In the Civil War era, the southwestern edge of the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York was home to Admiral’s Row, an exclusive gated community of elegant Second Empire-style mansions where naval officers resided. However, in the present day, these once-grand homes have fallen into disrepair, abandoned and neglected. The deterioration of Admiral’s Row has ignited heated debates between New York City authorities and advocates of historic preservation. Plans are in motion to demolish these 19th-century homes, despite their significant historical value.
Also known as Officer’s Row, the eleven buildings that make up Admiral’s Row were constructed between 1864 and 1901. These impressive structures served as residences for distinguished naval officers and their families, boasting amenities like tennis courts, communal vegetable gardens, and a stable that doubled as an ice skating rink in winter.
After the base was decommissioned in 1966, historical records indicate that naval personnel continued to occupy these homes until the 1970s. However, since then, the buildings have been left to decay, deteriorating significantly. Despite remaining under the jurisdiction of the national guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Admiral’s Row has unfortunately become a target for vandalism and squatting over the past three decades.
As residents stroll along Flushing Avenue, they witness the gradual decay of two centuries-old mansions, now surrounded by overgrown weeds. Despite their deterioration, traces of the original bathroom tiles, lighting fixtures, and grand staircases serve as reminders of the site’s illustrious historical past.
In recent years, the City of New York has acquired a substantial portion of the Brooklyn Navy Yard with intentions to convert it into an industrial park. Managed by the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, there’s a proposal to demolish all but two of the remaining structures of Admiral’s Row to make room for a commercial complex.
While the development company argues that most of the homes are beyond repair, some historic preservationist groups believe that at least half of the buildings could be saved. In recent years, these groups have put forward various alternative plans aimed at better incorporating the historic structures into the new commercial complex.
As of November 2016, all but one of the houses have been torn down, leaving only a single structure standing. According to reports, this remaining building is set to be converted into a future supermarket.
