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1087 Prospect Place

The four-story brick double duplex at 1087 Prospect Place in Crown Heights' historic district opened for viewing today. Featuring separate entrances, the left leads to a three-bedroom duplex on two upper floors, providing rental income estimated at $2,200. The right entrance leads to an owner's three-bedroom duplex with a large garden and finished basement. The interior is in need of some renovation, with old carpets, cabinetry and ceilings, but overall appears in good condition. The interior is roomy with touches indicative of its early 20th century origin, although it lacks high ceilings. The home is on a tree-lined model block created in the 1960s with special street lights, sidewalks and traffic-calming bumps. The house is one block from the Brooklyn Children's Museum, in the midst of a multi-million dollar renovation and a five-block walk from either the #3 or C trains. The home is listed at $849,000.

Street of Dreams?

The prices of historic homes in and around Crown Heights' landmark district are drawing snark-ridden commentary from incredulous bloggers across brownstone Brooklyn. As outlined on August 20 on brownstoner.com, 1087 Prospect Place(at bottom middle above), a double duplex on one of the district's most tranquil and secluded blocks, is now on the market at $849,000. Several brownstoner posters claim the home is radically overpriced, adding negative remarks about the neighborhood and the street's proximity to the Albany Houses. Residents, including at least two posters who live on this stretch of Prospect Place, have eloquently defended the home's value and the block, citing the outstanding architecture, the lush trees, and the harmonious vibe that runs through this peaceful street, populated by longtime African-American homeowners and an emerging mix of newly arrived, younger families. The house is one of four identical units built in 1912 on a street lined with ornate limestone and brick homes from the same era. Located between Kingston and Albany Avenues, this stretch of Prospect Place ends at Brower Park, site of the Brooklyn Children's Museum. The uninformed comments of some brownstoner posters should be tempered by one recent development: 39 Hampton Place (top, with white sign in front), located just a few blocks away and sharing the same configuration and general date of origin as the Prospect Place home, sold for $925,000.

See:
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/crown_heights/

Less Than Fantastic Fourth

At 803 Eastern Parkway, workers are putting the finishing touches on a fourth floor, making this building the only one of its height on a block lined by three-story, circa late 18th-century and early 19th-century brownstones. To call the extension misplaced and incongruous would be kind. We're still waiting anxiously (fearfully?) to see what will happen to the building's ornate and finely detailed (but badly weathered) front, considering the new floors cut across the existing door and window frames.

The Neverending Story

Behind the decayed remains of a renovation halted mid-stream, scaffoling goes up, grows old and creaky, then comes down. Workers mill about, clearing months-old trash and debris, then retreat, allowing another generation of weed-choked garbage to accumulate. This tired process has continued for years at the unending project again underway at this apartment building on Kingston Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Lincoln Place. A shiny new web of scaffold is again rising at the site, this time accompanied by a green fabric shield that stretches across the entire front. Does the renewed activity mean something will finally be finished here? Will this renovation ever be completed? Are the developers competing for some sort of "longest continually standing scaffold" competition? Your guess is as good as mine. Anyone have a clue as to what's going on here?

Brower Park Party

Looking to check out Brower Park? Try Tuesday evening (August 7). At 11 a.m., the 77th Precinct Community Council hosts its 24th annual park party featuring steel bands, Haitian and African dancers, free barbecue, face painting, a jazz band, double-dutch exhibitions and step shows. Local police and elected officials will also attend, giving Crown Heightsers an opportunity to discuss local issues. No alcohol will be allowed at the event, which is planned as a "going away party for neighborhood crime and drugs." Brower Park is located in Crown Hieghts' landmark district, bordered by Brooklyn, Kingston and St. Marks Avenues and Park Place.

We are currently looking for more contributors to our blog.
If you would like to contribute articles such as:

- Historical facts of Crown Heights, an article or a picture.
- Real estate In Crown Heights
- Events in Crown Heights.

Please email us at thecrownheightser@yahoo.com

Ebbets Field: A Crown Heights Landmark

Ebbets Field from the outfield, 1950s
By B Major
The year 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the last game the Brooklyn Dodgers played in Ebbets Field, the ballpark so fondly recalled by a generation of Brooklynites. On Sept. 24, 1957, the Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-0. The team subsequently departed Brooklyn for Los Angeles in 1958 and Ebbets Field, built in 1913, was torn down two years later. Today, the Ebbets Field Houses stand on the spot once occupied by the legendary ballpark. Strangely, the Brooklyn Dodgers are remembered as residents of Flatbush. Indeed, one of the club's top stars, Duke Snider, was known as "The Duke of Flatbush" and even the recent HBO series on the team is titled "Brooklyn Dodgers - The Ghosts of Flatbush." But Ebbets Field was actually located in Crown Heights. The borders of the bandbox ballpark were Sullivan, McKeever, Bedford and Montgomery Streets - the southwest corner of Crown Heights. Let's hear from some folks who were around in those days: does anyone know why Ebbets Field, clearly located in Crown Heights, was so closely associated with Flatbush?

Sunday Links

Carrol Street and Brooklyn Ave (Crown Heights Relatorian)

(1)Love for the Neighborhood
(2)Brooklyn Children’s Museum: ‘Green Promise, Bright Future’
(3)Is it Safe?

History Of President Street

The two blocks of President Street (between Brooklyn and New York Avenues) are literally steeped in undocumented history.

I wish people from the Neighborhood would enlighten us as to its olden glory.

Some time lines to start with:

1880's: development

1920's changing demographics

1960's neighborhoods decline

Present

Oldie of the day

Sunday BlogRap

Saint Johns and Brooklyn (Realatorian)

(1)996 Saint Johns Place Gets Good Brownstoner Press
(2)Shooting Backlash Discussion

Crown Heights Caribbean Museum

Crown Heights' first Caribbean museum was dedicated last month in the name of Carlos Lezama, the "godfather" of the annual West Indian-American Day Parade, now the largest outdoor event in New York City. As outlined in www.hardbeatnews.com, the Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center, established under the auspices of the University of the State of New York, will be located at the former Lezama home, 1028 St. John's Place (above), and serve to "promote and preserve Caribbean history." Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz particiapted in the Museum's groundbreaking, along with New York City Councilwoman Letitia James. Carlos Lezama died last February. The is no word yet on when the Museum will officially open. Located within Crown Heights' Landmark District, 1028 St. John's was once owned by Shirley Chisholm, who in 1968 became the first African-American woman voted to Congress and four years later became the first African American candidate for President of the United States.

One Floor Up

The strange reconstruction underway at 830 Eastern Parkway continues. Workers are adding a fourth level to this ornate three-story brownstone between Kingston and Albany Avenues, on a block of similar homes from the early 1900's, all three stories high. Looking closer, new floors cut across the existing window frames, indicating the aging but gracefully finished facade and front are candidates for demolition. Will the resulting building alter the Eastern Parkway landscape?

Same Block 1910:

"Crown"-ing Acheivement For Crown Heights

By Phil Guie

A year of hard work and trust between police, the Brooklyn District Attorney's office and residents paid off last week, as large quantities of cash, drugs and weapons were seized from drug-dealing gangs in Crown Heights.
During the final phase of "Operation Crown Strike," detective investigators from Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes' office executed 10 search warrants and made 11 arrests in blocks surrounding the Brooklyn Children's Museum, located at Saint Marks and Brooklyn Aves.
Along with 600 grams of cocaine, six pounds of marijuana, three guns with ammunition and over $17,000 in cash, detectives impounded drug cutting agents, scales, hundreds of bags for packaging, as well as binoculars and radios.
Click Here For More

Crown Heights Walking Tour Part II

Last Sunday's walking tour of Crown Heights, sponsored by the Crown Heights North Association, attracted about 100 people and focused on the neighborhood's architectural and social history. "We covered the buildings, when they were built, and some of the places where notable people lived," said Deborah Young, the Association's chairperson and president. The tour featured the newly designted Landmark district including St. Gregory's Church, the Brooklyn Children's Museum at Brooklyn and St. Mark's Avenues, and the Dean Sage Residence, across the street from the Museum. The impressive Sage House, completed in 1870, was built for a wealthy lumber dealer in rare High Victorian Gothic style and designed by Russell Sturgis, considered a master of that motif.

NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission: www.nyc.gov/landmarks

Crown Heights Walking Tour

Full story coming soon.

Crown Heights Park View Under $100K

A brownstone Brooklyn one bedroom, park view for under $100,000? Yes, it does exist, on Carroll Street in Crown Heights. This 125-unit co-op at 1710 Carroll asks $85,000 with monthly maintenance of $459 for a 600 square-foot one bedroom. As outlined by brownstoner.com, there are considerations - the apartment will be delivered "as is" and the listing does not include interior photos. Some posters claim the building has endured "financial troubles." Nevertheless, the price and location make this property worth investigating. The building abuts the western edge of 7-acre Lincoln Terrace Park, a Crown Heights landmark named for America's 16th president and completed in 1897. Author Elliot Willensky, raised nearby, recalls Lincoln Terrace as "Kitzel Park" (Yiddish for "Tickle Park"), a hotspot for young flirts. The elegantly landscaped tennis courts date back to the 1930s and were reconstructed in 1996; the park also features trees and shaded walkways, basketball and handball courts and a baseball field. The building is located one block from the IRT Utica Avenue station.

Lincoln Terrace Park:

www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=191

Today; Crown Heights Walking Tour

Bedsty Blog

Just south of Bedford-Stuyvesant is the beautiful neighborhood of Crown Heights. The Crown Heights North Association (CHNA), in celebration of becoming the 79th historic district in the city, will hold the inaugural Crown Heights North Walking Tour this Sunday, June 10th. The tour will highlight some of the fine architecture and beautiful blocks that caused the LPC to choose Crown Heights North for this honor.

Starting Point: In front of St. Gregory’s R.C. Church (corner of Brooklyn Avenue and St. John’s Place)

Time: Meet at 12:45. The tour will leave promptly at 1:00 pm.

Subway Directions: 3 train to Nostrand Ave. Walk down Eastern Parkway 2 blocks to Brooklyn Ave, turn left to St. Gregory’s beautiful campanile bell tower.

Cost: Admission is $20, which includes the tour, as well as a Garden Tea, featuring light fare, international iced teas and other beverages. The Garden Tea will be held at the Community Garden at Bergen and Nostrand Avenue.

Advance sale tickets are available at the CHNA website. Remember to bring confirmation document to ticket desk on Saturday.

Tickets are also available from the following local vendors:
Al’s Hardware 769 Nostrand Ave
Catch Ah Ride Limo Inc. 735 Nostrand Ave
Barbara’s Flower Shop 615 Nostrand Ave
Imhotep Health Foods, 734 Nostrand Ave.


The CHNA is dedicated to preserving the architectural and cultural jewels of Crown Heights North. You can log onto their website for more details and contact information. CHNA will be holding their inaugural House Tour on October 6, 2007. I’m looking forward to it

What's Happening?

The reconstruction underway at 830 Eastern Parkway is sure a curious sight. Workers appear to be adding a fourth level to this ornate three-story brownstone between Kingston and Albany Avenues. Every other home on this block of early 1900's houses is three stories high. Looking closer, steel floor beams cut across the existing window frames. Obviously, the brownstone front will be demolished and the resulting structure will sport a new look. What's going on here?

Hipsters in Our Midster

Picture Of The Day:Stroll Down President Street Doctors Row

Picture of The Day

Can anyone share with us the history of this building?

Brower Park Museum Growing Fins

In the midst of a $46 million renovation scheduled for completion in Spring 2008, the new Brooklyn Children's Museum will reverse its most recent look. Located at the northwest corner of Brower Park in the heart of Crown Heights' landmark district, BCM was established in 1899 at the Adams House in what was then Bedford Park. An award-winning 1977 redesign successfully achieved a "minimal presence on the street," with one of two stories underground. The new design already stands out. Workers recently began installing 540 curving plywood fins that will cover the exterior walls. Ultimately, 80,000 1" x 1" daffodil-yellow porcelain tiles will cover the fins, giving the expanded Museum "an undulating appearance."

Links:

Brooklyn Children's Museum site:

www.brooklynkids.org

Brower Park history:

www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=190

Eastern Parkway Strolling in Season

With the warmer weather has arrived the spring strolling season along Eastern Parkway, the geographic spine of Crown Heights. Conceived in 1866 by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the celebrated designers of Central Park, Crown Heights' grandest street was built between 1870 and 1874. Olmstead and Vaux coined the term "parkway" to describe their vision of a landscaped road built specifically for "pleasure-riding or driving," sketching out a 55-foot wide carriage drive between two pedestrian malls with four rows of trees stretching more than two miles. Originally adorned chiefly with American Elms, the parkway now offers a lush landscape of more than 1,100 trees in 24 separate varities. Many were planted in rememberance of veterans of World War I, and today feature iron plaques with the names of fallen servicemen. According to the New York Department of Parks & Recreation, the 1915 building of the IRT prompted the removal of "many original trees, pavement and light fixtures."

Small Payment For Small House

473 Maple Street

$475,000

Sunday Links Of The Day

Bergen Street, $999,000
Uncertain Fate Of Old Brooklyn
Is Crown Heights Nicer Then Park Slope

Crown Heights Still Hot

"Early 2007 Reports Indicate Softening in Some House Prices....W’burg, Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Crown Heights Are Still Hot"

By Dennis Holt Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Brooklyn — New data on Brooklyn home sales in 2006 and 2005 published by Halstead Property and a report from HMS Associates on the first quarter of this year both show the continuation of a Brooklyn boom. However, red flags may have been raised early this year.......And although the period reported covers only about 90 days, the rise in house prices was not uniform. Five neighborhoods showed increases — Williamsburg, Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Crown Heights and Boerum Hill — while five others showed declines — Greenpoint, Carroll Gardens, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights in Sheepshead Bay.

Click Here For The Full Article

Crown Heights Real Estate Rise Continues

Crown Heights' fast-rising real estate values are challenging long-held perceptions regarding the quality of life the district's residential core. The homes at 1122 and 1116 Prospect Place, shown in these photos, were each built in 1901, measure 2,208 square feet, and appear to be in the same general condition (from exterior view). The home at 1222 (top) sold for $455,000 in 12/06; two months later 1116 Prospect sold for $690,887.

Landmark Designation Highlights Gems of Crown Heights

The recent grant of landmark status has placed a spotlight on Crown Heights as one of Brooklyn's most sought-after brownstone communities.

Long a hidden gem (locals recall the days when a Crown Heights residential real estate listing in the The New York Times was a forlorn dream), the landmark designation emphasizes the nabe's unmatched architectural jewels, which collectively showcase a quality and breadth not found in Park Slope, Boreum Hill, Clinton Hill or Fort Greene.

Diversity is also a hallmark of Crown Heights culture, as fast-arriving Manhattan ex-patriates add a new energy to the area's long-established Caribbean, Hasidic and African-American communites.

Strollers will find a wonderful array of architectural styles from the late 1800s and 1900s (including 1227-1235 Dean Street, designed by Albert E. White and 1149-53 Dean Street, designed by Axel Hedman)) to the six-story Art Deco apartment houses bult in the district's last wave of development, in the 1930s.

Trolly On Saint John's Place 1957

On The Footstep Of The Heights

www.forbes.com
by Matt Woolsey

It's far cry from where Jackie Robinson used to play.

The 15-story Richard Meier-designed On Prospect Park boasts a face of shimmering glass and buttresses the borough's finest architecture at the head of Grand Army Plaza--where the Memorial Arch, Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Public Library meet. It features 114 high-end units with heated stone floors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Some have views of all five boroughs, the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

A dip down Flatbush Avenue, toward the edge Crown Heights, is where Robinson played his first Major League game 60 years ago this Sunday. Ebbets Field no longer exists, having fallen under the wrecking ball in 1960. Montgomery Street and Bedford Avenue, which had previously bounded left and right field, respectively, now surround the Ebbets Field

House Of The Day: Landmarked Beauty

Crown Heights
$929,500
NEW WORLD NY REALTY

CROWN HEIGHTS NORTH DISTRICT WINS LANDMARK STATUS!

The New York City Landmarks Commission this week granted landmark protection to 472 buildings in Crown Heights North, in the area bounded by Pacific Street to the north, Dean Street, Prospect Place and St. Mark's Avenue to the south, Bedford Avenue to the west and Kingston Avenue to the east. Built mainly between the 1860s and 1930s, buildings in the district feature Italianate, neo-Grec, Romanesque, Queen Anne, Georgian, Renaissance, Colonial, Medieval, Tudor Revival, Mediterranean and Art Deco styles created by several prominent architects.

A Landmarks Commission statement called the designation "the cornerstone for establishing similar districts in the neighborhood" meaning the district is the first of several in Crown Heights North to receive landmark designation, which eventually will extend to 1,400 buildings.

Unlike other brownstone Brooklyn nabes, Crown Heights' residential architecture is largely unaltered since the last development wave in the 1930s. In a April 24 article announcing the pending landmark designation,The New York Times says "lack of money in the 1970s and 1980s" when "no one had the cash to make bad choices" are responsible for the preservation of exquisitely detailed row houses, attached houses, churches, mansions and apartment houses.

Some Crown Heights residents, through Brooklyn blogs, express concern about the practical impact of landmark designation. According to the Commission, designation will not result in higher taxes, nor restrict an owner's right to sell his/her property. Also, the designation does not require property owners to notify the Commission to perform basic maintenance.

Landmark designation also may increase property value, according to a 2003 New York City Independent Budget Office study. The report concludes: "Although prices for historic properties have at times increased less rapidly than for similar properties outside historic districts, overall price appreciation from 1975 through 2002 was greater for houses inside historical districts."

The Landmarks Commission highlighted several buildings as outstanding examples of the district's "marvelous ensemble of mansions, churches, row houses and freestanding residences," including:

* 1200 Pacific Street (designed by Montrose Morris, 1891)
* The Dean Sage Residence, 839 St, Mark's Avenue, designed by Russell Sturgis in 1870
* 889 St. Mark's Avenue, designed by P.J. Lauritzen, in 1904
* 907-33 Prospect Place, designed by Matthew Del Gaudio in 1933


Pictures of Crown Heights North.

Picture Of The Day: Grand Army Plaza 1930s

View across Grand Army Plaza showing Central Library and apartment houses along Eastern Parkway, early 1930s

Next Door goes For Sale!

On Sale for 1.4 Million a renovated I family house Click Here



On the market for 1.5 Million Updated but not renovated Click Here

Picture Of The Day Eastern Parkway 1959

This unusual Eastern Parkway twinlamper survived until the early 1960s. It is crowned by the distinctive Type 3 Twin (an original design made for 5th Avenue at the 1892 Columbian Exposition). Note, also, the elongated glass diffusers. These were variations on the shorter diffusers that were featured with the original 'cup' designs from the 1940s.

Eastern Parkway has, in recent years, installed a series of retro-castirons that are an extrapolation of sorts on the park lamp design first created by designer Henry Bacon (who also designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington) in 1907.

Would You Pay 900K For This House?

1300 Carrol Street Bet. Brooklyn and New York

A New Look In Crown heights (more pics)