Boathouse on the Lullwater of the Lake in Prospect Park
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Why it's listed
Beside the Lullwater of the lake in Brooklyn's Prospect Park stands a two-story boathouse that also serves as a park pavilion. Dated to 1904 and designed by the firm Helmle & Huberty, it has a rectangular plan and masonry bearing walls finished in terra cotta. The first story is a row of arches alternating with engaged Doric columns, and bronze lamps line the head of the stairs that descend to the water. A low hip roof with tiles and a cornice with evenly spaced modillions completes the building. Its classical elements reflect the change in taste that followed the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, after which public buildings often echoed ancient Rome. The building is regarded as an excellent example of work by a prominent firm better known for the domed banks of the borough. It is also seen as a reminder of the days when Brooklyn had its own proud school of classical architecture, and it remains a place for recreation.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the chief ornament of the lake's headwaters and an excellent example of the work of a prominent architectural firm. Its classical design reflects the revival of classicism after the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. It is also described as a reminder of Brooklyn's own school of classical architecture, and it serves as a place of recreation and repose.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000850, listed January 7, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Prospect Park, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Brooklyn |
| Listed | January 7, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000850 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 20th Century (specific date 1904) |
| Architect / builder | Helmle & Huberty |
| Architectural style | Classical, in the manner of ancient Rome |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in good condition, occupied, publicly owned by the City of New York, and used as a park boat house. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.66102, -73.96497 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000850.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4931524
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.