Wow. Look at this building. This is 47 Plaza Street West. It’s quite something isn’t it?
47 Plaza Street West isn’t just another apartment building. It’s a piece of Brooklyn history. Designed by the renowned Rosario Candela this 16-story masterpiece was completed in 1928. Candela a master of space designed many luxury apartments in Manhattan. This building though is one of only two pre-war residential buildings he designed in Brooklyn. The other is just down the block.
Imagine the 1920s. Plaza Street was lined with grand mansions. Then came the boom. High-rises started appearing. 47 Plaza Street West replaced a large single-family home. Shipbuilding magnate Edward P. Morse even lived there. He and his family rented three apartments when the building opened in November 1928.
47 Plaza Street West boasts a distinctive flatiron shape. It’s like Brooklyn’s own Flatiron Building. Its design is a beautiful blend of Italian Renaissance and Art Deco elements. The building has 43 units. Three large apartments grace each floor. Each floor consists of one Classic 7 and two Classic 6 apartments. Candela loved puzzles. He cleverly incorporated this passion into his building’s design. The building’s point culminates at a 47-degree angle. A subtle clue. Clever right?
The building is a true white-glove cooperative. It offers full service. But there is a catch no dogs allowed. The building even has manually operated elevators. These were featured in a New York Times article in 2017. The article discussed the dwindling number of manual elevators in New York City.
47 Plaza Street West is more than just apartments. It’s a significant part of Park Slope’s history. It’s even part of the Park Slope Historic District. Designated in 1973 this district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The building stands proudly near Grand Army Plaza. An unofficial landmark of this monumental public space.
So next time you see 47 Plaza Street West remember its story. A story of architectural brilliance history and a bit of whimsical genius. A truly special building.