Prospect Park South, Brooklyn
Encyclopedia
Prospect Park South is a neighborhood in the New York City
borough
of Brooklyn
, within the community of Flatbush
. It is bordered by Church Avenue to the north, the Brighton Line
(B & Q trains at present) of the New York City Subway to the east, Beverley Road (originally spelled Beverly) to the south, and between Stratford Road and Coney Island Avenue
to the west. Prospect Park South is patrolled by the NYPD's 70th Precinct.
In 1899 visionary developer Dean Alvord created Prospect Park South as a community of substantial homes. The motto he chose for the development was rus in urbe (country in the city). Its location was selected to take advantage of the train service on the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (BRT). The line, now known as the BMT Brighton Line
, offered express and local train service that remains to this day. The trains emerged at Fulton Street as an elevated line and continued across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan.
The houses in Prospect Park South were required to be substantial, freestanding homes exceeding 3,500 sq/ft and costing over $ 5,000. Several other "restrictions" were placed upon builders wishing to develop the lots. Trees were planted along the property lines to block out adjoining houses giving the illusion that each house was the only one on the block. It was required that there be two grass medians, one along the property line and one curbside, with the sidewalk
in between. While not the first attempt at suburban development in Flatbush
, Alvord's vision of a rural park within the confines of a city block excited the interest of the wealthy of Brooklyn Heights, and of Manhattan residents. Ultimately, Alvord's restrictions not only created an exciting new design but a standard to become a blueprint for the modern suburb
. Enthusiasm for his design in following years would see South Midwood, Fiske Terrace, Ditmas Park, Beverley Square and many more developments spring up in Flatbush to accommodate the demand.
The Alvord Mansion at 1522 Albemarle Road was built by Alvord for his family. Later, it was purchased by Israel Matz
, founder of the Ex-lax Company. The Alvord Mansion burned down in approximately 1955 under mysterious conditions after its sale by the Matz family to apartment developers fell through in the face of community opposition.
Prospect Park South was designated as a historic district by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
in 1979. Among notable houses in the neighborhood are the McEntee residence at 15 Buckingham Road [note: this address is not in Prospect Park South], the Cole residence at 131 Buckingham Road, the Norwood residence at 143 Buckingham Rd., the McDonald residence at 1519 Albemarle Rd., the Miton/McAllister residence at 1510 Albemarle Rd., the Woodhull residence at 1440 Albemarle Rd., the Crafts residence at 1423 Albemarle Rd., the Ekins residence at 1306 Albemarle Rd., the Gale residence at 1305 Albemarle Rd., the Goetz residence at 156 Stratford Rd., the Benedict residence at 104 Buckingham Road, and the Morel residence at 219 Marlborough Road.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough
Borough (New York City)
New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is composed of five boroughs. Each borough now has the same boundaries as the county it is in. County governments were dissolved when the city consolidated in 1898, along with all city, town, and village governments within each county...
of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, within the community of Flatbush
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush is a community of the Borough of Brooklyn, a part of New York City, consisting of several neighborhoods.The name Flatbush is an Anglicization of the Dutch language Vlacke bos ....
. It is bordered by Church Avenue to the north, the Brighton Line
BMT Brighton Line
The BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
(B & Q trains at present) of the New York City Subway to the east, Beverley Road (originally spelled Beverly) to the south, and between Stratford Road and Coney Island Avenue
Coney Island Avenue
Coney Island Avenue is a roadway in the New York City borough of Brooklyn that runs north-south for a distance of roughly five miles, almost parallel to Ocean Parkway. It begins at Brighton Beach Avenue in Coney Island and goes north to Park Circle at the southwest corner of Prospect Park, where...
to the west. Prospect Park South is patrolled by the NYPD's 70th Precinct.
In 1899 visionary developer Dean Alvord created Prospect Park South as a community of substantial homes. The motto he chose for the development was rus in urbe (country in the city). Its location was selected to take advantage of the train service on the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (BRT). The line, now known as the BMT Brighton Line
BMT Brighton Line
The BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
, offered express and local train service that remains to this day. The trains emerged at Fulton Street as an elevated line and continued across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan.
The houses in Prospect Park South were required to be substantial, freestanding homes exceeding 3,500 sq/ft and costing over $ 5,000. Several other "restrictions" were placed upon builders wishing to develop the lots. Trees were planted along the property lines to block out adjoining houses giving the illusion that each house was the only one on the block. It was required that there be two grass medians, one along the property line and one curbside, with the sidewalk
Sidewalk
A sidewalk, or pavement, footpath, footway, and sometimes platform, is a path along the side of a road. A sidewalk may accommodate moderate changes in grade and is normally separated from the vehicular section by a curb...
in between. While not the first attempt at suburban development in Flatbush
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush is a community of the Borough of Brooklyn, a part of New York City, consisting of several neighborhoods.The name Flatbush is an Anglicization of the Dutch language Vlacke bos ....
, Alvord's vision of a rural park within the confines of a city block excited the interest of the wealthy of Brooklyn Heights, and of Manhattan residents. Ultimately, Alvord's restrictions not only created an exciting new design but a standard to become a blueprint for the modern suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
. Enthusiasm for his design in following years would see South Midwood, Fiske Terrace, Ditmas Park, Beverley Square and many more developments spring up in Flatbush to accommodate the demand.
The Alvord Mansion at 1522 Albemarle Road was built by Alvord for his family. Later, it was purchased by Israel Matz
Israel Matz
Israel Matz was born in Kalvarija, Lithuania in 1869, and died in New York in 1950.Matz is well known for founding the Ex-Lax company in 1906, today owned by Novartis. His grandson, Roy M...
, founder of the Ex-lax Company. The Alvord Mansion burned down in approximately 1955 under mysterious conditions after its sale by the Matz family to apartment developers fell through in the face of community opposition.
Prospect Park South was designated as a historic district by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is the New York City agency charged with administering the city's Landmarks Preservation Law. The Commission was created in April 1965 by Mayor Robert F. Wagner following the destruction of Pennsylvania Station the previous year to make way for...
in 1979. Among notable houses in the neighborhood are the McEntee residence at 15 Buckingham Road [note: this address is not in Prospect Park South], the Cole residence at 131 Buckingham Road, the Norwood residence at 143 Buckingham Rd., the McDonald residence at 1519 Albemarle Rd., the Miton/McAllister residence at 1510 Albemarle Rd., the Woodhull residence at 1440 Albemarle Rd., the Crafts residence at 1423 Albemarle Rd., the Ekins residence at 1306 Albemarle Rd., the Gale residence at 1305 Albemarle Rd., the Goetz residence at 156 Stratford Rd., the Benedict residence at 104 Buckingham Road, and the Morel residence at 219 Marlborough Road.
External links
- Ditmas Park article in New York magazine