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]
petunia – I completely agree about 14th between 8th and PPW. I thought the same thing when I saw the list. 11th is nice enough, but 14th street just has that something special. I’ll even go out of my way to walk down that block.
Maybe it’s better to keep it off the list, though, and preserve a bit of the “my little secret place” feeling. It always bugs me a little when something I love gets overexposed. Before we know it the big red tourist bus will be invading Park Slope.
While I’m off topic, the trees on Adelphi between Dekalb and Lafayette are all in danger due to the ivy growing all over them. that eventually kills the trees. In the spirit of preserving these beautiful blocks, residents need to tend to the trees too and understand what hurts them…
Sorry for the rant.
I lived for many years on that block of 11th and, while nice enough, I always coveted 10th for some reason. That block of 11th has some big nondescript bldgs on its ends and way too much dog excrement! Not too mention a Mr. Softee truck idling ALL summer long.
It’s a bit of gimmick, but that’s pretty cool that the beauty of that particular block is recognized, regardless of whether you subjectively agree.
Just keep the parks department from ruining the trees. Check out the photo. They’ve pruned the limbs so that they don’t begin until the third story or above. I’ve seen a few healthy trees 60+ year old trees in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill so severely and inexpertly pruned, that they started to die the following year and were subsequently cut down.
10th is nice, but that block of 11th st. has one of the prettiest, best-kept groupings of 3-story brownstones, although to my eye, even nicer is 14th st. btw. PPW and 8th.
I also think 3rd St. btw 8th and the park edges out Montgomery Pl. for most gorgeous Park Slope block, though both are equally Grand.
Not as dark as Wash Park? It’s much darker – Wash Park doesn’t have houses on both sides of the street blocking light at all times – thus, much more light gets in during the afternoon. Wash Park is also closer to restaurants and farmer’s market, and has MUCH better (and more available) parking.
Do you really think any broker thinks a post on Brownstoner saying Wash Park is the best block will dupe someone into spending $4MM for a house there?
Washington Park is an attractive block and has great access to the Ft. Greene Farmers’ Market, but I agree w/ anon. 10:42 (if I’m interpreting the comment correctly) that it isn’t the safest block in the neighborhood. All that park frontage creates a place for people to lurk and come out to do nefarious things. Washington Park is also close to the not-so-nice area to the north of the park, making it less desirable in my mind.
11th Street bet 8 & PPW?? 10th is much nicer.
damn
i smell more brokers still trying to sell the $4mm overpriced house on wash park between dekalb and wil.
sorry guys living between dekalb and lafayette is better. close to subways/stores and not as dark as wash park.
good luck post price down to 3.8mm… try again