CLINTON HILL — A historic Clinton Hill home was reduced to rubble after the city deemed it unsafe, according to the Department of Buildings.
The home, built in 1850, was demolished on Dec. 22 after being inhabited for nearly 160 years.
Local advocates fought to save the structure, known for its Greek Revival style with Italianate details, but lost the battle after the DOB found the front facade, porch and roof rotted and partially collapsed in 2009.
The city agency then placed an emergency vacate order on the property.
In December of last year, the city found the landmarked house to be beyond repair and approved a full demolition order.
"Unfortunately the building's landmark status could not protect it," said Chad Purkey, a director at Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership that fought to safeguard the house. "Safety had to trump preservation."
The home, located at 69 Vanderbilt Ave., was built by architect Richard P. Pease and had a facade clad in shingles, wooden windows and door, a concrete porch with a possible historic metal railing, a tar-paper roof, two brick hutches with shingles and molded windows, according to a Historic District Designation Report by the Landmarks Commission.
The vacant lot is currently in the process of being sold.
