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]
Geez, why does everyone think we’re knocking this place? We barely commented on the design and certainly weren’t judgmental about it. As for the “trickier to sell” comment, we would think that most people looking to buy a house in Fort Greene would want the more traditional architecture, and that therefore the pool of potential buyers for this house would be relatively small. We didn’t criticize those who would be interested in it at all and certainly understand why it would appeal to some or even many. Personally, if we were looking for a more modern place to live, we would opt for a loft, but that doesn’t mean we have anything against this place.
Brownstoner, Get a life. Fort Green isn’t that great. Fort Green Park sucks. The prices there are way too high. $2 million for a neighborhood with zero convenient subway access? Overvalued dude. Did you web site inspire the NY Magazine article this week?
OK, we all know by now that in the Brownstoner philosophy, the design world went to hell after 1910, and if it doesn’t have plaster medallions, marble fireplaces and wainscoting, it’s all crap. I exaggerate, but whatever, we can agree to disagree on taste.
But on the non-aesthetic point of “it will be a trickier property to sell” — dude, how many well-executed, new modern-design townhouses in Brooklyn do you think there are? Far fewer, I hate to tell you, than the number of restored hundred-year-old brownstones. And the number of people who love modern design in New York is, I bet, far greater than you estimate. Brownstoner, I have no doubt you would make a pile should you ever sell your lovely-looking home once it’s renovated, but give credit where it’s due: this place would fly if they ever put it on the market.
Beautiful townhouse. Stunning really. And they are positively cooler than me. Interesting…reminds me of the posts a few weeks back where a debate surfaced about the Greene House Condos which many of us thought didn’t quite mesh/blend with the environs. Here’s an example of a modern building that does appear to blend quite well.
Dude, they are SO MUCH COOLER and you all know it. And as much as people think the world loves their “renovated” brownstones, there are plenty of people who prefer the new, new thing even 30 years later (cf Willow house on the market for over $4mm). And I bet the heat works. Oh man, I bet it’s in that concrete floor!
What surprises me about this article is that you can use the adjacent buildings exterior wall as your interior wall! What if you want to hang some shelving or a painting… you just drill into their masonry?
Nor are we disputing that they are cooler than we are (though that’s not saying much these days)!
We’re not dissing them at all. We admire their spirit and effort and said that we think they created a great space for what they wanted. We were only disputing the valuation side of the story.
Not my taste at all- although I love their furniture. I prefer a traditional brownstone.