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February 19, 2009
House of the Day: 897 Union Street
We have mixed feelings about 897 Union Street, a single-family house in Park Slope just listed for $2,995,000. The exterior of the building is beautiful but something was definitely lost in the top-to-bottom renovation that was done recently. The kitchen works for us but the house as a whole ends up feeling neither fish nor fowl. It's sorta modern but sorta traditional and, as a result, doesn't really nail either vibe. (And there's definitely too much recessed lighting for our tastes.) The current owners paid $2,600,000 in March 2005, so it will be interesting to see if they can get out with their shirts on their backs.
897 Union Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
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Comments
I love the media rooms, BOTH OF THEM...and the kitchen. you're right about the rest.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 1:22 PM
Assuming the current owners did the top to bottom reno, if you cound 2.6 million plus renovation costs, even if they got full asking, they will likely not get out with their shirts on their backs.
Posted by: TD at February 19, 2009 1:23 PM
That stairway banister is tragically out of place with that minimalist interior.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 19, 2009 1:26 PM
"tragically???"
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 1:28 PM
Gosh, I just think this house is stunning actually.
Union isn't my favorite street, but I'm a fan of the interior.
Posted by: 11217 at February 19, 2009 1:29 PM
I can't for the life of me understand HOW or WHY the broker fails to include a picture of the facade in the listing. The beautiful facade is the most (and I would even say only) attractive feature of this house. Clueless, totally clueless.
Posted by: bk14 at February 19, 2009 1:30 PM
Actually, I think it's both fish AND fowl. Except for the overabundance of recessed lighting (which I normally don't mind, but agree is overdone here), I think they did a great job. But I don't understand the floorplan! How can the living room and formal dining room (with a "kitchenette"?) be on the third floor? They're calling this a one-family but it's actually laid out as a two-family. And since the pictures show two media rooms, the floorplan should indicate where they're located to give an idea of how the house is currently being used. Sloppy job on the floorplan, Nina!
Posted by: Park Sloper at February 19, 2009 1:36 PM
A MASTERPEICE!
sigh. Can't anyone proofread, not even for a $180,000 paycheck?
Posted by: Maly at February 19, 2009 1:39 PM
I like the reno actually -but am confused by the 3 living rooms they have
but all in all a nice house - the front is gorgeous and the kitchen is great
tough that they bought the house in 2005 for 2.6!!
Posted by: gemini10 at February 19, 2009 1:40 PM
im not feeling the "masterpiece" at all. again, after the owners take away the furniture/accessories, most of it feels super generic, like any prefab house in the burbs. and union st. is far from a tranquil street.
and why is the realtor nina giving me an alex from Real Housewives of NY vibe?
Posted by: goldie at February 19, 2009 1:49 PM
She's an SVP.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 1:52 PM
Goldie - on the Alex reference - what do you mean?
Maly - oh god I missed that typo, but agreed
Posted by: gemini10 at February 19, 2009 1:53 PM
Oh my God! Did I see recessed lights?
Posted by: GHB at February 19, 2009 1:55 PM
BK14, your answer:
"Nina's focus is on the downtown market and she specializes in large lofts."
Maly:
Not only is it a MASTERPEICE, but it also features a KITCHEN. Wow, you don't see many of those these days. Must be part of the old world GRANDEUR.
Posted by: NorthHeights at February 19, 2009 1:56 PM
It is an illegal two family, no?
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at February 19, 2009 1:57 PM
It looks to me (from the inside) like any McMansion home you see on HGTV. It's not classic enough and it's sure not modern enough. Homogenized.
While I am a huge proponent of the classic single family home (tenants = arghhh!) this seems to be one home that could have stood to lose a floor.
I dunno. Finances aside, there are so many other homes that I'd choose before this.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at February 19, 2009 1:58 PM
WELL! I'll SAY! It is truly MASTERRIFICALICIOUS!
Posted by: Maly at February 19, 2009 2:00 PM
>"tragically???"
Inasmuch as decor can count as tragedy, including this "country kitchen" banister in a minimal modern house is tragic.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 19, 2009 2:01 PM
I wouldn't call that a "country kitchen."
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 2:03 PM
Ugh, all those built-ins. They seem so over-whelming. How much junk do people have and are my taxes now paying for it!.
Posted by: DeLepp at February 19, 2009 2:04 PM
When I think McMansion, I think of those ghastly "Tuscan" kitchens.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 19, 2009 2:04 PM
The 80's called,
they want their wall units back.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at February 19, 2009 2:05 PM
It looks more like a Star Trek kitchen to me. Ot is it a Nascar-inspired rear spoiler?
Posted by: Maly at February 19, 2009 2:12 PM
No 1: It's a perfectly fine house, in the top 5% of what you find in Park Slope.
No 2: I don't recall the owners of the house asking what "Mr B" thought of his house when they put it on the market.
No 3: I think this whole Brownstoner tradition of reading the real estate listings and then making (more often than not) snarky comments about the listings has become (1) obnoxious, (2) lame, (3) generally reactionary and (4) transparently driven by envy.
I mean, it's not likely Mr B is saving Penn Station from the wrecking ball with posts like this. It's really just rude.
Posted by: new2 at February 19, 2009 2:19 PM
Sort of odd that the kitchen is two floors below the formal living room/dining room. Of course there's the dumbwaiter for that issue. Some (and I stress some) of the decor looks nice. I don't like the setup, though. But I'm a stickler for tradition with these brownstones (sweet memories of my Aunt's First Street house--you know, wood, double parlor, kitchen/dining room on the garden level, etc.). Of course, I can't afford it anyway, so it's a non-issue.
Posted by: RinTinTin at February 19, 2009 2:21 PM
more money than taste, it will sell
Posted by: sam at February 19, 2009 2:21 PM
Sheesh, so much for the quip i was about to post regarding the listing agent's hairdo. Thanks a not new2!
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 19, 2009 2:24 PM
gemini - i dunno. maybe it was the eyes or teeth, just first reaction was that she resembled alex. ok, wouldnt want to take a thread off topic.
Posted by: goldie at February 19, 2009 2:24 PM
I meant "thanks a lot", but perhaps "thanks a knot" would have been more a propos.
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 19, 2009 2:24 PM
I like the feeling in this house. You guys are nuts.
Posted by: dt at February 19, 2009 2:25 PM
rude new2???...maybe lame, snarky, fun, entertaining but rude?
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 2:26 PM
new2 - the whole "youre just saying that cuz youre jealous" usually stops after 7th grade when you develop greater insight into peoples motives.
Posted by: goldie at February 19, 2009 2:29 PM
If a realtor is going to post his/her face pic then it's fair game for discussion. Why do they do that anyway?? There's only one other profession that I know of where face pics really need to be available.
Do I sound like Andy Rooney???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 2:29 PM
new2,
No 1: There is always a HOTD. Sometimes they are generally liked other times not.
No 2: Mr. B is giving the house amazing exposure. It only takes one person to make the sale.
No 3: Why does everyone always attribute dislike for someone or something as jealousy? Can't we simply not like it?
No 4: I thought this was "Brownstoner" not "Orginization to Save Penn Station From Immenent Demise"
And BTW...When you posted this, were you sure that weren't just jealous of the door?
I'm sure you (and the others posters) don't want to hear this, but I have to ask: How ugly is that door? There are some horrendous doors on our block, and it mars what otherwise would be a beautiful block.
BTW, a new door does NOT have to cost $10k, in case you need one.
Posted by: new2 at February 10, 2009 2:05 PM in response to Can Landmarks Do This?
Posted by: TownhouseLady at February 19, 2009 2:30 PM
new2, you got your nested outline formatting wrong. it's 1)2)3) and then a)b)c). snark!
Posted by: jingle mail at February 19, 2009 2:30 PM
Oh yeah, and I meant to type was organization and imminent.
Sorry Biff, didn't mean to offend the spelling gods!
Posted by: TownhouseLady at February 19, 2009 2:32 PM
I second that New2. And Mr. Brownstoner your whole attitude about owners buying a house in 2004 or so at such and such a price and then selling in 2009 at such and such a price and then saying we will see if they get that is so fucking obnoxious. Stop it.
Posted by: billyboomer at February 19, 2009 2:33 PM
I can't zoom in on the door. You seeing that somewhere else, THL.
I saw that door thread on the Forum...ridiculous.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 2:35 PM
It's his blog, billy. I don't see anything wrong with any of this. That's what blogs are about.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 2:36 PM
Townhouse Lady...exteriors are landmarked, the choice of lighting in your den is not. That's kind of the point of all this, isn't it?
Posted by: new2 at February 19, 2009 2:38 PM
Dave that was a snooty comment that new2 had left with regard to a door.
Ring, ring...
Hello? This is The Pot speaking
Oh hi pot, glad I caught you at home. This is The Kettle calling...
Posted by: TownhouseLady at February 19, 2009 2:39 PM
maybe i missed this, but are we sure these people did the renovation?
if they paid 2.6 for an unrenovated home, that'd be insane,
but it was already done...?
ps i hate the layout, love all the baths
Posted by: sender9999 at February 19, 2009 2:40 PM
three living rooms? jees. even with two kids and a packrat husband, i wouldn't know what to do with all that space!
Posted by: funkymonkey at February 19, 2009 2:41 PM
DIBS...excellent point....sounds like there's a market for a new blog appealing to people who value preservation but are not snarky or bitter and don't think Restoration Hardware is the apex of the design world.
We'll take that under advisement.
Posted by: new2 at February 19, 2009 2:44 PM
Oh my bad new2, I didn't know that there was one specific talking point we were all required to be sticking to.
I mistakenly thought that this was a blog about real estate. You know, developments, neighborhoods, sales, events, renovations, etc and that Mr. B posted these threads so that we could all join in with comments and have discussions with regard to them.
From now on we'll just respond to posts with:
Mr. B thank you for the informative post. I will read it and refrain from making any commentary. I look forward to reading the next item you post.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at February 19, 2009 2:48 PM
There is a dining area adjacent to the kitchen and a tiny kitchen on the floor with the "formal dining room", I guess where the servants can keep the gravy warm and wash dishes for all the formal dinners a typical Brooklyn family has.
Is it just me or is weird to have a murphy bed in the front room on the parlor floor?
I question the "single family" nature of this house. Perhaps a good set-up for an extended family situation though.
Posted by: supersleuth at February 19, 2009 2:50 PM
Can I be jealous and independently not like something?
I don't like snarkiness either, though. In my fuzzy world of gentlemanly disagreement, one can criticize without being an SOB.
But the worst manners on here seem to be reserved for other commenters. A couple of you are brutal.
I have learned a lot, however.
Posted by: Nomi at February 19, 2009 2:50 PM
new2...that's usually what you see in the Forum.
Besides, a quick glance at your profile and a lot of snarky comments by you about other HOTDs seem to appear!!!!! Including the one about Restoration hardware that you just made.
Get off the soap box.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 2:51 PM
new2, hypocrite much? here's your post exerpt from "Sales: 146 Sterling Place Fetches $2,730,000"
"Kitchen sucked
Horrendous, cheapo "pueblo" style "spa" for master bath
Charmless garden rental
Broker is a complete a*hole (wonder how he functions, even where standards are as low as in PS)"
related to the owner perhaps? and many of your other posts sound very bitter. do you lead a sad life?
Posted by: goldie at February 19, 2009 2:51 PM
> "I don't like snarkiness..."
[sound of a single tear rolling down cheek]
Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 19, 2009 2:57 PM
honest question - not being snarky here...
but with all the dissing of this house, what do you guys consider to be pleasing,nice,aesthetically acceptable, tastefully decorated?
personally - I dig the house and if i had 2.6 million - i'd be interested in it. I can then add my own flavor to it etc etc
am just curious
Posted by: gemini10 at February 19, 2009 2:57 PM
Other than that banister, gemini10, I'm OK with this place.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 19, 2009 3:00 PM
gemini10...exactly! it's a fine house. They haven't done a cheap job. They probably didn't remove anything that wasn't already trashed. They haven't desecrated a landmark. They aren't ruining their neighbor's views. I think those thinks justifies a little slamming.
This just costs $$$, and that's really what the full-time commenters really resent.
Posted by: new2 at February 19, 2009 3:03 PM
gemini10.....not discussing price, this house is nice except Snark is right, the stairway is out of context with the modern look. If it were an original stairway I think it might be more in context but this looked to me like a new maple stairway. The floors look great and the addition of crown molding to every room looks nice, even in the modern context. I love the kitchen but I'm not a fan of "spoiler style" island eating levels. I have no problem with their decorating & furniture style in this house. I wouldn't use modern furniture in a restored brownstone dripping with architectural detail though. This was obviously a gut renovation. I suspect the period marble fireplaces were brought in from elsewhere but I do have to say that raising them and wrapping them with new marble around the sides looks chintzy.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 3:04 PM
"This just costs $$$, and that's really what the full-time commenters really resent." WOW...What a pompous asshat statement.
new2...i think a lot of the commenters may have more money than you think.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 3:07 PM
Picturing Snark canoeing down the Gowanus Canal ala' the Crying Indian from the anti littering PSA of the 70's.
http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/499/
Gemini,
Frankly, It's just not my taste. For 3MM I'd want something with more of it's original details intact. Not something that was awkwardly stuck midway between modern and classic townhouse. Either that or I'd spend less and reno. it myself to my tastes. I bet they spent a fortune on all those built-ins that I find really tacky and dated. I just never liked that look. Is that wrong? No, it's just not my taste.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at February 19, 2009 3:15 PM
oh I see that staircase, yikes it looks out of place, agreed! but the rest is A-Ok to me!
Posted by: gemini10 at February 19, 2009 3:17 PM
New2 - Sorry everyone has been making fun of your spelling errors.
My snarky $0.02 -- I would never live on Union.
Posted by: lechacal at February 19, 2009 3:22 PM
I used to live on this block and its a pretty nice one. Maybe not the best in PS, but certainly pretty darn good. 3 mill is certainly a lot especially in 2009 but there has got to be some family with $$$ out there who wants to live in this area.
Posted by: bktycoon at February 19, 2009 3:25 PM
Exactly the image I was going for, THL.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 19, 2009 3:31 PM
The staircase looks very junky. Judging from the facade, this house probably had remarkable Queen Anne finishes originally.
The re-do isn't bad, I like that it has both a living room and a family room, and a real dining room next to the kitchen. And I like the many baths. I mean, that is what a luxury house should be about, more than you need. I just wish it looked less L.A.
Posted by: sam at February 19, 2009 3:40 PM
How much would it cost to replace/renovate a staircase?
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 19, 2009 3:43 PM
Actually Biff, it might make a huge positive difference just to paint it white.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 3:46 PM
"The current owners paid $2,600,000 in March 2005..."
Renovate 'n run. So common. Grass not that green to many. Brownstones overrated? No, then why sell? Is everyone getting divorced and relocated?
***Bid half off peak comps***
Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at February 19, 2009 4:27 PM
It's kinda on the cold side. But sometimes that happens after a gut reno. Needs more personal touches to warm it up. And frankly, it's impossible to really judge without seeing the house. Quality finishes, room flow, etc aren't visible in website photos.
Posted by: 1929 at February 19, 2009 4:30 PM
"what do you guys consider to be pleasing,nice,aesthetically acceptable, tastefully decorated?"
Why, my own house, of course! What a silly question!
Posted by: East New York at February 19, 2009 5:15 PM
Certainly mine, too, ENY.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 5:16 PM
completely off-topic but the speaker placement in the first picture is "tragic". Why would you spend several thousand dollars on a mid/high-end hifi and then not even bother with the soundstage?
Posted by: the chicken at February 19, 2009 5:31 PM
Oh am sure guys - but I haven't beeeeen to your house ENY so clearly I have no clue if you are into leopard print sofas and pink velvet ottmans and here you are espousing on whats tasteful and not.
I just asked a sincere question to what peeps are into around these parts as many have strong penchants for old fixtures and whatnots with a certain "patina" that many would actually not find pleasing
Posted by: gemini10 at February 19, 2009 5:37 PM
"clearly I have no clue if you are into leopard print sofas and pink velvet ottmans"
Here's a clue: I'm not!
Posted by: East New York at February 19, 2009 5:41 PM
too bad!
haha
bon soir everyone
Posted by: gemini10 at February 19, 2009 5:43 PM
I love this house. I wish I could afford it.
Posted by: mcKenzie at February 19, 2009 9:06 PM
i think the problem with the reno here is that they seem to have done some serious cutting of corners. it's hard to tell from the photos, but the book shelves and their doors look IKEA-ish. the carpeting looks like it's from flor - the peel and stick modular carpeting. the banister looks like something they picked up from lowe's or home depot's more inexpensive line. the interior designer was not a professional. none of these renos are bad, but for a home at this price?
Posted by: merchantress at February 19, 2009 9:21 PM
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