Developer Seth Brown has made up his mind. After planning to demolish an infamous Prospect Lefferts Garden housea prime example of "beserk eclecticism," according to the AIA Guide, which has also been dubbed a "Cubist avalanche" with Persian, Moorish, and Viennese characteristicsto make way for 50 apartments, he waffled. But in the end, despite being entranced by the 111 Clarkson Avenue's history and other bizarre qualities, the 1902-built manse proved to be too decrepit (30 years of water-related damage, anyone?) to salvage. Brownstoner reports that he's back to the raze-and-build-rentals plan.
Brown, of Aspen Equities, presented his plan to neighbors last night, and they include erecting two seven-story buildings on the site that will rise to 70 feet apiece, one with 22 units and the other housing 28. A 25-space parking lot will run alongside. Explains 'Stoner:
Architect Joseph Spector will design the rentals, which will be mostly one- and one-plus bedrooms with a few two- and three-bedroom apartments mixed in. Most units will have balconies, and there will be a washer/dryer in each apartment. Both buildings will have an elevator and roof terrace. Brown is currently awaiting the approval of a demolition permit filed with the DOB. Then it's sayonara to this crazy house. If it's any consolation to preservationists, Brown did add that the old details, like the staircase and and windows were specially removed and saved.
· Two Rental Buildings to Replace "Berserk Eclectic" House at 111 Clarkson [Brownstoner]
· Beyond Decay, a Fantastical Three-Story Concoction [NYT]
· Clarkson Ave. 'Crazy House' Buyer Might Not Raze It After All [Curbed]
· All Seth Brown coverage [Curbed]
· All 111 Clarkson Avenue coverage [Curbed]
Loading comments...