Building of the Day: 664 Jefferson Avenue
The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy. Address: 664 Jefferson Ave, between Stuyvesant and Malcolm X Type: Private House Neighborhood: Bedford Stuyvesant, Stuyvesant Heights East Year…
The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.
Address: 664 Jefferson Ave, between Stuyvesant and Malcolm X
Type: Private House
Neighborhood: Bedford Stuyvesant, Stuyvesant Heights East
Year Built: 1870’s
Architectural Style: Italianate
Architect: Unknown
Why chosen: This is a fine example of a middle class Brooklyn Italianate frame house. Bed Stuy is not known for them, yet they can be found throughout the neighborhood. This one is in close to original condition, with beautiful gingerbread trim on the porch, original fish scale shingles, and a strong cornice. The present colors have great curb appeal, and it’s a wonderful gem of a house. GMAP
Hey, no one’s saying i’st a grand masterpiece. Just that when the “stock cornice molding” is covered by bad aluminum siding, you realize what you’ve lost. Not “cute” anymore.
Come on, folks. Stock cornice molding. A hundred years ago that stuff was dirt cheap. The entire facade was erected in less than a day. It could be cute little house, but let’s at least be frank. It ain’t too purdy.
Yeah, well, I can understand the cost/maintenance factor. It’s still a shame though.
The one next door…to the right….has been covered with aluminum siding, cornice and all!!! 🙁
Joe, I was thinking about that too . . .
I’m amazed to see a wood frame house in Bed/Stuy that has not been covered with aluminum or vinyl siding. I can imagine that most of Greenpoint and Williamsburg must have looked like this house before the scourge of siding obliterated all this great craftmanship.
Yeah, most folks with that much cash would rather put 25% down on a million dollar property and have a much bigger house.
In different times, I might have bought the place myself, renovated and sold it.
I can’t get over how cheap stuff is in Miami Beach. You can buy a top of the line 1600 square foot condo ON THE WATER with incredible views in North Miami Beach, 20 minutes from South Beach, for around 500k — less than half peak. I’m talking keyed elevator direct to your apartment, valet parking, views up the wazoo, shimmering swimming pool, crashing waves, bikini mamas, etc.
Still I don’t want to live full time in Miami Beach either, but it’s interesting how different cities have “corrected” so much more than others.
I’m in Asia again in a town most folks have never heard of (not on the ocean) and similar condos are more expensive here than in North Miami Beach. Plus this Asian city is heavily polluted and there are no useable sidewalks.
Maybe Warren Buffet understands; it boggles my mind. The direction of real estate prices isn’t hard to predict. Good timing, on the other hand, takes the hand of God.
IB, I haven’t scheduled a look yet but I agree with your numbers…$50-150k. It needs everything…not sure about the roof. Depends on salvageability of floors & walls. Also there’s an 8′ basement with windows that’s “usable.” I agree that it’s one of the best deals around. It’s “cute” and what comes with that is usually the “small” part which it is.
It’s 20 X 25′ with a 10′ extension on the first floor rear.
Not sure if my friend who’s interested can swing the all cash deal.
This is the best deal I’ve seen listed on b-stoner in a long time, though I haven’t been following too closely lately.
The big question is whether or not folks looking to live in a house like this one in Bed Sty have 250k in cash sitting around; not to mention another 50k minimum to do a livable on the cheap renovation — 150k minimum to gut the whole enchilada. I guess that’s what rich parents are for these days.
Or perhaps some enterprising young whipper-snapper could borrow the funds from friends and family, do the renovation himself, and then get some type of reverse mortgage and pay everybody back? Sounds kind of risky to me, but hell, you only live once.