East Williamsburg

East 'Burg Italianate Wood House With Wide-Plank Floors, Tin Ceilings, Garden Wants $6,500 a Month

This wee house in East Williamsburg has simple white modern finishes as well as some intriguing original details.

interior of east williamsburg 22 judge street

by Cate Corcoran

09/08/2022 3 minute 0

This wee house in East Williamsburg has simple white modern finishes as well as some intriguing original details. At 22 Judge Street, it’s located in one of the oldest settled parts of the borough, a stone’s throw from the historic center of the 17th century Dutch town of Boswijck, now the intersection of Bushwick and Metropolitan avenues.

Changes to the street grid over the years have left traces visible in aerial maps that show clusters of buildings filling the interiors of the blocks. This particular house may date to the mid-19th century, going by its size and circa 1940 tax photo.

That document shows a simple wood frame house with modest Italianate brackets supporting two front and side cornices along with the tall parlor windows typical of the style. A dirt driveway meanders past the house.

Today the house looks like many in the area, covered in aluminum siding though it still has tall parlor windows. Inside, a thoughtful renovation has made the most of the two-room-deep structure, opening up the first floor slightly without destroying its historic charm.

The living room benefits from three windows on two exposures and a tin ceiling. Built-in shelves line one side of an old chimney, perhaps once used for heating and cooking stoves.

In the room beyond is a modern kitchen with open shelving and an island, as well as space for dining. Sliding glass doors lead to a cozy backyard with a stone paved patio and planting bed.

Upstairs are impressively wide original floorboards, more tin ceilings and a typical Italianate rounded mahogany newel post. The layout is quirky, with the only full bathroom in the house en suite to one of the three bedrooms.

There are three closets on this level, including one walk-in one. Downstairs is a half bath and laundry. The cellar can be used for storage of bicycles, according to the listing, from Jake Rabinbach of Compass.

An open house is set for Saturday. Having just changed hands in July for $1.72 million, now the property is available to rent for $6,500 a month. Unusually, utilities are included. What are your thoughts?

[Listing: 22 Judge Street | Broker: Compass] GMAP