Once upon a time, Clinton Hill was a neighborhood of mansions designed by some of Brooklyn’s most prominent architects. Many have since been demolished and replaced with either townhouses or apartment buildings. But this one at 186 Clinton Avenue still stands, on a stretch that was known as the neighborhood’s “mansion row.” Montrose Morris, a prolific Brooklyn architect, designed it in 1891 for William H. Beard, the son of the third wealthiest man in Brooklyn, William Beard, Sr. It’s so massive it’s been divided into several apartments—the property being offered is only one-half of the mansion, which holds eight units.

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This Clinton Hill townhouse is looking to stand out— it even has its very own website. Although it’s got a modest, albeit historic, three-story facade, a renovation has left its imprint on seemingly every room of the house. The floorplan has been opened up, the staircase rebuilt, and the fixtures replaced by materials imported from Italy. Pretty much everything has a modern touch while the exterior remains well preserved. If you’re a townhouse purist it may not be your cup of tea, but you’ll have to admit it’s unique. It’s currently on the market with a price tag of $1.795 million.

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Cambridge Place is a short and charming block of Clinton Hill, Brooklyn—the type of leafy, brownstone-lined street that has made the borough so popular. And once you’re inside this townhouse at 14 Cambridge Place you’re still living the Brooklyn dream. There are historic details everywhere, like fireplaces, coffered ceilings and elegant wood-framed doorways. There’s tons of space, more than one outdoor area, and a fancy kitchen. This house has got the goods, but it’s going to cost you $3,999,999 to own it.

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It’s not often that a three-bedroom apartment in prime Brooklyn rings in at under a million; if it does, it’s likely to be a co-op with a steep monthly fee, and/or badly in need of an update. This pre-war condo in the heart of Clinton Hill is the rare exception: tastefully renovated, it offers pretty pre-war details, three bedrooms, and a location that’s hard to beat.

207 Saint James Place is on one of this historic neighborhood’s most beautiful streets, lined with 150-year-old brownstones and wood-frames, carriage houses and churches. There’s plenty of colorful local history as well: The childhood home of Biggie Smalls is in a similar building just across the street at number 226–the late rapper’s former apartment sold for $725k in 2013. Having survived the ravages of the late 20th century, these ornate 1930s limestone apartment buildings can be a great place to find lovely and livable–and somewhat rare–apartments like this one.
Take a look, this way…

Recently it was reported that filmmaker, actor and Entourage star–and sometime boutique brewer and Brooklyn renovator Adrian Grenier had been spotted checking out a three-bedroom co-op in Chelsea, accompanied by his mom, Brown Harris Stevens broker Karesse Grenier. While Chelsea may be in their sights as well, city records show that the pair recently inked a deal on a huge, historic five-story townhouse in prime Clinton Hill at 112 Gates Avenue, not far from the house he brought back to life with a green reno in 2007.
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We’ve been a bit obsessed with the house at 102 Gates Avenue–a Brownstoner House of the Day not once but twice–since it hit the market as an estate sale back in 2013; lines stretched down the block and 350 people showed up on one Sunday to view the house, which was asking $1,295,000, a great price at a time when townhouse prices in the area were hitting their recent hot streak. The house, in estate condition but dripping with gorgeous original details, set off a bidding war and sold in a matter of weeks for $1,555,000, becoming a poster child of sorts for the frenzied brownstone Brooklyn townhouse market.

After a high-end renovation that spared no detail, the house, a two-unit stunner with a sweet garden apartment and a beautifully restored triplex plus landscaped yard and deck, re-emerged less than one year later at the head-turning asking price of $3.35 million.

More on this brownstone Brooklyn Cinderella tale this way

Formerly a seminary, the gothic-style structure sitting in Fort Greene at the crossroads of Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill was reborn as Cathedral Condominiums, and this 1,100-square-foot home within is certainly one to be worshipped. No matter what your religious persuasion there’s no denying the windows in this stunning condo at 555 Washington Avenue are a blessing.

See why this condo has us singing its praises

The minute we laid eyes on the interior of this 4,400-square-foot home at 331 Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill we knew we happened upon something special. While it’s true the million dollar listings we typically feature boast some of the most gorgeously renovated spaces in the city, there’s no denying the timeless beauty of this turn-of-the-century residence built in 1899.

Located in the heart of the Clinton Hill Historic District, the dramatic scale and original details at every turn evoke the grandeur of Brooklyn’s most prestigious homes. The gracious parlor entrance with an original pier mirror and striking dark wood staircase sets the tone for the rest of the interior. Sure the treads on the stairs are worn and tattered, but look at that gorgeous wood; a little refinishing and your entryway will be transformed into a magnificent first impression.

Check out the incredible home here

• Everybody Loves Brooklyn… Except Brooklyn: The Observer talks about the fact that the name Brooklyn may be a top name everywhere else, but Brooklynites are so over it.
• Million Dollar Condos Come to Bed Stuy: Before you know it, we common folk won’t be able to afford Brooklyn. The Brownstoner has some details and beautiful photos of the new boutique apartments hitting the market.
• Working Out in The Streets: NYC is dedicated to getting you fit. Racked NY has some cool free workout classes right in the streets of the Meatpacking District.
• Brooklyn’s Historic Churches Taken Over by Condos: DNAinfo explores Brooklyn’s transformation from the “borough of churches” to the “borough of bondos”.
• LIC Condo Sale Sets Record: The New York Daily News has more details on a ground floor apartment at Long Island City’s The View that just sold for $3.35 million, at a record setting $1,375 a square foot.
• Clinton Hill Fashion: The New York Times takes a trip to Clinton Hill to see what the hottest styles are
• Neighbors Upset Over East Village “Frat House”: A tipster informed Curbed of a 6BR Avenue A apartment that put an all-caps ad out, claiming the place is perfect frat house material… and is now an actual frat house, much to its neighbors’ chagrin.
• Brooklyn’s Most Promising Young Filmmakers: In honor of BAMcinemaFest, Brooklyn magazine interviews some of the borough’s most promising emerging filmmakers about the “Brooklyn film scene”.

Images: 170 Putnam interior (left), Classes on the Cobbles (right)