267 Covert Street, Brooklyn...History
Apologies that this is not a question about renovations but more a question about a particular building or type of building.
I am currently a tenant at 267 Covert Street in Bushwick.
I am interested in figuring out what the original layout of the floors was and their function. Research online has yielded nothing so far. I’ve found that it was built in 1899 but seems a bit older. There are still old gaslight lines in some rooms.
It has 3 floors. There is not a large stoop. Under the stoop is a small stairs leading to the basement.
Once inside, there is a set of stairs to the left. It appears (as far as I can tell) that each floor had two, maybe 3 rooms with a shared kitchen and bathroom in the rear. Each entryway that is original to the building has a transom and elaborate woodwork framing the doors. There is beautiful wainscoting on each floor. Each original room has been subdivided so that now there are more rooms. On the 3rd floor where I live, there are two doorways without a transom. The room
They’re like dormitories. My guess is that each floor had two ro oms. One in the front, the other in the rear. The reason why I think that is because there are two rooms (likely the bedrooms) that have fireplaces. The other rooms seem likely to be entryways and/or parlors of some kind.
Does anyone know the history of buildings such as these? The elaborate detailing and the fact that it appears that there were only two rooms per floor makes me think this dwelling was more middle class, not working class.
Thank you to anyone who can either shed some light on this building or knows of a website that can.

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago
10
Please log in, in order to post replies!

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "3" string(6) "199268"
Hi Cate….
Thanks for replying and commenting that it’s an interesting thread. The building itself is interesting.
I assume you’re asking about the small first bedroom and the answer is I don’t know. Currently there are doors connecting the little bedroom with the parlor but I cannot determine if these are original to the house. They’ve been sealed shut but clearly at one point or another, there was a doorway or just an opening from the small bedroom room into the parlor. This always confused me because with a doorway between these rooms, what could the small bedroom possibly be used for? You mentioned its possible use a a music room (or I was thinking a library or something)?
The mantels are wooden. The fireplaces themselves are ceramic.

cate | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "1" object(WP_User)#4896 (8) { ["data"]=> object(stdClass)#4906 (12) { ["ID"]=> string(6) "176696" ["user_login"]=> string(4) "cate" ["user_pass"]=> string(63) "$wp$2y$10$4JNbGAK5cKoEp6kzsYVSBO7oMZphxvnQPCDInpVARCm3B1Dj6U75i" ["user_nicename"]=> string(4) "cate" ["user_email"]=> string(20) "cate@brownstoner.com" ["user_url"]=> string(0) "" ["user_registered"]=> string(19) "2017-08-10 14:24:59" ["user_activation_key"]=> string(0) "" ["user_status"]=> string(1) "0" ["display_name"]=> string(13) "Cate Corcoran" ["spam"]=> string(1) "0" ["deleted"]=> string(1) "0" } ["ID"]=> int(176696) ["caps"]=> array(2) { ["administrator"]=> bool(true) ["editor"]=> bool(true) } ["cap_key"]=> string(15) "wp_capabilities" ["roles"]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(13) "administrator" [1]=> string(6) "editor" } ["allcaps"]=> array(191) { ["switch_themes"]=> bool(true) ["edit_themes"]=> bool(true) ["activate_plugins"]=> bool(true) ["edit_plugins"]=> bool(true) ["edit_users"]=> bool(true) ["edit_files"]=> bool(true) ["manage_options"]=> bool(true) ["moderate_comments"]=> bool(true) ["manage_categories"]=> bool(true) ["manage_links"]=> bool(true) ["upload_files"]=> bool(true) ["import"]=> bool(true) ["unfiltered_html"]=> bool(true) ["edit_posts"]=> bool(true) ["edit_others_posts"]=> bool(true) ["edit_published_posts"]=> bool(true) ["publish_posts"]=> bool(true) ["edit_pages"]=> bool(true) ["read"]=> bool(true) ["level_10"]=> bool(true) ["level_9"]=> bool(true) ["level_8"]=> bool(true) ["level_7"]=> bool(true) ["level_6"]=> bool(true) ["level_5"]=> bool(true) ["level_4"]=> bool(true) ["level_3"]=> bool(true) ["level_2"]=> bool(true) ["level_1"]=> bool(true) ["level_0"]=> bool(true) ["edit_others_pages"]=> bool(true) ["edit_published_pages"]=> bool(true) ["publish_pages"]=> bool(true) ["delete_pages"]=> bool(true) ["delete_others_pages"]=> bool(true) ["delete_published_pages"]=> bool(true) ["delete_posts"]=> bool(true) ["delete_others_posts"]=> bool(true) ["delete_published_posts"]=> bool(true) ["delete_private_posts"]=> bool(true) ["edit_private_posts"]=> bool(true) ["read_private_posts"]=> bool(true) ["delete_private_pages"]=> bool(true) ["edit_private_pages"]=> bool(true) ["read_private_pages"]=> bool(true) ["delete_users"]=> bool(true) ["create_users"]=> bool(true) ["unfiltered_upload"]=> bool(true) ["edit_dashboard"]=> bool(true) ["update_plugins"]=> bool(true) ["delete_plugins"]=> bool(true) ["install_plugins"]=> bool(true) ["update_themes"]=> bool(true) ["install_themes"]=> bool(true) ["update_core"]=> bool(true) ["list_users"]=> bool(true) ["remove_users"]=> bool(true) ["promote_users"]=> bool(true) ["edit_theme_options"]=> bool(true) ["delete_themes"]=> bool(true) ["export"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Gallery overview"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Use TinyMCE"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Upload images"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Manage gallery"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Manage tags"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Manage others gallery"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Edit album"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Change style"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Change options"]=> bool(true) ["email_users_notify"]=> bool(true) ["email_single_user"]=> bool(true) ["email_multiple_users"]=> bool(true) ["email_user_groups"]=> bool(true) ["NextGEN Attach Interface"]=> bool(true) ["copy_posts"]=> bool(true) ["ure_edit_roles"]=> bool(false) ["ure_create_roles"]=> bool(false) ["ure_delete_roles"]=> bool(false) ["ure_create_capabilities"]=> bool(false) ["ure_delete_capabilities"]=> bool(false) ["ure_manage_options"]=> bool(false) ["ure_reset_roles"]=> bool(false) ["edit_ads_txt"]=> bool(true) ["manage_feed_settings"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_source"]=> bool(true) ["read_feed_source"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_source"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["edit_others_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["publish_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["read_private_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["delete_private_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["delete_published_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["delete_others_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["edit_private_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["edit_published_feed_sources"]=> bool(true) ["manage_feed_source_terms"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_source_terms"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_source_terms"]=> bool(true) ["assign_feed_source_terms"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_item"]=> bool(true) ["read_feed_item"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_item"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["edit_others_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["publish_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["read_private_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["delete_private_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["delete_published_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["delete_others_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["edit_private_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["edit_published_feed_items"]=> bool(true) ["manage_feed_item_terms"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_item_terms"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_item_terms"]=> bool(true) ["assign_feed_item_terms"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_blacklist"]=> bool(true) ["read_feed_blacklist"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_blacklist"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["edit_others_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["publish_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["read_private_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["delete_private_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["delete_published_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["delete_others_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["edit_private_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["edit_published_feed_blacklists"]=> bool(true) ["manage_feed_blacklist_terms"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_blacklist_terms"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_blacklist_terms"]=> bool(true) ["assign_feed_blacklist_terms"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_template"]=> bool(true) ["read_feed_template"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_template"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["edit_others_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["publish_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["read_private_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["delete_private_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["delete_published_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["delete_others_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["edit_private_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["edit_published_feed_templates"]=> bool(true) ["manage_feed_template_terms"]=> bool(true) ["edit_feed_template_terms"]=> bool(true) ["delete_feed_template_terms"]=> bool(true) ["assign_feed_template_terms"]=> bool(true) ["edit_shortcoder"]=> bool(true) ["read_shortcoder"]=> bool(true) ["delete_shortcoder"]=> bool(true) ["edit_shortcoders"]=> bool(true) ["edit_others_shortcoders"]=> bool(true) ["publish_shortcoders"]=> bool(true) ["delete_shortcoders"]=> bool(true) ["delete_published_shortcoders"]=> bool(true) ["delete_others_shortcoders"]=> bool(true) ["edit_published_shortcoders"]=> bool(true) ["aioseo_manage_seo"]=> bool(true) ["aioseo_page_analysis"]=> bool(true) ["aioseo_page_general_settings"]=> bool(true) ["aioseo_page_advanced_settings"]=> bool(true) ["aioseo_page_schema_settings"]=> bool(true) ["aioseo_page_social_settings"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_edit_htaccess"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_titles"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_general"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_sitemap"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_404_monitor"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_link_builder"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_redirections"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_role_manager"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_search_console"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_site_analysis"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_onpage_analysis"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_onpage_general"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_onpage_advanced"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_onpage_snippet"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_onpage_social"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_admin_bar"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_analytics"]=> bool(true) ["rank_math_content_ai"]=> bool(true) ["srm_manage_redirects"]=> bool(true) ["SPF Manage Analytics"]=> bool(false) ["administrator"]=> bool(true) ["editor"]=> bool(true) } ["filter"]=> NULL ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=> int(1) }
What an interesting thread! I agree it looks like a typical apartment in a three-family building in Bushwick. These are very common in the area. (I used to live in one on Greene and now live nearby in a house similar to the one in the floor plan Joe posted — a two-family comprising a floor-through apartment over an owners duplex.) Is there a wall between the parlor and the first bedroom? Wondering if the two front rooms may have been originally divided only by a fretwork screen. This arrangement was a “double parlor” — kind of a shrunken version of the real front and rear parlors you’d find on the parlor floor of a one-family brownstone. The second room could be (in theory) used as a music room or (more realistically) a bedroom. I’d love to see photos of the wainscoting and a fireplace. Do you know if the mantels are wood or slate?

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "3" string(6) "199268"
Ha. Got to the site myself. Thanks so much. Absolutely fascinating! That drawing is exactly my floor. I’m in the 6′ 8″ x 10′ bedroom.
So each floor was a railroad apartment. Now it makes sense. That explains the entry ways that I’ve seen between the parlor, the two bedrooms and the dining room and kitchen. They are still present (just locked). I guess people could use the common hallway to get to the bathroom or kitchen (or walk through the bedroom).
The beautiful fireplaces are still in place in the parlor and dining rooms. The wood floors are absolutely amazing and it’s remarkable that they are still in such good condition.
Thanks so much jcarch!

jcarch | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "1" object(WP_User)#5096 (8) { ["data"]=> object(stdClass)#5095 (12) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "23991" ["user_login"]=> string(6) "jcarch" ["user_pass"]=> string(34) "$P$BS0hz8fYZfWVNwJxAdb5D7GSB6JTfb." ["user_nicename"]=> string(6) "jcarch" ["user_email"]=> string(22) "jpc@jcarchitecture.com" ["user_url"]=> string(21) "/forums/users/jcarch/" ["user_registered"]=> string(19) "2017-08-10 14:06:39" ["user_activation_key"]=> string(0) "" ["user_status"]=> string(1) "0" ["display_name"]=> string(6) "jcarch" ["spam"]=> string(1) "0" ["deleted"]=> string(1) "0" } ["ID"]=> int(23991) ["caps"]=> array(2) { ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) ["bbp_participant"]=> bool(true) } ["cap_key"]=> string(15) "wp_capabilities" ["roles"]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(10) "subscriber" [1]=> string(15) "bbp_participant" } ["allcaps"]=> array(4) { ["read"]=> bool(true) ["level_0"]=> bool(true) ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) ["bbp_participant"]=> bool(true) } ["filter"]=> NULL ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=> int(1) }
Go to HPD’s website, and enter the building’s address at the bottom. Hit ‘submit.’ Then on the left, towards the bottom, click on ‘I-card images.’ Then click on one of the files that it displays. That should open the pdf.

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "3" string(6) "199268"
jcarch: it says 403-Forbidden: Access is Denied when I try the link. Damn. I’d love to see those floor plans…

Guest User | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "3" string(6) "199268"
joearchitect: Thanks. Those floorplans (while fascinating) are for the type of home that is dominant on my stretch of Covert but it’s not the type I am currently living in. The setup of the one you worked on (and sent the floor plans for) are weird (to me) because of there’s a stairs inside on the first (ground floor) but there’s a big stoop outside. Some developers have eliminated the stoop stairs.

hasibur.rahman07 | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "1" object(WP_User)#4854 (8) { ["data"]=> object(stdClass)#4860 (12) { ["ID"]=> string(6) "193777" ["user_login"]=> string(16) "hasibur.rahman07" ["user_pass"]=> string(34) "$P$Bsaw5CO31JqBHatsqn.rMKRsczt9tJ." ["user_nicename"]=> string(16) "hasibur-rahman07" ["user_email"]=> string(26) "hasibur.rahman07@gmail.com" ["user_url"]=> string(0) "" ["user_registered"]=> string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:29" ["user_activation_key"]=> string(0) "" ["user_status"]=> string(1) "0" ["display_name"]=> string(29) "hasibur rahman hasibur rahman" ["spam"]=> string(1) "0" ["deleted"]=> string(1) "0" } ["ID"]=> int(193777) ["caps"]=> array(1) { ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) } ["cap_key"]=> string(15) "wp_capabilities" ["roles"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(10) "subscriber" } ["allcaps"]=> array(3) { ["read"]=> bool(true) ["level_0"]=> bool(true) ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) } ["filter"]=> NULL ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=> int(1) }
You can go to the DOB and request the building folder and it may yield previous blueprints. If they don’t have the folder at the DOB, you put in a request and you can check back in a few weeks.

joearchitect | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "1" object(WP_User)#4896 (8) { ["data"]=> object(stdClass)#4861 (12) { ["ID"]=> string(6) "176914" ["user_login"]=> string(12) "joearchitect" ["user_pass"]=> string(34) "$P$BulMIGGxGYq1JbcJ4OT1aACzVvSj3q/" ["user_nicename"]=> string(12) "joearchitect" ["user_email"]=> string(19) "jtkoelbel@gmail.com" ["user_url"]=> string(37) "http://www.josephkoelbelarchitect.com" ["user_registered"]=> string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:52" ["user_activation_key"]=> string(0) "" ["user_status"]=> string(1) "0" ["display_name"]=> string(12) "joearchitect" ["spam"]=> string(1) "0" ["deleted"]=> string(1) "0" } ["ID"]=> int(176914) ["caps"]=> array(2) { ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) ["bbp_participant"]=> bool(true) } ["cap_key"]=> string(15) "wp_capabilities" ["roles"]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(10) "subscriber" [1]=> string(15) "bbp_participant" } ["allcaps"]=> array(4) { ["read"]=> bool(true) ["level_0"]=> bool(true) ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) ["bbp_participant"]=> bool(true) } ["filter"]=> NULL ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=> int(1) }
The plan on the icard is definitely your best clue. I worked on a similar house on your block and I will try to attach the plans of that house in case it helps. The house I worked on probably had not been altered since the 60’s but that was not the “original” layout. I believe the house was built with no bathrooms, there was just a small toilet room in the little rear shed. That is why on the first floor the public hall goes all the way to the back – so that every one in the house could get to the toilet. The second and third floor hall bathrooms and light shafts were added later. You could also go to Brooklyn DOB and see if they have a file for your building with the original plan. [COVERT ST EXISTING PLANS](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:bLXw:covertstexistingplans.jpg.jpg)

jcarch | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "1" object(WP_User)#4855 (8) { ["data"]=> object(stdClass)#4880 (12) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "23991" ["user_login"]=> string(6) "jcarch" ["user_pass"]=> string(34) "$P$BS0hz8fYZfWVNwJxAdb5D7GSB6JTfb." ["user_nicename"]=> string(6) "jcarch" ["user_email"]=> string(22) "jpc@jcarchitecture.com" ["user_url"]=> string(21) "/forums/users/jcarch/" ["user_registered"]=> string(19) "2017-08-10 14:06:39" ["user_activation_key"]=> string(0) "" ["user_status"]=> string(1) "0" ["display_name"]=> string(6) "jcarch" ["spam"]=> string(1) "0" ["deleted"]=> string(1) "0" } ["ID"]=> int(23991) ["caps"]=> array(2) { ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) ["bbp_participant"]=> bool(true) } ["cap_key"]=> string(15) "wp_capabilities" ["roles"]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(10) "subscriber" [1]=> string(15) "bbp_participant" } ["allcaps"]=> array(4) { ["read"]=> bool(true) ["level_0"]=> bool(true) ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) ["bbp_participant"]=> bool(true) } ["filter"]=> NULL ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=> int(1) }
Not sure I’ll do the link right, but look at the HPD I-card. Last page has a sketch of the plans from 1913 – same on each floor, but w/ entry hall on first floor (represented by red dashed line).
https://hpdonline.hpdnyc.org/HPDonline/PDFs/Icard_676631.pdf

randolph | 6 years and 10 months ago
string(1) "1" object(WP_User)#4854 (8) { ["data"]=> object(stdClass)#4859 (12) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "26171" ["user_login"]=> string(8) "randolph" ["user_pass"]=> string(34) "$P$Bkj16FushDhH.ZkZpciKBwc2QcqOxt." ["user_nicename"]=> string(8) "randolph" ["user_email"]=> string(29) "andrewdouglasgrieve@gmail.com" ["user_url"]=> string(30) "http:///forums/users/randolph/" ["user_registered"]=> string(19) "2009-02-26 15:39:31" ["user_activation_key"]=> string(0) "" ["user_status"]=> string(1) "0" ["display_name"]=> string(8) "randolph" ["spam"]=> string(1) "0" ["deleted"]=> string(1) "0" } ["ID"]=> int(26171) ["caps"]=> array(2) { ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) ["bbp_participant"]=> bool(true) } ["cap_key"]=> string(15) "wp_capabilities" ["roles"]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(10) "subscriber" [1]=> string(15) "bbp_participant" } ["allcaps"]=> array(4) { ["read"]=> bool(true) ["level_0"]=> bool(true) ["subscriber"]=> bool(true) ["bbp_participant"]=> bool(true) } ["filter"]=> NULL ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=> int(1) }
all sorts of violations on your building
looks like there were complaints about creating illegal spaces, hard to tell if it was resolved but whatever has happened to that building no one has ever once filed for permits and there is no c of o on file.