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April 13, 2007
'Queer' Guy Snags Washington Avenue B-stone
It took some flexibility on price on the part of the sellers, but the Washington Avenue house that Aguayo & Huebener was hawking for much of last year finally closed in February. The buyer? Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's food expert Ted Allen (left) and his partner Barry Rice. The pair traded in their three-bedroom Chelsea condo for the grand four-story house. Amidst the negative market sentiment of last fall the sales price of $1.7 million might not have felt like a bargain, but given the location and the incredible level of historic architectural details, we'd say this was money well spent. House-hunting turned out to be a major production for the tv personality and his interior designer partner. The pair looked at more than 50 houses all over Brownstone Brooklyn. Park Slope? Too bustling. Carroll Gardens? Not enough architectural detail. Clinton Hill? Just the right combination of "gorgeously preserved houses" and a "great mix of people." And despite having to deal with the occasional less-than-honest broker, Allen got addicted to the thrill of the chase: "I'm a total real-estate geek — we go to open houses for entertainment," he says. "Barry yells at me for reading Brownstoner so much." Keep on clicking.
Queer Eye’s Ted Allen Pays $1.7M for Brownstone [Big Time Listings]
Washington Avenue Listing [Aguayo & Huebener]
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Comments
Ted was always my favorite caste member- whatever happened to that show? Anyway- welcome to Brooklyn Ted.
Posted by: Max at April 13, 2007 9:15 AM
He was always my favorite too--A second welcome to Brooklyn to Barry and Ted. You are gonna love living here.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 9:28 AM
Great. Love the neighborhood. So now we have: Spike, Adriene Grenier, Rosie Perez, Ted Allen. . . any other mentionalbles
Posted by: local at April 13, 2007 9:33 AM
Yes, Ted was always very kind to those guys - very sweet. Good luck to you both and congratulations!
Posted by: donatella at April 13, 2007 9:33 AM
Yeah, he seems like a nice guy. And what's $1.7 million when you're rich anyway? plus, it doesn't look like it needs a tremendous amount of actual reno, outside of personal taste reno.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 9:37 AM
A nice guy, and he knows Alton Brown to boot (both on Iron Chef America). Enjoy the 'hood and the home, looks great from the few pictures!
Posted by: EJ at April 13, 2007 9:45 AM
Do we have enough celebrities now to get some decent US postal service?
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 9:55 AM
Dude,
can you give me some tips? PLEASE!!!
Welcome to the 'hood!
Posted by: NewStoner at April 13, 2007 10:01 AM
FG/CH is the new Chelsea! By next summer, they'll be moving the pier dance to FG Park.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 10:08 AM
You made a great choice of neighborhoods and congrats for recognizing how awesome the vibe is over here! The energy created by the mix of ages, cultures and economics really is something special that we hope lasts for a good long time (Atlantic Yards notwithstanding). Can't wait to hear about your local restaurant faves...and is Tom going to help you decorate? Would love to see how your personalize that beauty.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 10:24 AM
awesome!
Posted by: lesterhead at April 13, 2007 10:25 AM
I love Ted. Ted, say something. I thought this was a good buy for someone with love for old details & imagination.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 10:31 AM
Gee, cashing in on "gay cache" to promote the neighborhood where you live? How open-minded and offensive at the same time!
Frankly, I wouldn't expect Clinton Hill to become the next big neighborhood for gay men in New York City. It does have something that appeals to gay men in general: exquisite architecture. However, it is way too inconvenient by train to Manhattan's west side. Your average twenty-something or thirty-something queer guy prefers to live close enough to walk. Gay men who do not live within walking distance to Manhattan's west side tend to rely HEAVILY on the subway at all hours, so the need to transfer trains is becomes a huge burden.
Of course, one day, downtown Brooklyn will be just another urban center in NYC (like Midtown or Wall Street). Once you can use the G-train on a daily basis to do most things you need to without transferring, the sky will be the limit.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 11:08 AM
sorry 11:08, but i rather disagree with you. i am a single gay male and have noticed a huge increase of my gay friends moving to places like clinton hill, ft. greene, park slope, etc. lately. (i just recently moved to park slope, myself).
the center of gay culture in new york no longer centers around chelsea or the west side nearly as much as it did even 5 years ago. the gay hangouts for the 20 and 30 something set have become much more spread out over manhattan and brooklyn, and in fact most of the more popular places are now located in the east village, which is quite convenient for those of us that live in brownstone brooklyn.
i'm not suggesting that i think clinton hill will be the next big gay neighborhood at all, but i do think that brooklyn is receiving a lot of attention lately as a good alternative to manhattan living. i think we'll see more and more of this in the future.
Posted by: anon at April 13, 2007 11:21 AM
The C train to 14th or 23rd st. How much easier is that?
I dont know what the 'gay cache' is. However, i do know many gay men who have cashed in on their Chelsea 1-bedrooms and are looking to buy brooklyn brownstones.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 11:26 AM
If you don't know what gay cache is, you must not watch "Queer Eye". I agree that gay are moving to many neighborhoods in Brooklyn, but I think cost and commute are huge factors.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 11:31 AM
i'll agree that subway access is an important factor, but isn't it for everyone??
i see gay men most interested in the areas around the 2/3 train stops near grand army plaza or bergen street and near the atantic terminal/ft. greene hub.
i understand that the richard meier building at the gap has attracted a few gay buyers.
Posted by: anonymous at April 13, 2007 11:39 AM
I always had a crush on Ted -- he was such a gentleman and so smart. And his style was so much more refined than uh Carson's or any of the other dudes. Welcome Ted and family! Hope to see you around!! Swing by Propsect Heights!
Posted by: anongirl at April 13, 2007 11:57 AM
We ran into him at a 2BR co-op on So. Oxford at Hanson Place back in December (or thereabouts) which I think was on the market for about $475K or so. Seemed very nice. Ted obviously loves open houses since the place was kind of a dump and in a bad spot (too close to AY).
Welcome to the 'hood, Ted!
Posted by: JP at April 13, 2007 12:02 PM
Why would I want to go the west side when I can go to the gay friendly places in the hood - Grand 275, Outpost, etc? Sure there is a young set who want to stagger out of a club and be home in five minutes, but most gay folks I know can't afford midtown and want what everyone wants - a dog, a rent-controlled tenant to evict, and a contractor to complain about.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 12:02 PM
Double male income is the only way one can afford a brownstone now anyway.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 12:27 PM
If it were more convenient by train, I think Clinton Hill would be a mecca for gay people. I'm wondering if there will be a big influx to lower Bed Stuy (near the A/C) or Crown Heights. Those neighborhoods have less expensive Brownstones than much of Brooklyn, and gay men have historically chosen undervalued neighborhoods that are dicey (like Chelsea).
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 12:38 PM
If it were more convenient by train, I think Clinton Hill would be a mecca for gay people. I'm wondering if there will be a big influx to lower Bed Stuy (near the A/C) or Crown Heights. Those neighborhoods have less expensive Brownstones than much of Brooklyn, and gay men have historically chosen undervalued neighborhoods that are dicey (like Chelsea).
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 12:38 PM
Loved that house. It's beautiful, and that's a damn good price. Considered buying it last spring/summer, but decided it was a bit of a hike to train for us, and hubby really wanted to be in fort greene. Glad someone snatched it up.
Posted by: fortgreener at April 13, 2007 12:46 PM
i think kensington is becoming a haven for gay people as well. a little more off the beaten path and more undervalued than some of the other more talked about neighborhoods.
i've definitely also noticed a resurgence in interest in prime park slope by the gay community.
Posted by: anonymous at April 13, 2007 12:48 PM
12:02 Ha, funny...
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 1:22 PM
That house was around forever but I will admit it looks like gay paradise. Congratulations. The owners were a bunch of old farts and their taste was circa pre gay pink. Ted should do wonders with it. Good riddence.
Posted by: anon at April 13, 2007 1:27 PM
I wish those that continue to talk about the lack of accessibility to subways in clinton hill would stop talking. I don't think you realize how stupid you sound, because everyone that actually lives here knows that it's not the case (A/C train - Clinton/Washington stop, G train - Clinton/Washington stop). Don't get me wrong, there are definitely inconveniences if you choose to live on the "outskirts" of clinton hill (or, bedstuy under the impression that you live in CH). That however, is what you sign up for when you make that decision.
And for the record, there were plenty of gay/gay couples (male and female) living in CH before (much like tons of other neighborhoods in BK).
If you can't walk 2-3 blocks to the subway, your main concern should be your physical-fitness condition.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 1:49 PM
great guy! this is a wonderful place and he seems like a perfect fit. it's a great neighborhood for gay and straight and black and white and indian and latino alike. who cares about designating areas for specific groups anymore?
ps subways are aplenty. takes me 20 min.s door to door to get to soho
Posted by: miss priss at April 13, 2007 2:44 PM
i'm rather hoping that brooklyn brownstone neighborhoods work to attract a few more local gay or gay friendly bars.
it's amazing given the number of gays in park slope that the only real gay bar to speak of is excelsior.
and there's a crowd, more often than not.
Posted by: anonymous at April 13, 2007 3:09 PM
I think it's funny how you can even try and compare Clinton Hill to carroll Gardens or Park slope ! Apples and oranges as far as safety is concerned, and were they looking with there eyes closed? the homes in both areas are full of details.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 3:18 PM
"reading is fundamental", anon 3:18pm.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 3:32 PM
you clearly have not been to clinton hill lately, 3:18. either that or you are a total wuss. and i happen to live in park slope and absolutely love clinton hill.
sure, the outer lying areas have a few more incidents every now and then, but for the most part clinton hill is a wonderful, close knit, safe, vibrant and diverse neighborhood.
you are one of those people who probably see a person with slightly darker than fair skin and think the neighborhood is dangerous, i'm guessing.
Posted by: anon at April 13, 2007 3:40 PM
Dead on 3:18! I heard that you could get robbed at gunpoint just taking your trash out in Park Slope. Even on Christmas eve!
My neighborhood is better than yours is alittle tired don't ya think?
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 3:40 PM
3:09: gay = gay male? What about Ginger's?
PS: funny how no one seems to mind a post that says that Clinton Hill is better and rips on Park Slope or Carroll Gardens. But when it's the other way around--oooooh, the elitist racists are oppressing us again!
Posted by: linusvanpelt at April 13, 2007 4:35 PM
I'm seconding the frustration about "no train service in Clinton Hill" comments. What's up with that? A/C people, A/C. Clinton-Washington. Hellooooooooo.
Granted, on weekends it's a bummer lately because of constuction, but that can happen anywhere in this city, it doesn't mean this neighorhood doesn't have train service. Argh.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 4:51 PM
linus, give it a break today.....
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 5:55 PM
Ted Rocks. I had the opportunity to meet him at an open house I was working. He was super sweet.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 5:59 PM
Is he the gay one?
Posted by: albert at April 13, 2007 6:06 PM
"Gay cache" sounds like a hidden trunk of man-man porn. Hot.
Welcome to the 'hood.
Posted by: Amy at April 13, 2007 7:06 PM
great news. I think my stock just went up overnight. welcome boys. hope you enjoy your new home.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 7:55 PM
Ted...just admit it. Sam was the best chef on last season...right?
Posted by: JP at April 13, 2007 8:50 PM
The A/C is in Fort Green, not Clinton Hill. The only train in Clinton Hill is the G Train. Clinton Hill is a great neighborhood. But unless you live on the Fort Greene Border, you'll be stuck taking the G train regularly and it's a pain in the a$$. It doesn't surprise me that Bourgeois queens decided to live here. Lord knows they probably travel by car exclusively.
This site gets far too much Clinton Hill coverage. It's pretty obvious that the site's owner lives there. If only other neighborhoods were promoted as vigorously.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 9:55 PM
9:55,
I check out this site almost every day. I don't agree that Brownstoner over-promotes Clinton Hill. In fact, I'd say he does the opposite.
Bed Stuy, Prospect Lefferts, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope are my guess for the most mentioned burbs.
If anything, Brownstoner doesn't promote it enough.
Posted by: Jake the Snake at April 13, 2007 11:00 PM
Actually, the Clinton Hill border in that corner is Vanderbilt and Atlantic. Since the C train stops at Fulton and Washington/Clinton, the C train is most definitely in Clinton Hill. On the edge of Clinton Hill, but in Clinton Hill nonetheless and convenient for many. A small difference, but you brought it up, and you're wrong. And since you sound like a dick, I felt an intense need to correct you.
Posted by: Amy at April 13, 2007 11:09 PM
9:55: The C train stops at Fulton St. and Clinton/Washington Avenues. That is Clinton Hill!
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2007 11:10 PM
Go Amy, Go Amy!
Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2007 12:09 AM
Porky, you live in New York--don't be such a pussy. I live in Clinton Hill, I walk 1 minute to the G or 10 minutes to the C and I I'm into soho in 20 minutes. (Not so good on weekends, but whatever.) You ever take the subway from Washington Heights, or the PATH from Jersey? Give me the train from Clinton Hill any day. Shut yer cakehole.
Posted by: anon at April 14, 2007 12:22 AM
Welcome guys! You'll love it here. And Amy you are right on! I'm surprised that everyone complains about the trains in Clinton Hill. What exactly do you want! Door to door service, no waiting? Hire a private limo and driver.
Posted by: anon at April 14, 2007 12:24 AM
I agree too. Now that I live in Clinton Hill, my commute takes 15 minutes longer each way than when I lived in Boerum Hill. But the neighborhood is so nice that it's worth it to me.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2007 1:44 AM
"And since you sound like a dick, I felt an intense need to correct you."
Gee, Amy, if you got it a little more often, maybe you wouldn't be such a little "see you next Tuesday".
Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2007 1:46 AM
Porky wrote: Anyone who plays up the A/C train is either a broker or some schmuck that overpaid on a purchase.
nope, not a schmuck who overpaid. I bought a gazillion years ago for a price that would make you weep though it took lots of hard work and many many years to make the place liveable -- not magazine pretty, but nice. and not a broker. just someone who has been taking the C train at Clinton-Washington IN CLINTON HILL for 20 years. why be so mean spirited about this? I mean clearly the people who are saying totally inaccurate statements (only the G in Clinton Hill, etc.) about this admittedly not perfect line don't live here or don't take the train regularly. weekends lately are a drag, but presumably this will be short-lived. Monday to Friday it works quite well, it gets you to manhattan quickly. you can switch easily to the A or F at Jay St. and to the 2, 3, 4, 5 at broadway-nassau. 'nuff said.
Ted and Barry--welcome. it's a lovely neighborhood with not only lots of beautiful homes, but lots of good people. We're raising our 2 daughters here (who take the C train to Manhattan to go to high school) and have made wonderful friends. See ya 'round!
Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2007 10:58 AM
Please, no more debating transportation options, it's boring. There are so many neighborhoods all over Manhattan and Brooklyn that are desireable to live in, and yet quite imperfect for subways. Surely we all know that.
Congrats Ted & Barry on your new home! Wishing you much happiness in it.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2007 11:31 AM
I don't think people are being mean spirited. They are just expressing their viewpoints (both positive and negative) about Clinton Hill. Many people love it there. Many people never go there because it's too inconvenient. That's ok. I'm sure that a gay celebrity couple likes the fact that it's a bit out of the way. It makes it arguably safer.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2007 11:33 AM
"Gee, Amy, if you got it a little more often, maybe you wouldn't be such a little 'see you next Tuesday'."
[slow golf clap]
Posted by: Amy at April 14, 2007 11:49 AM
I hope to god they paint that hideous pink room. EGADS!
Posted by: michelle at April 14, 2007 2:03 PM
Nice to hear recognition from Ted on Graziella's. That place is wonderful and I agree about the pizza. The best!
Posted by: donatella at April 14, 2007 3:23 PM
It's 'cachet'!
And yes, Ted was my favourite Queer Eye too.
Posted by: Rowan at April 14, 2007 4:01 PM
I'm not sure if it's a compliment to Ted or gay people at large to call him the "favorite" on "Queer Eye" because he is one of, if not THE most straight-acting.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2007 4:37 PM
Ted is not "straight-acting" at all, any more than Carson is "gay-acting." They're both being themselves. There are alllllll kinds of gay people out there in the big old world, and some of are swishy, and lots of them are not. Much like straight people. Duhhhhh.
Posted by: anon at April 14, 2007 4:43 PM
You are all really really bizarre out there.
Posted by: anon at April 14, 2007 9:51 PM
I like the pink room. What's wrong with the pink room?
Posted by: Anonymous at April 14, 2007 11:11 PM
i second whomever commented on ginger's... i used to live right above it, and it has the most wonderful vibe... even for a straight girl... warm and accepting, regardless of sexual orientation, as all bars should be.
long live gingers!!
Posted by: liz at April 15, 2007 1:31 AM
Ted & Barry, be sure to check out A Bistro and Luz if you haven't already.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 1:06 PM
Isn't the C train at the border of Clinton Hill and Fort Greene? I thought most of Clinton Hill was near the G train.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 3:41 PM
PLG puts the border of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill at Vanderbilt Avenue. That puts the C train at Clinton/Washington in Clinton Hill.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 4:12 PM
Sorry that is LPC - Landmarks Preservation Commission (not PLG).
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 4:14 PM
The C train is on Washington and Fulton Street. Technically that's Clinton Hill - it lies in the southern corner of the neighborhood. But the best areas of Clinton Hill (where these guys bought), and in fact, MOST of Clinton Hill, is only convenient to the G train.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 5:16 PM
Glad to hear you're in the same park. I'm assuming that the producers loved the chance to set up the long-simmering confrontation between the other two.
And the "admit it" part was just a reference to the song "Ted...Just Admit It" by Jane's Addiction. It's what passes for me being clever...sort of.
Hope to see you out and about. Would love to hear your take on Smoke Joint's BBQ, which I love and seems to be a favorite of many foodies I know.
Posted by: JP at April 15, 2007 5:36 PM
The troll is back. He's either hijacked typekey accounts or is using characters which resemble screennames of others. What a piece of $HIT!!!
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 6:29 PM
He's hijacked Ed and Bob Marvin's screen names typekey names.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 6:33 PM
Something strange is happening, because I never wrote the post at 6:47pm.
Posted by: Ed at April 15, 2007 8:55 PM
Nor did I write the comment at 5:29pm. Brownstoner, how would someone be able to come up with what appears to be my Typekey address if it looks like it's working fine? Check the IP addresses if you need to. I haven't posted at 5:29pm or at 6:47pm.
Posted by: Ed at April 15, 2007 9:03 PM
Ed, please get your facts straight from now on before you start leveling accusations here. Good grief.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 9:35 PM
Whenever someone contradicts themselves, a troll is clearly present. What's incredible is that now the troll co-opts typekey names. How is this possible?
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2007 9:50 PM
You're insane. There are posts on this blog from what appears to be my typekey account that I didn't make. In fact, it seems every time I post, that idiot responds with something like "I didn't mean that". Someone has access to typekey accounts or is, at least, able to mimick typekey.
I would think Brownstoner wouldn't be playing troll himself, but that is, frankly, a reasonable possibility. How else would someone have accessed my typekey account?
Folks - it's time to post anonymously, because this is a load of BS.
Posted by: Ed at April 16, 2007 9:45 AM
Has no one noticed that Pratt Institute is in Clinton Hill and that it has Fashion Design, Interior Design and other programs that tend to attract gay men? And that many of them stay in the nab after graduation. Geeze, it's not a new thing to have gay men in CH.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 16, 2007 10:15 AM
Babies-
These are not the first gayboys that we have had in 'Fort Queen/Clinton Hill'. Me and my partner have been here for many years, and yes we're gay men.
We have been trying to keep this on the downlow, as we don't want the Chelsea Queens to take over our hood. And now they are hyping up Graziella's? Geez-I'll never get in there now and I love that pizza!
Posted by: Gay Guy on 'da Hill at April 16, 2007 12:13 PM
as to the Typekey thing:
its a font issue making it hard to see the difference between Ed XOTigre and Ed X0Tigre
the number zero versus the letter O
Posted by: Anonymous at April 16, 2007 1:01 PM
I'm not a rich brownstoner, just a struggling renter. I live in the E. Village and last year went to check out a room in Clinton Hill on the weekend.
From lower Manhattan the train took 25 min to arrive, 25 more minutes to get to my destination. On the way back it took 40 minutes to arrive, 25 minutes actually on the train.
That's 2 hours of transit time alone - any time I would want to go into Manhattan on the weekend. And that's not going to a museum on the Upper East Side, it's getting into lower Manhattan.
So if I'm in my little rental room, contemplating heading out to Bed, Bath and Beyond, or going to an exhibit somewhere, how much easier is it going to be for me to pop in a Netflix and scratch my ass for 2 hours? Seriously, I would need to pack a lunch. Admit it people, you are not heading into Manhattan on the weekends.
Posted by: berserker duckling at April 22, 2007 2:20 PM
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