Clinton Hill

Singular Clinton Hill Temple-Front Greek Revival House Returns With Price Chop

In the section of Clinton Hill once known as Wallabout, the stately Lefferts-Laidlaw House is now asking $2.8 million, down from $4.5 million in 2019.

Photo via Mark O’Brien Development LLC

by Susan De Vries

04/30/2025 0

An important remnant of Brooklyn’s early 19th century past is back on the market. The Lefferts-Laidlaw House has a fine architectural pedigree as a rare Brooklyn example of a temple-front Greek Revival, a style once popular in the borough. An old-house lover will hopefully see the potential here: a striking exterior, a bit of original detail on the interior, and a chance for a renovation challenge.

The exterior of the house at 136 Clinton Avenue in the Wallabout section of Clinton Hill was restored in the 1970s, after earlier 20th century renovations left it with asphalt shingle siding and faux brick cladding. The restoration also included bringing back some soaring Corinthian columns. The original ornate columns were replaced with plain versions sometime between 1934 and the circa 1940 historic tax photo.

The standalone wood frame dwelling was designated an individual city landmark in 2001, and the very thorough designation report credits Rem Lefferts and his brother-in-law John Laidlaw as the owners behind the construction of the house sometime between 1836 and 1840. A rear wing is actually an older (circa 1835) dwelling that was moved to the site, and another wing was built prior to 1855.

With the benefit of digitization, it is a bit easier to scour newspapers of the period than it was in 2001, and a few interesting ads placed by Lefferts turn up. Between 1836 and 1839 Lefferts advertised a “cottage-built” house and a “colonnade house” on Clinton Avenue near Myrtle. In an 1838 add a Lefferts colonnade house was described as having “two parlors with folding doors” and three bedrooms on the second story. In 1839 an ad for a colonnade house north of Myrtle described the dwelling as “very neat and convenient.” Evidence seems to narrow the likely construction date to 1836 to 1838.

More recently, the house has been on and off the market over the last decade. It was a House of the Day in 2016, when it was asking $4.99 million. It didn’t sell, and going by the floor plans and photos in the current listing, it appears to have new French doors on the exterior and some recent updates inside.

The stylish details of the exterior are not matched on the interior, which has been altered over the centuries. However, a few original door surrounds can be spotted. Similar to the front door surround, they are ornamented with rosettes. A builder’s guide first published in 1833 by Minard Lafever, an architect known in Brooklyn for his churches, shows door surrounds ornamented with a similar detail.

The house also has one Greek Revival marble mantel, although it has modern tile making up the surround and hearth. The lack of interior detail might give a buyer with the funds the chance to re-create some missing features or go in a more modern direction.

As is, the house has an open plan on the main level with a kitchen at the center. The kitchen has slab-front black cabinets, a large center island, and an apron-front sink.

There are two bedrooms in the first floor wing and one of those has access to the rear deck. Upstairs is a full floor suite with a bathroom with a claw foot tub. The bedroom has a mantel and access to a terrace.

The house sits on a substantial lot, measuring 52.5 by 120 feet, that includes a two-car driveway. As the listing notes, any plans for making use of that lot for an addition requires approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. A look at the LPC permit map shows some outstanding violations on the property for work done without a permit in 2011.

Listed by Brian Worthman of Mark O’Brien Development LLC, the house is priced at $2.8 million. What do you think?

[Listing: 136 Clinton Avenue | Broker: Mark O’Brien Development LLC] GMAP