Brooklyn
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Exploring the Secrets of the Astral Apartments
Stretching a full city block on Franklin Ave (between India and Java) is one of Brooklyn’s most interesting apartment buildings, The Astral, built in 1885/86 by industrialist/philanthropist Charles Pratt (namesake to Pratt Institute), and looking pretty much the same nearly 130 years later. Designed in the Queen Anne style, its facade is a fascinating assortment…
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How To Cover Up A 100-Year-Old Brooklyn Landmark
I’ve been spending some time in downtown Brooklyn recently, and as I was walking down Fulton Street last week, I was suddenly reminded of an experience from way back when I first started scouting. Back in 2007 or so, I was in the same area searching for vacant storefronts for a movie when I happened…
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A 19th Century Ghost Town In Brooklyn
Last week, I was scouting downtown Brooklyn for apartments when I happened to turn onto Duffield Street and come across a great little surprise I’d forgotten about… In fact, the best part is that it’s almost invisible when you first start down Duffield. Then, as you near the halfway point, something quite surreal suddenly comes…
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The Fanciest Mouse Hole In New York City
I was walking up Wythe Ave in Williamsburg last week when something caught my eye… Wait for it… Getting closer… Almost there… And here it is: the fanciest mouse hole in New York City, featuring a Federal-style doorway complete with pilasters and a pediment! Alas, a scan of the code in the doorknocker area reveals…