The Gingerbread House Hits the Market
The Gingerbread House, the famous Arts & Crafts residence designed by architect James Sarsfield Kennedy, is for sale. (While it is more popularly known as the Gingerbread House, Forgotten NY points out that its formal name is the Howard E. and Jessie Jones House.) The 5,800-square-foot structure of uncut stone sits on a verdant one-acre…
The Gingerbread House, the famous Arts & Crafts residence designed by architect James Sarsfield Kennedy, is for sale. (While it is more popularly known as the Gingerbread House, Forgotten NY points out that its formal name is the Howard E. and Jessie Jones House.) The 5,800-square-foot structure of uncut stone sits on a verdant one-acre lot at 8220 Narrows Avenue just a block from the waterfront. With its thatched roofs and endless interior architectural details, the 1916 house is definitely one of a kind. And it comes with a one-of-a-kind price tag of $12,000,000. This should be interesting.
8220 Narrows Avenue [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP
Was writing when the landmarking info was revealed. Thanks for that Minard. Oh – since you’ve been in there, how about arranging a tour for your fellow 19th C.architectural cohort, eh? : )
Zarathustra, the point isn’t that there may be more of a similar style house somewhere else, the point is that it is where it is now, who built it, the whole story behind the original owner’s choices for the house, who they were in the history of the city/Brooklyn, the history of Bay Ridge, etc, etc. A houses importance, and worth is made up of many things. OK, maybe $12MM is way too high, who knows? This is a one of a kind place for Bay Ridge, perhaps for all of Brooklyn, and as such would command some kind of premium. It’s not always about the actual bricks and mortar.
For many people, myself included, the history and charm of the entire estate, from what I can see of the craftsmanship and layout of the interior spaces, the view and proximity to the water, even the fact that all of this is in Brooklyn, adds to the desireability. There are many wealthy people who would pay dearly for a place like this, and many more of more modest means who wish they could.
en suite bathrooms in that house? ugh. the problem i have with these kinds of houses is that the people who live in them and design them are just livin phoney. a garage that circles so you can oooh and aaah it it? please.
*rob*
P.S. I think the price is high, but they’re obviously shooting for a one-of-a-kind buyer to go with a one-of-a-kind house. The normal rules don’t apply for something like this.
“I think we can agree that the dwelling itself is nice, but short of spectacular ”
No- I don’t think we can. It is spectacular, it may not be your taste. It’s an incredible house. It may not get 12 mil in this market, but it is well worth it.
It’s got an amazing floorplan. en suite master baths, as we know, are only for the best.
I guess the main entrance is through the Fountain Room. That must be nice.
WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!
It is, in fact, landmarked. So skip the developer idea. Google “Howard E. and Jessie Jones House bay ridge landmarked” for details.
And I also think that, landmarked or not, that the majority of the Bay Ridge population would take pitchforks and skewer anyone who tried to tear this place down!
Amazing house! And a price tag to match, sigh.
Bring on the Widget.