House of the Day: First Rate on First Street
We’ve discussed before how difficult we think it is to predict how some of the higher-priced houses in the higher-priced nabes will sell. This lovely “British Regency with Federal Style” mansion on First Street between 8th Avenue and Prospect Park West probably falls in that category. The house was built in 1915 for the builder…
We’ve discussed before how difficult we think it is to predict how some of the higher-priced houses in the higher-priced nabes will sell. This lovely “British Regency with Federal Style” mansion on First Street between 8th Avenue and Prospect Park West probably falls in that category. The house was built in 1915 for the builder of this row of similar houses. What’s not to like? (Well, we could point to a couple things like the kitchen cabinets and a little overkill on the dining room walls, but this is no Columbia Heights overkill.) Point being this place is large, pristine and in the right place. If one had to quibble, the yard is a bit on the small side. Anyway, it’s a looker–the question is will there be takers at $3.295 million. It’s only been on the market for a little over a week, so it’s too soon to tell.
Property #89 [Townsley & Gay] GMAP
This house is still on the market collecting dust!
Wow, you guys are still going at it. I’ll grant you all that there are far more lawyers than bankers who live in PS, but aren’t there far more lawyers than bankers everywhere. That said, I’ve run into numerous Wall Streeters in the Slope. In fact, one of the senior partners at my firm used to live in PS. He has fond memories of life before child #3. I think he would have liked to have stayed and done the brownstone thing, but wife insisted on migrating to the burbs with the herd.
Like I said before, its 30 minutes solid door-ro-door to my office in Lower Manhattan and it was 40 minutes when I was in midtown. So, commute time is not an issue. Bankers like the Slope as much as anyone. Why else do you think bstones are going for so much money.
It’s def possible that traders and bankers, who tend to stick together in pretty much everything they do, might all live in a few select areas in manhattan and NJ, and go to a few select bars, and play tennis at a few select courts. I’d buy that. Just look at the market, it’s pretty much designed on the concept of following the herd.
it would be really sad if that herd suddenly discovered my particular neighborhood, though. Don’t go waking the sheep up. Please.
stuy b,
I think the point that 2:28 is making is that it’s not surprising rich peoplee would live in neighborhoods that were originally built for rich people. (Which you could just as easily say next time anyone asks you why anyone with money would live in stuy heights, etc.) Just as some people with little money nonetheless c hoose to stay in Manhattan.
fwiw, i live in the slope and didn’t think you were insulting it. There are expensive houses here now, and clearly someone is buying them — the fact that some of us know only rich people who wouldn’t live in Brooklyn is just testimony to what a lot of rich people there are in nyc right now, with different tastes and definitions of status.
I’ve worked at two major Wall St Firms (not Investment Banking)and I’ve got to say that virtually no one (except low level staff) live anywhere in Brooklyn except for a few in Brooklyn Heights. Single people tend to live in Manhattan and Married people live in Westchester or maybe some of the tonier parts of NJ. In fact I tend to get looked at a little funny when I say I live in Brooklyn. However TONS of Lawyers I know from my pre-WS days live in PS (admitedly not in 3M Brownstones – but then again 3M Brownstones is a real new phenomenon in PS)
stuy blkbuttrflie, you did not question the status quo.
that said, i think your incredulity regarding who, in your experience, would live in Brooklyn led directly to the sort of wealth/class discussions you are talking about. you can’t say “no rich wall street trader types would live there” and then expect the coversation to not revolve around wealth, class and all that is attendant to those discussions.
Anon @2:10, I’d venture to say I’m a bit defensive but only because people often jump on the heads of people who don’t agree with the status quo or in this case simply questioning the status quo. it seems like people always reduce healthy discussion into a hood war. case and point, the 2:28 post right after you is making no point at all. who the hell mentioned anything about private schools? this person is simply trying to create an arguement about poor people vs wealthy and bedstuy vs park slope etc etc which will inevitably turn to race. I get defensive when people misinterpret what I’m saying or asking as something as stupid as suggesting superiority based on private schools.
There are plenty of low income low asset people in Manhattan. And those same people don’t want to live in brooklyn.
Its personal choice. Brooklyn has always had wealthy families. Do you know how many private schools there are in Brooklyn? Are any of the private schools where children are groomed to network with other wealthy families loked in BedStuy. NO. Park Slope was developed as a wealthey community and now it is returning to its roots.
stuy b,
But even in that last post you ended it saying “IF I’m wrong…” That sounds likee refusing to believe to me. Or at least defensive.