Map of the Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic Commune (courtesy of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission) (click to enlarge)

On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a new historic district surrounding Borough Hall in downtown Brooklyn. Dubbed the Borough Hall Skyscraper District, the surface area encompasses 21 architecturally distinct skyscrapers and function buildings that pepper Court, Remsen, Montague, Livingston and Joralemon streets.  Our reaction here at Hyperallergic to the news was, "What? There's an unabridged district of historic skyscrapers in Brooklyn?!" Equally a Brooklyn-based blog, we were shocked that this architectural treasure trove had somehow slipped under our radar, merely proud to learn that Manhattan isn't the but borough with skyscraper bragging rights.

Of form, the term "skyscraper" in the case of the Civic Hall District is not what nosotros think of today, especially with the construction of One Globe Merchandise Centre underway, which promises to attain a dizzying 1,776 feet. With some of the taller buildings extending to a little over 30 stories, the Brooklyn skyscrapers are quieter structures. This is due both to the time period of the buildings (which date dorsum to the belatedly 19th and early on 20th C, as in pre-Empire State edifice) and the terrain of Brooklyn itself. According to a mail service written by Andy McCathy on the Brooklyn Historical Social club's blog, Brooklyn "is not ripe for the engineering of skyward architecture."

Whereas Manhattan's bedrock is full of schist, an extremely strong rock blazon that can support massive buildings, Brooklyn's foundation at the waterfront is soft. In fact, Dutch settlers became the first to stigmatize Brooklyn when they chosen the island, "broken land."

The Tample Bar Building at 44 Court Street, part of the new Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District

Withal despite Brooklyn'southward technical difficulties, the buildings of Borough Hall looked skyward, creating the original skyline of Brooklyn. The buildings also brought with them an important era of commercial development to the area.

Spurred by the structure of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883, insurance companies and financial service institutions arrived in the neighborhood. Shortly downtown Brooklyn's low-scale buildings were replaced with loftier-rises built by some of Brooklyn's most well-known architecture firms of the mean solar day including the Parfitt Brothers, who contributed heavily to the evolution of Brooklyn Heights during the finish of the 19th C.

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Building at 75 Livingston street

The landmarked skyscrapers equally they stand today are a brew-upwardly of past and present. The Temple Bar Building at 44 Court Street, ane of the about famed of the series, is stuffed with a Duane Reade on its beginning floor. Just a glance upwardly reveals 3 striking curved copper copulas in the Beaux-Arts style that protrude from the top of the royal structure.

Side by side door is a 22-story Colonial Revival style building (32 Court Street) that looms over the Temple Bar Building, while around the corner is the slightly shabbier Romanesque Franklin Edifice (186 Remsen street), which has been abandoned for the past decade. Another highlight of the commune is the Brooklyn Bedroom of Commerce Building at 75 Livingston. Congenital after in the 1920s, the building has an exquisite series of bulging white peaks that give the structure a lightness reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral.

A view of the skyscraper at 32 Court Street (eye), across from the Brooklyn Borough Hall building (far left)

The LPC'due south decision to landmark the district was not an piece of cake 1. The Commission faced sever opposition from local landlords and store owners who fear that renovations to the skyscrapers volition as well sky rocket the costs of rent and maintenance and hinder farther development in the neighborhood. Ellen Murphy, president of the co-op board at 75 Livingston Street, told the New York Times that she was "dismayed by the vote" and that the determination would definitely "increase the costs of maintaining the building." Just what is the alternative? Without landmark status, the skyscrapers could easily be knockdown and replaced with even more expensive high-rises, equally is already happening in other parts of Brooklyn.

All the same the accusations that the LPC's decision volition stem evolution in the neighborhood may have some truth to them. Francis Leadon, co-author of the 5th addition of the AIA Guide to New York Urban center, speculates that the LPC is trying to bank check the nearby St. Francis College, which has been aggressively increasing their presence in the area. Nigh five years ago, the college demolished its 19th C. McGarry Library and replaced it with a modern edifice. The Brooklyn Heights Web log provides further testify for Leadon's guess, stating in a post that the landmark designation has been in the works since the destruction of the library in order to relieve other buildings from a similar fate.

Any the reasons behind the establishment of this new commune, these buildings are certainly worth preserving for both their historical and architectural significance. Considering how quickly this city seeks to erase its past, its nice to meet the LPC succeed in keeping this unique part of Brooklyn history intact.

Liza Eliano is Hyperallergic'south editorial assistant by day, and bad Television fanatic past nighttime. She recently graduated from Barnard College with a BA in fine art history and a newfound dear for girl power. She was... More than past Liza Eliano