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54Units
6Stories
1941Year Built
$240K - $378KValue Range
Available Units
For Sale
No Units Available
For Rent
No Units Available
Highlights
Elevator
J.H.S. 278 Marine Park Rated A-
Resident Manager or Management On Site
Historic prewar co-op near Brooklyn College and trains
This six-story, red-brick co-op blends into the neighborhood except for one thing: its setback arched entrance with the name Cromwell prominently displayed, hinting at its earlier grandeur. An original brochure for the building archived at Columbia University’s library noted its desirable features for the time it was built, in the 1940s. Those included the fact it was open on all four sides for maximum air and light and equipped with the latest amenities, like mechanical refrigeration, inlaid linoleum floors, colored tiles in bathrooms, built-in hampers, ample closets, indoor radio aerials, concealed radiation and clothes dryers. There used to be a playroom in the basement as well. This section of Brooklyn used to be called Flatbush, and the brochure touted proximity to the I.R.T. Subway, which stood for Interborough Rapid Transit Company, a defunct entity (absorbed by the MTA) whose trains are now mostly referred to by numbers. The original ad also highlighted the building’s convenience to shopping and the new (at the time) Brooklyn College and Midwood High School.
Architect Max E. Ungarleider is behind the 1941 elevator building; he’s also credited with at least 26 other residential NYC buildings. Those still standing include The Colton, part of Jackson Heights’ historic district, The Albemarle and 40 Woodruff Avenue, both in what are now considered the Prospect Park area. While the early shine has long faded on 2901 Avenue I, the prewar bones remain, as does the co-op’s prime location near the college, shopping and the train.
Large layouts with numerous prewar features
Desirable prewar features abound in the 54 units, including arched doorways, parquet floors, oversized windows, foyers and dining areas. But newer updates are also found throughout, from gutted galley kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and glass backsplashes to rehabbed bathrooms with jacuzzi tubs and cabinet vanities. Other renovations have added custom closets, decorative wood floors, modern light fixtures and even in-unit washers/dryers. However, air conditioning is limited to window units.
Original units were larger (e.g. no studios), but today’s apartments range from studios to three-bedrooms, with two bedrooms representing the majority. These range from 700 to 1,100 square feet, with the last two-bedroom selling for $295,000 in 2024. Studios average 600 square feet and rarely hit the market due to the limited number, but one did sell for $178,000 in 2024. One-bedrooms offer between 700 to 800 square feet with one last selling in 2019. Three-bedrooms are also elusive. Averaging around 1,000 square feet, there was one that sold in 2024 for $338,000, which was the first time a three-bedroom became available since 2015.
Grand lobby and basement laundry room
The distinctive entrance is flanked by landscaping and leads into the original lobby, where prewar vibes are felt from its Art Deco floor and crown moldings to its fireplace and arched doorway. Beyond, amenities are limited to an elevator and an unfinished basement laundry room that contains two washers and two dryers. Pets are not allowed here and there’s no garage. There is a 25 percent down payment requirement, but subletting is allowed with board approval. Most units are owner-occupied.
Short walk to Brooklyn College and 2 and 5 trains
This stretch of Avenue I is a tree-lined, residential artery populated by apartment buildings and multifamily homes. Yet there’s plenty of action nearby, since Brooklyn College is next door and attended by around 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students on its 35-acre campus. Thanks to the college, numerous coffee shops and restaurants cluster in this section. The college also offers programs for the community, like Brooklyn Lifelong Learning for those over 50, private lessons for adults in theater, music or dance and public theater performances at its Whitman Theater. Not least, the campus is also home to Brooklyn College Academy, a magnet high school that works with the City University of New York system.
Beyond, this area also has a large concentration of religious schools, synagogues and businesses for the Orthodox Jewish community. Many of the latter are found along Avenue J as well. Other options near the co-op include Midwood Playground on the other side of Brooklyn College, the Flatbush YMCA for family programs and the Midwood branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Nostrand and Flatbush avenues are also close and convenient for major chain stores, including Target and Aldi.
Good train and bus access, but cars are also convenient
This part of Midwood is conveniently located a few blocks from the 2 and 5 lines of the Flatbush Avenue-Brooklyn College stop; these express trains take about 50 minutes to reach Midtown. Buses run along Nostrand, Flatbush and Bedford avenues. Many locals do own cars since Midwood, and South Brooklyn in general, is spread out with parts that aren’t near public transportation, but finding street parking requires a lot of patience.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Bikeable
Bike Score®
67/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
93/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
99/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Amersfort Park
12 min walk
Picnic Area
Walking Paths
Nostrand Playground
13 min walk
Basketball
Soccer
Trails
Fraser Square
2 min drive
Picnic Area
Walking Paths
Sarsfield Playground
2 min drive
Playground
Kolbert Playground
3 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Paerdegat Park
4 min drive
Basketball
Picnic Area
Trails
Fox Playground
5 min drive
Playground
Power Playground
5 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Digilio Playground
7 min drive
Trails
Pickleball
Playground
Schools
Source:
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