Kinko houses in the Melrose Parkside Historic District. Image Credit: LPC.
Some of the houses within the district represent a unique layout that was developed in Brooklyn. On December 13, 2022, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate the Melrose Parkside Historic District in Flatbush, Brooklyn. The new historic district consists of 38 single- and two-family row houses on Parkside Avenue between Flatbush and Bedford Avenues, including the properties from 357 to 413 Parkside Avenue on the north and 290 to 386 Parkside Avenue on the south side of the street.
The houses were developed by William A.A. Brown and Eli H. Bishop & Son and designed by architects Benjamin Driesler and Axel S. Hedman between 1909 and 1915. Twenty of the homes are “Kinko houses,” duplex houses that are stacked vertically instead of sitting side by side. Each unit in the kinko house is two stories with private entrances. The kinko house style was developed in Brooklyn in 1905. The remaining houses are either Jacobian or Neo-Classical single-family row houses. All of the houses are well-preserved with minimal changes.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing for the historic district in October. Many residents spoke in support of designation to preserve the houses from development and had participated in multiple efforts to petition Landmarks to consider the area for a historic district. For CityLand’s prior coverage, click here.
Landmarks Chair Sarah Carroll stated, “The city’s 155th historic district is a truly stand-out block in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. The Melrose Parkside Historic District is a distinctive collection of early-20th-century row houses and duplexes designed in the Neoclassical style by two well-regarded Brooklyn architects. These incredibly well-preserved rows create a strong sense of place, which continues to reflect the history and diversity of Flatbush.”
Council Member Rita Joseph stated, “Congratulations to the residents of Parkside Avenue for the designation of Melrose Parkside as a Historic District. I love our neighborhood for so many reasons, but the distinct architecture of it is one that often does not get enough attention, and this designation will ensure that future generations are able to appreciate the beauty of Flatbush. I thank the City Landmarks Preservation Commission for their expertise and leadership in this process.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)