House of the Day: 245 Greene Avenue
How much for a shell with a beautiful exterior and a few bits of architectural salvage thrown in? We’re asking because we suspect that’s all that remains of this once glorious 1890s brick and brownstone building located at 245 Greene Avenue in Clinton Hill. In fact, it might not even be a full shell if…
How much for a shell with a beautiful exterior and a few bits of architectural salvage thrown in? We’re asking because we suspect that’s all that remains of this once glorious 1890s brick and brownstone building located at 245 Greene Avenue in Clinton Hill. In fact, it might not even be a full shell if the walls have to rebuilt.
The Romanesque Revival building is landmarked. In fact, the 1981 designation report mentions that it was empty and sealed up even back then. In the 1970s, it was owned by the city, and then it passed to a private owner in 1984, who sold it in April to an LLC for $950,000. Now the ask is $1,995,000. What do you think of it?
245 Greene Avenue [Corcoran] GMAP
I would love to know more about this house, since I just found out that my Great Grandmother Adelaide Louise Gingell lived there until her death in 1904. I can only image what it must have looked like brand new, filled with all kinds of wonderful furniture and decorations. Knowing almost nothing about this side of my family, this is a gem to me. We have no pictures of anyone other than my grandmother, and I do wish that I could at least go visit this house… even in it’s condition. If anyone has any more historical information on this home, please share. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle historical archives have been tremendous in providing articles about a number of my deceased family members. I live in California, have never been to NY, but wish that some day I get to Brooklyn where this portion of my family came from. I also have found my great grandfather many times over, William S. Vaughan, who was a sailing captain of the War of 1812 Sackets Harbor. Anyway…any input? Thanks NY!
Maybe a movie studio should buy this, leave it as is, and use it for a set every time they need something to look like 1980s NYC.
Does the neighborhood, as it stands today, support an expenditure of upwards of $4,000,000.? If the buyer chooses to make it a labor of love with the view of living in it for a while, one assumes the neighborhood will gentrify to that extent in a few years. Or, as things are going now, a two-car garage in Bushwick may be worth $2,000,000 in a few years and this lovely fixer upper in Clinton Hill will be worth 6 or 7. I think it has potential. For someone.
Also, if it sells and someone fixes it up, maybe that will finally help the seller directly across the street from this wreck. There’s been a “for sale” sign out in front for at least a year.
I’ve always wondered what was behind that forbidding facade. The front of it as it now stands is completely blocked up on the bottom level with two bunker-style holes. It’s interesting to see what’s behind those holes! Also, there’s some digging going on in the empty lot next to it, so it looks like there might be a new building going up to the side of it.
so how much would you need to resell this for to break even if you buy for 2 mill and totally restore? 4 million?
that’s not a 4 million dollar block. hell, it’s not even a 2 million dollar block.
If Ikea or Home Depot wanted to start a contracting service with fixed rates just like their dreaded kitchen cabinets, they would make a killing.
You’re right, crime doesn’t have any bearing. It should but it doesn’t. Neither do schools, in this market.
Oddly, fireplace mantles have bearing. That’s all anyone seems to mention on this site. “Well, it needs $1 million in renovation, but boy are those mantles something!”
What is up with these contractors? $1 million to renovate? Numbers like this make no sense.
For $1 million you could hire a team of stone masons from Italy to fly out and live in the backyard for 3 months. For $1 million you could build a 3000 sq ft house from the ground up and fill it with $20,000 marble mantles from olde good things. For $1 million you could buy a Mansion in Detroit or Troy and have it moved to an empty lot next door to this thing.
NYC is crazy.
Plus a 16 year old was just shot a block away from here, right in front of the police station.
house shopping? someone lookin to cash out up north? 😉