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| Lundy's Historic Postcard ca. 1950 (image source: BrooklynPix) |
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| Lundy's Today |
Address: 1901 - 1929 Emmons Avenue
Before I get into the history of Lundy’s I should mention that the historic postcard above was purchased from Brooklyn Pix, operated by Brian Merlis. Should you want a thorough history of Brooklyn Neighborhoods I recommend checking out the series of Brooklyn Books he has co-authored with Riccardo Gomes. Their current book is Brooklyn’s Greenpoint and can be purchased at Word Bookstore in Greenpoint or online.
To see what Lundy's looked like while it sat abandoned visit Sheepsheadbites.com
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| Lundy's |
According to the Village Voice, Lundy’s Restaurant was “the city’s most humongous – and one of the best – seafood restaurants”. The restaurant began as a clam bar but evolved over time to become the largest dining establishment in the country during its peak, employing a staff of 385 people and serving as many as 5,000 meals a day.[1][3] Although the restaurant’s original incarnation opened in 1907 the building that is synonymous with the business was constructed in 1934. The establishment closed in 1981, reopened in 1995 utilizing half its original space and closed again in 2007.[1][2] Today, the building houses an upscale end food market.
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| Lundy's |
The 1934 Lundy Brothers building was designed by architects Bloch & Hesse in Spanish Mission style for restaurateur Fredrick William Irving Lundy (1895-1977).[2][3] Bloch & Hesse architects specialized in restaurant design.[3] The structure’s style was described by the AIA Guide to New York City as strangely appropriate.[2] Upon viewing the building in person, it does somehow feel appropriately designed regardless of its seeming lack of context with the rest of the neighborhood. The Mission Style is more closely associated with California and the Southwest and is rarely seen in the New York metro area. The building encompasses an entire block and features “sand-colored stuccoed walls, low sloping red mission tile roofs, arched entrances, arcuated corbel tables, decorative iron work and leaded glass windows”. Lundy’s is thought to be the last remaining New York City restaurant building associated with the Mission Style.[3]
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| Lundy's Panorama |
References:
- Sietsema, Robert "Five Dead and Gone Classic Brooklyn Restaurants" VillageVoice.com 31 March, 2011
- White, Norval, Willensky, Elliot, and Leadon, Fran AIA Guide to New York. Oxford University Press, 2010
- Harris, Gale F.W.I.L. "Lundy Brothers Restaurant Building" New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Report 3 March 1992
Gigantic as that restaurant was, there were often long lines and waits of an hour or more. Waiting people would hover around, looking for a table where people were just finishing up, and claiming it while it was still being bussed.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like like a great space. It's a shame that the place is no longer operating.
DeleteSince I lived in Brooklyn until I was 14 years old Lundy's was a big part of our lives My grandfather Orest Russo what's the supplier of all the fish to Lundy's for over 25 years He went to Fulton fish market every morning to pick up the fish and delivered it He also had his own fish store down the street which was called Russo's fish market it was next to randazzo my My grandfather worked until he was 70 years old He made the cover of New York times magazine his picture was on the front cover it was taken at the Fulton fish market Long history here we enjoyed many dinners at Lundy's I'm proud to write this about the place and about my grandfather
DeleteI have such fond memories of this place growing up as a kid. My parents owned a travel agency and every time we would return home from a trip and landed in Kennedy airport, we would always stop here to eat as we headed home. Food was great! Sorry to see this landmark closed.
ReplyDeleteTHE BEDERSONS 4 GENERATIONS ATE AT LUNDYS. IT STARTED WITH MY GRANDFATHER THEN MY FATHER THEN ME AND FINALLY MY SON. THE MOST ENJOYABLE PLACE I EVER ATE AT. THE FOOD WAS UNREAL AND THE WAITER STAFF GREAT ONCE YOU FOUND A WAITER WHO TOOK GREAT CARE OF YOU EVERY TIME. THERE HAS BEEN STORIES THAT ALL THE WAITERS AND BUS BOYS WERE BLACK BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE.WE ALWAYS HAD THE SAME ITALIAN WAITER WHO KNEW HOW TO WORK MY GRANDFATHER AND THEN MY FATHER FOR A VERY LARGE TIP. I MISS IT VERY MUCH...
ReplyDeleteLovely memories of taking my grandparents and my Tante Mollie there!
ReplyDeleteAre they still open today or did they close permanently
ReplyDeleteLundy's as it was known in history is gone permanently. The building now consists of three different establishments. A Gourmet Grocery Store named "Cherry Hill"; A Cafe and Lounge called "Masala"; and a Hibachi Restaurant called "MoMo".
DeleteLovely post, thanks for posting
ReplyDelete