Strong Place Condominiums contribute to the architectural and historical character for which the Cobble Hill Historic District was designated. The brownstone is laid in random ashlar. The 117- foot- high tower has three pointed windows above the pointed arched doorway and three pointed openings just below the church tower’s crenelated top. Landmark restoration has preserved the shapes of the aesthetic Gothic Revival solid mahogany windows and entrances completely. Upper balconies are thoughtfully concealed from street view, two grand entrances complete with magnificent arched doorways lead to the main lobby. Once inside, the walls and ceilings of the lobby display the original church brass chandeliers, and the extra-ordinary artifacts of the former church’s wooden carved altarpiece. Private solid brass mailboxes, in keeping with this aesthetic, grace the interior lobby which now has an astonishing double height inside, two full size modern elevators are easily accessible from all floors.

Solid slate floors are located throughout the public areas. Subtle exterior lighting will illuminate the church’s trusses around landscaped greens. The corner tower is thirty feet square and sixty-four feet high. The original slate roof has been replaced in landmark-approved Grand Slate Sheffield black shingles, to match the color of the original roof. On the exterior, stonework of historical replication has been used where necessary, with brownstone restoration and molded face brick, hand-selected for color.

The beautiful new addition built on the western yard and rear portion of the rectory of the church on Degraw Street is in keeping with the site’s landmark designation, and respects the old church’s historic rooftop configuration. The iron fence incorporates the historical materials and style appropriate to the building and historic district.

This church was among Lafever’s favorites, and he often visited it later in his declining years to find it a place of solace and comfort. He could have never realized how, in the 21st Century, Strong Place’s re-incarnation would be just that: a truly distinctive living space, elegantly graced in twenty-three unique luxury apartments. Lafever’s church now offers intelligently laid out, smartly designed contemporary condominiums. The feeling of harmony and aesthetic stimulation that Lafaver so often sought when visiting the grounds has been recaptured.

BAXT/INGUI ARCHITECTS, in conjunction with BROOKLYN BRIDGE REALTY, are enormously proud to have preserved an important part of New York’s architectural and historical heritage, with respect shown to enlightened principles of urban planning and development. Together they welcome you to visit and experience these condominiums, which uniquely combine the rich historical architectural heritage of Minard’s Lafever’s vision with harmonious, contemporary living interiors.

NEIGHBORHOOD

The Strong Place condominiums are nestled in Cobble Hill which. along with its adjoining neighborhoods, Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill and Carroll Gardens, must be considered one of the most architecturally distinguished, desirable and urbane residential quarters in America. Among the many charms of the area, known as Brownstone Brooklyn, are its beautiful, quiet, cul-de-sac streets such as Strong Place. Other similarly charming nearby streets with names like Cheever Place, and Warren Place enhance this intimate and peaceful neighborhood setting, an oasis amidst the throbbing great city of New York.

The area is replete with superior-rated private and public schools such as Packer Collegiate Institute K-12, (housed in another magnificent building by Minard Lafever), Brooklyn Heights Montessori School, Hannah Senesh, PS-29. There is plenty of culture and horticulture, with nearby BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), the Brooklyn Museum, Barge Music, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Prospect Park and Zoo, movie theaters (Court Street 12 and the Cobble Hill Cinema), book-stores that host readings with famous authors (BookCourt and Barnes and Noble); private and public sports club facilities including Red Hook’s Olympic-size public pool and playing fields (Cobble Hill Fitness, Court Street Health & Fitness, YMCA, NY Sports Club), gourmet supermarkets and specialty food shops (Sahadi’s Spices on Atlantic Avenue, Trader Joe’s, Union Market, Cobblestone Foods and Fairway), and Michelin and Zagat-star rated restaurants on Smith Street, Court Street, and Atlantic Avenue.

Back-dropped by the majestic East River, where newly designed Brooklyn Bridge Park meets the Brooklyn Promenade, with 180 degree views of the Manhattan skyline, the increasing attractiveness of Cobble Hill and its surrounding neighborhoods have made this part of Brooklyn real estate a proven strong investment with property values more than holding their own. BROOKLYN BRIDGE’S timely offering of these stately and historic condominiums, comprised of beauty and value at “The Landmark Strong Place,” are a rare and remarkable real estate gem.