Victorian Flatbush in Vivid Color
While nosing around flickr recently (as is our wont), we came across this great series of Victorian Flatbush that someone with the handle pictureinfocus took last Spring. If you’ve never made it out there in person, we strongly suggest you click through and watch the slideshow. Mmmm, mmmm, good. Colonial Brooklyn 04-09-2006 [Flickr]
While nosing around flickr recently (as is our wont), we came across this great series of Victorian Flatbush that someone with the handle pictureinfocus took last Spring. If you’ve never made it out there in person, we strongly suggest you click through and watch the slideshow. Mmmm, mmmm, good.
Colonial Brooklyn 04-09-2006 [Flickr]
That should read East Indian Bungalow.
Many of the houses built in Ditmas Park proper, which is just a sub-section of Victorian Flatbush, were built in what is called the Free Colonial Revival style. There are many examples of Queen Anne (Victorian), Carpenter Gothic, Tudor, and throughout the greater area. True craftsman cottages (the only examples in Brooklyn) can be found on East 16th street in Ditmas Park.
In Prospect Park South there are also a handful distinctive “folly” homes, such as the Swiss Chalet, the Japanese House, the Renaissance palazzo, and a house, which according to the 1902 Brooklyn Eagle, which Indian bungalow.
With the exception of the homes in Prospect Park South (the grandest of the neighborhood) and Ditmas Park itself, the vast majority of Victorian Flatbush is not landmarked at present. Despite alterations to some of these homes, including ugly brick enclosures and siding, it is high time all of the continguous Victorian Flatbush neighborhoods were landmarked, before great tracks of it are permanently disfigured. Victorian Flatbush has the greatest number of freestanding Victorian homes in the country – a designation which is under growing threat each time one of these heinous renovations happens. Since the 1920s, over 1000 homes have been destroyed to make way for apartment buildings. Entire areas, such as the vast Vanderveer Park (east of Flatbush Avenue) have vanished almost completely.
It should be noted that there are many new homeowners in the Flatbush who are restoring previously disfigured houses, through the use of original sales photos and 1940s tax photos.
Victorian Flatbush is one of Brooklyn’s and New York City’s – underrated treasures. Don’t let it disappear altogether.
For more info check out Brian Merlis and Lee A. Rosenzweig new photo history of Flatbush, out just this week, as well as my site:
http://home.att.net/~ebasics/Victorianflatbush.html
*Correction to the website: the original Matthews Park was not present day Caton Park, but a large section of current Beverley Square West
Agreed -this entire area should be landmarked. It is a jewel. I was shocked when I first stumbled upon it – gorgeous real houses within 25 minutes to wall street on public transportation.
The problem is, is that a lot of the houses ARE NOT in landmarked zones and the owners are doing whatever the fruggly they want to the houses.
I live (well, used to…my parents still do..) in one of these houses and while I can understand how many homeowners want to just add brick to lessen the amount of repairs to 100-year old wood, you need to remember that these homes are all proteced by the Landmarks Commission and it’s a shame to alter their appearance so greatly. I’m all for renovation, but when you buy a landmark house you’re stuck with certain rules against a number of changes to the original design.
I live (well, used to…my parents still do..) in one of these houses and while I can understand how many homeowners want to just add brick to lessen the amount of repairs to 100-year old wood, you need to remember that these homes are all proteced by the Landmarks Commission and it’s a shame to alter their appearance so greatly. I’m all for renovation, but when you buy a landmark house you’re stuck with certain rules against a number of changes to the original design.
Great houses, I really love it over there. Since most people really don’t know the architectural styles of most residential buildings, I’ll cut the poster a break. To me, most (not all) are either shingle style Queen Anne’s or variations on classic Four Squares, a Craftsman era style. They went nuts with the dormers on some of them. Since most of the area dates from the turn of the century and later, that works out.
The preservationist in me is very happy most look to be in excellent shape, with some exceptions of remuddling with faux brick, and the poor mustard house with the awful enclosed brick porch with the bay windows. What were they thinking besides more space, must make more space?
I love this part of Brooklyn, and wish I could get over there more often. Thanks for the mini tour.
You can also get off the “Q” at Beverly or Cortelyou Road stops.
Did anyone see the fascinating A Victorian Reborn? http://www.history.com/classroom/victorianreborn/index.html
Details were lovingly restored and/or replicated and the kitchen and bath brought up to modern standards but still blended in with the house.
And check out http://www.crazystable.squarespace.com/display/ShowJournal?moduleId=307444¤tPage=2
for Brenda from Brooklyn’s blog entry about walking tour of Victorian Flatbush