Sad Sight: Lovely Wood Clad Building That Housed Book Court At 163 Court Street Loses Its Beautiful Old Façade

161 and 163 Court Street when the buildings housed Book Court

(photo credit: google.com)

Book Court, before it closed.

On May 18, 2017

First, the South Brooklyn community mourned the loss of BookCourt, a 35-year old Cobble Hill indie bookstore when owners, Henry Zook and Mary Gannett decided to retire.

Now, many in the neighborhood are saddened to see that 163 Court Street, the smaller of the two joint buildings that housed the bookstore is undergoing a major renovation that has stripped it of its original wood cladding and charming ornate wooden storefront.

After closing their business, Book and Gannett sold both 161 and 163 Court Street to Eastern Capital for an estimated $13.6 million. Permits were almost immediately filed with the NYC Department of Buildings and works has been progressing rapidly.

Esther, a local resident reached out to PMFA to say:
"I recently walked past 163 Court Street, the smaller of the two (former) Book Court buildings. The wood cladding and window surrounds have been removed, exposing the frame and brick nogging, and the historic storefront has been ripped out. Any idea what is happening there? Rare wood frame building, c.1840s. Very sad because I doubt any restorative work is planned."

A Permit for 'proposed façade and store front alteration' has been issued by the NYC Department of Buildings. A permit for a vertical and horizontal enlargement is pending. The architect on record is John Schimenty.

The larger building at #163 will also be enlarged.

It is important to note that neither of the two buildings is landmarked since only the opposite side of Court Street is within the footprints of the Cobble Hill Historic District.
One can only hope that this old building will not be totally remodeled, but one can't help but feel sad to see it in its current condition.

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