Prince George Hotel
This area was, at one time a hotel area, many of the turn of the century buildings have survived.
The hotel was designed by architect Howard Greenley in the Beaux Arts style, and had many classical and Neo-Renaissance flourishes. Its ground floor included grand common areas including the Ladies’ Tearoom, the English Tap Room, the Hunt Room, and a spacious lounge that would later become The Prince George Ballroom.
It manager to survive as a good mid range tourist hotel into the 1980's when the management struck a deal with the city that guarenteed full occupancy by becoming a welfare hotel. Over night the furnishings were removed and replaced with dorm like bunks. 1600 homeless women and children moved in and commercial tenants moved out. With little care and maintenance the building quickly deteriorated. Basket ball hoops went up in the Edwardian ballroom and the cafe and gift shop closed.
In 1996, Breaking Ground acquired The Prince George Hotel, and with the help of government agencies and corporate partners, transformed the building into permanent supportive housing for homeless and low-income single adults.
Walking into the lobby today it gives the appearance of a well run hotel. The former Ballroom has been restored by a partnership of non-profit groups Alpha Workshops, Parsons School of Design, Brooklyn High School of Preservation Arts and Youthbuild, the Neo-Renaissance ballroom was completed as a design-build project by Beyer BlinderBelle Architects. The successful rental space helps support the work of Breaking Ground.
Prince George Hotel
This area was, at one time a hotel area, many of the turn of the century buildings have survived.
The hotel was designed by architect Howard Greenley in the Beaux Arts style, and had many classical and Neo-Renaissance flourishes. Its ground floor included grand common areas including the Ladies’ Tearoom, the English Tap Room, the Hunt Room, and a spacious lounge that would later become The Prince George Ballroom.
It manager to survive as a good mid range tourist hotel into the 1980's when the management struck a deal with the city that guarenteed full occupancy by becoming a welfare hotel. Over night the furnishings were removed and replaced with dorm like bunks. 1600 homeless women and children moved in and commercial tenants moved out. With little care and maintenance the building quickly deteriorated. Basket ball hoops went up in the Edwardian ballroom and the cafe and gift shop closed.
In 1996, Breaking Ground acquired The Prince George Hotel, and with the help of government agencies and corporate partners, transformed the building into permanent supportive housing for homeless and low-income single adults.
Walking into the lobby today it gives the appearance of a well run hotel. The former Ballroom has been restored by a partnership of non-profit groups Alpha Workshops, Parsons School of Design, Brooklyn High School of Preservation Arts and Youthbuild, the Neo-Renaissance ballroom was completed as a design-build project by Beyer BlinderBelle Architects. The successful rental space helps support the work of Breaking Ground.