142-154, 156-170 & 151-159 7th Ave
1887-88
Cevedra B. Sheldon

Following the economic upturn of the late 1870s, 7th Avenue transitioned into commercial uses mainly south of Berkeley Place. While residential and religious structures were still being built at the southern end of the avenue, during the 1880s more modest apartment houses and commercial buildings were the predominant typology. Most of them were designed as mixed-use, with shops on the ground floor and flats above, and those on prominent corner lots often featured a projecting angled or rounded bay.

These three corner buildings at Garfield Place still retain their original configuration. They are the work of C. B. Sheldon, a notable builder active in Brooklyn from 1863 until 1894. He was also responsible for all the buildings on the west side of 7th Avenue between Garfield Place and 1st Street, as well as many of the buildings between Garfield Place and Carroll Street. His work can be found all over the Park Slope Historic District, and its extensions, as well as in the Fort Greene Historic District.

Photo: Building at 142-154 7th Ave.