Weir Greenhouse

Weir Greenhouse is a historic greenhouse located across the street from the main entrance of Green-Wood Cemetery in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York City. It was designed by George Curtis Gillespie and built in 1895 by James Weir, Jr., a Brooklyn florist who had been in business for 50 years when he built the greenhouse for the business he operated with his son and grandson.[2] It is a rectangular, wood frame and galvanized iron building with projecting bays and domes in the Victorian commercial style. The main entrance is set at an angle to the street corner and is octagonal in form. The rooftop features an octagonal cupola with a ball finial. Attached to the greenhouse is a one-story brick office structure.[3]

Weir Greenhouse
Weir Greenhouse in 2014
Location750–751 5th Ave., New York, New York
Coordinates40°39′32″N 73°59′47″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1895
ArchitectGillespie, George Curtis
Architectural styleVictorian commercial
NRHP reference No.84002487[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 10, 1984
Designated NYCLApril 13, 1982

The Weirs continued to operate the business until 1971, when they sold to the McGovern family.[2] The building was designated a New York City Landmark in 1982.[2] On February 2, 2012, the Weir Greenhouse was purchased by the neighboring Green-Wood Cemetery, which planned to preserve the greenhouse and restore elements which have decayed in recent years.[4] By early 2015, structural stabilization of the vacant, decayed building was complete, and the project was scheduled to move toward restoration of the building to its 1895 appearance.[2] As of 2020, the restoration is still underway, but Green-Wood planned to convert the greenhouse into the cemetery's visitor center.[5]

The greenhouse was made a New York City designated landmark in 1982.[6] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.[1]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "Restoring a Gem". The Arch. Greenwood Historic Fund. 2015.
  3. Austin O'Brien (November 1982). "National Register of Historic Places Registration:Weir Greenhouse". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2011-03-02. See also: "Accompanying six photos".
  4. Richman, Jeff (6 February 2012). "It Is Ours!". Green-Wood. Green-Wood Cemetery. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  5. Vries, Susan De (November 21, 2018). "A Newly Rehabbed Roof Is Gleaming at the Historic Weir Greenhouse in Greenwood Heights". Brownstoner. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  6. "Weir Greenhouse" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. April 13, 1982. Retrieved July 28, 2019.


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