Vic. Flatbush from Someone Who Actually Knows It
We could have used this site last week when we were diving in head first to Victorian Flatbush with nary a clue. Actually, we linked to the site back in December when it went live and then completely spaced it. Oops. Definitely worth a re-visit. An Architectural History [Victorian Flatbush]
We could have used this site last week when we were diving in head first to Victorian Flatbush with nary a clue. Actually, we linked to the site back in December when it went live and then completely spaced it. Oops. Definitely worth a re-visit.
An Architectural History [Victorian Flatbush]
Sad to say, but the construction crew was actually removing the original white shingle from the front of the Rugby Rd/Cortelyou House this morning. Particularly sad, as the black asphalt/asbestos shingle applied I guess mid-century was restricted to the sides and the back, permitting the facade of this once truly majestic beauty to shine through. The current owner is clearly hellbent on bricking up the entire thing. Rumour had it a few months ago that he would only brick up the sides. I’m not surprised, to tell you the truth. This is someone who removed his gorgeous stained glass windows (he’s no dummy though – knew they were valuable and sold them to a dealer). I dread to think what he has planned for the giant acanthus columns…
You are correct, anonymous at 6:46. It was built for the Ebbingers in 1931 and designed by Frank Foster and R. A. Gallimore. I don’t know if it’s a question of taste, or a reflection of architectural ambition, but there are a number of houses in Flatbush built in the 20s and 30s that are, in my opinion, among the most impressive in the area. I wish I could say that recent construction made my heart strings sing in the same way… but alas…
Erin, I once heard that the magical house you guys are rhapsodizing over was owned by the Ebbinger’s family, of blackout cake fame. True?
Erin I just checked the picture of the garage YES that is it!!!! Oh thank you for putting a smile on my face.
Erin
I have goose bumps all over. You know what house I am talking about and also think it is “magical”. Oh such grand memories of that neighborhood. There even was a Loehmann’s next door to Sears and that was when Cortelyou was a very uninteresting street.
I know this house you mean, Susan. It was actually built in the 30s. I tried to photograph it for my website, but the foliage is just too dense. I did get a picture of the garage, though, which matches the house and is on the Ditmas Park page. I highly recommend anyone who is interested to take a walk down East 19th b/w Ditmas and Dorchester and take a look. The house is really magical.
Erin – such wonderful memories. Many years ago I used to live on 16th and Dorchester and would relish walking to the Parade Grounds taking different routes to admire all the wondrous homes. Although one of my favorites was a small stone house with a slate roof that I think was on 19th between Dorchester and Ditmas on the east side of the street. Wonder if it is still there.
Since we’re on the topic of brick – I just thought I’d let everyone know that the house pictured above is one of a handful in the nabe originally constructed in brick (ground floor).
sick, sick, sick with envy. Wearing ashes and sackcloth the rest of the day. :-0