Real Estate

Edwardian Yellow-Brick Row House With Original Details, Updates in Flatbush Asks $848,900

The modest single-family house has been cleanly renovated and retains original details such as moldings and beautiful original floors.

by Stephen Zacks

09/04/2019 0

This renovated bay-fronted yellow-brick early 20th century single-family row house in Flatbush has almost doubled its price since it was purchased three years ago from a family that had owned it since 1963. It asked for much more, however, and the listing implied that it needed a little work, especially on the hardwood floors. Now everything looks to be in good condition, with beautifully refinished original wood floors and original details like doors and trim with fluting and corner blocks. The kitchen and bathrooms are renovated in a fairly classic manner, and there is central air conditioning.

It’s laid out with public rooms all on the main floor and bedrooms above. The living room is situated in the three-sided bay, with a bump-out for a mantel or pier mirror covered over. Through a set of pocket doors is the dining room, which has original moldings and an exposed brick chimney and firebox painted white.

Next to the living room is a spacious and nicely renovated galley kitchen. It has marble countertops and a mix of open shelving and white and gray cabinets. The floor is attractively tiled with extra large hexagonal tiles in medium gray. The kitchen chimney and fireplace, big enough for its original integrated coal or wood burning range, has been painted white and is shown housing a small butcher block island. A door opens onto a wooden landing with steps down to the garden.

Upstairs are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of them en suite to the master via a walk-in closet. The bedrooms all appear to have their original details and everything appears to be in good condition. The bathrooms have also been cleanly updated with white subway tile, black and white cement tile, and Duravit-style white fixtures. The master has a glass enclosed shower, and the shared bathroom has a tub.

Also on the top floor are two skylights, including one with stained glass. In the cellar is laundry and a powder room. The plumbing and electric have been updated, and the house has central air conditioning and heat, according to the listing, from Marcia Clarke of MC Realty Consulting & Management Inc. (The prior listing indicates the house may have already had A/C before the most recent renovation.)

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The backyard is petite but pleasant, with a small square of grass, sitting area and planted beds.

The yellow-brick facade has a projecting cornice with garlands and brackets and the lintels are rusticated stone. If there was a hood over the door, it has been removed, but others on the row have only modern awnings.

While the house is in move-in condition, a buyer could easily and inexpensively add to the charm with a reproduction door hood and a period-appropriate salvage mantel or a pier mirror on the living room chimney breast.

162 East 22nd Street is not on the 1905 map but does appear on maps the following year. The restored Kings Theatre is just around the corner, and Cortelyou shops, eateries and the library are a few blocks away.

The house last traded hands in 2016 for $442,000, and now it’s asking $848,900. The ask sounds in line with the house’s location and size, but still on the relatively affordable side for Brooklyn. Do you think it will go fast?

[Listing: 162 East 22nd Street | Broker: MC Realty Consulting & Mgt. Inc.] GMAP