Landmark Planning Committee creates new Boerum Hill historic district 4

The district complements the existing Boerum Hill Historic District, which was created in 1973.

The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission agreed to extend the existing Boerum Hill Historic District, adding nearly 300 buildings within the protective coverage of the area. The designation today followed a public hearing in May where 16 people spoke in favor of creating the extension, and nine people spoke in opposition.

“The streetscapes are characterized by wonderful rows of intact mid-19th century buildings that are cohesive and consistent in style, materials and typology, and complement the historic character of the Boerum Hill Historic District,” said LPC Executive Director, Sarah Carroll, in a statement issued shortly after the Commission voted.

The extension includes Dean and Bergen streets between Smith and Hoyt streets in the west; the portion of Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Nevins streets, and Pacific Street between Hoyt and Bond streets, in the north; and finally Wyckoff and Bergen streets between Bond and Nevins streets, in east. The extension adds to the Boerum Hill Historic District that was created in 1973.

The district and the extension are remarkable for its collection of single-family row houses that were largely built between the 1850s and the 1870s, in 

Greek Revival and Italianate styles. Other architectural styles like Second-Empire and neo-Grec also exist in the neighborhood.

Some owners of buildings along Atlantic Avenue, that are part of the historic district extension, had expressed opposition to the extension on the grounds that the character of Atlantic Avenue differed from some of the more residential blocks of the district. The Commission staff disagreed, and decided to keep the portions of Atlantic Avenue in. Commissioner Jeanne Lutfy said Atlantic Avenue was a good starting point for the district and offered a peek into what a visitor might experience in the district beyond.

Source: Curbed NY

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