Herman Behr Mansion, Richardsonian Romanesque mansion in Brooklyn Heights, United States
The Herman Behr Mansion at 82 Pierrepont Street features salmon-colored brick walls decorated with terra cotta details and rockfaced sandstone cladding. The exterior displays elaborate ornaments including dragon and lion motifs, while the interior now contains 26 apartments created during a 1977 renovation that preserved the original lobby.
The mansion was built in 1889 for industrialist Herman Behr, designed by architect Frank Freeman in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It was converted into a hotel in 1919 and later became a monastery for Franciscan Brothers in 1961.
The building once served as a private home and later became a hotel and monastery, reflecting its evolving role in the neighborhood. These transformations show how the space adapted to meet different community needs across generations.
The building is now a residential property with limited public access, but the exterior is easily visible from the street. The best view of the architecture can be appreciated from Pierrepont Street, where the full facade is clearly displayed.
The interior features multiple decorated rooms including a library with a gold-domed ceiling and a dining room adorned with red Numidian marble work. These ornamental details showcase the craftsmanship invested in the original construction of the residence.
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