Sunday, October 12, 2008

Discovering Admiral's Row

Here's a few pics from my recent trip to Admiral's Row at the Brooklyn Navy Yards. These historic Civil War mansions once housed the officers of the US Naval Fleet. Basically abandoned since the early 70s, the six houses are in an incredible state of ruin and disrepair, though they have been judged to be of landmark status by the Navy Corp of Engineers. Currently, a battle rages whether to demolish Admiral's Row to make way for a supermarket, or preserve, revitalize and award them with National Historic Register status. Though it can be hard to actually see them amid all the overgrowth, these are beautiful examples of 1860s era architecture. Check my other site, Discovering Admiral's Row, for more pics, which I will be updating as the months grow colder and the buildings become more visible.
metal blinds still intact!

13 comments:

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

If it was up to me I would say preserve them, but unfortunately that takes a lot of money which appears to be in short supply these days. Love your photos of NY.

marley said...

It looks perfect for a Halloween party! I love all the variations in your photos. The third photo is my favourite.

CoyoteFe said...

Impressive! I vote to preserve.

Hilda said...

I hope they get preserved. Like Marley, I love your third photo. That balustrade alone is worth preserving — it's lovely!

Anonymous said...

Ivote to preserve,never mind the lot of money

Virginia said...

Preserve this!!! I vote for the ironwork too. I want to go there and shoot that building all day long with you KM!

• Eliane • said...

This is fabulous! I'll confess I have never heard of it - ignorant Belgian! I look forward to your posts! Will have to come back to check the rest of your week. :)
I'm going to Brooklyn too now: Little Odessa, here we come! If you don't hear back from me, it means I've been kidnapped by the Russian mafia.

Ken Mac said...

Hmm. yea, maybe I will post pics of the ruins all week!

Ming the Merciless said...

Like Eliane, I've never heard of it. It would take a lot of money to restore it to its former splendor but with the way Wall Street is heading, it won't be a priority for a long time.

Maybe Michael Bloomberg might spare some pocket change to fix the place up.

Ken Mac said...

most people, not even New Yorkers have heard of Admirals Row. It's surrounded by low income housing and it part of the massive Brooklyn Navy Yard project, which Ratner and Bloomie want to turn into Disneyland on the east river. Why revitalize old beauties when we can build new ugliness?

dianasfaria.com said...

If only the majority were in favor of preservation! I love the details of old buildings.

Chuckeroon said...

Fine stairway iron work..well worth restoring to glory.

Nice to see "the "old village" shots in the previous posts. Plenty of rich material for you, Ken.

Tks for dropping in on RuT.

D said...

Sign me up on the petition to save this!