New York Daily Photo Analytics

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Park Slope Limestones

This is 9th Street between 8th Avenue and Prospect Park in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. Park Slope is much too large a topic to do any justice to in one posting- click here for an article. Park Slope, along with Brooklyn Heights, is one of the premier residential neighborhoods in Brooklyn/NYC. The row houses here, as well as other neighborhoods of New York, are frequently referred to as brownstones. This term is frequently used incorrectly - Park Slope has many buildings with elements of Romanesque and Beaux Arts architecture. This block of 9th Street is a good example with a magnificent stretch of white limestone row houses from the early 1900s. These long rows of houses on wide tree-lined streets is fairly typical of many of the finer blocks in central Park Slope. Although the Slope has seen a period of decline, even with areas of widespread blight and abandonment with vacant buildings and lots, these days are long gone. Park Slope has been thoroughly gentrified- pioneers need not apply ...

14 comments:

Kate said...

Your photo is so much better than the one in the article! I love your: the perspective, light and shadow and the wonderful architecture that you photographed so well!

Brian Dubé said...

Kate;
Thanks much!. I have been interested in doing more architectural photography. It is surprising sometimes how poorly done some photos are, particularly ones from official websites etc.
Brian

Anonymous said...

I love those. So what is the difference between that and brownstones (you didn't say in the text).

I had heard that Brooklyn was now considered "in." Not as "in" as Manhattan of course but no longer the considered the lower classed cousin..LOL. Are people moving there because it's getting more and more expensive to live in Manhattan? No matter, it's nice when an area is revitalized.

Anonymous said...

I'm curious what an apartment in one of these goes for. The are beautiful. And it is a nice photo. I appreciate the information you supply, always.

Brian Dubé said...

Brownstone is a brown sandstone which fell out of favor due to its poor weathering properties. In NYC, it is used also used to describe a row house or townhouse itself, even when the house is technically not a brownstone. There is a good short description in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownstone
Brian

Carol E. said...

This is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Great photo. This block is right next to the entrance to 450 acre Prospect Park (designed by the same guys who did Central Park). I live on the next block down from the one pictured (Park Slope slopes downhill away from the park, hence the name). I've lived in the nabe for around 12 years and love it. The blogger is correct, it is thoroughly gentrified, to the point of being a stealth hideaway for a growing number of celebs (Steve Buscemi, Heath Ledger, Jennifer Connelley, etc.). I love it here, lot's of bars, restaurants, shopping.

The Slope has been a magnet for displaced Manhattanites for the past three decades at least. But, it's not just people being priced out of Manhattan (there are cheaper parts of Bklyn if you want to really save money), it's more people wanting more space for their money and wanting a certain community feel. This is especially true of young and growing families, hence the rep for being stroller-central. There are also lots of 20-something singles as well.

The nabe still has a somewhat boho vibe, owing to the very progressive, artsy/writer, gay-friendly population that originally gentrified the area in the 60's and 70's. These days, that crowd mixes with plenty of attornies and Wall Streeters. Also, lots of people in film, publishing, technology, etc.

To the person who is curious what apt's go for, a 1BR rental on this block would be around $1800/month. To buy one of those 3-story limestones as a 1-family or 2-family bldg, in move-in condition would be nearly $2mm.

One of the nice things about the Slope is that it is several micro-nabes in one. Along the park and above 7th Ave is very staid Upper East Side-ish. But 5th Ave is still very gritty/trendy, more like the East Village. One could write a sociological study on the area and where different people tend to congrgate.

Brian Dubé said...

M -
Your description of the neighborhood is right on the money. You save me a lot of reading and writing. Thanks.
Brian

Cynthia said...

Thanks for featuring the Slope! I've lived in this neighborhood for over 2 years (Manhattan refugee) and the beauty of the architecture never ceases to amaze me. That, and being one block away from gorgeous Prospect Park make it an ideal place to call home.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info M!

Cynthia: You have some wonderful photos on your site as well! You have a good eye.

Anonymous said...

love the slope!
http://velvet-sea.blogspot.com/2006/11/fall-leaves-in-slope.html

Brian Dubé said...

Just went to the Cocoa Bar on 7th Ave. this weekend with friends. Nice Place. Similar to Think Coffee in Manhattan which I blogged on November 4th. I think one of the biggest reasons people live in Park Slope is quality of life. More space, near Prospect Park etc. And as m said, more for your money.
Brian

Cynthia said...

Thank you Susan! It is a very photogenic place.

Brian--more space for the money, that's why I left Manhattan.

Anonymous said...

those buildings look amazing! very beautiful and I bet an amazing price!