Brooklyn Beauty A Bit Much for Our Tastes
We know this house–at $14.5 million, the most expensive in Brooklyn right now–is supposed to inspire awestruck oohs and ahs, and while we wouldn’t kick it out of bed for eating crackers, it just ain’t doin’ it for us. The bathroom? Come on, this isn’t Versailles. The kitchen cabinets, which we’re sure cost tens of…
We know this house–at $14.5 million, the most expensive in Brooklyn right now–is supposed to inspire awestruck oohs and ahs, and while we wouldn’t kick it out of bed for eating crackers, it just ain’t doin’ it for us. The bathroom? Come on, this isn’t Versailles. The kitchen cabinets, which we’re sure cost tens of thousands of dollars in custom labor, leave us a little limp. And the fact that the fireplace was modeled on Tina Turner’s? Big whoop. Clearly, the location of the house is unbeatable and the facade is perfection. But we can’t in a million years imaging paying this kind of dough for someone else’s over-the-top renovation. We love traditional design if it’s the real thing but when it comes to new design, give us true modern over “new traditional” any day. In the end, when it comes to these historic houses, we like an occasional creak in the floorboards. Sometimes having too much money can be a really bad thing.
Brooklyn Beauty [Forbes]
Daily News Article [Corcoran]
Cloumbia Heights Listing [Corcoran]
14.5 million and it is still too much. When this house first entered the market it was listed at 20 million. It came down to 15 and then 14.5. I live down the street. I can see the same view for free. No knock against the house as the view is great if you want to impress visiting guest. However, keep in mind the fact that for 14.5 million, you still have to move your car for alternate street parking (every tuesday on this block).
who cares about the bathroom or kitchen? both could be easily redone by anyone who can actually afford a house like this. my complaint is the small stoop and relatively unimpressive facade. sure they are in great condition, but as compared to the stoops and facades of other mansions in the neighborhood this house’s extior is blase at best. 14.5 million should get you some massive front living room windows and a giant stoop that doesn’t have metal railings.
very bad thing, indeed.
Wow- some bathroom. I’d rip it out in a heartbeat. Actually I think it makes Trump look a little subdued.(Is that possible?). That house screams McMansion – why would anyone want to do that to a wonderful period house?
But I’m with CHP- I’ve seen houses that I fell in love with, at far less money than that. The views are spectacular- no doubt about it. The location is prime. The house still has beautiful bones but the renovations smack of thinking you’re making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, when it was a silk purse all along.
The views are to die for, but you can’t live in the window forever. Like you said, I wouldn’t kick it out of bed, and I guess if I had that kind of money, re-doing the bathroom wouldn’t be a big deal. (so Trump!) Purely as houses go, I’d take the Pfizer mansion over this one – and it’s a bargain – 10 mil cheaper!
I’m no cheerleader for anyone but as far as the IKEA cabinets are concerned, I don’t think you have to necessarily spend a lot of money on a kitchen or anything else for that matter to identify an ugly one. while you do make a good point if you’re trying to say the pot can’t call the kettle black I would argue that this may not be the case since there’s a distinct difference between design on a budget (which sacrafices beauty) and design with a clearly limitless budget and still choosing some of the ugliest shit on the market to put in your overpriced property and then try and sell it for much more than its worth. for the most expensive house in brooklyn everything counts, if Brownstoner tried to sell his pad with an ugly interior for say 5 million today I’d rip it a part too. you put a property on the market for this much money you should at least try to fool us into thinking its worth it…
Oh boy! I think that there are different standards of finish at this price level than the below 2M residences that the rest of us must be happy with. Let’s say that the house and it’s location would add up to at least 7-10M if it needed a full reno. Then add 2M for the current finish job and you get 9-12M or so. At these prices you can’t be too frugal. So if it is your cup of tea it is probably worth the asking, if not maybe offer 10M and plan on redoing the over the top bathroom and whatever.
Being in the mid reno stage I just look and laugh when seeing what could be done if I was someone else with someone elses money.
Anon 11:50
Cheap jab. He said clearly he planned to replace with a custom kitchen in the future when the money was available.
I have formica cabinets in my place and I think that house is ugly too.
Sorry, if you don’t think I’m “worthy” enough to speak my mind too.
I certainly wouldn’t pay 14.5 for it, but is the person who chose ikea cabinets for his kitchen really calling this kitchen blah? I think that although a little over the top for my taste, this house is great. Then again I will never be able to afford it so it really doesn’t matter.