Below is a small representation of the hundreds of investigations we’ve performed into our clients’ New York City properties. For each, we’ve produced a House History Book or House History Report. Contact us today to discover the history of YOUR house.

********************************************************************************************************************************* No. 533 Leonard Street – In 1855, the City of Brooklyn incorporated. It established a Brooklyn Board of Education and chose Samuel B. Leonard as its first Superintendent of Buildings, a position that entailed designing and overseeing all of the school construction in this growing city. By 1878, when a new school was about to go up on Leonard Street in Greenpoint, the design would be amongst Leonard’s last and a fitting cap to his career. The schoolhouse, which would be named Public School No. 43, was a much-needed elementary school which would serve the fast growing neighborhoods of the area. Through improvements, scandals, accidents, and other events, the school would last almost 70 years, closing its doors, finally, in 1945. That year, the City conveyed the property to The Polish League of American Veterans, a sort of American Legion begun by Polish vets of the First World War. helped secure funds, benefits, and opportunities for those suffering in their civilian lives after their tours of duty. Often these benefits came about through fundraising or lobbying Congress. But, particularly after World War I, people recognized the need for moral support among former troops. After another almost 70 years of veterans meetings and gatherings, the membership seriously dwindled to the point that it made sense to sell the old place. The eventual buyer was a condominium developer who decided to reimagine the space, including a portion of the old school in the design of the condo building.