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August 21, 2006

Co-op of the Day: Westminster Road 2 BR

house
We don't know jack about the comps for co-ops in the Ditmas Park area but we bet that this 1,150-square-foot prewar 2-bedroom place is a decent deal at $365,000. It's a slightly unusual shape, but we'd spend $15,000 on redoing the kitchen and another $10,000 to blow open the wall to the living room to create a "great room" and be sitting pretty for under $400,000.
520 Westminster Road [Craiglist] GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 11:02 AM | Comments (27)
Categories: Co-ops

Comments

what do you get for a 15k kitchen?

Posted by: Anonymous at August 21, 2006 11:42 AM

you get a new plastic strainer for your kitchen sink drain. choice of color.

Posted by: anon at August 21, 2006 11:50 AM

I did mine for about that 15k (admittedly a small one) with granite countertops,
handmade ceramic tiled backsplash on one side, hand-hammered copper apron sink, other side has hand-hammered copper backsplash, 30" Capitol range stainless-steel range(from people who 1st developed DCS), GE profile dishwasher, Amana fridge with bottom-drawer freezer, both fridge and dishwasher covered with cabinet panels.
Range vent is Broen - forgot model - but nearly invisibile - fits inside upper cabinet and downdrafts (list price almost $500 but got less than $300 at Drimmers)
1 sink base cabinet, 4 other base cabinets, 3 upper cabinets plus another that goes above fridge.
Most of installation did myself.


Posted by: Anonymous at August 21, 2006 12:02 PM

what did they make this such an odd shaped apartment?

Posted by: anonymous at August 21, 2006 12:25 PM

I appreciate the posts. I meant the question seriously as I'd love to do my kitchen for 15k

Posted by: Anonymous at August 21, 2006 12:30 PM

Seriously.....Ikea.

Posted by: Akurum at August 21, 2006 1:14 PM

This is my building! I'm decorating a one-bedroom in it and blogging about it! I looooove this building. See more photos at me blog.

Posted by: Scrappy-girl at August 21, 2006 1:16 PM

We have the same unit on the floor above (top floor) for a slightly higher price, the wall between the kitchen and living room has already been opened up. If you are interested in taking a look you can call me at (917) 539-9629.
DeAnna
Brooklyn Hearth Realty

Posted by: DeAnna Lenhart at August 21, 2006 2:14 PM

Q:what did they make this such an odd shaped apartment?

I will swing by the building and see if it has to do with the shape of the actual building.

Posted by: Arsenic and Old Lace at August 21, 2006 3:31 PM

Ikea Cabinets - $1,500
Stove - $800
Fridge - $2,000
DW - $600
Sink + Fixtures - $750
Counters - $3,000
Flooring - $1,500
Lighting - $500
Plumber - $2,500

+ 25% GC premium

That's not much over $15K, right? Are we smoking crack?

Posted by: brownstoner at August 21, 2006 3:44 PM

11:50 AM, can you tell me where you got hammered copper from? and a good tile and counter to source? appreciate hearing from anyone.

Posted by: patty duke at August 21, 2006 5:09 PM

This is my building too, but the address is 570 Westminster Road, not 520.

Yeah, this building is nice and getting better.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 21, 2006 7:33 PM

You can see the same sort of odd shaped layouts in Amalgamated, in the Bronx. Odd curves and slanted walls. Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason, but I think its part of their charm.

Posted by: jennyanne at August 21, 2006 8:03 PM

you might as well move to Karachi, for 1/100th the price. Cost of living would be cheaper too..

Posted by: Anonymous at August 21, 2006 11:24 PM

I have seen apartments with similar layouts in the Bronx, too.

What's with dissing Brooklyn Hearth? If they can't sell a snowcone in hell, then why have they been featured in The Times Sold section at least once, I think twice even...

Posted by: Anonymous at August 22, 2006 7:55 AM

No way is this unit overpriced. And given that it is in Ditmas Park (a.k.a. the next big thing), it will be an excellent investment.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 22, 2006 8:31 AM

If everyone who's been calling Ditmas Park the next big thing actually lived there, it might be. Cortelyou is the only street with anything happening. If you live closer to Foster, it's Bodega City down there. As for Brooklyn Hearth, I had some dealings with them and I was not impressed. They promised the world, would not negotiate at all on their commission, and were pretty unprofessional in their dealings. Being featured in the Times sold section is really more a function of selling apts in Ditmas Park than anything else. Sorry for the sour grapes people but when Ditmas Park settles (and it will and it will settle big) that 1100 2 br. will be worth $245K and Brooklyn Hearth will be lying to you like most other real estate agents out there.

Posted by: RCC at August 22, 2006 9:30 AM

two of the people who said they lived here don't. I contacted both yesterday, as I am a tenant in 570 Westminster (520 isn't an apartment building at all), which someone else has already pointed out. One person said her email was used without her knowing and one person's phone number was not in service. My guess is "some" real estate company posted fake comments to drum up sales for something they're selling.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 22, 2006 9:41 AM

I think you shortchange Ditmas, RCC. Yes, there are things happening on Cortelyou, but there is a grocery on Foster and the little shopping plaza on Newkirk is showing real signs of life, especially since the Cha market opened with lots of fresh produce. What is arguably the best hardware store in Brooklyn is also in this little plaza, as is a decent diner and Chinese takeout place.

I know, I know...Ditmas seems to be the favorite whipping boy of everyone here, but time will tell. Ditmas will make out very, very well, I predict.

Posted by: Bill at August 22, 2006 12:43 PM

Bill:

Ditmas Park is filled with million dollar homes, the owners of which don't venture out to Newkirk Plaza. I wished it would really take off like promised but when things moved much slower than I needed, I took my $ off the table and left. If we see a slowdown (like I think we already are) Ditmas Park will be one of those areas first hit. Good luck.

Posted by: RCC at August 22, 2006 1:15 PM

just ate at a fab new restaurant on cortelyou. forgot the name but it was brand new, with an outdoor garden, food was great. near the end of cortelyou on the left (south?) side. owners live in the nabe an got tired of no food choices so they did it themselves.

Posted by: anonymous at August 22, 2006 3:43 PM

The newest restaurant is called The Farm on Adderley http://www.thefarmonadderley.com/
see reviews here:
http://events.nytimes.com/2006/08/09/dining/reviews/09unde.html
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/310173?user_name=&query=the+farm+adderly

Posted by: Arsenic and Old Lace at August 22, 2006 6:00 PM

Uh, yes I do live there. It is 570, but I didn't even look at the address when I said I lived there. I recognize the building. Go look at my blog, Anonymous...

Posted by: Scrappy-girl at August 23, 2006 2:49 PM

Record company EMI sign a deal with the estate of crooner Dean Martin to use the singer's likeness...

Posted by: Jaren Neill at November 17, 2006 9:50 AM

Jonathan Ross is dubbed "risque" by Ofcom but not in breach of rules over an interview with David Cameron...

Posted by: Luis Hawk at November 22, 2006 10:32 AM

I was born and raised at 570 Westminster Road back in 1953...I had a wonderful childhood there but the neighborhood became shabby and moved away when I got married in 1978....I am now 53 and living in NJ.....I am shocked to hear that this is now a hot and cleaned up area once again....I am curious to know if most of the other apartment buildings turned co-op too?....Are there still walk up apartments around as well?....Glad they cleaned up the area.

Posted by: Barbara at January 19, 2007 8:55 PM

Hi, Ditmas Park folks, particularly those with up-to-the-minute info on 570 Westminster. How are things coming along with regard not only to real estate prices, but overall "improvement" of the neighborhood? I am a former long-time Brooklyn resident who moved to the burbs, and am looking to move back. Thanks.

Posted by: guest at March 30, 2008 7:21 AM

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