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November 10, 2005
House of the Day: $7.5 Million in the Slope!
Brown Harris Stevens has just come to market with what has to be the most expensive townhouse ever in Park Slope. At $7.5 million, the listing price puts Jonathan Safran Foer's $6.2 million $5.75 million purchase of 646 2nd Street to shame. And what do you get for this kind of cash? The 31-footer at 45 Montgomery Place has over 7,000 square feet of space with oval rooms that have rounded doors and radiators, a grand center staircase, multiple original fireplaces. There's really not much point in debating the price. It's worth $7.5 million if some fabulously wealthy person falls in love with it. The question will really be how long that takes and how much patience the seller has. Does anyone know anything about the house's history? Past Owner? Architectural pedigree?
45 Montgomery Place Townhouse [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP
Foer to Have Bigger Foyer [Brownstoner]
Comments
I do remember that the owner of the house to the left sold his air rights to a developer, enabling the large, tall condo building behind it on Union Street to be built. (The house in this BBH listing is directly behind that Union St. building.) This forever sealed the owner's fate as a pariah of the neighborhood. He placed his house (which from the exterior appears to be quite large and grand) on the market for around $2 million, which was unheard of at the time. It was on the market forever, not sure if it finally sold or was taken off the market. The house still looks as though it is unoccupied.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 11:23 AM
You are confusing this house, and its neighbor
with one on Berkely Place. This house is on Montgomery.
Posted by: StMarks at November 10, 2005 11:25 AM
The address is 45 Montgomery Pl. It was built in 1899. Montgomery Pl. is one of the most coveted addresses in Brooklyn.
In this price range sellers need to be patient b/c a 7.5 million price can only be afforded by a small group of people.
The Foer house on 2nd St. did come with an additional 40x100 lot on 3rd St, another coveted address.
Posted by: StMarks at November 10, 2005 11:45 AM
.. and parking. That lot was worth $2mm min.
I think I CAN debate the price. It's too high. That ship has sailed.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 12:09 PM
I have no opinion about price but wow, what a dreamy place. Wish I could get a tour.
Funny that it has such a small kitchen--but I guess when you're that rich you don't do the cooking yourself!
Posted by: Katy at November 10, 2005 12:14 PM
The Safran House sold for $5.75 mil. and it was on a triple lot.... The lot is probably worth 1.5 mil... making the Safran house without the lot worth approx. $4.25 mil. at a more phonetic time in the market..
They paid approx. $3mil. for it three years ago.. worth between $4.5 and $5mil... relocating the kitchen is a must....
Look for this to sit a long time.. $7.5 in the City buys you a lot these days...
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 1:41 PM
There is absolutely no kitchen and we understand it is dated... really dated... smaller than small.... Yes, understand that they paid approx. 3mil. less than 3 years ago...
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 1:47 PM
YOUR WRONG... THEY PAID ABOUT $2.5 mil!!! LESS THAN FOUR YEARS AGO IN MAY OF 2002
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 1:53 PM
It's "You're" not "your" and "frenetic" not "phonetic". Sorry to be a nerd, on a blog typos are understandable, slang is fine, but come on people, you're old English teachers would role in their graves. ;-)
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 2:03 PM
At that price, it is not so hard to build a new kitchen. It's a big house, the price of a new kitchen would not be a big stumbling point for someone with those funds.
Posted by: doldrums at November 10, 2005 2:04 PM
"You're" old English teachers! Ha, ha, ha.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 2:05 PM
For that price the kitchen better be perfect.... from the floor plan on the WEB, you need to relocate the kitchen to the garden floor... big expense for a $7.5 mil. price tag... I agree for that price someone will decide to stay in Manhattan.
Skip the grammar issues..... let's stay with the topic
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 2:10 PM
No powder room on 1st floor? Sheesh...
Posted by: carolyn at November 10, 2005 2:14 PM
Not sure about this particular house, but a large number of the homes on Montgomery Place were designed by famed architect C.P.H. Gilbert (not to be confused with Cass Gilbert). It's a breathtakingly beautiful block -- as good as it gets anywhere in NYC for brownstone living.
See article below:
Park Slope, A Land of Terra Cotta and Brick
http://psreader.com/article98.html
Posted by: Park Sloper at November 10, 2005 2:15 PM
Nice place. I agree the kitchen looks small. I must say though that even some busy restaurants have tiny kitchens. It's all about organization. If I were buying that place I would make the kitchen work. I like the back stairs. In a house like that, though, you really need a proper wine cellar.
It has always amazed me how many people have problems with spelling. Homonyms are a particular problem. Even people who are apparentyl successful, high functioning and seemingly educated, surprise me with misspelling. I wonder if has anything to do with how our society views education and teachers. I've gotten used to it however, and have stopped proselytizing on behalf of correct spelling. After all, if someone can become president and have problems with the language, who am I to pester posters about their spelling?
Posted by: Hal at November 10, 2005 2:18 PM
I would probably move the kitchen into what is now the dining room, and move the dining room to the parlor behind the living room. The current kitchen would make a great pantry/larder.
There's also something about the interior design of the current dining room that I find strangely repulsive.
Posted by: Whitbo at November 10, 2005 2:21 PM
After closer inspection of the floorplan, I noticed a secret wet bar behind the staircase on the parlor floor - cool. Must be a prohibition addition. There's also an elevator (assuming that's what "El." stands for) which is a nice touch.
Posted by: Whitbo at November 10, 2005 2:28 PM
For someone who is so uptight about typos, I suggest you review your own stuff.
You're old English teachers would role.... (I SEE TWO MISTAKES!!!!)
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 2:30 PM
To Anon @ 2:30: I think the poster Anon @ 2:03 was deliberately misspelling those homonyms.
Posted by: Hal at November 10, 2005 2:36 PM
^^^"You're"?
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 2:36 PM
Wow Anon 2:03 you're good -- I had absolutely no idea what that person was talking about with the "phonetic" time in the market -- OK, sound it out now: "Mont gom er y" Good!
Posted by: babs at November 10, 2005 2:37 PM
It does sound lovely in a poetic way however. Think I'll try to use it in everyday conversation. "Thank you so much for dinner. I had an absolutely phonetic time!"
Posted by: babs at November 10, 2005 2:38 PM
The description mentions the elevator. I think this is a tough sell. All those rooms are on the narrow side for a "lyrical mansion". It's attached on two sides .. those corner homes on PPW are nicer, IMO. Also, the fireplaces don't work. The kitchen needs to be redone. The decor, I agree, must go.
I say it will sell for $4.475mm. Here's my dollar for the pool.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 2:39 PM
I'm a real stickler for correct spelling, and it drives me nuts to see my friends misspell words in emails (and use malaprops no less!!). English was not my native language, but I have a B.A. in English cum laude from a NYC private college. Maybe everyone is in too much of a big hurry to write/type correctly. I know this is not a blog on spelling, but that's my two cents for you.
Re Montgomery Place, it has to be one of the most beautiful residential streets in Brooklyn. Anyone who can pay $7.5 million for a mansion can afford to put in a state-of-the-art kitchen at the drop of a hat (or dollar). Thanks :)
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 3:19 PM
Just think, $7.5 m to be just STEPS away from the most disgusting Key Food on the planet!
Posted by: erik at November 10, 2005 3:32 PM
Check out Aguayo & Huebener's spelling of a certain Jewish holiday in their listing for the Prospect Park South house. It's almost derogatory.
Here is a golden opportunity to enrich your lifestyle, this rare opportunity to purchase a stunningly beautiful Brick Colonial Revival in a park-like setting on the most beautiful street of one of Brooklyn's most affluent communities.
This grand home is entered through a solarium to the center hall. From the center hall, you enter the breathtakingly beautiful grand-piano-sized 40' x 14' living room. There’s also a formal dining rom and a large kitchen. Seven bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, a master bedroom suite with private bath, fireplace and deck, inlaid wood floors, window seats, a two room south wing with a wood burning fire
place to use as an office or guest suite, a two car garage with an electric door opener, tiled roof, a private walled garden, and a basement billiard room are some of the amenities and attractive features that will convince you that this historic Prospect Park South home is the home for you and your family.
Offered exclusively by Aguayo & Huebener for $1,450,000. Act quickly and you could be celebrating Christmas, or Chunuka, and New Years Eve before the fireplace in this wonderful home. Call to see this wonderful home today.
To see this property call Aguayo & Huebener
Posted by: Tommy at November 10, 2005 3:33 PM
oh deah. ms/mr spellcorrectly graduated from NYC
PRIVATE college. well lateeda. obviously a higher league than us public schoolers.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 4:03 PM
I was being sarcastic with the phrase "you're old English teachers would role..." your, roll ...;-)
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 4:06 PM
The kitchen at 18 X 6.10 would be standard if it were in a "brownstone."
It should be larger for 7000sqft mansion.
Whoever buys this house will be able to put a 2nd kitchen in the garden level as there is plenty of space for it there.
The buyer will most likely not be subway bound or shop at Costco.
How many other 7000 sqft one-family houses are there in Brooklyn?
Posted by: StMarks at November 10, 2005 4:08 PM
When this house was new, the kitchen would have been used almost exclusively by staff. The parlor, dining room and other rooms seen by guests would be the place for homeowners to show off their good taste and wealth.
Nowadays the trend, especially among foodies, is to have a kitchen that impresses. Open plan living room/dining room/kitchens are all the rage in the trendy upscale designer condos. High-end cutlery, cookware and gadgets should be on display so guests can ooh and aah at gleaming stainless steel.
The dining room in this house could certainly be made into a 'Kitchen Stadium' for those who want it. Somehow though, I feel it would be more impressive still to upgrade the small kitchen to keep the house functioning as it was designed to, and still be able to entertain impressively.
Wait. On second thought, let's do the big kitchen.
Posted by: Hal at November 10, 2005 5:04 PM
Chunuka!
ha!
that made me laugh... but as far as spelling mistakes in postings-- I can't relate to those who get so bothered by it. who cares?!
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 5:16 PM
Make the upstairs kitchen a big wet bar / serving area for parties, and add a bigger kitchen downstairs.
Posted by: OE at November 10, 2005 8:57 PM
looks gorgeous. if i had the $ i'd buy it.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 9:09 PM
Ack, when I first moved to the Slope in 1983 I rented a 2BR on Montgomery. We couldn't believe when a different 30 footer (the one just off 8th Ave) went for 500K. Of course I was making 22K / year back then...
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 10:19 PM
nothing in park slope is worth this price! park slope is not brooklyn heights which is one short subway ride, or if you have it like that, one short limo ride from wall street. what is with these agents and their attempts to sell at these prices!?
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 10:47 PM
1983, who cares? Apples to oranges.
As to PS not being BH. No shit. However, I know plenty of multi-millionares (and not just on paper) who live in, or have recently bought in Park Slope over Brooklyn Heights. Brooklyn Heights is beautiful and has the promenade and closer proximity to Manhattan, but the restaurants and shops don't measure up to those in Park Slope. Plus Park Slope has real open space with the Park, not just a small paved promenade, if you want to enjoy some greenery in the city.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 10, 2005 11:40 PM
you could buy a really nice town house in manhattan for 7 million plus. they start around 3.5 milion in murray hill
Posted by: anon at November 11, 2005 12:27 AM
you could buy a really nice townor entire trailer park in Bushworld for that kind of dough.
TREASON'S GREETINGS
Posted by: Anonymous at November 11, 2005 8:39 AM
Where do these people get all this money to buy these houses??? They must be investment bankers or lawyers.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 11, 2005 10:24 AM
To Anon at 4:03, 11/10: I went to private college in NYC working full time Monday to Friday, attending school on weekends, and paying the tuition out of my clerical salary at the time...so don't think I'm high-falutin' and a snob about correct English. I worked my *** off for an education and I'm proud of it. End of comment, back to the subject of this blog. Thanks.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 11, 2005 10:27 AM
Yeah, what is it with BH and restaurants? I guess there really isn't a place to develop a "restaurant row" a la Fifth or Dekalb Avenues, though with the empty storefronts on Montague St., why not? Apart from the River Cafe and Henry's End, there's really nothing notable in terms of dining there.
Posted by: babs at November 11, 2005 11:30 AM
"Chanukah" (perhaps not "Chanuka") is an accepted spelling of the holiday. Remember, people, Hebrew and English do not use the same alphabet. Any translation from Hebrew to English must be phonetic. My guess is that, in some circles, Chanuka is an ok spelling.
Posted by: me at November 11, 2005 2:05 PM
Regarding BH dining: it is terrible. Noodle Pudding is good. Theresa's and Grand Canyon are fine for the brunch/burger thing. But then there's the awful bunch of places all owned by the Brooklyn Heights Cafe guy: Centro, Chez Henry, etc. The good news is that nobody ever seems to be in these places so they must change over someday.
Still, it's a short walk to DUMBO, Smith Street, etc. And BH really is close enough to Manhattan to eat dinner there too.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 11, 2005 2:29 PM
Don't see what the problem with the kitchen is. Just hire a cooking staff and let them worry about it.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 11, 2005 2:43 PM
There's been quite a bit of turnover on Montague the past several years. Don't know why that is; perhaps the rents are too high, but it doesn't seem to be enjoying the business boom that Smith & Court Streets are experiencing. It used to be a much more interesting street and more of a destination that it is now (not including the Promenade, of course, which will always be a destination). With all the office workers in that neighborhood during the day, you'd think that some savvy (and quality) restauranteurs would notice.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 11, 2005 2:48 PM
What great restaurants or shops in PS? BH is easy walking distance to Smith Street, Court Street and Atlantic Ave which offer amazing shops and restaurants. The part of PS that people want to live near is above 6th or 7th Ave bet 9th Street and St Johns Pl. Unless you go to a small but growing strip on Fifth Ave or around 14th St and 7th Ave the restaurants are tired and uninteresting.
What makes PS great is it's proximity to the park. BH has it's easy access to Manhattan. I wouldn't pay 7 mil for a house in Park Slope, I might in BH, but since you can buy one in many desirable parts of Manhattan for $7 mil and less I'll take my multi millions there.
Posted by: anon at November 12, 2005 10:15 AM
You will be sadly missed. Let us know when your going away party is.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 12, 2005 1:36 PM
Speak for yourself. I'm a multi-mil, and I own a brownstone in PS. I could live anywhere, but like PS precisely because it is not BH or Manhattan. It has a charm that is very different from other nabes.
I think the area will continue to be popular with the monied and/or Hollywood set seeking a low-key, urban, but non-Manhattan, place to raise families.
Posted by: anon2 at November 14, 2005 11:56 AM
642 Second St., The house that Foer and his novelist wife (she of successful Long Island real estate family) bought is a knockout; and considering its size, block though setting, and interior updates (superb; a house designed to accomodate both an active family and large scale entertaining) , it was a relative bargain at 5 plus mil.To my mind, it is one of the most beautiful properties in NYC.
45 Montgomery Place, on the other hand, is a lumbering white elephant--and wildly overpriced at 7.5 mil. Look closely at the floor plan: the parlor floor kitchen (obviously put in later, as originally it would have been on the ground floor, manned by servants) is hardly family friendly, and not terribly accomodating to caterers/servants either. Ditto with the bathrooms. Has anyone calculated the energy costs to run a place like this? And ad infinitum..
That said, what's with this lingering Park Slope inferiority complex? As someone who has owned a house in Brooklyn Heights for over two decades--and loves my neighborhood--I think I can honestly say that Park Slope is not only livlier, has the better public schools (!), more housing stock and a more diverse population, it has Prospect Park, one of the true treasures of NYC--or any other city in the world for that matter. Considering its quality of life attributes, Park Slope is a Billionaire's neighborhood.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 14, 2005 12:40 PM
The ground floor of this house used to be a dentists office and has a room incased in lead where they used to do the x-rays. There is absolutley no garden, maybe 10 feet deep.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2005 9:46 AM
Let's face it ... the house was listed at $7.5 mil. so that the realtor at Brown Harris Stevens could get the listing..
I am sure there have been no showings of this place... My real estate friends say that the market for houses in excess of $3mil. are dead... dead... dead... the market has dropped more in Manhattan than here, however, much of the square footage of this house is wasted in he hallway and stair areas of the home... I understand it needs new bathrooms and definitely a new kitchen... Top floor is also pretty shabby
Posted by: Anonymous at November 16, 2005 12:20 AM
This house COULD be spectacular, if you threw a WHOLE LOTTA CASH at it!!!!! It does need a kitchen desperately, but no one can think of building one on the ground floor until that floor is completely torn out and reconfigured. Currently, it's a dank, dark rabbit warren, with mechanicals storage breaking up otherwise valuable living space. Electricity and other systems probably need updating, and new baths are also a must. Etc., etc. Under no circumstances is this house justified to command a $7.5 million asking in current condition!!!
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Posted by: clomid at June 30, 2006 7:53 AM
It's too bad we can't use green type because we're all green with envy. Small kitchen, large kithcen. Double lot, triple lot. Whatever. We want it too.
Where do they get their money...what's it to ya.
Posted by: esther at October 26, 2006 10:47 AM
Whoever said this is overpriced because it's not a lyrical mansion is absolutely on the money: attached on both sides makes it dark, gloomy and basically standard brownstone layout, with some fancy trim.
Also, to the person who said it's not worth it cause it's only PS, I agree again. While the rest of Brooklyn is gaining in RE value, as they catch up in terms of safety and public schooling, Park Slope is feeling more and more staid and left behind. There are just much more exciting options, with more character, color, dimension, than the dullness of PS.
So my 2 cents are: 1 mil off tht price because of basic architecture of building, another 1 mil off the price because of location, and you've got a house that might sell for maybe 5 mil.
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