Row Houses on Prospect
The other day we strolled along Prospect Place, between Albany and Kingston Avenues, and juxtaposed this tree-lined oasis to the neighboring Albany Housing Projects. Continuing in our stroll down Prospect between New York and Brooklyn Avenues we encountered a quaint set of green and white row houses – another pleasant surprise of our stroll. (The variety of buildings we encountered in this short, four block walk is a testament to the eclectic mix of architecture in the neighborhood.)
Photo Credit: Nostrand Park (Prospect Place between Brooklyn and NY)
This tiny villa of single family homes on Prospect is quite remarkable when seen in context of the buildings that it is tucked between – to one side towers a pre-war apartment building about 6 stories high. To the other side is a large abandoned (and abused) building littered with graffiti and garbage located at 172 Brooklyn Avenue (click this link for a very interesting piece about this building), which is catty corner to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
The row houses fall within the Phase I Historic District of Crown Heights North (as do the other buildings on the block). According to the Crown Height North Historic District Designation Report:
This group of Arts and Crafts style row houses was designed by A. White Pierce and built in 1920-22 by Thomas H. Fraser. These are the only Arts and Crafts style houses in the district and are among the last row houses built in this section of the Crown Heights North area. The houses have shared chimneys and driveways with garages set back in the rear yards. The houses at either end of the row are set closer to the street with the four houses in the middle set back. They are constructed of stucco and have slate roofs, and feature intersecting gables and multi-pane windows. Most of the original multi-pane windows have been replaced.
Apparently the owner of 939 Prospect Place (aka “Prospect Manor”), a home within the villa, has created a website in its honor. Anyone out there have any additional knowledge on these homes?
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I’ve always been fascinated by these houses. I pass them all the time and was curious what they looked like inside.
maybe one day someone will organize a house tour for this stretch of homes
I remember always seeing these houses when I came from elementary school and when I was in day care. It was one of my dream houses. They were perfect because their location in Crown Heights and being so beautiful. I feel many fail to see that Crown Heights, just like other town, neighborhoods and areas, Crown Heights has a bad but also has a great part full of history.
I was excited to see this posting. I own 939 "Prospect Manor" as i have dubbed it. I lived in the neighborhood for a while and always saw those houses and thought they were so cool. When one finally went for sale last year, me and my girlfriend bought one. They are all different on the inside based on what owner renovated what over the years. My neighbors say that 937 (the one that is boarded up) is completely original on the inside and has never been renovated (but it is in bad shape too) I would love to find out anymore history about our place if there is any! Thanks again for posting this
~Josh