Condo of the Day: 129 Clinton Avenue
We feel a little bad about being hard on this listing, as it’s obvious someone put a lot of work into trying to make it special. Unfortunately, we think they missed the mark, in some places by a lot. First, the good news: This lower duplex in a brownstone on Clinton Avenue between Myrtle and…
We feel a little bad about being hard on this listing, as it’s obvious someone put a lot of work into trying to make it special. Unfortunately, we think they missed the mark, in some places by a lot. First, the good news: This lower duplex in a brownstone on Clinton Avenue between Myrtle and Park has some great bones, most notably the stunning front parlor room complete with incredible woodwork and original pocket doors. The developer’s attempt to make the kitchen contextual with custom mahogany looks pretty successful. But then there are the missteps: The fireplaces, bathrooms, the exposed brick (especially above the mantel in the parlor) and the new wood floors (blindingly blond) don’t jibe. It’s not easy to do a renovation that respects a house’s history while adding modern look and convenience, which is why it’s generally safer to pick one aesthetic and stick with it. None of these problems are irreversible, of course, but when you’re asking $1.1 million for a duplex north of Myrtle, there’s not much margin for error. Has anyone been inside?
129 Clinton Avenue [Urban View Realty] GMAP P*Shark
Photo by Nicholas Strini for Property Shark
I sort of agree w/ the previous poster in that the “$ loaded” don’t need to fret about the subway that much, although I do think they take it as much as they need to. But let’s face the real truth — anyone who moans and groans about a half mile walk – 2 laps around a track – is probably a lazy butt who needs to get off the computer and run from those supposed muggers to shed those pounds. Then go run five miles on a treadmill anyhow. I like Clinton Hill.
Do people who pay this much money for a crib actually take the subway? (I mean that in sincerity.) Wouldn’t they just drive down Park to hit the Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridges?
Hey Clinton Hill resident – are you for real??? 20 blocks to the mile refers to the numbered STREETS in Manhattan. In other words, it is one mile from 23rd Street to 43rd Street. Get it? I can’t believe you could actually believe 3.5 long blocks in Clinton Hill is only 1/5 mile!!!
Here’s a little project which may help you make more reasonable statements in the future: Go get a map which is drawn to scale, and measure the distance from the house to the subway on paper. Then convert that sum to miles using the ratio provided on the map (they usually have a legend – 1 inch = .5 miles, etc.). If you have trouble with the math, just post the problem on this site, and I’m sure someone will be able to help you.
Voila – you’ll see quite plainly that it’s a good half mile walk to the G train from this property. And on foot, it’s a mile to the C train.
I don’t disagree with you: Clinton Hill is a lovely neighborhood. It has gorgeous mansions. It’s quite a gem, and puts its neighbor, Williamsburg to shame. But let’s be real. Clinton Hill is quite a bit out of the way for most people who are contemplating a move to Brooklyn. Why do you think Boerum Hill (which has clearly inferior housing stock, but was once CH’s peer in terms of property values) has long since surpassed CH in price per sq. ft.? The answer is simple: most Brooklynites like to minimize their commute to Manhattan. Period.
But hey, if you don’t mind long walks to the subway, and transfering trains, then more power to ya! I’m sure it’s quite lovely being you!
I have to defend my block here! Your math is way off, a mile is 20 blocks, this place is 3 + 1/2 blocks to the train, albeit long ones. The G goes to the L, the A/C and to LIC where you can get the 7, E or V to midtown, and the ride on the G is luxuriously uncrowded, you can always get a seat. And, what’s wrong with walking when you go past beautiful mansions, etc? I do that walk everyday and, other than on the coldest days of winter, I like it.
The house that sold last year was on this same block, directly across from this apt. and sold for something like $2.4 or $2.3 mill. If you divide the house in two and sell the lower half as a duplex condo, it would be $1.2 mill, more than this apt. Sure you can get something for this price in Park Slope or Prospect Heights, but then you’d have to live in one of those neighborhoods. Remember when that young social worker got stabbed to death in Prospect Heights? I really don’t think that is any more safe a neighborhood and it’s only closer to the train if you live on the edge close to Flatbush near to where there is about to be a huge stadium built, no thanks. I’ve lived in, yawn, Park Slope, I’ll never live there again. Clinton Hill has proven to be a much friendlier and more interesting neighborhood.
LOL! It’s about a mile from the C train. Yeah, I’d call that pretty far!
The G train is the nearest train, and it’s quite a hike to that train as well (about a half mile). Plus, it doesn’t go to Manhattan. For a point of reference, it’s a half mile from Central Park West to Riverside Drive.
Now, tell me what reasonably intelligent working person wants to pay $1.1M to walk a half-mile each day to the train, only to have to transfer at least once to get to Manhattan? Not fun!. Plus, you can definitely get a large condo for the same amount of money in North Park Slope or Prospect Heights where it’s only a short walk to nearly every train line.
bob999 you seem somewhat intense. Have you tried medication?
Say anything? I don’t get it. I’m pretty sure this block already have a place go for over $2 million a year or so ago (provided it was a house, free standing, with an extra wide lot etc. – might have been on the next street over). In any event, Clinton Hill is way past any concern about being a dangerous neighborhood. I’ve lived in the area for more than five years now and have not been mugged or threatened, nor has my wife.
I do agree this is a high price point for the particular location in the northern end of the neighborhood, pretty far from the C train, and the G train for that matter.
I think that’s an unsafe area too. Some people will say anything to promote an increase in property values.
I don’t think my generalization was ‘inane,’ thank you very much. Of course relying on others’ experiences isn’t hard science. But let’s not be naive enough to suggest that you cannot get a sense of the relative safety of various neighborhoods without scrutinizing police records. Do you also suggest that we withhold judgement as to the relative safety of, say, East New York versus Brooklyn Heights? I hope that common sense isn’t giving way to political correctness, Anonymous.