Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Is This The Most Peculiar Home In Brooklyn Heights History?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Aug 18, 2015
Modified Aug 19, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Aug 18, 2015
Modified Aug 19, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
(Courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection)
UPDATE, 8/19/15: Much more information on the house can be found here.
Have you ever seen a home like this in New York City?
We're going to file this unique bit of architecture under a History Mystery for now, as we haven't been able to find much information about it. But we can't stop staring. These photos, courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library, are dated March 27th, 1921—they note that the home was on Columbia Heights between Pierrepont and Clark in Brooklyn Heights. It is described as an "adobe Spanish-style house with patio."

(Courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection)
The home—which is definitely no longer there—was likely on the East River side, since there are no buildings showing up behind it. The Promenade wasn't built at this time, and this home could have very well been torn down when Robert Moses came through. (Update below.)
We've reached out to a few New York City history experts, and will update as we find out more.

(Courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection)
IMPORTANT UPDATE: THIS HOUSE STILL EXISTS. Commenter R.O. Shipman points us towards this Corcoran listing for 220 Columbia Heights. It appears the above photos were taken on this property's roof, though today it appears much of the structure is missing.

Tagged
architecture
brooklyn heights
flashback
history
history mystery
original
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Fake AI ads in the West 4th Street subway station unite commuters in hatred of AI ads
An installation by comedians Harris Alterman and Dave Ross accurately parodied the cheeky dystopia on display underground.
By
Emma Li
Published Aug 10, 2026
'It is a bit utopian': Why Public Service is Brooklyn's favorite dance party
DJs Mickey Perez and Cesar Toribio's free series is the sound of the city and New Yorkers love it.
By
Maia Appleby Melamed
Arts & Entertainment
'It is a bit utopian': Why Public Service is Brooklyn's favorite dance party
DJs Mickey Perez and Cesar Toribio's free series is the sound of the city and New Yorkers love it.
By
Maia Appleby Melamed
Challenge accepted: We went hunting for the secret bolt in Central Park
By
James Ramsay
Monica Barbaro's guide to running around New York City in heels
By
Sonia Rao
Do NYC restaurant workers have their knives out for the Anthony Bourdain movie?
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .