Building of the Day: 953 Dean Street
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: 953 Dean Street, between Classon and Franklin Avenues Name: Stable/Carriage House Neighborhood: Crown Heights North (Crow Hill) Year…
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: 953 Dean Street, between Classon and Franklin Avenues
Name: Stable/Carriage House
Neighborhood: Crown Heights North (Crow Hill)
Year Built: Unknown
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architects: Unknown
Landmarked: No
Why chosen: This stretch of Dean Street is almost all commercial, with auto body shops, iron works, scrap yards, parking lots and warehouses. In the middle is this old stable or carriage house, a reminder of the late 19th century. You can still see the original lines of the 19.5′ wide building, including the now filled-in entryway. I’ve noticed this building since the first time I took the Dean Street bus from Downtown, home, many years ago, and have always wanted it. I can picture it with new, wide barn doors, windows with flowerboxes, and a solid wall of windows in the back leading to a garden, it’s on a big lot. And a tall fence. In an ideal world, what a great living or workspace! A rose amidst thorns, perhaps, but worthy of someone doing something great with this little survivor. I’m sure someday, someone will.
“People cared so much about aesthetics that they made even the stable houses look beautiful.”
Meh. Norms are norms. Back then you needed a cornice, now you need lots of electrical wiring. It’s hard to remember that back when everything looked all cornice-y and ornament-y, it would have been really monotonous and boring. Hence Adolf Loos. A nice mix is (imho) always better than 100% of anything.
many of these types of buildings are in residential neighborhoods but this one looks to be part of a commercial street. So sadly, no, I don’t think it will ever be restored.
People cared so much about aesthetics that they made even the stable houses look beautiful.
Do you think this’ll be transformed in our lifetimes?
The bars over the 2nd floor window are sad to see.
Some of the beautiful carriage houses in Brooklyn Heights looked a lot like this twenty years ago.
This building type is probably my favorite.
Always fascinated with this place. *sigh* wish I had the money.
Thought about buying this place about five years ago. Was on the market with the building to camera left for 525K. Great for a young single live/work. Even five years ago, that was not me.
I agree, I always look at this building and wish I could get my hands on it and transform it! Some folks have transformed some garage spaces on Pacific between Vanderbilt and Underhill (closer to Underhill) and I always look at those with a touch of jealousy as well..
I like your vision. I’ve always wanted a place with the double-wide horse carriage doors under a brick arch.