Lundy’s Building: A Real Fixer Upper?
The historic Lundy’s Building, located along the waterfront at 1901 Emmons Avenue, is in many ways the face of Sheepshead Bay. First constructed in the 1930s to house the legendary Lundy’s Restaurant, the Spanish-style colonial building, with its distinctive sand-colored stucco and Mission tiles, continues to be one of the community’s greatest treasures.
Yet, despite the building’s landmark status — it was officially designated in 1989 — its iconic exterior today languishes in grime, a portion of its majestic red Mission tile roof covered with a shredded blue tarpaulin, its windows filthy, and windowsills pockmarked in rust and rot.
“It’s a disgrace,” said Joseph Ditta, author of Then & Now: Gravesend, Brooklyn and webmaster of the Gravesend Gazette. “If the building is not being kept up as it deserves to be, it falls on Landmarks Preservation to fine the owner for improper maintenance.”
Indeed, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is responsible for protecting the city’s architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites. The LPC grants them landmark status and regulates them once they’re designated.
John Weiss is LPC’s Deputy Counsel. “While what’s happening there does not rise to the level of failure to maintain,” he said, referring to the NYC administrative code for landmarks. “It’s apparent there has been some sloppy work done on the building.”
Weiss was reacting to several photos Sheepshead Bites sent to the LPC of Lundy’s exterior. What was particularly noteworthy, he said after reviewing the visuals, was the shredded blue tarp on the building’s roof and the “sloppy” repair work on the outside walls.
“Based on the photos, we will likely reach out to the owners,” Weiss said. “We’re concerned, particularly about the quality of the repair work.”
Weiss also hinted that his agency could issue a violation to the owners for work done without a permit, an action the LPC has taken several times in the past against the owners of the Lundy’s building.
Property records indicate the owners received a permit last year to replace the roofing tiles. So why has no work been done for so long?
“The fact is, we’ve been ready for two years and have a permit to complete a full restoration of the building,” said George Kazantzis, vice president of Operations for Lundy’s Management Corp. “We plan to replace the roof with new tiles from Spain, replace the canopies, and repair the lighting and exterior.”
Asked why it has taken so long for the restoration to begin, something which he acknowledged has been a point of contention in the neighborhood, Kazantzis said one of the tenants – whom he refused to name – engaged in a campaign of “obstruction” that led to the delays.
“That’s not an issue anymore and I expect work to begin in the next few weeks. It should take between 30 and 60 days to complete,” he said.
Kazantzis, who has a prominent history leading historical restorations, including some in the Soho and Tribeca sections of Manhattan, says he has a deep affection for the Lundy’s building and, like the neighborhood, can’t wait for the restoration to be completed.
“It will be beautiful,” he said.
Brooklyn’s Ron Schweiger also has a special fondness for Lundy’s. The Borough’s official historian for some 15 years, Schweiger is said to know more about Brooklyn than anyone else on the planet, and can wax poetic longer than most for the landmarked property.
“I have so many artifacts from that building, particularly from Lundy’s,” he said. “Its history is so colorful.”
When asked about the current condition of the Lundy’s Building, Schweiger said he hoped it would be repaired shortly but, if neglected, wanted it reported to local officials.