We’ll always call it the Williamsburgh Bank Building

The developers who condo-ized this landmark, the tallest building in Brooklyn, would like it to be known to as One Hanson Place, but that’s not going to happen. In our hearts, it will remain the Williamsburgh Bank Building. Built in 1927, the 37-story building was at the time comparable to the skyscrapers in Manhattan, and it still dominates the downtown Brooklyn skyline. The past few decades, the building had been home to scores of dental offices. I like to imagine the sound of dental drills and a lingering antiseptic smell haunting the luxury apartments. (FYI – A number of units are available for sale or rental, if you’ve got the big bucks.)

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Brooklyn supports St. Pat’s

Three shamrocks adorn Borough Hall. As I ponder the meaning of this, I admire the ionic columns of the Greek revival landmark. The building was completed in 1849 and served as Brooklyn’s city hall until 1898, when the borough was annexed to the City of New York. St. Patrick’s decorations did not occur for many decades, we can be sure. Next year I’d favor cut-outs of leprechauns and pots of gold, though the decision makers might think a simple shamrock is more tasteful.

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Sitting for eternity

A grave-top statue at Green-Wood Cemetery. Founded in 1938, Green-Wood, covering 478 acres, is the resting place of approximately 700,000, including Leonard Bernstein, Boss Tweed, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Horace Greeley, Lola Montez, Albert Anastasia, Margaret Sanger, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Green-Wood’s verdant, landscaped grounds were a popular destination for strolling tourists and picnickers in the mid-1800’s. Prospect Park, more than half a mile away, was constructed several decades later; city planners were starting to understand the importance of park space to urban dwellers.

In 2006, Green-Wood Cemetery was declared a national Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior.

Building by the Fort Hamilton Pkwy. entrance.

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