Houses on the west side of the proposed East 25th Street Historic District. Image Credit: LPC

Residents led the efforts to preserve the block from future development. On November 17, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate the East 25th Street Historic District in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. The East 25th Street Historic District consists of 56 row houses on both sides of East 25th Street between Clarendon Road and Avenue D in Flatbush, Brooklyn. The historic district consists of the houses between 314 – 378 East 25th Street. The historic district is the first in East Flatbush. 

The houses were all built between 1909 to 1912 in the Renaissance Revival style and feature limestone or brownstone fronts, ornamented entrances, rounded or angled bays and foliated keystones. Local residents advocated for the designation, working with Landmarks and the Historic Districts Council. For CityLand’s prior coverage of the designation process, click here. 

Landmarks Chair Sarah Carroll stated, “I am thrilled the Commission has designated the East 25th Street Historic District, the first historic district in East Flatbush. Throughout this designation, the Commission is recognizing both the architectural quality and the residents’ incredible stewardship of their historic homes and their block and how their community spirit has grown stronger through their collective efforts to green, beautify and preserve it. This designation exemplifies the intersection of historic preservation and community, which is very rewarding.” 

Council Member Farah N. Louis, who represents the historic district, stated, “As a proponent of community organizing and civic engagement, I fully supported this project and galvanized with the block association as we jumped into action throughout this process.The designation of the East 25th Street Historic District is a decisive win for all of us who fought to preserve history and deep family ties to District 45. The City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission now recognizes the value of the centuries-old architecture and the advocacy of every individual who invests their time and resources to beautify our neighborhood. I am proud to join my neighbors and constituents in celebrating the first-ever historic district in East Flatbush. The predominantly Black and Caribbean homeowners can now rest assured that their properties are beyond the reach of developers. Together, we will continue to protect our homes against any attempt to destroy our community’s unique architecture, beginning with the Renaissance Revival-style rowhouses.”

Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council, stated, “This well-deserved designation, located in a part of the city previously underserved by landmark protections, is entirely due to the remarkable organizing efforts and dedication of its residents and community leaders, and to the Landmarks Commission’s flexibility and adaptation in pursuing preservation during a pandemic. This is a great step forward for landmarks in New York City and an example that just because a community might not be able to gather, it can still unite.”

By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)