Jamaica's Building Boom (1895 Advertisement)

New York, 1895

What the Firm of Harmer & Hardenbrook are Doing.

Harmer & Hardenbrook, the new firm of architects and builders, report business booming. They have received several orders for drawing plans, among them an order to remodel the house of Mrs. Edgar D. Shimer on Union avenue, Jamaica, which will create a marvelous change in that neighborhood.

Plans for a handsome barn and stable for Louis C. Behman of Hyde & Behman, at his residence at Bayport, also remodeling the residence of Mr. Behman; a double residence for Robert H. Foster at Simpson's Park, and a cottage for T. C. Bryan of Flatbush. Plans for the Athanaeum are in progress, and a number of others who have not decided upon a particular style as yet. They have sold the colonial house, just completed, on the west side of Hardenbrook avenue to Archer Wright of the Jamaica Beef company, and have several applications for the other handsome house near Shelton avenue.

An architect can save the person building a great deal of money; $50 paid an architect will save hundreds in the end. Avoid those terrible extras that you encounter when building, and come to the only architect's office in town where plans of all kinds can be choosen from. No charge for giving an idea how to build a tasty house should encourage people to build, knowing positively that one-third of the extras would be cut down by a competent architect.

A. T. Harmer, the architect of the firm, is well known by builders in Brooklyn and Connecticut, being with Cross, Austen & Co., for a number of years; an expert in lumber and all kinds material, and can use his hands as well as his pen in any kind of work. D. L. Hardenbrook, the other member of the firm, is well known in this section as a large operator in real estate transactions, gives the firm a full knowledge of all that should be desired for selecting a design or a site for your future residence. The office is corner of Hardenbrook avenue and Fulton street, Jamaica, N. Y.

Twenty-live sketches, perspectives and floor plans of houses costing from $1,500 to $4,000 will be sent to any address for 50 cents. You will never regret the outlay as they will aid you very materially in selecting a design — Adv.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, March 8, 1895, p. 8.