227 Duffield Street; Map data © 2020 Google

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to designate a Brooklyn property that was home to known abolitionists, likely saving it from demolition. Harriet and Thomas Truesdell, members of the anti-slavery movement before the Civil War, lived at the Greek-Revival row house at 227 Duffield Street from 1851 to 1863. The commission recommended 227 Duffield for designation because it represents a rare surviving home to known abolitionists and marks Brooklyn’s pre-Civil War abolitionist movement. The push for landmarking the site was accelerated in 2019 when a developer filed permits to raze the three-story structure and replace it with a much taller mixed-use building.

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Renderings by Hargreaves Jones, courtesy of NYCEDC

After being in the works for nearly two decades, plans to build a public park in Downtown Brooklyn with a memorial to the neighborhood’s abolitionist history are delayed once again. The Public Design Commission last week tabled a conceptual proposal from artist Kameelah Janan Rasheed after preservationists and community members during an intense public hearing criticized both the design for missing details and the city’s lack of transparency.

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Photo by LWYang on Flickr

A new housing lottery has launched for 86 middle-income apartments at a brand new residential building in Downtown Brooklyn. Designed by J Frankl Associates and Charles Mallea, 260 Gold Street rises 13 stories on a former parking at the corner of Tillary and Gold. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which include $2,241/month studios, $2,362/month one-bedrooms, $2,848/month two-bedrooms, and $3,282/month three-bedrooms.

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From its sky-high outdoor infinity pool to the chic interior finishes designed by Katherine Newman, no details were overlooked at Brooklyn Point, the 720-foot residential tower in Downtown Brooklyn. After topping out last spring, officially becoming the borough’s tallest tower, and commencing closings and first move-ins this summer, new photos of the building’s model unit were released in September, which show off the eclectic interiors by designer Charlie Ferrer.

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Rendering courtesy of Gillie and Marc

Another statue of the late United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is coming to Brooklyn next year. After Ginsburg’s death last month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced plans to honor the New York City native with a statue in the borough, likely in Brooklyn Bridge Park. And last week artists Gillie and Marc Schattner announced plans to install another statue of Ginsburg at mixed-use development City Point in Downtown Brooklyn.

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All renderings by Williams New York

Not only is Brooklyn Point the tallest building in the borough, but it has the highest infinity pool in the western hemisphere. Superlatives aside, the 720-foot condo tower has also proved popular for its location across from Willoughby Square Park and its inclusion in the larger City Point development in Downtown Brooklyn. And in true Extell Development fashion, the amenity package is stacked, including a huge landscaped terrace complete with BBQs and a putting green, a triple-height lounge, and another indoor pool. Just in time for residents to enjoy all these perks, Brooklyn Point has announced that it’s commenced closings and begun the first move-ins.

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Photo credit: Russ Ross, courtesy The Corcoran Group

Downtown Brooklyn‘s Belltel Lofts are housed in a landmarked Art Deco tower at 365 Bridge Street that just happens to be the borough’s very first skyscraper. Built in 1929 as the headquarters for the New York Telephone Company, the 27-story building was designed by “architect of the century” Ralph Walker. In 2008, it was converted to condos by Beyer Blinder Belle and now has 217 apartments. This sunny unit, listed for $1,395,000, has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a private terrace that overlooks Downtown Brooklyn and sits against the building’s gorgeous brickwork.

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Photo of 1 Flatbush Avenue courtesy of Alexander Severin

Applications are now being accepted for 20 mixed-income apartments at a new Brooklyn high rise. The 19-story tower located at 1 Flatbush Avenue sits between Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene, conveniently located near a dozen subway lines, major shopping thoroughfares, and entertainment venues like the Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. New Yorkers earning 40 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from a $690/month studio to a $3,063/month two-bedroom.

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Lexington Avenue, between 105th and 106th Streets, Manhattan, 1913. Photograph by Pierre P. Pullis, Lundin Collection, Courtesy of the New York Transit Museum

A new photo exhibit at the New York Transit Museum provides a unique look at the construction of the city’s subway system, as well as its enduring impact. Opening Thursday, Streetscapes & Subways: Photographs by Pierre P. and Granville W. Pullis shows what it was like before and after the subway system was constructed, as well as the architectural and cultural changes occurring simultaneously above ground.

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A plan to improve the streets and public space of Downtown Brooklyn was unveiled on Thursday, as officials look to accommodate the area’s booming population. Created in collaboration with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Bjarke Ingels Group, and WXY architecture + urban design, the “Public Realm Action Plan” calls for fewer cars, more bike lanes, a bus-only lane, and more parks and plazas. As first reported by CityLab, the proposal takes ideas from already-implemented street redesigns, like the new 14th Street busway.  See the plan