses. The victorians generally liked their interior fairly dark so they did not want so many window but without the false window on the side of the building you would have a large blank wall.