Historical experts are urging the city to landmark a 91-building section of Ridgewood, protecting it from being altered or destroyed in the future.
The city Landmarks Commission held a hearing Dec. 16 to consider designating the area, bounded by Forest Avenue, Woodbine Street, Fairview Avenue and Linden Avenue, as historic. Both the Historic Districts Council and the area’s councilwoman-elect gave statements supporting the proposal.
The area is important because it illustrates the development of one of the most influential and successful model tenement neighborhoods in the city. Known as the Mathews Flats, the buildings were developed by the G.X. Mathews Company and constructed between 1908 and 1911.
The Flats, designed by Louis Allmendinger, were built on wide lots and most provide two apartments on each of the three floors, totalling six apartments per unit.
Preserving Ridgewood’s history