286 Hicks St

Finally a home for sale in Brooklyn Heights with real character, depth, & whimsy and not your typical cookie cutter home at all. 286 Hicks is a 2-family home used as a grand 1-family (easy to use as a 2-family again if you prefer), with great light throughout that has been renovated with a nod to both high & low design, employing a vintage modern aesthetic throughout that encourages you to really live & play your best life. Currently configured as 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, with an added extension on the bottom two floors that allows the parlor floor to accommodate a large chefs kitchen, an amazingly comfortable living room in back, & a formal dining room in front for large gatherings. As a result of the glass enclosed extension recently added to both floors, this house lives like a much larger home than what you would expect from a quick glimpse of the historic brick exterior. Enjoy a breadth of space with walls opened up throughout, high ceilings, and the perfect juxtaposition of old & new with the traditional brownstone windows in front, & walls of modern glass in back that open to large private garden. Additional special features include a 4-zone central AC, gas-fired hot water heating, chefs appliances, a truly amazing laundry room with 2 vented dryers, & stunning original details throughout. The true character of this home stems from the ingenious mixture of utility, light, history & design that is expressed in even the smallest of details. Enter into the parlor floor where you will be immediately seduced by the Flavor Paper wallpaper on the ceiling in tandem with the brightly painted woodwork & stunning use of color throughout. A trip into the generous kitchen reveals oversized Oluce light fixtures acting as the centerpiece to a 6-person island flanked on both sides by walls of white cabinetry, a 48 8-burner Thermador range with a griddle & vented hood, and two 36 Sub Zero columns. Enjoy white Corian counters & convenient open shelving paired with hidden drawers & pantries throughout. The back sun-room extension is a luminous living room created from a wall of windows facing West with an unexpected peek-a-boo window on the South side. Take the staircase down from this level into a sunny practical garden with a hand-painted fence and high-end, easy to maintain turf with oversized pavers. A lavish dining room is placed perfectly next to the kitchen & can be used on a daily basis. There is even a discrete powder room. The garden level is a study in practicality & space, with a unique mud, laundry, utility room in front that includes an ice-maker, sink, storage & the perfect spot for every family member to store their coats, boots & equipment. Head down the hall to the den that has been imaginatively divided into a game room, library & guest area with a full bath. A tidy kitchenette on this floor allows for easy entertaining & includes a Sub-Zero fridge & dishwasher drawers. The third floor has been neatly divided into a stunning master suite in the back & an oversized sunny home office in the front. By taking down the walls in the front, the current owners created an office space that comfortably allows family members to enjoy personal work space without feeling claustrophobic. This area also makes the perfect den, media room or a 5th bedroom. The entire back of this floor has an exquisite primary suite that offers an oversized walk-in closet, a bathing room with a deep tub, glass-enclosed shower & double sink. Cleverly tucked away on the other side is a toilet room with its own sink. Enjoy the luxury of Carrara marble with a modern stacked subway tile throughout this bath. A large West-facing deck off this suite is a secluded outdoor sanctuary offering sunset views. The top floor offers 2 oversized bedrooms with great closets, 2 full baths, and a 3rd bedroom currently used as a guest room. The larger 2 bedrooms have excellent closet space & are decorated in colorful wallpapers & paint, and enjoy treetop views. The 2 full baths on this floor have been designed with a suite of colorful vintage bathroom fixtures & metal medicine cabinets juxtaposed with a modern take on the classic penny & subway tiles of yesteryear. Situated in prime Brooklyn Heights, but also just a stones throw from the diverse amenities of Cobble Hill & Atlantic Avenue. Conveniently located near Brooklyn Bridge Park, every single subway line at Borough Hall, the Ferry & numerous parking garages. This home defies stuffiness & welcomes you home to the comfort of easy living in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood known for its affable neighbors, low density, & architectural gems.