Entry Beauty — 60 Clarkson
I was walking down Clarkson Avenue and spotted this gorgeous building entry. Another I wish I was able to see in the original configuration. I am guessing there might have been some kind of statuary or urns in the recessed areas on either side. It still appears to be in pretty decent shape, though the paint job is really sloppy (see the large splotches on both sides). Must have been an impressive beauty in its day. Propertyshark data states this six story building was erected in 1927 — it also cites 83 residential units. Seeing architecture like this is one reason I love walking around the neighborhood.
Larger version available on Flickr.
April 7th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
I lived in this house from 1951 to 1965.
It was also lovely inside.
Their was a second grated door that entered into the large lobby.
When we moved in, the lobby had great antique furniture, velvet
drapes and a large central rug.
I was told that the street entry had been canopied.
We had a door man, and two old fashioned grated door elevators.
I lived on the 3rd floor and my bedroom faced out the front.
We faced several 19th century brownstones, which I painted over
the years.
The whole block had interesting architecture. Being an artistic
child I always noticed it.
Closer to Flatbush Avenue there were brownstone type houses on
both sides of the street. I think they may have been built later.
Also there were several wooden structures, one family homes,
around “60″. Perhaps they were built around 1905.
The new houses, “40″ and “80″ were built “after the war”, around
1848.
Our apartment had only one previous tenant, so all the light fixtures,
bathroom and kitchen features were original to the house.
Kitchen cabinets were great, window paned cabinets. But my mother
renovated the kitchen, put in modern 1957 style, and new appliances. The bathroom had a large pedestal sink, that I disliked.
Hot and cold water came out of separate faucets and it was hard to
get a nice balance. You had to fill the sink, which was hard for a
child in a rush.
I liked the drying rack in the bathroom,that worked on a pulley.
On wash day you could lower it, load it, then raise it up near the
ceiling above the door.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Wow, thanks for writing and sharing all the details about the place! I wish I could have a tour of so many of these buildings, I can well imagine the grandeur of the time! I wonder if the apartments are intact now or divided into smaller units.