Real Estate

Bay Ridge 'Artistic House' With Mantel, Beamed Ceiling, Vintage Kitchen, Parking Asks $950K

This early 20th century brick house offers the opportunity to burnish some original details and the bonus of yard space and parking.

by Susan De Vries

07/29/2020 0

This early 20th century brick house offers the opportunity to burnish some original details and the bonus of yard space and parking. It’s set on the eastern edge of Bay Ridge at 565 84th Street.

Builders were busy in Bay Ridge in the early 20th century and the house is one of a row of three that appear on historic maps by 1917. All three houses are two stories with tan brick, enclosed front porches and tile roofs in a style often advertised as “artistic houses” at the time. The circa 1940 tax photos for the row show that while the porches were originally enclosed they would have had a tall expanse of multi-paned windows and a matching door, bringing in as much light as possible. No. 565 now sports a picture window and a Colonial Revival-style door, both later 20th century additions.

The single-family home has been owned by the same family since the 1970s and while there have been decorative changes, including plenty of wallpaper, the original layout appears intact. The enclosed front porch, with a bold red tile floor and wood ceiling, could use some tweaks to make the space pop, but does offer some casual living or work space.

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Step through the original wood entry door and the living room has parquet floors, a beamed ceiling and a Classical-style mantel with columns and dentil molding. The mottled tile surround appears to be original as does the brass liner and gas insert. A fresh breeze might be a challenge as the only windows in the space open onto the front porch.

The living room is open to the dining room, which does have a window overlooking the rear garden. It’s got the decorative details popular in this period, namely wainscoting, a plate shelf and built-in cabinets with leaded glass fronts on either side of the window. There’s also some Lincrusta which, according to the listing, is original.

Adjacent is the kitchen, which has a rare bank of circa 1930s era white metal cabinets, porcelain sink and tile wainscot. The window, transom and door leading out to the backyard appear to be original and have their original trim. Vintage lovers will appreciate the design possibilities, such as restoring the floor with real linoleum.

Upstairs are four bedrooms with original features, including inlaid wood floors, and a full bath. The two largest bedrooms share closet space in a pass-through, complete with original built-in cabinets. The original pass-through sinks appear to have been swapped out but are easy to restore.

The remarkably intact original bath has a claw-foot tub and beautiful original white subway tiles on the walls. If the plumbing needs an upgrade, historically correct replacement tile is available for the floor.

There’s a basement which could use some finishing and a potential buyer might want to check for water infiltration as the listing photo shows some puddles of standing water. The floor plan shows the space has a half bath and access to the street and rear yard.

Out back there’s a wood deck off the kitchen and a lawn with shrubbery and a small patio area. The listing notes that the house has parking in the rear and the photo shows the gated drive on 6th Avenue that leads to a shared parking pad behind the row of houses. Just down the street is the sunken Gowanus Expressway. A pedestrian bridge provides access to Dyker Heights.

Listed by Charles A. Olson and Jean Marrone of Keller Williams Realty, it’s on the market for $950,000. What do you think?

[Listing: 565 84th Street | Broker: Keller Williams] GMAP