House of the Day: 678 St. Marks
This stretch of St. Marks Avenue–between Rogers and Nostrand–is part of the proposed Crown Heights North Historic District and deservedly so. This four story brownstone (which is currently painted white) is still full of wonderful details despite having been carved up into six studio apartments. If it weren’t for the qualification that the building will…
This stretch of St. Marks Avenue–between Rogers and Nostrand–is part of the proposed Crown Heights North Historic District and deservedly so. This four story brownstone (which is currently painted white) is still full of wonderful details despite having been carved up into six studio apartments. If it weren’t for the qualification that the building will be delivered “partially vacant,” we’d be banging the table on this one for $745,000. As it is, it’s still probably worth a closer look. Dig the 125-foot-deep lot. We’re betting that some of the CHN stalwarts on the site will have something to say about this one.
678 St. Marks Avenue [Douglas Elliman] GMAP
I actually looked at this building and spoke with the real estate agent a couple weeks ago. And it’s a nice building, don’t get me wrong, but the problem with it is that there are six occupied studio apartments all under rent stabilization. And each of the tenants only pay $200/month. And since there are more than 4 units, the bank will only lend on the total rent roll. And since the rent roll is about 25,000/year, you can’t get financing for the property. So, if you want to buy the property it’s got to be for all cash.
that ny times article would make anyone never buy a fixer upper.
It is a great Block, I own a house right across the street.
Its getting better all the time. Lots of new owners fixing up their houses. Lots of old owners who never let them go. 3 large apartment owners. The worst of which has a new owner and the building is slowly transforming. close to shopping and trans. people care about this block and with the wide tree lined block and all the improvements happening on different homes this is going to be fabulous block. By the way, it is in the third stage of landmarking because the block has no vacant lots and is not in danger of having some horrible fedders buildings built on it. Dean St. was stage one for Landmarking because there are already some bad renovations there and its important to preserve it before it gets too messed up.
You could certainly do better too!
I was doing a search on something unrelated and came across this NY Times article from 2003 about crown heights. The story is about 688 St. Marks Ave, just a few doors down from this house. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE4DF1F30F937A1575BC0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
There is truth on both sides of this argument.
I’m very familiar with this block. It is a great block.
However, it’s great precisely because of the crack whores, not in spite of them. I’d put the crack whores on this block up against any others in the city. They are the BEST!
I’m guessing the top 3 floors each have 2 studios with the “large office space” located on the garden floor. Still, I like it.
Mostly there are working class people around here. Mostly there are people trying to live the American dream, just like you. Sure there are troubled individuals, but if you look any morning there are many, many people headed to the subways, going to work. You are lucky enough to be able to live a little better, great for you. Be careful looking down your nose at us less fortunate. Life has a funny way of showing us how to be gracious and respect others.
It’s funny that years later, when this area is fully gentrified, the very people who are now denying or minimizing the impact of the addicts and prostitutes will be the first ones to say, “I was here way back when crack whores used to ply their trade up and down this block”.