Sunset Park: The Original Cooperatives

craftsdweller

Hello to-be neighbors,

I'm buying a place in one of the Finnish co-ops in the 40s that seem to be unique not only to the area, but the country. Mine is a Jr.-4 with some neat detailing, like stained glass windows in the hallways and built-in bookshelves, and exposed wooden beams, very craftsman-style, and I'm curious if other people have seen the same setup in their units.

Also, it seems miraculous that there's no mortgage on my building, and it's because the place was built with contributions from 20 families in 1917, when it was erected. With the first co-op in the country built on 41st in 1916, that makes mine close to follow.

But as a whole, I want to know how these other co-op buildings have evolved. I looked at several others in nearby blocks, but none seemed to be as small-scale or as old as mine, though some had similar layout.

I'm also curious about rehab/reno and layout variances. What have you or neighbors done with your units?

Is anyone else interested in this as a forum?

raedog

I am! I moved into one of the Finnish coops on 41st Street two months ago--it's from 1928--and I love it. We don't have the kind of detail you describe, but we do have lovely coved ceilings, molding, the original cold-storage cabinet in the kitchen, etc., all incredibly well preserved. The history of these buildings is pretty amazing. I suspect--though I have no confirmation--that the specific Finnish coop in which I live was built for sailors and/or their families. I would like to learn more about this specific building, but also, as you say, the others in "Finlandia." I would also be interested in seeing some Sunset Park blogs--insight into restaurants (or which vendors are best in the park! It's sometimes like a mini Red Hook ballfields up there), places to shop, interesting tidbits about the hood, etc. I may well start one myself....

cap'n

Hmm... The original coops? There is some debate about this, though I'd like to believe it's true--I live at 41st near 7th. There are some along Eastern Parkway, built around the time yours was, that make the same claim. So we can share in the pride...

I doubt your detail is the result of renovation. Between 1916 and 1928 taste changed a great deal. We prefered the simpler style of the 20s but the older buildings really are beautiful. We saw one dining room in an older building that had great wainscotting (I think that's what it's called anyway). And I think the rooms are ever-so-slightly larger in the older buildings.

As far as what folks have done to their apartments, there seems to be a huge range. Mine has the original doors, moulding, floors, and bathroom, etc. I like that stuff and I looked hard to find it. The kitchen is "new-ish." Most I've seen in the area have the original floors and layouts but that's where the similarity ends. I've seen apts with all moulding removed or in horrible disrepair, some with half the original kitchens, some with the bathrooms expanded.

A sad/funny note: There was one apt on 41st Street that was totally ruined. It seems everywhere there was a squeak in the floor the guy just put a big-ass silver screw in the wood. The whole apartment was a minefield of screws. And even better, the whole front wall of the apt was that dimensional red-brick wallpaper. And even better, the broker waved her arm in front of it and said "Isn't it wonderful that he exposed the brick." We didn't point out that it's a yellow brick building. (It was a great space with great views though--just nothing original remained.)

I live in a 24 unit building, so small to mid-size for these coops. In this building there are studios, 3, 4 and 5 room apartments. We live in a 4-room--like your Jr.4 I'd think. There are four of these and three 5-room apts. So that leaves 15 studio and 3-room apts. I wonder if that's a similar proportion to other buildings. Yours?

MB

sunsetpete

From the AIA (Architectural Institute of America) Guide to New York City:

Alku Toinen (Finnish cooperative apartments), 826 43rd St., bet. Eighth and Ninth Aves, S. side, 1916.
Reputedly the first non-profit cooperative dwelling in New York City. Modest architecturally, it wears a palette of tan Scandinavian brick. Visit it more for its social history than any architectural wonders.