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Weir Greenhouse

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Weir Greenhouse
Weir Greenhouse in 2025
Weir Greenhouse is located in New York City
Weir Greenhouse
Location within New York City
Weir Greenhouse is located in New York
Weir Greenhouse
Location within New York
Weir Greenhouse is located in the United States
Weir Greenhouse
Location within the United States
Location750–751 5th Ave., New York, New York
Coordinates40°39′32″N 73°59′47″W / 40.65889°N 73.99639°W / 40.65889; -73.99639
Arealess than one acre
Built1895
ArchitectGillespie, George Curtis
Architectural styleVictorian commercial
NRHP reference No.84002487[1]
NYCL No.1197
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 10, 1984
Designated NYCLApril 13, 1982

Weir Greenhouse is a historic greenhouse located across the street from the main entrance of Green-Wood Cemetery in Greenwood Heights and South Slope, Brooklyn, New York City. It was designed by George Curtis Gillespie and built in 1895 by James Weir Jr., a Brooklyn florist who had been in business for 50 years when he built the greenhouse for the business he operated with his son and grandson.[2] It is a rectangular, wood frame and galvanized iron building with projecting bays and domes in the Victorian commercial style. The main entrance is set at an angle to the street corner and is octagonal in form. The rooftop features an octagonal cupola with a ball finial. Attached to the greenhouse is a one-story brick office structure.[3]

The Weirs continued to operate the business until 1971, when they sold to the McGovern family.[2] The greenhouse was made a New York City designated landmark in 1982.[4] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.[1] The greenhouse deteriorated severely over the years and was vandalized. The repair costs were estimated at $1 million by 2011.[5]

On February 2, 2012, the Weir Greenhouse was purchased by the neighboring Green-Wood Cemetery, which planned to preserve the greenhouse and restore elements which have decayed in recent years.[6] By early 2015, structural stabilization of the vacant, decayed building was complete, and the project was scheduled to move toward restoration of the building to its 1895 appearance.[2] As of 2020, the restoration is still underway, but Green-Wood planned to convert the greenhouse into the cemetery's visitor center.[7] Work on the visitor center began in 2023 and included an adjacent L-shaped building designed by Architecture Research Office.[5] The visitor center was completed in 2026[8][9] and officially opened the weekend of April 18.[10][11]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 "Restoring a Gem". The Arch. Greenwood Historic Fund. 2015.
  3. ↑ Austin O'Brien (November 1982). National Register of Historic Places Registration: New York SP Weir Greenhouse. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved November 3, 2025. (Downloading may be slow.)
  4. ↑ "Weir Greenhouse" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. April 13, 1982. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Gill, John Freeman (May 19, 2023). "From 1880s Brooklyn, the Weir Greenhouse Returns". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  6. ↑ Richman, Jeff (February 6, 2012). "It Is Ours!". Green-Wood. Green-Wood Cemetery. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  7. ↑ De Vries, Susan (November 21, 2018). "A Newly Rehabbed Roof Is Gleaming at the Historic Weir Greenhouse in Greenwood Heights". Brownstoner. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  8. ↑ Vries, Susan De (March 12, 2026). "Green-Wood Cemetery Visitor Center to Open in April". Brownstoner. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  9. ↑ DeJesus, Jaime (March 13, 2026). "Green-House at Green-Wood to hold grand opening in April". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ Clark, Roger (April 16, 2026). "Green-Wood Cemetery gets new visitors center". Spectrum News NY1. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  11. ↑ Richardson, Kemberly (April 16, 2026). "Green-Wood Cemetery in Sunset Park, Brooklyn gets new visitor center". ABC7 New York. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
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