TONY: So. Portland Best Brownstone Block. Period.
In a surprise upset, South Portland Avenue was awarded the #1 ranking in Time Out NY’s Best Blocks issue. Ever since Charles Lockwood anointed it the best brownstone block in the city, it’s had a special place in consciousness of Brooklynites and architecture freaks, but, as much as we dig it, we were surprised that…
In a surprise upset, South Portland Avenue was awarded the #1 ranking in Time Out NY’s Best Blocks issue. Ever since Charles Lockwood anointed it the best brownstone block in the city, it’s had a special place in consciousness of Brooklynites and architecture freaks, but, as much as we dig it, we were surprised that it was able to take the top spot in the seven-factor model employed by TONY. Guess it’s just another sign of Fort Greene’s rise to city-wide prominence. Other Brooklyn blocks in the Top 10: Montgomery Place between Prospect Park West and Eighth Avenue, Park Slope (6); Coffey Street between Conover and Ferris Streets, Red Hook (8); Columbia Heights between Clark and Pierrepont Streets, Brooklyn Heights (18); and 11th Street between Prospect Park West and Eighth Avenue, Park Slope (20). Any glaring omissions that you can see?
The Rankings: 1-10 [TimeOutNY]
I think that the problem witht he blocks in Stuyvesant is not their beauty they are unbelievably pretty and the people are great. It’s how far they are from things some people consider important in a neighborhood like good retaurants, good food markets and lets face it good transportation the C or at best A trains are a bit slow.
TONY is Time Out New York.
Who’s TONY? Don’t have a clue — must not be important.
Maybe Lefferts Manor isn’t sexy enough for TONY. Like I wonder if TONY thinks their readership is too young and single to be interested in Lefferts Manor, where NY Times suggests Martha Stewart devotees reign, people who have roses in the backyards, not keggers. Whenever I see the sex and party-kid covers of TONY, I think I’ve already outgrown the magazine even in my 30’s.
That said it was nice to see TONY give props to the other blocks in Brooklyn.
As usual, Mr. Marvin is right on target when it comes to his “neck of the woods – Lefferts.” And I don’t live there! But having been fortunate enough to attend the last three annual House Tours sponsored by the Lefferts Manor Association, I’m happy to say that nabe is increasingly becoming a star!
A Sunday New York Times article that ran on May 16, 2004 pumped up the heat:
“What links the residents of this still diverse area is a renovation passion that predates the nesting cult formented by HGTV and Martha Stewart.” That really is an under-statement – the nabe is sizzling! I have marked my calendar not to miss any of Lefferts upcoming tours (each year first Sunday in June)- and TONY should do the same. Though they did several recent stories obviously spending time and connecting with the locals one would wonder what’s the problem?
all the blocks people mention are beautiful. It’s nice that TONY mentioned a diverse cross section. Too bad they can’t list them all…
What about the Beautiful blocks n Stuyvesant Heights (Bedford Stuyvesant). One block in particular, MacDonough st. betw. Stuyvesant and Lewis Aves. is one of the most amazing blocks in Bklyn. It almost surely comes in the top 5 in the Greenest Block in Bklyn. contest.
I invite you all to come to the Bedford Suyvesant House Tour on Sat. 10/21 to see these great blocks.
I know, I know, it doesn’t meet the criteria (no anti-bed-stuy rants please), but I sure do love Hancock between Marcy and Tompkins! And no, I don’t live there – just covet.
What about Luquer between Columbia and Hicks?