LPC Designates Four Historic Districts in Sunset Park

Landmarks Preservation Commission


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Press Release

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2019
Contact: lpcpressoffice@lpc.nyc.gov, 212-669-7938

LPC Designates Four Historic Districts in Sunset Park

These four districts exemplify the historical and architectural history of the neighborhood.

From left to right, Central Sunset Park Historic District, Sunset Park South Historic District, Sunset Park North Historic District, and Sunset Park 50th Street Historic District.

New York –" Today, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated four historic districts in Sunset Park, Brooklyn: Sunset Park North, Central Sunset Park, Sunset Park 50th Street, and Sunset Park South. These four districts exemplify the historical and architectural history of the neighborhood.

"I am very excited by the designation of these four historic districts that together tell the story of Sunset Park's development," said Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll. "The history of Sunset Park is reflected in the architecture and natural topography found in these four historic districts that feature intact rows of buildings that represent the major periods of development in this neighborhood."

Sunset Park's historical development was closely connected to its working waterfront, with its architecture characterized by row houses built in the late 19th and early 20th century to house port workers as well as professionals who commuted to downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan. These four areas contain the most cohesive and intact concentrations of high quality architecture in Sunset Park, representing its primary periods of development. The Sunset Park South and 50th Street historic districts include strong collections of primarily late-19th century row houses; the Central Sunset Park historic district includes some of the neighborhood's finest houses from the turn of the 20th century, and the Sunset Park North historic district contains strong rows of early 20th century houses and apartment houses.

The Sunset Park South Historic District consists of approximately 285 buildings located from 54th through 59th Streets between 4th and 5th Avenues. This area contains some of the area's oldest buildings in intact rows, capturing the early development of Sunset Park and its residential character.

The Sunset Park 50th Street Historic District consists of two rows of 25 houses framing 50th Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. Constructed between 1897 and 1903 as Sunset Park was developing into a working- and middle-class community, this section of 50th Street is one of the neighborhood's finest historic blocks, notable for its cohesive rows of remarkably well-preserved brownstone-fronted houses representing the turn-of-the-century architectural development of Sunset Park.

The Central Sunset Park Historic District consists of approximately 148 buildings located on 47th and 48th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues, and along both sides of 6th Avenue between 47th and 49th Streets. Constructed between 1897 and 1906, the Central area incorporates some of the area's outstanding turn-of-the-century residential architecture, and includes intact blocks found along 6th Avenue that extend the character of the mid-blocks and strengthen the sense of place.

The Sunset Park North Historic District consists of approximately 56 buildings on the south side of 44th Street between 5th and 7th Avenues. The two well-preserved blocks overlooking Sunset Park are notable for their cohesive rows of limestone- and brick-fronted houses, and apartment houses all representing the neighborhood's architectural development just following the turn of the 20th century.

"I am pleased that the Landmarks Preservation Commission has designated four new historic districts in Sunset Park," said Assembly Member Felix Ortiz. "We have a very unique community that is attracting many new residents. It's important that we recognize the value of these homes and streets. As Sunset Park continues to grow, we will be able to keep in mind the community's historic roots as models of late 19th and early 20th century housing."

"We're very happy that the LPC designated 4 historic districts," said Lynn Massimo, Project Leader of Sunset Park Landmarks Committee. "On many blocks generations of Sunset Parkers have kept their rowhouses intact and looking historic, but that history is being erased by an increase in absentee investors destroying the rowhouse facades. That history, which is not only architectural history but is also the history of a proud immigrant and working class community, deserves to be honored and preserved."

"Sunset Park has long been one of Brooklyn's hidden gems," said Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council. "The neighborhood's handsome architecture, beautiful streetscapes and strong sense of place definitely merit designation. This designation has been a community-driven labor of love and we're over the moon with joy that the LPC is designating these historic districts."

About the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)

The Landmarks Preservation Commission is the mayoral agency responsible for protecting and preserving New York City's architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings and sites. Since its creation in 1965, LPC has granted landmark status to more than 36,000 buildings and sites, including 1,424 individual landmarks, 120 interior landmarks, 11 scenic landmarks, and 144 historic districts and extensions in all five boroughs. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/landmarks and connect with us via www.facebook.com/NYCLandmarks and www.twitter.com/nyclandmarks.