Tennis Court
Tuesday, October 10th, 2006Long post, but I was taken with this place
Today I decided to walk south on Ocean from the corner of Parkside. I was thinking of having a look around the Tennis Court area. That is a street name and not related, in this case at least, to the activities offered at the nearby Parade Ground.
I’ve been capturing images whenever possible of some of the grandeur of the pre-war apartment entrances. There are many notable buildings on Ocean, and I had heard rumors when I still lived on the upper west side, of a fantastic building in the Rugby or Tennis Court area.
I am not certain I found it, but it certainly is a magnificent building judging by the façade, below. It is named “Chateau Frontenac” after the grand hotel in Québec, and there is a reference in Shelter, by Andrew S. Dolkart to this building citing the architect as W.T. McCarthy. Dolkart mentions many of these grand building were named to offer a certain appeal to prospective tenants and from my walks in the area, I have seen this to be very accurate.
As I was gazing at the intricacy of the façade, from inside the courtyard strolled a resident. He was dressed in army fatigues, camo pants, an army cap and around his neck dangled dog-tags.
“Just taking a picture,” I told him. It has been clear to me in my urban ramblings that not everyone welcomes a stranger with camera in hand. In fact I frequently am asked if I represent a real estate company or if whatever building I am photographing is to be sold. So, if the opportunity presents itself, I like to say something defusing. Should there in fact be a fuse present – they are sometimes difficult to see. The army man nodded acceptance.
“This is a gorgeous building,” I offered.
“Yes, these old buildings have some amazing details,” he answered.
“So you live here?” I asked.
“I pay rent here,” he told me, “but I live here, in my boots.” He lifted one foot and showed me his army boot.
“I’m a military brat myself,” I admitted. We exchanged small-talk for a few minutes, and all the while I noticed as pedestrians walked past us, the army man acknowledged each one. By name. I began to think he could well be the unofficial mayor of the building, if not the street. Ultimately he invited me to have a look at the courtyard in the building, an invite I was happy to accept.
Property Shark has this building dated as 1929. I have no idea what the apartments look like or what range the rentals are in. Tennis Ct. is a short street that runs between Ocean Ave and E. 18th St., not really a good shortcut to anywhere, and seems to be pretty peaceful. The building itself and the courtyard look very well maintained to me and given the fact it is such a gorgeous building and essentially a five minute walk from the Church avenue Q & B – I’d say this is an important building to keep an eye on.
