Park Slope Historic District Likely to Expand
The hard work of the Park Slope Civic Council and others is paying off: On Friday, reports The Observer, the Landmarks Preservation Commission began the process of expanding the Park Slope Historic District by officially “calendaring” the revised boundaries; the move would expand the currently western boundary to the far side of 7th Avenue; currently…
The hard work of the Park Slope Civic Council and others is paying off: On Friday, reports The Observer, the Landmarks Preservation Commission began the process of expanding the Park Slope Historic District by officially “calendaring” the revised boundaries; the move would expand the currently western boundary to the far side of 7th Avenue; currently it stops at 8th Avenue between 5th and 15th Streets and the eastern side of 7th Avenue between 5th and Union Streets. The expanded district would also include a couple of cut-outs that remain unprotected on Prospect Park West. If ultimately approved (which is highly likely) the number of protected buildings would grow from 2,000 to over 2,500. You can read the precise boundary definitions on the LPC website.
Park Slope Historic District To Grow [NYO]
Expanding the Historic District [PSCC]
Why is Jackson Heights ALWAYS used as an examples… I don’t work in Midtown Manhattan and *everyone* I know lives in Brooklyn (ok, almost everyone). As far as I’m concerned, Jackson Heights, Queens is in a COMPLETE no-man’s land.
Also, Why exactly was that area of big, ugly brick apartment buildings landmarked? (And if not ugly… totally bereft of interest)
** If you were curious, To my job… Jackson Heights is approximately a 1-1/2 hr drive, 1-3/4 hr trip by public transport (with 2 or 3 transfers), 1-1/2 a bike ride, or a 3-3/4 hrs walk.
“Everyone on this board thinks Carroll Gardens is so cute, but the brownstones are covered in hideous 1950s doors, awnings, etc., inside and out.”
so a neighborhood can’t be both cute and have awnings/doors that might not be your taste?
i’m all for saving/landmarking historical buildings – but I’m not for turning Brooklyn into some sort of Disneylandish “Victorian Land” Doors? who cares?
Jackson Heights is landmarked and no more expensive – than what?
Jackson Heights is landmarked and no more expensive.
Carroll Gardens, East Williamsburg, East Bed Stuy, Bushwick are some of the many areas in NYC that have been ruined with alterations beyond recognition. If they had been landmarked (before landmarks existed) this wouldn’t have happened. Everyone on this board thinks Carroll Gardens is so cute, but the brownstones are covered in hideous 1950s doors, awnings, etc., inside and out. The areas with wood houses have suffered the most because their painted lady facades and gingerbread have been ripped off to install siding.
Take a walk through Cobble Hill or Brooklyn Heights — same houses, very few of those ticky-tacky alterations.
For the record, I have no objection to modern architecture, and have even been known to enjoy a 1950s building or two. My objection is when they are combined in a way that doesn’t make sense — such as ripping out an original door and replacing it with a 1950s door that doesn’t fit in style or shape. Don’t try to make a brownstone into a post-war tract house. Don’t do the opposite either. Don’t add fake crown molding to your 1950s split level ranch.
I’m hoping for the LM to extend one more block west so I don’t have to see any more bad additions to my street! I already keep my brickstone in nearly LM condition so it would not effect me too much other than more time invested, but its worth it to me. I agree with Montrose and Minard. I’m proud of my historic home and want to keep it in good historic condition. I recently stripped the old paint off and repointed the brick. I suppose i could have saved lots of money by painting over the existing painted bricks (which should have never been painted in the first place). And instead of re-brownstoning the sills and lintels, I also could have just painted them to save money. BUT i did the right thing because a)it will last longer and save money in the long run than if i had painted, and b) its the honest materials for the home that i committed to buy and care for. I still had fun by painting my door a nice color and atypical light fixtures. Not sure how these last 2 choices would have been effected by LM, but as a designer I’m sure I could have found another alternative that would be appreciated by myself and LM.
Just to chime in as a renter – I have always deliberately sought out properties in landmarked historic districts specifically because I did not want to have neighbors doing whatever they chose with their properties and because owners of landmarked properties generally take better care of their houses than those in non-landmarked areas. I don’t want to wake up one morning to backhoes demolishing the house next door so it csn be replaced with a Fedders horror, or have the house across the street suddenly covered in Garden State Brickface or whatever. I haven’t noticed a difference in rents for a similar property in my neighborhood (PLG) in the historic district vs. not, but even if it were more money, I’d pay it.
cmu, just drape your home in a giant Snuggie and go to town with your renovations.
Yes, cmu, your flamingo, Bambie, and gnomes can stay. 🙂