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August 7, 2008
House of the Day: 440 Henry Street
The four-story brownstone at 440 Henry Street in Cobble Hill looks like it's probably a little worse for the wear, but it also sounds like it has enough of its original charm intact that it could be a great house with some TLC. There are no interior photos (love the winter exterior shot, though) so all we have to go on is the adjective-heavy description of the existing "fireplace mantel, majestic tin ceilings, picturesque moldings, and brilliant wood floors." It's hard to tell for sure, but we'd bet those windows are not wooden, Landmarks-compliant ones. Assuming there's a good $500,000 of renovations needed on this bad-boy, do you think the asking price of $1,999,000 is achievable?
440 Henry Street [NY Times] GMAP P*Shark
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Best block on Henry, among some of the best blocks in Brooklyn so brownstone inventory is low so my guess is yes, it will catch close to asking.
Posted by: brownie77 at August 7, 2008 1:48 PM
'majestic tin ceilings'
Tin ceiling are never majestic!
Posted by: bayridgegirl at August 7, 2008 2:04 PM
Agree with brownie. This is right down the block from me and this particular block is very long, quiet, tree-lined and stocked only with brownstones. Many of the brownstones on that block have been renovated or are in the process of being renovated. I'm a little suspicious there are no interior shots, but I think it will get close to asking.
Posted by: jwald at August 7, 2008 2:07 PM
Was the "photographer" intentionally trying to make this place look as drab and uninviting as possible?
It "this impressive property wont last," then why were the photos obviously taken in the winter?
Posted by: SnarkSlope at August 7, 2008 2:11 PM
"this impressive property wont last" may refer to the structural integrity of the building.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 7, 2008 2:14 PM
I had a tin ceiling in my bedroom growing up - I loved looking at it. It had a cool sort of tin medallion around the light fixture.
Ah, well, nevermind all that...This is a great block, around the corner from me, too. Used to be heavily Italian-American thugs who would chase you with a bat if you didn't live on that block - Ah, the good old days! But I digress again, I think they may fall just short of the ask, but it won't be far. It's 20+ feet wide? Why did they fill in that 3rd window on the 2nd/parlor floor back? What's up with that?
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 7, 2008 2:20 PM
Tin ceilings are great!
Posted by: ontheparkway at August 7, 2008 2:28 PM
I ended up tearing out some badly eroded tin ceilings and I don't miss them. I suppose they look better than drywall. I also replaced a portion in one of our rentals and was pleased to discover that I could buy basically the exact same pattern on 4th ave as I had in the house. And it wasn't expensive. It's not like they're so expensive to buy and install. If they're so great, why doesn't everyone get them?
Do they really add that much value to a house? Moldings I can see, but tin ceilings???
Posted by: FatLenny at August 7, 2008 3:55 PM
Hmmm, no I think tin ceilings were likely a less expensive choice to plaster moldings/ceilings for sure. It's just my sentimental self. It was home to me, I liked it. And it never showed cracks, but it would show a little leak at a seem if there was one. I don't think anyone would try to 'save' a tin ceiling, and I don't think it would add to value at all. Not like marble or beautiful wood or plaster detail.
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 7, 2008 4:01 PM
This photo makes the houses look so grim, doesn't it?
Kind of dour and ugly.
A reminder of the hard, grinding lives lived by so many in these places before they became chi-chi.
Posted by: sam at August 7, 2008 7:31 PM
I echo the sentiments about the block. We bought elsewhere in the area but would have loved that block. I would love to see some thoughts from anyone on the board that can get to the open house this weekend. I didn't see who the broker was on the NYT listing, isn't that a bit weird? I would say it is for sale by owner but "Hurry up this impressive property wont last." is very broker-cheeseish. Anyway, I would not be surprised if it goes for close to ask. I assume it is being delivered vacant or that would change the game a bit.
Posted by: Colonel at August 8, 2008 10:29 AM
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