Julius Liebman Mansion Hits the Market
The 1909 neo-Federal mansion at 378-384 Clinton Avenue in Clinton Hill has just hit the market with an asking price of $5,500,000. The 9,200-square-foot house is located on a 13,500-square-foot lot and comes with a carriage house fronting on Vanderbilt Avenue. Called “one of the most beautiful houses in Clinton Hill” by Landmarks Preservation Commission,…
The 1909 neo-Federal mansion at 378-384 Clinton Avenue in Clinton Hill has just hit the market with an asking price of $5,500,000. The 9,200-square-foot house is located on a 13,500-square-foot lot and comes with a carriage house fronting on Vanderbilt Avenue. Called “one of the most beautiful houses in Clinton Hill” by Landmarks Preservation Commission, 380 Clinton Avenue was built for Julius Liebman, an heir of the brewing company that later became Rheingold, by the architectural firm of Herts & Tallant, which also designed the Brooklyn Academy of Music. There was a small fire on the second floor last spring. The listing broker is Crosstown Companies; there’s nothing on the firm’s website, but you can call 718-937-8100 if interested. GMAP
So what’s happening to Teen Challenge then?
I used to work for TC so I’ve been in the house quite a few times. I can tell you there are a lot of original details still intact including: part of a turn of the century kitchen with marble countertops, two HUGE brass chandelier lighting fixtures, ornate mouldings and cabinetry, a very large stained glass skylight, huge cedar closets and a grand winding staircase. True, it has definitely been subjected to some unfortunate institutional changes (including a very strange maze room on the top floor) but it is more intact than many places I’ve seen. The carriage house has been pretty sterilized but it is large. Anyhow, it always reminded me of this house museum I used to visit when I was a kid…only a lot less maintained. If someone had the money to dump into restoring it, I think it would shape up to be a pretty amazing property. I don’t know anyone in this city who has that kind of indoor AND outdoor space! Yah, it’s a little bit over the top and borderline tacky but imagine the parties one could throw!
This place does look a little clunky, but for my money I’d rather have this place than 405 Clinton. The fact that this has a carriage house to stable my horses is huge compared with having to park them on the street. I’ll bet if you offered these people the same price as the cost to fix up 405 Clinton ($1.8m + $2.0m to renovate all in = $3.8m) they’d take it.
There may be some confusion in the above posts as there is a similar (though not as finely detailed) federal style on the block between Greene and Gates. That one is the one owned by Teen Challenge (I think). The details on this house are wonderful and yes the parties on the parlor floor would be wonderful. This house has some beautiful qualities — brick and stone work especially. Photos don’t do it justice.
I concur, 1842 & dittoburg.
1842, could not agree more with you
A mature specimen tree planting on the front left corner of the yard and climbing roses between the windows would do wonders. While there are nice gardens here and there in Brooklyn, overall their are not too many compared to other world cities. I suppose part of the reason for that is that the winters in NY are much colder than in say London, or Melbourne or Sydney Australia, where gardens are nurtured and considered an integral part of a property.
I have a friend with a flat in Shepherd’s Bush, after getting priced out of the less tony parts of Notting Hill. Parts of both neighborhoods remind me very much of Brooklyn, both the architecture and the people.
Nothing wrong with a semi. Better than a maisonette!