House of the Day: 180 Washington Park
If you’re a Wall Street Journal reader, you may already be familiar with this new listing at 180 Washington Park in Fort Greene—the 22-foot brownstone was featured when it hit the market earlier this month with a price tag of $2,750,000, most likely because it was owned by Spike Lee back in the 1990s. We’re…
If you’re a Wall Street Journal reader, you may already be familiar with this new listing at 180 Washington Park in Fort Greene—the 22-foot brownstone was featured when it hit the market earlier this month with a price tag of $2,750,000, most likely because it was owned by Spike Lee back in the 1990s. We’re certainly digging the location, size and type of the house. There’s also tons of original detail that is right up our alley. The renovation, though, feels too over-the-top to us. Call us old-fashioned, but the glitziness and polish of the whole thing feels a little out of place for Fort Greene. And that yard? What were they thinking? We suspect the sellers would have been better served by a more understated approach, especially when it comes to reselling in these non-boom times.
180 Washington Park [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
I get it, shillstoner. I’ve restored many homes. Whether the appliances are black or stainless steel has nothing to do with it. Unless you have aperiod table in a period room, it doesn’t matter whether you have a table or an island.
If you actually entertain with people that want to have fun, the island is a better option, though I’d never have one on a parlour floor.
My hallways are gorgeous too but behind the closed doors I have modern, truly functional bathrooms. I would never want a guest to have to take abath in a clawfoot tub and not have a shower available. Nor do they come and go in coaches with footmen and stepping stones out front.
I can’t imagine what you’d think of my 1805 Federal in Philly with a modern kitchen, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances all out in the open and visible.
“Not to sound too holier than thou, if you don’t get it then you don’t get it. But your justifications are identical to those used to explain knocking down an older home and replacing it with a McMansion. Cause, we don’t live that way anymore, you know.”
That is BS, shillstoner. I would never advocate knocking down a historic home and in fact am involved with the Crown Heights organization that spearheaded the landmarking effort. Because we believe in preservation. But this is not colonial Williamsburg either. Real people have to live in these houses. You need to stop hyperventilating. Shrillstoner indeed.
If he does say so, himself…
“He should have registered under the name “shrillstoner.”
I like that, and DIBS can be “bidetinbedstuy”
I suspect shillstoner wouldn’t approve of the roller rink I put in on the fourth floor after tearing down more walls than Mikhail Gorbachev.
Not to sound too holier than thou, if you don’t get it then you don’t get it. But your justifications are identical to those used to explain knocking down an older home and replacing it with a McMansion. Cause, we don’t live that way anymore, you know.
DIBS, My brownstone is stunning. The garden floor kitchen has lovely black appliances and a huge table in the center (where the island should be). My hallway bathrooms are gorgeous, especially the clawfoot tubs.
> This guy is a madman.
Agreed. He should have registered under the name “shrillstoner.”
Oh, horrible dave. When am I invited to see that house so I can report on the verity of your statement? 🙂
If I had a place with so much original detail I would do everything to keep it, but not necessarily in the original configuration. Too often houses that aren’t kept at least somewhat up to date are left to rot and fall down because people can’t live in the 18th or 19th century. Then the house is totally gone- which is even sadder.
shillstoner- what do you care? some of the extra rooms were for servants- which most people don’t have these days. Really, what is your problem? Should we keep every room to its original function even if it doesn’t fit our lifestyle? Note: I am a nut about keeping detail and built ins. There is always a way to use them- but you are beyond the pale, taking offense and insulting people who have stainless steel appliances?