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
quote:
We are only temporary custodians of these historic structures.
whoa. that’s so Heaven’s Gate lol
*rob*
“What do their kitchens look like??? Do they have an island??? Are there stainless steel appliances?? That certainly does not respect the authenticity of an antique home; and most likely on the main floor as well.”
An island? Stainless steel appliances? Certainly not. I don’t know tacky people.
But even if they did, changing the surfaces of an existing kitchen is very different from altering the use of a room. Putting a kitchen on the parlor flor, for example, is unforgivable.
“I still can’t understand your hangup with remodelling what are otherwise chopped up old useless victorian rooms on the second and third floor of a brownstone.”
Ah, yes, I can hear the respect now!
> We are only temporary custodians of these historic structures.
Ah, the gospel according to shillstoner. How generous of you to descend from your cloud to tell us what we may or may not do.
“if someone buys a house they have every right to fit it to their needs inside? what other rules do you have?”
Not at all. We are only temporary custodians of these historic structures. If you need to dramaticially alter a historic building in order to enjoy, then you should not buy it.
C Gar- I do love you! Yes- much easier.
ACHL- low maintenance is the idea behind overgrown grassy-treey-foliagey. 🙂
Have been a guest of dave’s (thank you dibs! )and seen dave’s en suite bathroom. It’s lovely, very well done and not ostentatious. The post about his facade renovation doesn’t touch on how beautifully and tastefully he restored the house. (and yes, rob- there is a door. No need to insult him)
I’m glad they enjoy going down the hallway. It has nothing to do with respecting the integrity or authenticity of an old house. I have three that all date before 1900, one as old as 1805.
What do their kitchens look like??? Do they have an island??? Are there stainless steel appliances?? That certainly does not respect the authenticity of an antique home; and most likely on the main floor as well.
I still can’t understand your hangup with remodelling what are otherwise chopped up old useless victorian rooms on the second and third floor of a brownstone.
quote:
. If you buy a historic brownstone–or an old farmhouse–you shouldn’t. Pretty simple.
hmm.. clearly i find en suite’s vile, but if someone buys a house they have every right to fit it to their needs inside? what other rules do you have?
*rob*
the puritanical comment, that is
DIBS! Hilarious! can’t stop snickering…