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COURIER LIFE, NOV. 27-DEC. 3, 2020 17
Making history
in E. Flatbush
Residents of E. 25th Street celebrated their new historical
designation with a toast. Photo courtesy of Julia Charles
BY JESSICA PARKS
City landmarks commissioners
voted unanimously
to designate a
stretch of E. 25th Street as
East Flatbush’s fi rst historic
district on Nov. 17.
The small district,
located between Clarendon
Road and Avenue D,
contains a “remarkably
cohesive group” of Renaissance
Revival row
houses dating back to the
early 1900s, according to
the Landmarks Preservation
Commission. The
houses were built as single
family homes.
The LPC’s vote comes
after residents and commissioners
alike showered
the block with praise
during a public hearing
about the proposed district
in September.
“This designation today
is very meaningful
to me,” said LPC Chairwoman
Sarah Carroll.
“It’s clear to me that the
residents were attracted
to this neighborhood
originally because of its
architectural character
and sense of place and
their shared commitment
to their block and
buildings has strengthened
the community.”
Members of commission
commended residents’
extraordinary
effort, not simply maintaining
their home’s architectural
integrity,
but also in working together
as a community
to achieve the historical
status at the meeting.
“You really can’t plan
this type of success for
any block or any community,”
said Commissioner
John Gustafsson. “The
word organic comes to
mind, you have a group of
people who have foresight,
who have thoughtfulness,
and they have a community
spirit. In some sense,
this historic district is a
preservation model.”
The century-old
homes lining both sides
of the block are notably
consistent with one another
— having been meticulously
well-preserved
by its residents — and are
still outfi tted with their
original front gardens
and facades of brownstone
and limestone.
Under the new historical
designation, the 56
Renaissance Revival row
houses — all of which
were built between 1909
and 1912 by the Henry
Meyer Building Company
— will be under the
jurisdiction of city landmarking
gurus in regards
to any future alterations
or reconstruction
to the structures.
“We had nothing but
positive vibes going into
the vote today,” said Julia
Charles, adding that the
September meeting left locals
feeling hopeful about
the vote. “We felt like we
were in a good place.”
The 300 E. 25th Street
Block Association began
their push for the historical
designation status in
June 2019 in an effort to
preserve their neighborhood’s
special character
from incoming developers
with plans of demolishing
homes to make way for
multi-story condos.
“We are happy for our
block,” Charles said. “We
are looking forward to a
new energy in the community
for other blocks
to be preserved as well.”
Additional reporting
by Craig Hubert
H2168_MKT21-15 M File & Use 10022020