By Annie Doge, Thu, March 17, 2016 There’s lots of big-name news happening in Ditmas Park this week. Just yesterday, 6sqft found out about Michelle Williams’ plans to renovate her Colonial Revival mansion in the neighborhood, and now the Observer reports that Aaron Dessner of Brooklyn-based band The National has sold his beautiful, historic home for $2.35 million.
The sale will affect the whole Grammy-nominated band, since their studio space is located in the converted garage. As the Observer notes, “A three-story Victorian-style house isn’t exactly where we pictured an indie rock band recording their album,” but nonetheless Dressner bought the 3,282-square-foot residence for $700,000 in 2003. He then renovated and restored it extensively, doing most of the work himself. He configured it as a two-family home and at one point rented out the top apartment to band co-founder Matt Berninger, who now lives in Prospect Heights.
Check out the entire property
By Emily Nonko, Fri, February 19, 2016 This week, 6sqft is digging the freestanding Victorians that make up the Brooklyn neighborhood of Ditmas Park. Who wouldn’t, considering how charming the historic homes are, with front porches, lawns and plenty of luxurious space? This Victorian is located at 112 Marlborough Road, within the Prospect Park South enclave of the neighborhood. (It’s a historic district that was developed in 1899 by developer Dean Alvord, who purchased 60 acres of farmland to build rus in urbe, “the country in the city.”) The historic windows, stained glass and wood floors are still there, and the top-floor bedrooms sit under a pitched roof. But it’s also been renovated with recessed lighting, new sconces and pendants, and central AC and heat. It’ll cost you $2.825 million for such a lovely home base in Brooklyn.
See more of the interior
By Emily Nonko, Wed, February 17, 2016 Ditmas Park is a magical neighborhood in New York City, filled with yards, front porches and beautiful freestanding Victorian homes. This is one of them, at 536 East 18th Street, and it is now on the market for $2.725 million. The exterior has been well kept, right down to the wood front porch. The interior has gone through a big renovation that hasn’t taken away all the historic details, but definitely opened up and modernized the house. (It last sold in 2012 for $1,299,000, probably before any reno.) The result is the best of both worlds: Historic Ditmas Park from the exterior, modern and hip Brooklyn inside.
Check out the renovation
By Dana Schulz, Tue, May 5, 2015 Temperatures have finally hit the high 70s mean, and that can only mean one thing–it’s house tour season. Architecture buffs, history lovers, and die-hard New Yorkers look forward to these events all year. It’s a time to see how the other half lives; get some design inspiration; and just enjoy a nice day out looking at beautiful homes and gardens. From Harlem brownstones to Hamptons estates to the gardens of Jackson Heights, we’ve rounded up this season’s hottest tours.
See our full list of tours here
By Aisha Carter, Wed, February 25, 2015 Let’s take a trip to the quiet, tree-lined streets of Victorian Flatbush where a 111-year-old home in the Fiske Terrace-Midwood Park landmarked historic district awaits, asking $2.275 million. This quarter-acre lot is large enough for a pool and a guesthouse or your own little secret garden. And while the curb appeal sets the bar high, the inside takes it to a new level, blending old-world charm with modern updates.
More pics inside
By Dana Schulz, Tue, September 23, 2014 We have a feeling well-known architects David H. Sherman, of Abelow Sherman Architects, and his wife Benita Welch, a Principal at Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel Architects, will give the interior of their new home a fresh coat of paint before settling in…that is, unless they like the current bubble-gum-pink color scheme.
It makes perfect sense that the couple picked up this Victorian house in Ditmas Park for themselves and their two children, as Benita specializes in restoring historic homes, and David is known for his expertise working with NYC townhouses. According to city records filed today, they purchased 28 Waldorf Court for $1.41 million. Located just off Rugby Road (often considered the heart of Victorian Flatbush) on a highly desirable cul-de-sac, the five-bedroom home has been in the same family for 30 years.
Tour the home before it gets what’s sure to be a beautiful makeover
By Dana Schulz, Wed, August 13, 2014 We tend to feature a lot of historic townhouses, and while we love these brownstone beauties, it’s always a treat when we come across the less-common Victorian home. Not surprisingly, this charming, free-standing house is located in Ditmas Park West, part of what is known as Victorian Flatbush. Built in 1905, the home at 454 Rugby Road recently sold for $1,975,000 million according to city records, almost $100,000 above the asking price and not far behind another recent Rugby Road sale that was one of the most expensive in the neighborhood to date.
See why this painted lady is a deserving member of Victorian Flatbush’s Million-Dollar Club
By Aisha Carter, Fri, June 27, 2014 An adorable, historic, turn-of-the-century home modeled after a Swiss chalet has just sold for a record-breaking $2.1 million in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park South. Up until this point, the most expensive sale in the neighborhood was a $2 million sale from last year; however, records confirm that the 7BR/3.5BA home at 100 Rugby Road has edged out the competition by $100K.
Find out more about this historic record-breaker here