House of the Day: 329 Adelphi Street
This listing at 329 Adelphi Street makes us wish we had both the means and the time for a renovation project! The Civil War-era wood house has lots of original detail, according to the listing, but needs a head-to-toe restoration. (Even if the interior is a wreck, we still wish the brokers would include a…
This listing at 329 Adelphi Street makes us wish we had both the means and the time for a renovation project! The Civil War-era wood house has lots of original detail, according to the listing, but needs a head-to-toe restoration. (Even if the interior is a wreck, we still wish the brokers would include a few more photos.) The condition isn’t a huge surprise given that the house hasn’t changed hands in 40 years! We’ve heard from a couple of people who’ve already looked at it and the consensus seems to be that, while an incredible house, the asking price of $950,000 is very high given the amount of dough that will need to be sunk into this place.
329 Adelphi Street [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
I cannot believe that anyone in their right mind would spend more than 500,000 on this little cottage/shack. even that seems outlandish. it is in a historic district, you cannot enlarge it. it is two small stories with an attic and a cellar. whoever buys it will have to pay cash as I do not believe any bank will mortgage it in its current condition.
DIBS is all talk and will not buy this house.
I went by to see it (Just from the outside).
This place just oozes cute. Anybody who thinks you could renovate this house for less than $500K has no construction experience. And you will pull your hair out and have a nervous breakdown in the bargain. But it is a great location.
Curious to see what happens.
I lived here in college – my landlord was the owner before Woody and Dan. The previous posters are right – the interior is a wreck. I was only in it once in recent years visiting Dan, but it seemed as if there hadn’t been any work done inside since I lived there in the late seventies.
In addition to being very slanty, loose plaster, awful floors and two different levels between the two parts of the house, the house shook in a terrifying way every time the train ran below. The bathroom was a travesty – there were two of them sort of back to back as I recall. The fireplaces upstairs were just holes in the wall, although they may have had mantles added since I was there. I’d be disinclined to light a fire in any of them.
On the other hand, the parlor floor was flooded with light and it was a comfortable spot for six or eight students and an occasionally present landlord. There was a lot of space and the porch was great.
The cellar might be a decent studio space for an artist who doesn’t need any light but it really shouldn’t be a living space.
dibs, no pastels.
The house should be pure white with black trim (including black shutters). Good New England traditional.
It’s an adorable house, the pricing makes me wonder how this compares, however, to the mansion on Clinton Ave that (eventually) sold for about the same price. True, that needed and is getting a complete gut, and true, I guess you could argue the location isn’t as prime (I guess, although the school zoning is better) — but that was about five times more house than this.
Because of that, I’d wonder if you could get this place for under 800. You know, maybe — if the stars were aligned.
Well, I like pastels so you’re painting the house a pastel. 😉 (if it were the old days, you could do Z-brick or that fake field stone…or aluminum siding…ugh!)
No, but seriously, something a little less rumpledown than that deep brown wouldn’t hurt. Something historic and cute…pale blue, pale earth green…white trim…shutters, window boxes, lots of pretty plants… 😉
He made a showplace
Decided to take the plunge
On next year’s house tour
“Anyway, despite the fact I like Woody and Dan’s house looking cottagy, brown and overgrown, I wouldn’t mind seeing it become a cute pastel and the columns on the porch made more of.”
Not all gays like pastel, BG. 🙂
Well, no offense to David…but I think Fort Greene is a bit better of a location in general…there are many services around and you’re a much closer taxi ride in from Manhattan if that floats your boat.
I just don’t see how a renovation of their house would truly cost $500 thousand unless I’m completely out of touch…? It’s very small and compact. Plus, I would assume there will be desperate contractors willing to be more “flexible” with their estimates. It was shocking how, in the last 10 years, you could barely get a contractor to stop by and even look at a “job”. Maybe I’m just negative.
Anyway, despite the fact I like Woody and Dan’s house looking cottagy, brown and overgrown, I wouldn’t mind seeing it become a cute pastel and the columns on the porch made more of.
I had to laugh when I read LucyBB’s comment…luckily I’m short and can stand up upstairs…of course, the husband is WELL over 6 feet tall which presents problems in small houses.
Foregone conclusion: David is moving to Fort Greene and will be on the garden tour.
BH…I’m having a gable end about that size done right now but its down in Pennsylvania. The total cost including the removal of the old clapboards, Tyvek, priming & painting is just over $5,000.