Bedford Historic District, Brooklyn
Bedford Historic District, Brooklyn -LPC Report
41 to 45 Halsey Street
254 to 260 Hancock Street
196 to 200 Hancock Street
246 to 252 Hancock Street
Jefferson Ave, Nostrand Ave, Hancock St
Alhambra Apartments, 1890
Renaissance Apartments, 1892
Boys’ High School, 1890 + 1910
Girls’ High School, 1886
March 2012
Conservancy staff participated in a forum regarding the proposed Bedford Historic District in Brooklyn. The panel was organized by the Landmarks Committee of Community Board #3 and featured representatives of the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Historic Districts Council. In recent years, there has been strong interest from residents of Bedford Stuyvesant for new historic district designation to protect the remarkable buildings in their neighborhoods. Bedford contains some of the finest and best-preserved blocks of row houses in the City, in typical late 19th century styles, such as Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival and Renaissance Revival, largely designed by Brooklyn architects.
At the meeting, the LPC presented its draft study area map of Bedford, a preliminary look at what the district might be: LPC map
Public Policy Director Andrea Goldwyn spoke to the audience of over 100 people about the financial, technical and advocacy assistance that the Conservancy can provide. Audience members were receptive to the presentation, asking questions about easements, façade alterations, rear yard additions, and the timing of the designation. The next step for this district will be for the Commission to vote on whether to hold a public hearing. A date for that vote has not been set.
A public hearing on the nearby Stuyvesant Heights Expansion Historic District was held last summer, with nearly universal public support. Conservancy staff testified in support of that designation, and have spoken to the Community Board several times, including this January 2012 meeting.
