The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is now reviewing updated proposals to construct an Education and Welcome Center at Brooklyn’s historic Green-Wood Cemetery in Greenwood Heights. The project includes restoration of the Weir Greenhouse, a landmarked Victorian building, and the construction of a new L-shaped building.
Located at 749 Fifth Avenue, the new building will technically sit outside the landmark-designated boundary, which only includes the greenhouse and a small sliver of land at the rear of the existing property. However, considering the visual impact the new building will have on the historic greenhouse, the project team likely decided to play it safe and pursue the support of the LPC.
Restoration of the historic greenhouse will include installation of a new copper roof, a glazed terracotta façade, bluestone brick at the base of the building, and bronze window mullions. Areas surrounding the greenhouse will be transformed into a landscaped courtyard that leads into the welcome center.
The new building will house a research center, multiple gallery spaces, a catering kitchen, and a classroom. The façade will comprise bronzed horizontal panels set atop floor-to-ceiling windows.
Renderings packaged in this iteration of proposals are a dramatic departure from original plans designed by Page Ayres Cowley. In those plans, the new welcome center is positioned much closer to the greenhouse with a bland, uninspired façade facing the historic greenhouse. The LPC approved proposals to renovate the greenhouse, but rejected the proposed welcome center.
Today, Architecture Research Office (ARO) is leading the design of the new welcome center and integration with the historic property. The design team presented their proposals to the LPC on Tuesday, October 5, and its members are now reviewing the submission.
Previous renderings from Page Ayres Cowley rejected by the LPC
Rendering of the new Green-Wood Cemetery welcome center – Architecture Research Office (ARO)
Rendering of the new Green-Wood Cemetery welcome center’s facade panels – Architecture Research Office (ARO)
Ground floor plan for the Green-Wood Cemetery welcome center, courtyard, and historic greenhouse – Architecture Research Office (ARO)
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Welcome Center ?
Welcome! You’re dead.
Almost everything about this project really doesn’t make sense. An all-too happy WELCOME center for a cemetery? And the greenhouse renovation looks very alien. I don’t know, but this is very weird.
To the comments above – Green-Wood cemetery is a tourist attraction for it’s grounds, monuments and views. It’s an amazing example of a Victorian cemetery, which emphasized the landscaping and architecture. A welcome center is entirely appropriate.
I’m a 73 y/o retired NY trial lawyer now living in AZ. On occasion I’d walk through parts of Green-Wood when I was in the neighborhood. It’s not “just” a cemetery. It’s an historic site. Indeed, the crest is the highest point in Brooklyn and is where the Battle of Long Island was fought. Indeed, the harbor and the City are in full view this vantage point; one can imagine how the view appeared 200+ years ago. And it is the western end of the “Harbor Hill” Terminal Moraine.
Yes, Roy and Steve are completely correct, a Welcome Center is totally appropriate for many reasons..This 73y/o ‘unretired’ wise-ass just couldn’t resist.I apologize.
Very happy that the LPC rejected the original design for the welcome center. It looked like it was designed by NYCHA circa 1970.
These comments not understanding why a cemetery has a welcome center are just weird. Green-Wood isn’t some average cemetary for a number of reasons. Its not the kind of cemetary you only go to to visit a family plot. Its viewshed, it’s historic significance, it’s parklike aetting, it’s list of historical figures buried there that are of interest to the general public… It’s more like an Arlington Cemetary in this regard, and no one would think it odd a welcome/visitors center would be there.
True.