House of the Day: 162 Bergen Street
We’re not sure how we’ve managed to not discuss 162 Bergen Street yet, given that it’s been on the market since October of last year. Despite not selling for more than six months, the price has remained constant at $2,300,000. While hardly a give-away, we’re actually a little surprised that there hasn’t been one buyer…
We’re not sure how we’ve managed to not discuss 162 Bergen Street yet, given that it’s been on the market since October of last year. Despite not selling for more than six months, the price has remained constant at $2,300,000. While hardly a give-away, we’re actually a little surprised that there hasn’t been one buyer out there who’s fallen in love and been willing to meet the ask. After all, this place has tons o’ charm and is in a hot location. What’s the catch? Does it need more work than the photos suggest?
162 Bergen Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
The only place I can think of in Brooklyn which is NOT near the projects is Park Slope. Gowanus, yes, Park Slope proper, no.
So if you don’t like projects, Brooklyn probably isn’t for you.
And neither is Manhattan, in that case also.
In New York, you almost always live close to the projects – that’s just the way it is.
That being said, I live 2 blocks down on Bergen and have had absolutely no problems with noise or crime from those projects 1:53 seems so afraid of.
There are projects all over the city its part of city living… Let me guess:
1:51 and 1:53 you have a rental…great job…
The projects are not a big deal unless you are hanging out in them at 2 in the morning.
The projects are really not that bad.
I’ve lived on Wcykoff between Bond and Nevins (literally sandwiched between Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses) and NEVER have I had a problem. It’s actually a really nice, gorgeous block.
Our neighbor just sold for 1.4 or something and it was just a really basic, two story house. Nothing spectacular like this one.
And even though Bergen is only one more block north, it feels a world away from the projects.
I’ve never felt unsafe, even late at night. It’s a very urban feel.
People who are afraid of black faces (of which it seems like there are too many here) should not consider this property, but those who enjoy fine, urban living in an extremely convenient location, it might be great.
1:53…”the location. sure i am not alone. when looking to buy years ago (when houses in this neighborhood were more like $400K), thought wouldn’t live here for free because of the projects. living that close to the projects sucks. sucked for $400K and now super sucks for $2.3 million. no reason to buy this.
Posted by: guest at May 8, 2008 1:53 PM”
It takes a strong renter to actually admit all of that!!!!
The kitchen layout seems strange (off of a hallway), there’s no bathroom on the ground floor, and there are no pictures in the listing of the kitchen or the bath. There’s no lack of people who want to buy houses, if they can afford them, this place must be priced too high.
Please, I don’t think 1:53 is a moron – everybody has the right to decide for themselves what streets they are comfortable living on. Some people are looking for a place they want to live, not what will gain them the most equity over time – and the run up in equity in the last 10 years was quite unpredictable anyway – shocked everyone I know, even me who bought ‘high’ in 1999.
Also, of course this needs a lot of work. The last line of the broker’s write-up tells you that pretty clearly: “This grand “lady” is just waiting for the right person to appreciate her gracious potential.” They don’t talk about potential if it doesn’t take a lot to get it into shape.
It is a beautiful home. it is a little close to the housing projects but it’s the city, everybody lives next to everybody else. the interior plasterwork here in particular is just lovely.
Please please tell us how much it foes for when it sells. 2 million seems like so much money. I love Brooklyn, but I gotta say if I had that kind of money I would be tempted to wander further afield. But who knows? I don’t, so I stay in Brooklyn, which is now home to the rich and fabulous (who woulda guessed it?)
I agree 1:44…it’s way more space than I need but i’m going to look at it…close to the Hoyt Schermerhorn stop into manhattan and I can eat at Jolie and Downtown Atlantic all week long!!!
This is a seriously nice house and 20′ wide. Boerum Hill people may think its overpriced but I’ve never had any problem paying top tick in an area that’s just getting better and better.
Caveats: 1:44 is right…need to see what the wood floors look like AND unless the bathrooms and kitchen is really nice, it needs a haircut.
From the listing…”While the large new boiler, recent hot water heater, and new roof, speak to this being a well maintained property, it is the extraordinary opportunity to work with an unusually large and detailed brownstone on a prime tree-lined Boerum Hill landmarked block that will entice you. This grand “lady” is just waiting for the right person to appreciate her gracious potential. ”
The key phrases are “work with” and “appreciate her gracious potential.”
THIS MEANS that the bathrooms and kitchens are crappy.