Real Estate

Director Michel Gondry Puts His East Williamsburg Italianate House on the Market for $2.295 Million

by Susan De Vries

11/08/2021 0

After shooting portions of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” in a 19th century house on this East Williamsburg block, director Michel Gondry bought his own spot on Orient Avenue in 2008 and his wood frame offers up some of the colorful and eclectic details one might expect. At 15 Orient Avenue, the house has served as part home, part art gallery and includes a sound-proof music studio and some original details.

While the Italianate wood frame that served as the home of Kate Winslet’s character, 59 Orient Avenue, was demolished and replaced with two apartment buildings in 2015, No. 15 has survived, albeit covered in siding. The historic tax photo shows the Italianate-style charm of the original facade, with a shingled exterior, a full height bay window, a dentil and bracketed cornice, and an ornate door hood. Historic maps show it was likely built between 1868 and 1880.

There are bits of 19th century detail remaining on the interior including the newel post and stair, plasterwork, moldings and two arched marble mantels. The floor plan shows the interior of the single-family a bit chopped up with kitchen and music studio (in the former dining room) on the ground floor, a parlor, study and bedroom and full bath on the parlor floor, and three bedrooms and two baths above. A 1947 I-card shows the house was a two-family dwelling at the time, with the Meagher family, owners from 1905 until 1966, occupying the lower two floors with a renter above.

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The listing suggests “bring your architect” and there isn’t any mention of the condition of the mechanicals but for a homeowner willing to wield a paintbrush and rip up some carpeting, it might be the right fit. The listing photos do show baseboard heating throughout the house.

The parlor, the site of past art installations, has stained glass windows, one of the two mantels along with wood floors, a ceiling medallion and French doors leading to the adjacent study.

Directly above the parlor is the largest bedroom and while there aren’t stained glass windows in its bay it has a window seat, another mantel, moldings and a ceiling medallion.

At the rear of the garden level the kitchen is spacious, with wood cabinets, a tin ceiling and lots of counter space. On the downside, a stone backsplash is confined to just the wall behind the sink and there are some condition issues noticeable on the tile floor. The music studio isn’t pictured although a glimpse of it can be seen in a shot of the hallway, which also shows some more flooring issues, another original newel post, a tin ceiling and a washer/dryer at the end of the hall.

The two full baths shown are a bit of a contrast, although they both have some vintage details — one is adorned with a bright marigold-colored wallpaper and an ornate tin ceiling painted red while the other has a more sedate striped beige wallpaper and a tin ceiling in white.

The fenced-in yard could use some TLC although a windowed workroom off the kitchen might make a fine garden shed for someone eager to transform the green space.

Gondry purchased the house for $1.28 million in 2008. Now it’s asking $2.295 million. The listing, from Michele Roderick of R New York, notes the house’s excess FAR could allow an addition. Do you think the property could appeal to an owner-occupant or a developer?

[Listing: 15 Orient Avenue | Broker: R New York] GMAP