Most Popular Stories of 2020: Coronavirus in Brooklyn and a Renovation Diary

Thankfully, the end of 2020 is nearly here. It felt like it would never end. Stories about the coronavirus, especially from the months of March and April, dominated the list of our most popular stories this year. But readers were also interested in the renovation projects of the Brownstone Boys and a story about an early 20th century mansion that was on the market for the first time in decades.

Click through the list below to find our top 11 stories of the past year.

11. Robert A.M. Stern-Designed Mansion Tops Out in Midwood

A huge one-family house designed by a famous architect is rising on a prominent corner in Midwood.

10. Be the Lord or Lady of Your Own Lavish Castle With This Tudor Revival Fixer-Upper in Tuxedo Park

Do you envision yourself gliding dramatically through grand, lushly ornamented spaces as you host parties worthy of the style of Gilded Age?

9. Wildly Popular Brooklyn-Based Ice Cream Maker Ample Hills Files for Bankruptcy

So popular lines wrap around the block at their Gowanus location on nice summer days, ice cream maker Ample Hills filed Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of New York.

8. Brooklyn Nets Coach Steve Nash Scoops Up Cobble Hill Townhouse for $4.995 Million

Former NBA player and current head coach of the Brooklyn Nets Steve Nash has settled down not far from Barclays Center.

7. As Coronavirus Spreads, Construction Crews in Downtown Brooklyn Continue Working

As many people begin to settle into homebound lives for the foreseeable future, one thing that has not slowed down in Brooklyn is construction.

6. Brownstone Boys: Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Are tankless water heaters all they are cracked up to be? We looked at our giant 80-gallon tank and wondered what to do.

5. Brownstone Boys: How We DIY Landscaped Our Backyard and Patio on a Budget

So far we’ve created a patio, lawn area and planter boxes by doing the work ourselves using a combination of found and new materials.

4. The Rooftops of Brownstone Brooklyn Will Be Alive With Song Tonight

Inspired by Italians who have been sharing the gift of music even while under quarantine, Brooklyn neighbors coordinate a singalong to soothe the spirit during these stressful times.

3. Brownstone Boys: Budget Backyard Makeover

We want our backyard to be dog friendly, with great relaxing and entertaining space and beautiful plantings that are easy to maintain.

2. Here’s What to Do If You Can’t Pay Rent or Mortgage Due to Coronavirus

If someone is out of work thanks to the coronavirus crisis and can’t pay the rent or mortgage, what can they do?

1. Coronavirus Surges in Hasidic Brooklyn as Schools Remain Open and Weddings Continue

Despite a ban on gatherings of nearly any size and calls for social distancing, Hasidic schools continued to operate and weddings proceeded as usual.

Related Stories

• Most Popular Stories of 2019: New Life for Leverich Towers, Development in Downtown Brooklyn
• Most Popular Brownstoner Stories of 2018: Edwardian in Flatbush, Affordable Housing
• Brownstoner’s Top 10 Stories of 2017: Affordable Housing, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Matt Damon

Sign up for amNY’s COVID-19 newsletter to stay up to date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York City. Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.