DIY Townhouse in Fort Greene
Darcy Miro and Lars Weiss had the cojones to do something we’ve all thought about doing–they bought a vacant lot and built their own house. The result is an eclectic, industrial-feeling 4-story brick house in Fort Greene with 4,200 square feet of living and studio space. The Times story makes a big deal about what…
Darcy Miro and Lars Weiss had the cojones to do something we’ve all thought about doing–they bought a vacant lot and built their own house. The result is an eclectic, industrial-feeling 4-story brick house in Fort Greene with 4,200 square feet of living and studio space. The Times story makes a big deal about what a great deal the whole thing was financially, but we’re not so sure lining it up against the townhouse a block away that’s on the market for $2.2 million is a fair comparison. First of all, Miro-Weiss bought their 20’x80′ lot back in 2001 for $180,000; the house now on the market for $2.2 million would have been at most, what, $1.2 million back then? Secondly, while the space they created may be exactly what they want in terms of design and finish, we’re pretty sure it will be a trickier property to sell than a typical Fort Greene brownstone. Thirdly, what is 18 months of sweat equity and sleeping on your in-laws’ floors worth? And lastly, falling one block outside the historic district, Fort Greene Place is far from being a blue-chip street. Brooklyn Technical High School occupies the entire eastern side of the street. There are seven or eight nice but slighly run-down original brownstones on the western side of the block closest to the park; the rest of that side of the street is full of loud SROs and completely out-of-context new houses.
Did Miro-Weiss create some value? Absolutely. They would definitely get considerably more than their $730,000 cost basis if they sold right now, but we bet most of that derives from the fact that they happened to buy land in Fort Greene at the right time. At the end of the day, though, it clearly was the right move for the family and one that will probably work out quite nicely financially. Most importantly, they got what we all want–a space that they feel intimately connected with and that is large enough to build their lives and families in comfortably.
Upscale, Downscale [NY Times]
You don’t like the Royal We? We really like how it helps us sound more smug and arrogant. Hmmm, maybe we’ll just start wearing a bow tie when we sit at our computer instead. Seriously, though, the royal we does have some advantages, but we will admit it can be a little cumbersome…We will take it to our board of directors and ask for a vote! (On second thought, we’ll just think about it while we’re brushing out teeth tonight.)
yes, i think things went a little wacky here today – why on earth would anyone interpret brownstoner as a brooklyn brownstone elitest vs. a lover of old brooklyn brownstones- i praised the day when this blog came about- it is so much fun! between modern and traditional and brooklyn and manhattan and whose cooler?? are there people out there really trying to fight for that title?
off topic, but: Brownstoner, isn’t it time you retired the first-person plural and started just calling yourself “me” and “I”? The New Yorker’s Talk of the Town dropped it over a decade ago and I’m not sure even the Queen of England still refers to herself as “we,” so why the persistence of the affectation among blog writers? (And admit it — you’re a little weary of keeping it up yourself, aren’t you?)
I just want to add one more item to the list:
—I fear for the life of their baby with that balcony and stair railing. Is that thing to code?
well stated, Bstoner. And I hope the little one and mom are doing well.
i’ve never sensed smugness or arrogance from Brownstoner. these negative comments are bizarre. I guess it goes with the territory. design sponge wrote that she gets angry & negative emails too- and I didn’t understand that either.
Look, guys, this is getting a little silly. First of all, and we repeat, WE DIDN”T SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT THIS TOWNHOUSE! Secondly, we have nothing to be arrogant about when it comes to real estate and architecture–we’re amateurs like most of you. We try to express an opinion when we have one because, well, things would get a little boring if this were just a listing service or a newswire. Blogs that lack an editorial voice aren’t going to sustain a readership for very long. Plus, introducing a property or a news item with an opinion does tend to stimulate debate, which we are also in favor of. And we’re happy to hear differing opinions–it would be boring if everyone agreed all the time. Plus, as we’ve said before, everyone is perfectly aware of our conflicts of interest–the only problem would be if we didn’t disclose them! So we welcome all points of view, but if you’re just sitting around just waiting for someone to knock us off a pedestal that we’re not even on, we’d just as soon have you take your bad vibes elsewhere.
My point was that this one is great. It is onest simple and grat structure feeting realy great to context.(thats great example showing how modern brooklyn should be designed)
But i have major problem with building an the same block- 28 FG place (thats right this is the one with hideus stairs one front)
Only demolition team can help. Who let them build that any way?
I am so glad someone is putting Brownsnter in their place. I also like traditional brownstones and own one. However, the arrogance and smugness of many of Brownstoner’s commentary is really annoying. Stop acting like you have the last say on taste and how Clinton Hill is “it.” I am sure that you would have had a different point of view about CH when the “profile” of CH was different (10 yrs ago) despite the fact that the architecture was as grand and beautiful as it is today. THAT FT GREENE TOWNHOUSE IS MODERN YET AWESOME!!