Jefferson Court
Jefferson Court demonstrates the practical ingenuity behind the original Sunnyside Gardens plan. While the homes are arranged around shared open space in the tradition of the Garden City movement, the court is also distinguished by its network of through-block paths and service driveways. These features allowed residents to access their homes and gardens while preserving the pedestrian character of the interior spaces.
The court illustrates how the planners carefully separated people, gardens, and vehicles—a concept that was remarkably innovative for its time. More than a century later, Jefferson Court remains a compelling example of how thoughtful design can create a neighborhood that feels both connected and private.
Highlights
• Through-block pedestrian pathways connect interior courts
• Historic service driveways located behind the homes
• Example of early twentieth-century neighborhood planning
Lincoln Court
Overview
Lincoln Court is one of the largest and most complete examples of the original Sunnyside Gardens planning concept. The court contains 78 row houses arranged around three landscaped interior gardens, all connected by a series of pedestrian pathways. Rather than filling the block with continuous rows of houses, the planners introduced shared green spaces that brought light, air, and nature into the center of the block while preserving private front and rear gardens for individual homeowners.
What Makes It Unique?
• Three separate interior garden courts within a single block
• Four pedestrian pathways connecting the gardens
• 78 original row houses surrounding shared green space