Coral Gardens, Brooklyn
A few weeks ago I uploaded a series of images on my Flickr account, documenting the number of tear-downs and new builds of a particularly ugly nature between Maple and Midwood streets, New York and Brooklyn Avenues. You can have a look at the images or map here, if you wish.
In the middle of this area I noted a section that is not being touched (on the linked map, the area is in green). It is an interesting group of smaller homes, almost cottage-like in nature, clustered together. There are definitely some element of this area that has declined and would benefit from general clean up, maintenance, and landscaping, but for the most part the buildings seem intact. Given a little TLC, this would be a very cute little enclave that — for some reason — brings to mind Pomander Walk on the upper west side. Anyway, I like walking around here now and then, and hopefully the grouping will prevent tear-downs.
Last week amid general business and friends from Australia visiting, I managed to spend a little bit of time at the BPL, where I have been researching non-real estate topics. Looking though a 1925 reel of The Brooklyn Eagle, I happened upon a press release for the building of this very block. Having this unexpected bit of info, I just thought it worth the share.
I did wonder about the names I had seen: Miami, Tampa and Palm — and seeing it was named “Coral Gardens” did make me smile. I walked over and photographed the same group of houses appearing in the 1925 article, remarkably similar as you are able to see from the two images. This stretch is actually on New York Avenue — the worst part of this particular block is they must live amid the ugliness of Feddersland. High res images are linked, though the panorama itself is far from perfect, you will get a sense of the place.
Entire article is reproduced on the jump.
First Group of Houses in $600,00 Flatbush Development
Thirty-six houses are nearing completion in Coral Gardens, Flatbush, where the Realty Associates, in a $600,000 operation is demonstrating a novel treatment of a long city block for residential purposes. The block, 550 by 200 feet, is between Brooklyn and New York Aves, east and west, and Maple and Midwood Sts., North and South.
According to the plans there will be 34 houses on the block and, with the exception of 12 facing New York Avenue, all of tem will front on 30-foot private, landscaped grass courts running though the block north and south and bordered by granolithic walks. There will be three of these courts known as Miami, Palm and Tampa, which will divide the houses into four general groups, fronting east and west, each having back yards with outlets into a service alley or private drive. The group of 24 houses between Miami court and New York Avenue, and 12 houses between Tampa court and Brooklyn Avenue, are provided with garage spaces, opening either upon the street or upon an 18 foot private drive. Garage spaces are provided for 18 other houses occupying the corners of the courts having backyards abutting on the street.
The houses are two-story with full cellar. They vary in architectural design and will be constructed of brick with tapestry brick fronts. They will have all improvements.
Construction work has bow begun on the first unit of 12 houses fronting on New York Avenue and the second and third units of 12 each, fronting on Miami court. These houses are scheduled for completion on or before May 15 and the whole operation is to be finished by next fall.
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