Help Save Brooklyn’s Broken Angel

Broken Angel

The fantastic Broken Angel building in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn is in great jeopardy. The owners have been evicted after 30 years because of code violations and the city plans on demolishing this historic building in 3 weeks if it is not brought up to code. To make matters worse, today it caught on fire, which luckily was quickly put out by the FDNY. They are in desperate need of help to save this historic building.

Along with being a fixture of the Brooklyn arts community and an architectural wonder, Broken Angel was also used as the location for Michel Gondry’s film “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party”. For more info, check out the amazing photos and information posted on Flickr by Christopher Wood, the son of the owners, who grew up in the house and is trying desperately to save it from extinction.

I am Christopher Wood, son of Arthur (age 75) and Cindy Wood (age 65) the owners and creators of Broken Angel. The New York City Building department is attempting to remove my parents from their home of 30 years, unless we immediatly get an architect or engineer to bring the building to NYC codes. We do not have the money to do this. If there is anyone out there who is qualified and willing to work Pro Bono we desperately need the help, contributions are also welcome. You can contact my father.

Arthur Wood
4 Downing St
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Also we appeal to David Chappelle and Michel Gondry. Our home became the backdrop for your wonderful concert film, please help us to save it now.

For more info, check out the recent article on Broken Angel in the New York Times.

photo credit: Gothamist
Scott Beale
Scott Beale

Scott Beale is the founder of Laughing Squid and is based in New York City. When not running the blog, Scott can be found posting on Threads and sharing photos on Instagram.