Preservation

For the first four decades, Sunnyside Gardens was methodically preserved as part of its design. Just as its planners laid unsightly utility lines underground, they supplied deeds for new homes with 40-year restricted covenants, which forbade changes without the approval of trustees, many elected from the homeowners associations. These covenants kept garden space open and fostered an awareness of architectural qualities worth preserving. Two groups of mews courts with shared front gardens were protected by permanent easements. Houses enjoyed private yards in front and back, while most properties also included a portion of the adjoining garden court. View original plans for four blocks below.

The first year’s construction (1924, later named Colonial Court) arranged houses and apartment buildings on only 28% of the land and reserved a large space on the interior of the block for shared gardens and a playground. On one side of 47th (Carolin) Street, where the full depth of the block wasn’t purchased for development, private yards were linked by common walkways.

This plan for Lincoln and Washington Courts (1926), from 44th (Locust) to 46th (Bliss) Streets, shows Sunnyside’s predominent design for homes and gardens. Dark green indicates the three shared garden courts in these blocks, light green the private gardens in front and back of each house. Set at varied distances from the street, houses were built with flat or gabled roofs and porches in front or back, some open and some enclosed.

A second-floor snapshot presents the original landscaping after a few year’s growth. Private back yards, each with its whirligig clothes line, are delineated by hedges. Outside the hedgerow, walkways surround attractions in the shared interior: A bench sits at the end of the border garden beyond the young children’s play area with swings, slide, and distinctive white gazebo. This is the center court of three in Washington Court, finished in 1926. Photo by Louis Raschke, courtesy of Agatha Raschke.

In 1926 and 1927, in addition to central garden courts, many houses at the west and east sides of the neighborhood offered shared gardens (shown in dark green) that brought residents from the street to their front doors. This is the plan for Jefferson Court (1926-27) between 48th (Gosman) and 49th (Heiser) Streets. Light green shows the private gardens on two sides of every house.

Changes Appear

Beginning in 1964-68, as 40-year covenants expired on individual properties, some homeowners overtook garden spaces by installing driveways or fencing off portions of the open courts to enlarge their private yards. Still, the great majority of neighbors adhered to the original ideal of open space, in two homeowners associations by renewing covenants and in others by tacit agreements to maintain the common courts. Responding to the loss of protective covenants, New York City amended its Zoning Resolution in 1974 to name Sunnyside Gardens a Special Planned Community Preservation District. This law addressed the need to limit the size of buildings and protect open space. Fencing of open commons, building enlargements, sheds, curb cuts and parking in yards were all effectively curtailed by requiring a Special Permit from the City Planning Commission.

Today

Sunnyside Gardens, including Phipps Garden Apartments, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. In 1991, the neighborhood was named a National Planning Landmark. Beyond these honors, designation as a New York City Historic District in 2007 empowers the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to regulate the exteriors of buildings.

Preservation Awards

The Sunnyside Gardens Historic Preservation Award celebrates significant contributions in restoration and advocacy on behalf of the Historic District. The award was inspired by Celia Levine, who rebuilt her rear porch at 39-24 49th Street along original lines in the late 1980s. Award recipients to date are Dan Allen, Anna Bridge, Marlyn Molloy, and the Historic Districts Council.

Preservation

Changes Appear

Today

Preservation Awards

Character-Defining Features

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