Frank Holmberg

Frank Holmberg

Frank Holmberg (d. 1902) was a noteworthy nineteenth century Brooklyn architect, to whom are attributed many tenements and rowhouses built between 1883 and 1900.[[#_ftn1|[1]]] Much of his work was done in and around Bushwick, including ten buildings in the Study Area. The most architecturally-notable of these are a three-story brick tenement building at 1104 Bushwick Avenue (1891), a pair of three-story brick tenements at 67 and 69 Eldert Street (1897), a four-story tenement at 729 Bushwick Avenue (1899), and a pair of three-story brownstone tenements at 544 and 546 Hart Street (1899). Other buildings he designed in and around Bushwick include: 62 Broadway (1883-84), 1005 Broadway (1885-88), 1161 Broadway (1889-91), 1169 Broadway (1892-94), 909-911 Broadway (1895-97), 1124 Myrtle Avenue (1897-98), and 1153 Myrtle Avenue (1898-00).
Based on his work throughout the Study Area, his style can be said to be typified by the use of rounded and projected bays, rounded arch windows, belt courses of stone or terracotta, and intricate pressed-metal cornices.
Although not much biographical information about him has been uncovered, articles in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle indicate he was an active member of Bushwick’s German community. He was vice president of the Bavarian Volksfest Verein of Brooklyn, and was involved in the Brooklyn Schuetzen Corps and the Williamsburgh Saengerbund Singing Society.[[#_ftn2|[2]]] His last known address was 37 Jefferson Street, located within the Study Area; that he appears to have both lived and worked in the area emphasizes the mixed-use character of the Study Area neighborhood.[[#_ftn3|[3]]]

List of projects

  1. 1104 Bushwick Avenue
  2. 1144 Lafayette Avenue
  3. 1287 Bushwick Avenue
  4. 14 Woodbine Street
  5. 19-25 Troutman Street
  6. 542 Hart Street
  7. 544-546 Hart Street
  8. 548-554 Hart Street
  9. 67-69 Eldert Street
  10. 729-737 Bushwick Avenue
  11. Frank Holmberg

External links

Walkabout: Theobald M. Engelhardt, Architect. Brownstoner.com

References


[1] Francis, Dennis Steadman. Architects in Practice in New York City, 1840-1900. (New York: Committee for the Preservation of Architectural Records, 1979).

[2] “German Notes.” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 17, 1902, p. 9. and Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 19, 1900, p. 6.

[3] “Deaths Reported,” New York Times, December 25, 1902, p. 7.