Real Estate

Jazz Great Cecil Taylor's Fort Greene Row House on the Market for $2.499 Million

While this 1850s Fort Greene row house has a charming period facade it’s the 20th century history behind the house that should spark some interest.

cecil taylor house 135 fort greene place

by Susan De Vries

12/14/2020 0

While this 1850s Fort Greene row house has a charming period facade it’s the 20th century history behind the house that should spark some interest. For decades 135 Fort Greene Place was the home of renowned avant-garde jazz pianist Cecil Taylor.

The acclaimed artist was already in residence when he purchased the house in the Brooklyn Academy of Music Historic District in 1984. He lived there until his death in 2018 at the age of 89.

The 21-foot wide brick house is one of a row of nine transitional Greek Revival and Italianate-style houses built circa 1857. This one retains its high stoop, brownstone basement and lintels, simple door hood and elaborately ornamented, bracketed cornice.

There are some hints of 19th century detailing still to be found on the interior as well — a marble mantel, glimpses of Greek Revival era moldings and an original newel post — but otherwise the single family home shows layers of 20th century alterations. That includes bookshelves in a third-floor space that was once dominated by Taylor’s grand piano.

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The single-family home has two bedrooms and a full bath on the garden level, double parlors above and the kitchen on the third floor. There are two full baths. While the kitchen has had more recent updates, most of the house is in estate condition and the listing notes “contractors and architects are welcomed and encouraged.”

Taylor did some upgrades to the house; unfortunately, the contractor working on the project swindled him out of nearly $500,000, money the artist had been awarded as part of his 2013 Kyoto Prize.

The house is listed for $2.499 million with Ronit Abraham of Compass. Worth the ask?

[Listing: 135 Fort Greene Place | Broker: Compass] GMAP