House of the Day: 169 State Street
This legal two-family house at 169 State Street in Brooklyn Heights has been used as a single-family for the past half-century, which appears to be how long it’s been in the same family. The house has a nice historic vibe to it (we particularly like the center stair) but we suspect, based on the lack…
This legal two-family house at 169 State Street in Brooklyn Heights has been used as a single-family for the past half-century, which appears to be how long it’s been in the same family. The house has a nice historic vibe to it (we particularly like the center stair) but we suspect, based on the lack of bathroom and kitchen photos and reference in the listing to the house “having potential”, that whoever buys this place will likely have to invest some money in upgrading it. The asking price is $2,995,000, which isn’t crazy for this location, but may be too much if there’s a lot of work that needs to be done.
169 State Street [Stribling] GMAP P*Shark
Note: Techies are still working on fixing the pricing widget.
The biggest drawback might be living in the shadow of the Court Street theater, and being near the least desirable section of Court Street (between Joralemon and Schermerhorn).
The house itself has no faults that I can see. As someone who isn’t adverse to being able to rent out part of a house (usually the garden floor), I’m not the world’s biggest fan of the garden unit having the kitchen, but its all very nice looking. I think the price is fair, or close, maybe 2.5 at the low end. I don’t have a good read on how much prices have come down in Brooklyn Heights.
Well, 176 State sold fro 3, 850,000 in Jan 2009 and it is only 3,300 square feet. I can’t find the listing you are referring to, but I think this house is competitively priced for Brooklyn Heights.
The 20′ wide, 5 story, corner building with 2 parking spaces on the corner of State and Clinton went for $3 million recently. It’s a bigger building on a corner lot with parking, etc…
My point is I don’t see $3 million for this small 2 family when there are bigger buildings in the area going for $3 or less.
Again, we have the same complaints. This house is not narrow inside. The center staircase makes for a wonderful floor plan. I suggest the naysayers have a look and see how “unnarrow” a 17x 17 bedroom feels. I really love the layout of this house, but it does seem to be lacking in some moldings, etc. Still, it has a very nice, classic feeling. I don’t know about that particular corner, but I have looked at other houses on State that were definitely asking more than 3 million.
Sam,
I’m an a 3rd generation BH’er, so when I speak about the neighborhood I speak with pride and love as well as perspective and experience.
Boreumresident mentioned Remsen and Joralemon as less ideal blocks off Court. Of course they are less appealing, however Remsen and Joralemon have no brownstones listed at $3 million just off of Court St. Remsen and Joralemon between Court and Clinton are not specifically residential (in fact they have very little residential) anyway.
My point being that out of all the buildings and all the blocks of Brooklyn Heights this tiny, narrow brownstone on a noisy, high traffic corner asking $3 million is not the same as a Cranberry St building off the same specs and asking.
thank you Bklynsofar, that is very nice, i appreciate it.
i have been around the block a bit.
in fact one of the reasons that i regret not being able to attend biff’s parties is because i can’t risk blowing my cover as “sam”.
Sam —
Usually I am too late to post and you may not read this either. I appreciate the education you bring to this blog. Don’t know what is your profession, but you know the practical (financial, etc), historical, as well as artistic aspects (plus neighborhoods). Thank you for your willingness to educate via this blog — your posts are on target and I am sure, helpful to many.
magnifique
i love it
not too big, not too small, pure and simple and elegant.
if you don’t like this house, you don’t like brownstone brooklyn.
and it’s in brooklyn heights!!!! be still my heart…..
I’ve seen some 26 footers on Clinton with a lot more space go for 3, and they were crazily priced.
This is an 18 footer. I’ve visited 5 on that block.
The last sales were usually low 2.0 range; penson sold a bunch of beaten up R/S ones for around 800 each last year.
Rents for each apt would be perhaps 4-4.5?
Call me in at least a million bucks off.