Building of the Day: 240 Berkeley Place

The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.

Address: 240 Berkeley Place, between 8th and 7th Avenues
Name: James Foster House
Neighborhood: Park Slope (Park Slope Historic District)
Year Built: 1887-1888
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architect: F. Carles Merry
Landmarked: Yes

Manhattan architect F. Carles Merry designed this house in conjunction with the larger mansion next door, on the corner of 8th and Berkeley. They share similar details, especially the diamond patterned terra-cotta bosses which stud the brick band above the first story.

This is a great house, because all of the little details make the whole very pleasing.

The bay, with its curved balcony on the fourth floor, framed with a large window-filled arch, the use of the ashlar limestone, on the ground and first floor with its rough edges and color contrasting with the brick and terra cotta, the subtle terra cotta trim on the bay, and the aforementioned bosswork, and especially the limestone entryway, with excellently carved columns, foliate trim and the cherub faces peeking out from the leafwork.

And to top it off, beautiful etched glass windows and a stained glass panel. This is one of my favorite Park Slope houses.

[Photos by Suzanne Spellen]