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May 9, 2005

Architecture 101: The Riverside Apartments

riverside
Photo by Tim McCormick
Once consisting of nine buildings and now only five, the Riverside Apartments at Columbia Place and Joralemon were considered the model of tenemant living when they were built in 1890 by developer Alfred Treadway White using William Field & Son architects. The 280 original apartments were notable for being well-lit and well-ventilated as well for having running toilets, notes Francis Morrone in his Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn. Like many people, we've always admired the perforated metal balconies that grace the facade. Morrone observes that there is also "some lovely patterned brickwork up top," particularly praising the "fine stepped corbeling above the top-floor arcaded loggias." How is the building run now? Is it market-rate rentals? Are there many old-timers still living there or have they gotten priced out?
Morrone's Books [Francis Morrone]




Posted by Brownstoner at 12:49 PM | Comments (20)
Categories: Architecture

Comments

I live two blocks away from this place and I never tire of walking past it.

Posted by: AG at May 9, 2005 12:57 PM

Where are these?

Posted by: Anonymous at May 9, 2005 1:48 PM

From what I believe are rent-stabilized bldgs. Seem well run. Not sure which bldg this is - Cobble Hill-Hicks St/Baltic or the one in the Heights - I think Willow Place just above Atlantic.
I know the Mews houses alongside these bldgs in Cobble Hill are individually owned and are quite small and expensive - but too cute for words.
Real English looking - and worth the walk - I think stretches from Baltic to Warren just east of Hicks.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 9, 2005 1:55 PM

Wasn't there a big NY Times article about the buildings a few years back?

Posted by: anon at May 9, 2005 1:59 PM

The buildings are on Hicks Street at Baltic. Just in from these, are the worker's cottages, also not to be missed, these run from Warren to Baltic between Hicks and Henry.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 9, 2005 2:01 PM

Whoops. They're at Columbia Place and Joralemon.

Posted by: Brownstoner at May 9, 2005 2:02 PM

I lived there a couple years ago (30 Columbia Place). My apartment was rent-stablized.

I think the guy next door had been there for a long time, maybe 40 years or so.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 9, 2005 3:30 PM

They are in Willowtown (willowville?) right around the corner from the modern place people didn't like.. 'cept me.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 9, 2005 4:54 PM

I agree with poster "AG",
walking by these buildings, you have a nice welcoming feeling, unlike some modern developments.

Posted by: sherman at May 9, 2005 11:53 PM

I love these buildings! The architecture is beautiful and from all superficial inspection –done via many long walks and harmless snooping– they seem to be fairly well taken care of. I often wonder what the interiors are like. Pretty much the only thing that bums me out about these building are their proximity to the BQE, which they literally sit on top of.

Posted by: Sandra at May 10, 2005 9:50 AM

One of the bigger rental brokers brownstoner has listed in the links at left had a few apartments that seemed to be in this complex for rent - lease starting in August or September. Can't remember who had the listing, but they seemed to be market rate.

Posted by: xyzxyz at May 11, 2005 10:34 PM

A friend lived there for about six years (she just bought a house in Brooklyn). Two BR, one bath. Had a small cramped feel in the LR, bathroom, and incredibly small galley kitchen. The BR windows looked out onto the street (and the LR/KT windows looked out onto a train?, IIRC). She paid about $1100, it was $1000 for awhile.

Posted by: j at May 12, 2005 11:36 AM

I live in that apartment on the BQE. Well worth it for the view and charming neighborhood. Almost all apartments are rent controlled. Mine is 1400, about market rate for a 1 bedroom. Some old timers are rent controlled.
The building is minimally maintained, and never renovated. In the six years I have been there I have seen old iron removed, and slate stair cases tiled over. Illegal acts they gladly pay the fine for. Landlord is Prime Reallty LLC. They have a bunch of names, that google to nowhere. theye are located in 1 penn plaza. 4th owner since I have been there. Probably all coffee buddys, passing the liability around. It's a shame there is not a owner with pride in the building and it's history.

Posted by: Scared Tenant at December 6, 2005 4:50 PM

OK, let's set the record straight. These buildings are in Brooklyn Heights on Columbia Pl and (I think) State. They sit next to the BQE where it is elevated, and you get the sense that this used to be part of a larger complex. I imagine Robert Moses had something to do with that.

There are also some building that look EXACTLY the same a few blocks south of Atlantic in Cobble Hill on Hicks and Baltic. These seem to be better taken care of and they stand next the BQE where it becomes a trench. I walked by both the other day and got the sense that maybe this is what most of Brooklyn looked like before Robert Moses, the wrecking balls, and the condo conversions.

The Riverside has a few shops on ground level that all seem to be closed. If these posters are right and it really is market rate, it sounds like someone is gearing up to sell. That's truly a shame, as a walk down that one street can take you back 100 or more years. Opposite the Riverside are three wooden (yes, wooden) row houses with porches (yes, porches). I love that street, but it always sadens me to think what a wonderful place it (and many other areas) were before the BQE was put in.

Ok, I'm rambling...

Posted by: TheTruth at December 26, 2005 6:29 PM

My last post was a crime against grammar. To make it up to all of you, I have found a picture of The Riverside in the pre-BQE days.

See:
http://n-www.wadsworth.com/history_d/templates/student_resources/0030724791_ayers/sources/ch18/18.3.battleB.html

Posted by: TheTruth at December 26, 2005 6:37 PM

I am considering renting in this place (Jan 2006) and would LOVE to hear from anyone who is there now... Specifically, if I come in at a high rent, are the landlords likely to increase it a lot over the next 3-5 years? Also, how do you feel about the super and other tenants, etc.? I have a kid, so I am very concerned about not getting into a building that I would have to leave again in a short time. Please just post or feel free to get in touch with my privately at dhortsch@hotmail.com and thanks! Diana

Posted by: Diana at January 6, 2006 11:21 AM

The landlord is trying to destroy the buildings by building a 160-car underground garage in the courtyard. There is a public hearing at NYC Landmarks Commission for a "Certificate of Appropriateness" on April 11th at 9am. The tenants will appeal against the landlord's application. The buildings are in terrible condition. At least 12 non-redundant active violations with the Department of Buildings and scores of violations with HPD presently exist. An unlicensed scaffold in currently in the courtyard.

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My favorite street in all of NYC. Like going back in time. The buildings are not elevated but below the BGE. But I would move there in a hot minute given the chance.

Posted by: jennyanne at August 22, 2006 1:17 PM

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