A Year After Collapse, New Building To Replace Old Brownstone On Carroll Street

Ornate brownstone at Number 241 Carroll Street in Carroll Gardens in an old 1940 tax photo

241 Carroll Street on July 2nd, 2012, the day a sidewall collapsed

Demolition of the building during the summer of 2012

And the beginning of construction on a new building in September 2012

Many in the neighborhood will remember the very sad collapse and subsequent demolition of a beautiful ornate 25-foot wide brownstone at 241 Carroll Street right here in Carroll Gardens.
At around 1:30 Am on July 2nd, 2012, the side wall pulled away from the building and collapsed into the driveway of Public School 58, right next door.
Luckily, no one was hurt, though there were occupants inside the residence at the time of the collapse.

Number 241 was once part of a row of brownstones between Smith and Court Streets, and was framed by two buildings. The houses closest to Smith Street were demolished a long time ago, when the subway was built and the rest was taken down to make room for PS 58 in the late 1950's (as you can see in the 1940s photograph above).  Obviously, the building's integrity had suffered and weakened the exposed side wall.

Demolition of the brownstone started almost immediately and continued for several weeks during the summer of 2012.  The empty lot served as a sad reminder of the collapse.

However, just in the last few days, there has been some activity on the site and it would appear that a brand new brick townhouse will replace the old home is about to start.
The N.Y.C. Department of Building has just approved permits for the "reconstruction of a four story building with cellar and penthouse." The permit and a rendering of the future building have been posted on the construction fence and yesterday, a crew began excavating the site.
Douglas Pulaski of Bricolage Architecture & Design is listed as the applicant of record, which would explain the rather generic design of the new building.  Bricolage Deign and Pulaski's partner Henry Radusky have a rather checkered past.
Of course, reconstructing the original building exactly the way it was would be prohibitively expensive, but it is a bit disappointing to see that the old majestic brownstone will be replaced by a rather plain building with a brick façade and no stoop. At least there will be a cornice.

Since the paperwork lists an L.L.C. partnership, it has not yet been confirmed if the original owners are behind the project. But if they are, it will be great having them and their children back in the neighborhood.

***UPDATE***

I received an email from owners Howard and Sisi with the good news that the new building will be very much in keeping with the brownstone that stood at the site.
They write:
"The rebuilding will not be the same as the rendering on the permit sign. The rebuilt building will of course have a stoop, and brownstone facade as well. The sign is only for elevation information.

We are going to make the building as similar as possible to what we had before. Please reassure your readers that it will not be a Boro park special ;)"

Thanks for the clarification, Howard and Sisi. So glad you will be back on your block soon.

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Help Get The Residents Of 241 Carroll Street Back On Their Feet

Quite a few readers asked how the community can help Howard, Sisi, their children and the tenants who lived at 241 Carroll Street, the brownstone that will be demolished after its side wall collapsed yesterday.
Kristina Franz Alexander, a friend of the family, has just set up an online fundraiser. The goal is to collect $5,000, to cover some of the immediate needs of the family.
Kristina writes:
"As you know, the beautiful brownstone next to PS. 58 has collapsed and is being torn down. Howie and Sisi are cornerstones of this community so now it's out trun to help them. There were multiple families living in this house it would be great if the community could help get them back on their feet. Visa gift cards will be purchased for all of the families."

You can give here.

Let's all be generous and help out. This could happen to any of us in this brownstone community.

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Crane And Crew Standing Ready For Demolition Of Carroll Street Brownstone Later Today

After the collapse of its side wall yesterday, the brownstone at 241 Carroll Street between Smith and Court Streets across from Carroll Park is slated for demolition. A plywood construction fence was erected on the sidewalk last night and this morning, a crane has been moved into position.

The fire department is still on location as well.

Meanwhile, residents in the nearby buildings will not be allowed back until #241 has been completely taken down.

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Update: After Wall Collapse,Beautiful Old Carroll Gardens Brownstone At 241 Carroll Street Waiting For Demo

Demolition is imminent for the beautiful 4-family, 25-foot wide Brownstone, whose side wall collpased at 1:30 Am last night. Representatives from the Buildings Department, Fire Department and an ambulance are still on the scene.
Number 241 was once part of a row of brownstones between Smith and Court Streets, and was framed by two buildings. The houses closest to Smith Street were demolished a long time ago, when the subway was built and the rest was taken down to make room for Public School 58 in the late 1950's

Below are some last photos of the brownstone before it is forever gone.

Below is a photo of the houses that stood where PS 58 stands now as seen from Carroll Park in the late 1920's.  Number 241 was once in the middle of that row of brownstones. (to the right)

And the same view today.

And here is a photo I took just two weeks ago of the owners' dog looking out of the window at 241 Carroll Street.

Thankfully, no one was hurt when the wall fell down.

To Howard and Sisi, I am so, so sorry and can only imagine what you are going through.  How can we help you?  I am sure the Carroll Gardens Community will want to do whatever we can.



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