Everyone wants a home with character. Thankfully for New York City buyers, the local housing stock offers a lot of opportunity for historic detail and authentic, only-in-NYC features. Stained glass windows, barrel-vaulted ceilings and Victorian woodwork make real-estate wonks crazy – but maintaining such charming details can be a hassle. So when you find a place with historic detail that has been well-renovated for modern living, you’ve found a gem. Such is the case with this mint-condition duplex located in a former stable. The Fort Greene building was erected in 1888 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
The apartment has a clean and airy feel
The Price Tag
The marriage of historic character and new finishings doesn’t come cheap. Listed for $1.595 million, this 2-bedroom duplex at 159 Carlton Ave. is pricey, but you won’t have to invest in any immediate renovations. On top of that, the monthly fees are low at $524 for common charges and $840 for taxes.
What really drives the value, though, is the size of this place — more than 2,000 square feet — and its location in the old Feuchtwanger Stable, a quintessential red brick building converted into condos in the 1980s. The apartment is currently set up as a 2-bedroom, with both bedrooms on the lower level of the duplex, but it could be reconfigured into a 3-bedroom.
Why You’ll Love It
The slate blue doors pop against the terra cotta and brick facade of this converted stable
If you like historic detail, this place has a ton of it. The bones of the original stable are immediately perceptible from the arched brick and terra cotta entrance that once served as an entrance for horses. The apartment, located on the ground floor, features arched windows and exposed wooden beams and brick.
Got to love those custom built-ins. So efficient!
Recent updates have made the apartment’s Romanesque Rival bones fit for contemporary living. The kitchen is all modern, and features custom built-in shelving and slate tile floors. The bathrooms have high-end, understated fixtures and are finished with distinctive marble tiling. The master bath features a large soaking tub, the likes of which would never be found in a stable — but, hey, we’re not complaining.
The apartment includes thoughtful touches throughout, including built-in shelving in the master bath.
Throughout the apartment, you’ll find bright recessed lighting. The current interior design of the apartment amps up its appeal, we have to admit, featuring a mix of Asian-inspired furniture and dramatic pendant light fixtures.
The second bathroom also has nice tiling touches and features a unique soapstone sink and console.
And Why You Might Not
All that attention to lighting might be a red flag. The apartment is located on the ground floor, and as such probably will lack some natural light. Other drawbacks of being on the ground floor include the bars on the windows and the potential for street noise. Both of the bedrooms are on the lower level (that is, below ground) and will likely get very little light. (Technically, bedrooms cannot be below ground in New York, which might explain the listing’s peculiar use of the term “sleeping area” in the floor plan.)
The master bedroom is spacious, but looks out onto a stone wall.
The second bedroom is also spacious, but again has limited natural light, and only features one small window.
There is a media room upstairs, separated from the kitchen by pocket doors, which could be converted into a third bedroom.
This spacious laundry room would make separating the darks and lights enjoyable.
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