House of the Day: 552 47th Street
A concerned reader sent in these photos after a recent visit she took to 552 47th Street, a dripping-with-charm but down-on-its-luck limestone house in Bay Ridge Sunset Park. Why concerned? She’s worried that someone who doesn’t appreciate the incredible interiors will pick the place up at a discount to the $720,000 asking price and gut…
A concerned reader sent in these photos after a recent visit she took to 552 47th Street, a dripping-with-charm but down-on-its-luck limestone house in Bay Ridge Sunset Park. Why concerned? She’s worried that someone who doesn’t appreciate the incredible interiors will pick the place up at a discount to the $720,000 asking price and gut it. Given these photos, we can only hope that doesn’t happen. What an incredible place! Any preservationists out there itching for a restoration project?
552 47th Street [ReMax] GMAP P*Shark
Thanks, Jack!
Back in the day in Park Slope there was a group of people who would steer people to places like this — people they knew would restore the place, not destroy it.
I wish I knew of such a group now. I know people in Sunset Park, but they don’t have any money either. Arkady, Denton (ha!), Bob Marvin — any friends looking to buy a place in perfect condition?
Penandink, I think it was really nice of you to post this.
Sun Park, a few months ago someone posted (in the Forum, I think) with your same question about preserving facades. I don’t know the answer (other than landmarking) but maybe there are some ideas in there.
I’m the one who sent Brownstoner the photos–as Mopar pointed out, the realtor was seriously without a clue as to what he’s got, and I’m worried. I, too, live on the block. Houses within a block or two of here have *recently* sold for 850,000 to 950,000, and that’s on less attractive blocks, and even wood frame houses.
I wish the “real” price of a gem like this was $500,000–I have a lot of friends I’d like to get into a house on my block who can’t afford it. But no such luck.
In terms of the house’s condition, it’s got good plaster, small repairs necessary, but not total re-dos. Even plaster moldings are intact. It’s got every pocket door in the house still there. Most woodwork has never been painted, and would be a cinch to get cleaned up (probably it’s shellacked, thus simple alcohol will strip it). Butler’s pantry, and even period furniture is for sale if you want to keep the place a museum! No one has lived there for 6 years, and for 50 years it’s been the same, one family. The old lady’s wedding picture is hanging on the wall, still!
Rick’s right that it would need new breakers, probably some more electric service. But it functioned like this for 100 years, and could last a while longer if a buyer didn’t have the cash to upgrade immediately. (and didn’t need aircon) In that case, all you’d need are a few coats of paint, and some new kitchen appliances.
I don’t mean to make it sound scary–it’s a bit dark since the electric’s been cut off, so I had to use a flash to shoot pictures. Once the electric’s on (and BTW all the original light fixtures are also there), and the clutter is cleared out, it would quickly look like a really pretty home.
Hope someone who loves old things find this place, fast! The realtor told me he had one or more offers already in the “high 60s”, and they planned to hand the offers to the owners like, now. Which means time is short if anyone plans to take a look.
Mopar good luck with that purchase in the AM.
I really do hope someone who appreciates the details buys it. I’ve heard stories of homes in sunset being converted into all sorts of crap, including a mini ambulance garage.
Does anyone know what can be done to prevent the destruction of our Sunset Park Brownstones? I am not talking
about the interiors. I am talking about the faces of the buildings being destroyed – for example 6th Avenue bet 54th and 55th Street and the end brownstone on 59th Street near
4th Avenue (now it is a rectangular building).
I seriously doubt the OP is a realtor. I too have drawn Brownstoner’s attention to great houses I hoped someone would save. Look at the ad. Says it needs TLC, only one photo, not a word about original details. The realtor would never think to do this.
If the woman (realtor) is so worried about it being gutted, then she should buy the dump…puhleese.
I agree with poster BrianR, it’s worth the asking price (or close to it). This is the best block in Sunset Park. Entire block is brownstones and limestones and not a one of them has been covered with aluminium siding or fake brick facade like many houses in sunset park.
I live on this block and just refinanced to get a lower rate. the appraisal of our house came in at $850K (yes, it’s in better condition because we already fixed it up).
And Rick said is right, at the peak of the market houses on this block were up to a million.
unlikely this is going to sell as low as the $500s.
This place is definitely worth at least its ask of $720K. Renovated, even in this market, this house is worth at least $850K. It’s the best block in the neighborhood.