Impressive Park Slope Neo-Grec With Ornate Woodwork, Stained Glass Asks $5.25 Million

This blog post highlights a four-story, single-family Neo-Grec brownstone located at 217 Berkeley Place in the Park Slope Historic District of Brooklyn, New York. The property, built around 1883 by J. Doughtery & Son, showcases a blend of historical grandeur and modern amenities. The exterior of the brownstone features angled bays, dramatic cornices, and delicate ironwork, characteristic of Neo-Grec architecture. Its prime location is just blocks away from Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park. The interior of the brownstone is distinguished by a wealth of original details that evoke its Gilded Age origins. These include meticulously carved wood, elaborate marble mantels, vibrant Minton tiles, intricate stained glass, and bordered parquet floors. The woodwork throughout the house is enhanced with elegant burl inlays, adding to its historical richness. These period elements are thoughtfully integrated with high-end modern updates, creating a harmonious living space. The front parlor retains several original features, most notably the imposing pocket doors adorned with burl inlays. The rear parlor, originally designed as the dining room, is a prominent highlight of the home. It boasts a wood-burning fireplace with a columned overmantel and a mirror, contributing to its opulent atmosphere. A bay overlooking the rear garden is extensively decorated with stained glass, including a curved ceiling that was historically referred to as a "dome light" in a 1900 sales advertisement. This area also includes a built-in window seat, and the sides of the bay are embellished with tapestries, described in the listing as reproductions of French Rococo works housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Historical records reveal that the house was "newly decorated by Halbert" in 1900, referring to George Halbert, a notable "remodeler of interiors." Halbert specialized in supplying stained glass, upholstery, and architectural woodwork, and was also known for manufacturing his own wallpaper and plaster ornamentation, which contributed to the home's lavish original design. The layout of the house includes a former butler’s pantry, now converted into a study, situated off the dining room in a rear extension. While a dumbwaiter once transported food from the garden-level kitchen, the floor plan suggests this space may now serve as a closet. The kitchen, located directly below the dining room, has been thoroughly modernized. It features a wall of glass, radiant heated tiled floors, white Shaker-style cabinets, and high-end appliances such as a Wolf range and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. The upper two floors accommodate the bedrooms. The master bedroom is separated from its en suite bathroom by a wall of glass, with a Claudio Silvestrin bathtub serving as a focal point. This floor also includes two additional bedrooms, another bathroom, and a laundry room discreetly placed within a closet. The top floor offers an artist’s studio, complete with a skylight and access to a private terrace. The backyard, accessible from the kitchen and an adjacent sunroom, is designed with a stone patio and planting beds, enclosed by a horizontal fence. The property was last purchased in 2003 for $1.7 million. Following a significant renovation, it is now listed for sale at $5.25 million, represented by Debra Kameros of Compass. The article invites readers to consider the value and appeal of this extensively restored and modernized historic home. #ParkSlope #NeoGrecArchitecture #Brownstone #HistoricHome #BrooklynRealEstate #InteriorDesign #StainedGlass #GildedAge #HomeRenovation #ParkSlope #NeoGrecArchitecture #Brownstone #HistoricHome #BrooklynRealEstate #InteriorDesign #StainedGlass #GildedAge #HomeRenovation