Townhouse Stripped Back, Opened up in South Williamsburg

We were interested to see this renovation in progress at 66 South 3rd Street in Williamsburg when we passed by a few weeks ago. The Italianate row house has been peeled and stripped back to its elemental parts, revealing layers and the structure underneath.

There is brick (which looks like it might be missing some mortar), brownstone details around the windows, and a carved wood door surround. An addition with a setback is rising on the roof.

Most interesting of all, the back wall was completely gone when we stopped by. You could see straight through the house from the front windows to the yard behind. (Although it’s rather hard to see this in photos, unfortunately.)

Building permits reveal the owners are adding a fourth story. It will remain a two-family.

Before the renovations started, it was a House of the Day in 2013. The house was in move-in condition, although we said the top-floor unit finishes were “cheap and could use an upgrade.”

It sold for $1,600,000 in February 2014. The buyers were two individuals, not an LLC, so there’s a good chance they intend to live here.

The area is teeming with construction and renovation, as we’ve mentioned before. GMAP