Victorian Flatbush neighbors push back after NYC landmarks only part of their neighborhood

"Neighbors in Brooklyn's Victorian Flatbush are expressing frustration after New York City designated only part of their area as a historic district, a decision they say jeopardizes the character of their streets and splits a unified community. Janice Hamann has lived in her Victorian home on Westminster Road for 38 years. "We came here because of the history and the architecture, culture and the community," she said. She said she treasures the home's original elements, noting a piece of stained glass from 1897."

"Despite years of advocacy, Hamann and others learned that the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) created a historic district for Beverley Square West but left out Westminster and Stratford roads. The newly designated district includes 118 homes built between 1894 and 1910 between Beverley and Cortelyou roads, stretching across Marlborough, Rugby and Argyle roads. Neighbors argue there is no meaningful difference between the houses included in the district and those left out."

New York City designated Beverley Square West and Ditmas Park West as historic districts while excluding Westminster and Stratford roads in Victorian Flatbush. The new district covers 118 homes built between 1894 and 1910 across Beverley, Cortelyou, Marlborough, Rugby and Argyle roads. Longtime residents contend the excluded blocks show no meaningful architectural differences and that the split undermines cohesive streetscapes and community character. Homeowners fear excluded streets will face faster redevelopment, citing recent conversions of single-family homes. The Landmarks Preservation Commission described the new districts as containing the strongest architecture and most cohesive streetscapes in the area.

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