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January 20, 2009

House of the Day: 69 Gold Street

The renovation of 69 Gold Street was a complete gut rehab. The owners, who picked the four-story brick house up for $1,295,000 in 2006, clearly spent a lot of dough fixing it up. Because it's a corner property (see photo) that with a stoop-less entrance right off the street, it feels a little weird walking into right into the kitchen. The style's not right up our alley, but it looks like a lot of attention to detail was put into this and the quality is probably quite high. Which is a good thing, cuz they're asking $2,995,000; then again, it's got a carriage house that's currently generating $3,300 a month in rent.
69 Gold Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark

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Comments

I love the master bath. The rest, so-so. I'm not a fan of those open stairs, especially when you're drunk.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 1:11 PM

Is it just me or was this type of conversion a terrible idea for the location and current marketplace? They should have split it up into a couple condos with parking.

Posted by: twc at January 20, 2009 1:35 PM

Double down (plus some) in less than three years. Gotta love it.

Posted by: Bill at January 20, 2009 1:36 PM

or wearing soft socks. Or having rugrats underfoot.

This place excites me nonetheless. It is a spectacular reno. And an interesting vision. I'd love to see it.

Posted by: Nokilissa at January 20, 2009 1:36 PM

Saw this when it was for sale last time. it was a complete gut job, but interesting. I don't like the idea of the kitchen in that spot -- it feels very exposed. Too bad they didn't keep it commercial -- seemed like the perfect spot for Ye Olde Charming Shoppe.

And I wouldn't want to live next to an electric field either.

Posted by: Ringo at January 20, 2009 1:44 PM

Smack between the projects and an electrical substation. Suh-weeeet!

Posted by: misterbubble at January 20, 2009 1:50 PM

Or a millinery store to sell Aretha Franklin hats.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 1:50 PM

If you look at the floor plan again, you'll see there's a proper entrance on the side of the building opening up into a foyer.

Still, I agree, with all that space to play with, it's arguable they could have come up with a better place to put the kitchen.

Posted by: YngRntr at January 20, 2009 1:54 PM

Agree about the kitchen. I'd love to know why they decided to have the entryway like that.

Posted by: bxgrl at January 20, 2009 2:07 PM

If they really wanted to spend that much to gut reno a rowhome, I think they might have had better luck in Carroll Gardens or Boerum Hill. I've never seen these corner commercial spaces gracefully turned into residences, and unfortunately this one is no exception.

In this market, $3 million will go a long way in neighborhoods that are considered more prime than the non-high-rise part of DUMBO/Vinegar Hill -- think park block Park Slope or one of the fruit streets in Brooklyn Heights.

Posted by: Bolder at January 20, 2009 2:13 PM

OK, when people say "fringe" this is fringe.

-unless you work for Con Edison.

Posted by: sam at January 20, 2009 2:19 PM

DIBS:

Given that Aretha's hat is so iconic. There is no doubt that it will be included in a future Smithsonian or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit.

At the end of the day, Aretha has soul. (And she was warm too.)

Posted by: BrooklynIsHome at January 20, 2009 2:24 PM

If they knocked down the Farragut houses, demolished the ConEd plant, restored Admiral's row and finished cobblestoning the streets this would be a good price.

Posted by: dittoburg at January 20, 2009 2:24 PM

one of those stupid bubble ideas that we'll all laugh about in some random conversation in the future...

Posted by: cornerbodega at January 20, 2009 2:27 PM

In its defense, the house is charming. And the location is charming, if you ignore the substation and like the F-train. But yeah, pricing seems high.

And on petty note, I have grown to hate those hydraulic looking backless stools that seem to be cropping up everywhere. Are they even comfortable?

Posted by: Heather at January 20, 2009 2:29 PM

the bombo stools look totally out of place there, despite the cash they laid out for the kitchen its poorly done...

Posted by: cornerbodega at January 20, 2009 2:36 PM

Hey, watch the bubblebashing!

Posted by: misterbubble at January 20, 2009 2:38 PM

Speaking of the house and renovation, it's very cool. I'm not a modernist, but I like their use of the exposed brick, the open layout, and use of materials. How nice to have an attached carriage house, too.

I think this may linger for a while, due to location, price and the market, but when the right well heeled person falls in love with it, it will sell, and they will be very happy. I can see it being a posh pied a terre for someone, with the carriage house tenant holding the fort down by being on site. Someone using the place infrequently is not going to care about the substation.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2009 2:41 PM

Aretha's hat was awesome.
I told my officemates as we watched the inaugaration that I bet she bought that hat on Atlantic Avenue.

Posted by: sam at January 20, 2009 2:50 PM

This is not modernism, its confusion. The different pieces don't work together. Result = cluttering feel. Interior designer gets a D- on this one.

Posted by: cornerbodega at January 20, 2009 2:59 PM

You gotta have at least one classic, church-lady hat at the Obama inauguration. Arethra delivered.

I bet the other women wished they had hats, they looked like they were freezing to death. Jackie Kennedy wore a hat and a coat that buttoned all the way up. So did Nancy Reagan. But then hats went out of style. So did keeping warm apparently! Both Michelle Obama and Laura Bush had bare heads and wore coats that were exposed at the neck and all open in front. I'd be dying in those temps dressed like that.

Posted by: traditionalmod at January 20, 2009 3:03 PM

You'l just never make a good First Lady, tradionalmod.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 3:17 PM

Hubby and I were stuck in bumper to bumper traffic one Sunday morning on the LIE. Next to us was a Church van (I forget the name of the church that was on the side of the van) full of ladies with the most exotic hats, in an array of colors. I couldn't stop staring. I was analyzing all the styles and wondered if their shoes matched their hats. I started developing personalities for these ladies based on the hat. It made my day, made the hellish traffic almost non-existent.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 3:17 PM

BRG - was it "The Church of God of Greenpoint" - I saw that one last weekend.

Who knew there was a God of Greenpoint.

Posted by: dittoburg at January 20, 2009 3:20 PM

They're getting $3300/month for a 1 BR rental? Seriously?

Posted by: cwbuecheler at January 20, 2009 3:20 PM

There has never been, and will never be, a posh pied-a-terre in this part of town. There has never been, and will never be, a person with three mil to burn who would spend it in this part of town. This is a Bush era relic; it'll be lucky to get seven figures.

Posted by: Whuh at January 20, 2009 3:44 PM

I actually agree with Whuh.

Now to more important issues: Michelle looked very glamorous in her gold outfit, sometimes you have to pay for glamor by being cold, but she's from Chicago so 30 degrees is like Easter Sunday to her. Obama on the other hand is from Hawaii and he did not wear an overcoat, now that is silly.
He probably caught cold, I bet you anything.

Posted by: sam at January 20, 2009 3:52 PM

I stand corrected, Obama did wear an overcoat. I only saw him pictured from the podium and it looked like a suit. Must be a very very fine cashmere to be so thin and elegant. He is a smart man.

Posted by: sam at January 20, 2009 4:04 PM

So you are a woman, sam?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 4:08 PM

dibs
why? because i'm writing about what the obama's wore to their inauguration today? They did look smashing.

Posted by: sam at January 20, 2009 4:53 PM

"He probably caught cold, I bet you anything."

The Common Cold
http://www.commoncold.org/special1.htm

Myth 3: Becoming cold or chilled leads to catching a cold.

Facts:

1. As discussed above, almost everybody becomes infected whether they are chilled or not, if cold virus is dropped into the nose. (72)

2. One study has looked at this question. It was found that colds were no more frequent or severe in volunteers who were chilled than those who were not. (76)

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 20, 2009 4:56 PM

So contrary to what our mothers told us about going outside with wet hair, the truth is Obama should be just fine:

Common Cold on Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold
Although common colds are seasonal, with more occurring during winter, there is no evidence that short-term exposure to cold weather or direct chilling increases susceptibility to infection.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 20, 2009 4:58 PM

very very fine cashmere....a girl's other best friend!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 5:12 PM

BRG
You said it!
Nothing beats an Italian cashmere overcoat.
Ladies like to rub up against it.....

Posted by: sam at January 20, 2009 5:19 PM

White kitchens are the flavor of the month.
Lots of people are doing them now.

White cabinets with white marble countertops with white tile backsplash!
It's a great look, but I'm sick of it already.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 5:27 PM

Oh, Sam...cashmere...prrrrrrrrr!
I'll admit when I see great quality cashmere, I pet it.

In winter, I live in Cashmere.
Besides feeling luxurious on the body it's also very very warm.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 5:33 PM

cornerbodega, I defer to your expertise in this case.

Posted by: mopar at January 20, 2009 5:45 PM

It looks like the house is a bit narrow, maybe that is why they wanted the kitchen/dining on the 1st floor; why give up prime living space on the second floor?
I walked by the other day and peeked in. I saw that open stair gives this whole narrow space a large, open feeling. There also were a bunch of great little details right on the ground floor that caught my eye. A beautiful old marble mantle piece and a blond inlay in that cool black floor. I like the kitchen, the black and white is chic. Go by and take a good look, this is an interesting one.

Posted by: rocker at January 20, 2009 5:46 PM

This is a truly historic day. I actually agree with cornerbodega on this one.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 5:52 PM

I'm watching the parade on Ch 4 and Sue Simmons and some fashion expert are discussing Michelle's outfit and the size of her hips!!!!!!

Sue's probably secretly got the hots for her.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 5:59 PM

Hottest. First Lady. Ever.

Posted by: misterbubble at January 20, 2009 6:06 PM

What about Nancy Davis Reagan.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Reagan#Acting_career

And I hear Mrs. Millard Filmore was a real looker too.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 6:10 PM

I'm usually the hater when it comes to interior design on this site. This house is a dream. It looks small but so damn elegant; I'll take human proportions with high end finishes over 12ft ceilings with wedding cake mouldings any day. And that corner; all those windows and light! And I love those giant commercial doors in the kitchen, which makes it bright and unusual in shape (so sick of seeing the same exact kitchen layout in the back of all those brownstones.

It's my dream house. And dream location.

Only problem is that pesky extra mil. 2 mil would be a stretch. Threeeeeee? Come on now.

Posted by: iz at January 20, 2009 8:00 PM

Oh one more thing, to those poo-pooing the electric station and pj's. What's the difference between this location and any of the other multi-million dollar condos nearby? Just wondering if that electric field has more force on a cute little corner house than a sprawling ex-warehouse? I never thought of Dumbo as the healthiest choice for one's blood cells. But then I live in New York. Beggars can't be choosers.

Posted by: iz at January 20, 2009 8:03 PM

"This is a truly historic day. I actually agree with cornerbodega on this one."

don't worry dibs, you'll be agreeing a lot more once you start waking up...

Posted by: cornerbodega at January 20, 2009 8:19 PM

iz you're obviously a newbie lacking in fundamental design principles because at these levels its all in the details...

Posted by: cornerbodega at January 20, 2009 8:25 PM

Totally agree, iz. But then it's one reason I've never understood the entire DUMBO thing. I think this is technically "vinegar hill" though, although I am not sure I understand the difference.

Posted by: Heather at January 20, 2009 8:28 PM

Oh right, cornerbodega, now I get it. You've made such a success of yourself already. I've seen it so many times in all your other thoughtful posts.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 8:28 PM

no mr bubble the hootest most stylish was jacky
cmon that ball dress was like some bad wedding dress
it did not compliment her features...
gold dress was ok...kids wore great j-crew outfits

Posted by: dutchman at January 21, 2009 1:42 AM

cornerbodega: You made me laugh out loud. If only you knew what I did for a living!

Posted by: iz at January 21, 2009 3:19 PM

« Condos of the Day: 4 South Portland Avenue Streetlevel: Commonweath To Run Lighthouse, Mooney's? »

January 20, 2009

House of the Day: 69 Gold Street

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