Architecture

Decaying Sunset Park Police Precinct May Become School (Photos)

After years of neglect and a string of owners, Sunset Park’s historic 68th Precinct will be sold to the city for transformation into a grade school.

brooklyn architecture 4302 4th avenue sunset park

by Susan De Vries

07/06/2017 0

After years of neglect and a string of owners, Sunset Park’s historic 68th Precinct at 4302 4th Avenue will be sold to the city for transformation into a grade school, the Brooklyn Daily reported last week.

Current owner Yosef Streicher bought the turreted Sunset Park landmark in 2015 for $6,000,000, but plans for development never moved forward. The current proposal calls for preserving the facade of the main building while demolishing the adjacent stable.

Built circa 1890-1892 and originally known as the 18th precinct, the building was credited as the work of architect Emile M. Grewe when it was landmarked in 1983, but is now acknowledged as the design of George Ingram — perhaps with an assist from Grewe.

Ingram was responsible for a number of Brooklyn’s late 19th century police stations, his work typified by a fortified, castle-like character. For the 18th Precinct, Ingram designed a Romanesque Revival structure with a dash of Venetian and Byzantine-inspired details.

The building served as a police precinct until 1970, was ravaged by fire in 1980 and has been decaying ever since. A recent visit showed conditions haven’t improved — fencing surrounds the building, graffiti covers the brick surfaces and the front door hangs open, revealing a glimpse of the collapsed interior.