Building of the Day: 847 Prospect Place

Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Former Edward B. Hutchinson House
Address: 847 Prospect Place
Cross Streets: Nostrand and New York Avenues
Neighborhood: Crown Heights North
Year Built: 1886
Architectural Style: Queen Anne
Architect: Albert H. Kipp
Landmarked: Yes, just this year, CHN HD, phase 2 (2011)

The story: This has long been one of my favorite houses on one of my favorite Crown Heights blocks. It sits majestically in the middle of the north side of the block, just begging the question – where did you come from, and who did you belong to? In a neighborhood filled with fine architecture, you might expect one of the usual suspects for the architect, someone like George Chappell. But he had nothing to do with it. It was an unknown architect names Albert Hamilton Kipp.

Kipp began his career in the office of James Renwick, certainly an auspicious start to an architectural career. There are hardly any records of his work or activity until he moved to Wilkes-Barre, PA right after this house was built, late in 1886. There he practiced until his death in 1906. He was a member of the AIA, and a Fellow, and designed libraries and churches in Pennsylvania. This house is his only commission in Brooklyn, at least as we know, so far.

It was designed for the family of Edward B. Hutchinson, a wealthy businessman. He appears in several Brooklyn business directories, but his occupation is not listed. He was a member of Plymouth Church. He had a wife, Euphemia, known as Effie, and two children, Sarah and John. Sarah’s wedding to Lewis Sterling Chase in 1898, took place in the home. The 1900 census shows the family in the house, and it is unknown what happened to them after that.

By 1914, the house belonged to John H. Schumann, the president of German Savings Bank, and founder of the Moller-Schumann Varnish Company. He died on the last day of 1913, and his funeral was also here in the house. He was survived by his wife, Emma.

847 Prospect is a great Queen Anne brick house, with an interesting bay on the side covered with shingles, and fish scale shingles on the side dormer. Terra-cotta trim adds a nice bit of detail to the house, especially in the shell motive just under the eaves. The interesting window detail and shaped pilasters are also quite fine, as is the generous front porch. It also has a garage. I am happy to announce that the house is once again listed as a one family. Hopefully we can get them on our house tour some year.

A personal tale here: back around 2001 or so, the house, which had been empty for years, was being rehabbed. I was walking by, gawking at it, and the workmen asked me if I wanted to see inside. Without a single thought to personal safety, I marched right in. Sadly, the only detail remaining was in the front parlor, which had a Craftsman style mantelpiece. The rest of the house had been chopped up into small apartments, and not all that well, either. I was very disappointed. At that time it dawned on me that I was alone with strangers, who seemed very nice, but come on… I thanked them and left. A love of old houses can be a dangerous obsession. GMAP