551 2nd Street

A glorious FOUR-story townhouse in the heart of Park Slope! THIS is house with provenance! 551 Second Street was built in 1888 by owner Henry Thomas to designs by architect H.S. Ihnen, and its second owner was the daughter of a congressman who later became mayor of the City of Brooklyn from 1892-93! Reported to be the oldest house on the block, it is within the original 1973 Historic District. Still standing tall at four full stories (plus cellar), this 20-foot-wide one-family brick townhouse has retained much of its original detail, starting with a charming garden entrance with terrace overhead. In its current configuration, the house offers many wonderful possibilities. Inside the entryway, an extra-large foyer is revealed with a full wall of closets and plenty of space to squirrel away winter gear and stash mail, stow backpacks and even tackle bills and homework. A large eat-in kitchen has copious amounts of cabinetry and shelving and will give relief to the home chef who has been frustrated by cramped quarters. A powder room with stall shower on this floor will always be a welcome addition. The rear rec room, flooded with light from the garden, has a spectacular brick oven/fireplace. The backyard has been cleverly designed for either easy maintenance or serious agronomy! A gravel path winds through a thoughtfully planted garden with a small pond and tiered levels -- a mix of hardscape and flora. Back inside, a graceful center stair leads to a formal dining room with intact Arts & Crafts-style built ins, a leaded-glass window, and wainscoting. But wait! No more running up and down for dinner parties: Hoist your meals up from the kitchen in the fully functional dumbwaiter! Then, settle into the double parlor for after-dinner repose. One door in each room leads to either the front terrace (over the entryway) or a rear stair to the garden. The upper two floors offer FIVE bedrooms -- four of which are large and square -- and THREE full baths, two en suite. One of the bedrooms overlooks a two-story extension, the perfect place to explore yet an another terrace. The basement is clean and open with well-maintained mechanicals. Once updated and renewed, this glorious home will bring joy to its new owner as it has to those past. And that lucky owner will inherit a distinguished legacy of stewardship.