Too late to hope?

Neighbors gather to mourn historic villa

Posted

Nearly 40 community members and activists gathered on a brisk Sunday afternoon to honor an architectural treasure, Villa Rosa Bonheur.

Billed as one of the first apartment buildings in the Bronx, the building has become a battleground since construction barriers popped up toward the end of last summer. It soon became apparent the structure was in real jeopardy when chunks of the barrel-tile roof disappeared.

Community members and activists have been fighting to stave off what appears to be the inevitable — the erasure of history in favor of a new apartment building that they feel would change the fabric of the neighborhood for the worse.

Bronx borough historian Lloyd Ultan gave a rich history of the Villa Rosa Bonheur, and David Gellman and Alex Mustelier spoke about the continuing fight to protect the integrity of the building.

At the end, vigil-goers placed their signs and roses against the construction barrier above which two drawn hearts symbolized the community’s affection for the storied domicile.

Villa Rosa Bonheur, Lloyd Ultan, Eian Kantor

Comments