Boys High School

Boys High School is a four-story building in Romanesque Revival style located at 832 Marcy Avenue, featuring a round corner tower, gables, dormers, and a campanile crowned with a pyramid roof. The structure displays typical masonry details of the era, including red brick and ornamental stonework around windows and entrances.

The building was designed in 1891 by James W. Naughton to serve as a high school for the Brooklyn community. Between 1905 and 1910, architect C.B.J. Snyder oversaw significant expansions to accommodate growing enrollment.

Many notable graduates emerged from this institution, including author Isaac Asimov, composer Aaron Copland, and jazz musician Max Roach who shaped American arts and literature.

The building is accessible from the street for exterior viewing and its distinctive architecture can be appreciated from the sidewalk. Plan a daytime visit when natural light best highlights the ornamental details and overall design.

The building was used as a filming location for hospital scenes in the television series The Knick, showcasing its well-maintained architectural details. This appearance in modern productions has brought renewed visibility to the historic site.

Location: Brooklyn

Inception: 1890s

Architects: James W. Naughton, C. B. J. Snyder

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Address: 832 Marcy Avenue

GPS coordinates: 40.68444,-73.94833

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03