House of the Day: 770 MacDonough Street



This is one of three nicely preserved wood frame houses around the corner from us. We have to admit we were surprised to see it for sale — but even more surprised to hear it’s undergoing a “quality gut renovation” and by the asking price, which is $675,000. We’re guessing the inspiration for the price was the rush to contract at 534 Decatur Street, a special property on a brownstone block not far from here. (This block is mostly tenements.) Unfortunately, there are no interior photos, so we’ll have to take Corcoran’s word on the quality of the renovation. The listing says “expansive loft like open feel,” which doesn’t sound likely to go with the style of the house, but we shall see.
770 MacDonough Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark

Categories: Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, HOTD, Ocean Hill
By Cate | 12/20/2012 1:30 PM | Comment

Building of the Day: 933 Herkimer Street


Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Former St. Benedict’s Parochial School, now Head Start program of Mt. Sinai Church of God in Christ
Address: 933 Herkimer Street
Cross Streets: Buffalo and Ralph Avenues
Neighborhood: Bedford Stuyvesant (Ocean Hill)
Year Built: 1894
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architect: F. J. Berlenbach, Jr.
Other buildings by architect: Berlenbach house and Convent of St. Dominic and Annunciation School, Williamsburg; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Prospect Heights.
Landmarked: No

The story: The neighborhood of Ocean Hill was established as long ago as 1890, and became a micro-neighborhood of Bedford Stuyvesant. Named for its hilly terrain, it was always a modest middle class neighborhood, unlike more upscale Stuyvesant Heights, with blocks of smaller homes, most dating from around the time the neighborhood got its name. Over on Herkimer Street, where part of the neighborhood is located next to the end of Crown Heights, the village of Weeksville, and out to Brownsville, the neighborhood is even more modest, with blocks of wood framed houses and small brick buildings. This whole neighborhood was predominantly Italian by the beginning of the 20th century, and well into the first half of the century. (more…)

Categories: Bedford Stuyvesant, BOTD, Ocean Hill
By Montrose Morris | 11/05/2012 3:30 PM | Comment

House of the Day: 146 Hull Street



Here’s a renovated two-family with a few original details and a front sunroom extension at 146 Hull Street in Ocean Hill for $449,999. It looks to be in good condition, at least in the photos, and is close to five subway lines, including the L and the A. How do you like it for the price?
146 Hull Street [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark

Categories: Brooklyn, HOTD, Ocean Hill
By Cate | 09/24/2012 1:30 PM | Comment