The Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting tomorrow (10/30) is going to feature a long agenda of designations and discussion. Among the two significant topics are the proposed Dumbo Historic District and the Eberhard Faber Historic District in Greenpoint. The Dumbo subject matter is an initial hearing. Eberhard Faber, however, is expected to be designated. The “Eberhard Faber District” includes many, although not all, of the buildings of the Eberhard Faber Pencil Factory in Greenpoint. (Some of the properties are already being developed. The WPA writes:
The Eberhard Faber Historic District will sit side by side with the larger Greenpoint Historic District and the Astral Apartments, and individual landmark. The former is comprised largely of 19th-century residential buildings for the managers and owners of Greenpoint’s factories and businesses. The latter was constructed by Charles Pratt to house the workers of his Astral Oil Works. All in all, the three designations encompasses factories, businesses, houses of worship and housing – forming a very unique view of a close-knit 19th-century community.
Given how much Brooklyn history has been bulldozed or otherwise destroyed in the last few years, it is alway gratifying to see landmark protection advancing.
Related Post:
Greenpoint’s Pencil Up for Landmarking
[Images courtesy of WPA]
2 responses so far ↓
1 Ickyinbrooklyn // Oct 29, 2007 at 7:14 am
Although I always think it is suspect that it often takes gentrification to push a neighborhood to start landmarking, it’s exciting that Greenpoint is finally starting to get its due for historic buildings. (Although I don’t know if the owners would feel the same.)
2 Miss Heather // Oct 29, 2007 at 7:28 am
I say that infamous “fire” has more to do with Eberhard Faber getting landmarked than anything else. It’s pretty sad that it takes an act of conveniently timed 10 alarm arson to motivate people to do the right thing.
This should have been done years ago. I hope it passes.