Building of the Day: 129 Kane Street

The article delves into the architectural history and evolution of the row house located at 129 Kane Street, on the corner of Hicks Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. This building, a part of the Cobble Hill Historic District since 1969, serves as a testament to the layered historical development of the neighborhood. The row of five houses, including this corner property, was constructed in the 1840s by William D. McCarty, a local auctioneer who undertook the project as a speculative development, never residing in any of the homes himself. The original architectural style of these houses is Greek Revival, a predominant building style of the era and notably common in Cobble Hill, indicating its status as one of Brownstone Brooklyn's older neighborhoods. The adjacent houses in the row still exhibit exquisite details such as elegant wrought iron railings and well-preserved dentiled cornices with their distinctive Greek Revival brick fascias, elements that frequently do not endure over time. Historically, the street was initially known as Butler Street when the house was built, later becoming Harrison Street, before finally being renamed Kane Street in 1928 in honor of James Kane, a local policeman recognized for his heroism. A significant alteration to 129 Kane Street occurred in the late 1870s or early 1880s with the addition of a storefront. This modification involved the removal of the house's original front entrance to create retail space, relocating the entrance to the upper floors to the side of the building. The façade of the newly added storefront was embellished with Neo-Grec detailing, reflecting the architectural trends of that period. This transformation coincided with a demographic shift in the neighborhood, as it transitioned from a community of merchant gentility to one housing multi-family residences for immigrant populations from various parts of Europe, including Sweden and Italy. The building and its neighboring structures along Hicks Street were notably spared during the construction of the BQE (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) trench in the 1940s. However, the creation of the expressway profoundly impacted the streetscape and the overall quality of life in the area. In contemporary times, the storefront at 129 Kane Street has undergone further alterations and subsequent restoration. It no longer functions as a retail space, having been repurposed for residential use once again. The building features a distinctive paint scheme of green, burgundy, and cream, which is described as complementary to its overall appearance. This color palette extends to the boards and brackets of the bump-out oriel on the Hicks Street side. The Neo-Grec floral motifs and the scalloped pattern present on the store's cornice are highlighted, creating a visually striking effect. #CobbleHill #GreekRevival #NeoGrec #BrooklynArchitecture #HistoricPreservation #BuildingHistory #ArchitecturalRenovation #CobbleHill #GreekRevival #NeoGrec #BrooklynArchitecture #HistoricPreservation #BuildingHistory #ArchitecturalRenovation

161 months ago

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