[UPDATED] Seen In Bay Ridge Weekender: The Tudors

By on December 21, 2012  Seen In Photos
Dec 212012
 

emilydickinsonridesabmx2

[UPDATED] 12/22/12 After some further searching, I found this matching image of Madeline Court [h/t to Brownstoner]. Thanks for playing!

The above photo, courtesy of emilydickinsonridesabmx via Flickr, shows a cute little cul de sac of Tudor style row houses. Anyone know what street this was taken on? I originally thought it was Wogan Terrace.

Publisher’s note: barring some paradigm-changing local news, this will be our last entry for 2012. Thank you for making Bay Ridge Odyssey one of your reads. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season. Looking forward to the New Year!

With Neighbors Fed Up, Another Victorian Slowly Bites The Dust

By on August 16, 2012  Real Estate
Aug 162012
 

Every time someone neglects an older home, “This Old House” host Kevin O’Connor quietly weeps.

Homeowners living on either side of a neglected 83rd Street property fear their Victorian-era wood frame neighbor could be in danger of an imminent Ovington Avenue-style collapse, and are asking the city for help, as reported by Will Bredderman for the Brooklyn Paper.

After dealing with insects, animals and trespassing teens for years, residents Danielle Basso and Siu Leung say that enough is enough, as it looks like the historic home might have to be brought down before it falls under its own weight.

“I’m scared,” Basso, a mother of three, told Brooklyn Paper. “It’s unfortunate, because it’s a beautiful structure, but it should be torn down.”

Basso said she and her husband have paid to have the bee and termite-infested house fumigated in order to prevent the pests from crossing over the property line to their home. Continue reading »

Bay Ridge’s Worst Neighbors: Investment properties left to languish by negligent landlords

By on July 27, 2012  Featured story, Real Estate
Jul 272012
 

Image source: Martin Cathrae via Flickr

Bay Ridge’s worst neighbors strike again.

A piece by Denise Romano for the Home Reporter revealed yesterday that local real estate investor Mousa Khalil owns two additional neglected properties on the same Ovington Avenue block where he allowed a house to collapse – including one that appears to be illegally occupied.

Meanwhile, the Daily News’ Alex Robinson reports that City Councilman Vincent Gentile is trying to guilt property owner Frank Landy to turn a 79th Street house that’s been falling apart for decades over to a good cause.

Residents of Ovington Avenue between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue say that of the three properties Khalil owns on their block, one is actually occupied, albeit illegally. They speculate that 556 Ovington Ave is serving as a home for squatters, or possibly even a hostel. Continue reading »

[UPDATED] Vacant House On Ovington Avenue Partially Collapsed Late Last Night

By on July 16, 2012  News, Real Estate
Jul 162012
 

As local real estate prices remain some of the strongest in the country, another apparent victim of the “benign neglect” so many once-proud homes in New York City suffer from began to crumble late last night.

ABC 7 is reporting that firefighters and police were called to the scene of a partially collapsed vacant building on Ovington Avenue, between 5th Ave and 6th Ave, at around 3 a.m.

Authorities do not believe anyone was inside the older wood frame house – which is owned by “controversial” landlord Mousa Khalil - when the structural failure occurred. Continue reading »

History Buff And Preservationist Victoria Hofmo To Lead Bike Tour In June

By on May 21, 2012  Events
May 212012
 

As founder of the Bay Ridge Conservancy, Victoria Hofmo has been a leading advocate for preserving Bay Ridge’s historic homes for well over a decade.

Hofmo’s tireless efforts have included defending the generously proportioned lots surrounding venerable old homes from developers intent on creating “super luxury” architectural eye sores. She even coined the term “Fedders houses” aka “Fedders Specials” in the process!

Back in April, Kip from Bay Ridge Journal reported that Hofmo will be leading a bike tour of Bay Ridge’s beauties – including favorites like the Arts & Crafts Ginger Bread House, on June 2, at 10 A.M. Click Here For More Info, Including Your Eligibility To Register