199 95th Street, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
199 95th Street, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
This Greek Revival house, a treasure of Bay Ridge, has been transformed.
199 95th Street, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Prior to designation the property was at risk of becoming a development site.
199 95th Street, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
The restored porch.
199 95th Street, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Orignal doors restored.Among the apartment buildings and small brick houses of Bay Ridge, there is a gem: a Greek Revival house built around 1847 for Joseph Bennett. Originally located on Shore Road overlooking the Verazzano Narrows, the building was moved from Shore Road onto 95th Street in 1913. With Fort Hamilton, it is one of few buildings predating the area’s development in the 1930s. Now the home of the Delliturri family, it is newly restored with help from the Historic Properties Fund.
A Treasure Almost Lost
When the house’s previous owner died in 1997, the property was put up for sale by the estate and appeared to be a prime development site. Neighbors contacted the Conservancy, which encouraged City landmark designation, and in 1999, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the house as an individual landmark.
The Delliturri family purchased the house in 2000 and has been restoring the interior in phases. When it came to the exterior restoration, the Delliturris turned to the Conservancy for architect referrals. They selected Anita Bartholin Brandt Architect, P.C. as the project architect and PRESERV, Inc., as the contractor. Encouraged by Brandt, the Delliturris applied to the Historic Properties Fund and were approved for a loan of $200,000 in April 2003.
Above and Beyond Restoration
Working with historic photographs obtained from descendents of the previous owner, Brandt prepared plans and specifications for the work, including new roof, skylight, and drainage systems; restoration of the original windows; replacement of the shutters; repairs to deteriorated wood siding; repainting the exterior; restoration of front and rear porches; and removal of stucco and one wythe of brick on the foundation and replacement with historic red brick. In addition, the Delliturris chose to rebuild the historic parapet seen in the historic photographs. This lovely detail runs the entire roofline of the house and at the front and rear porches. The exterior restoration work began in December 2003 and is complete. Just one project remains for the industrious family: the restoration of the double parlor.
