139 16th Street

Built in 1878 by Oscar H. Stearns, 139 16th Street is a beautifully renovated 20-foot wide 2-family brick townhouse on a great community-oriented Park Slope block. The owners did a meticulous job of melding the best of its old-world Italianate detail with contemporary finishes, fixtures, and systems to create a home that feels warm, friendly, and easy to live in. Every decision they made feels true to the historic texture and spirit of the house. Youll feel drawn to explore and linger here.This legal two-family home is configured as a duplex over a garden apartment plus a full cellar. The stair between the garden apartment and duplex is intact, so using this historic home as a single-family is as easy as opening a door. The renovation here was extensive and included work on the facade, new electrical, plumbing, windows (Pella Architect Series), split-unit A/C in the duplex, and many other enhancements too numerous to elaborate here.Coming home to 139 16th Street, youll walk up a tall stoop adorned with its original ironwork, and through tall curved wooden doors. The entry foyer retains its original tilework. With ceilings that soar over ten feet high, and south-facing double height windows that bring natural light deep into the house all day long, the parlor floor feels wonderfully light, open, and airy. A wood burning fireplace with an antique marble mantelpiece anchors the front parlor. The walls and ceilings were re-plastered by skilled craftsmen, and the original parquet floors are in superb condition.Large pocket doors open to reveal a spacious windowed kitchen that feels gracefully utilitarian with a rustic edge. Featured in the national magazine Cooking Light, this photogenic kitchen has served many times as a location for film and magazine shoots. Custom inset shaker-style cabinets crafted from solid wood are topped with pietra del cardosa granite countertops. Reclaimed Maine barn wood was used for the custom range hood and open shelves, which are backed with handmade glazed brick tiles. Top of the line appliances include a DCS Professional 6-burner dual-fuel range, a Fisher Paykel double-drawer dishwasher, and a Samsung refrigerator. A large 10-inch deep undermount sink in white fireclay porcelain sits under two-large windows. Across from the stove, a set of upper cabinets were repurposed to form a slim sideboard. Painted in navy and topped in copper, this piece blends in nicely without looking like a built-in. Off the kitchen youll find a wonderful small room with a large window, desk, and reclaimed shelving that serves as an office, pantry, and place to ponder. A glass door opens onto a steel deck perched over a sunny and verdant garden, a tranquil oasis from the bustle of Brooklyn. Steps lead down to a three-sided garden with many established perennials and deep beds ready for your green thumb!Going back inside and up to the top floor, youll find the original staircase beautifully restored and topped with a skylight that brings light through the center of the house. On the top floor there are restored heart pine floors, three bedrooms and a large windowed bathroom. The master bedroom features an antique mantel, custom built-in bookcases and a large walk-in closet with an Elfa storage system. The bathroom is outfitted with an antique clawfoot tub, an antique double wide school sink with custom solid-brass hardware, and a custom glass shower stall topped with another skylight.Downstairs the garden apartment is also beautifully crafted with original details such as the original marble mantel and heart pine floors, and new fixtures and finishes. The bathroom and kitchen are new with marble hex tile, a custom solid wood vanity, Caesarstone counters, and stainless steel appliances. This floor also includes a laundry room with a Speed Queen washer/dryer, and theres an additional washer/dryer in the basement.139 16th Street sits at the crossroads of Park Slope and Gowanus, and is close to the best restaurants, boutiques and amenities of both neighborhoods. Sidecar, Prospect Bar & Grill, Buttermilk Bar, The Armory, and Prospect Park are all nearby. The R train is just a block away at Prospect Avenue and the F&G trains are at 10th Street for a quick commute to Manhattan and the rest of Brooklyn. Come see this beautifully renovated historic home and make it the backdrop for your life in Brooklyn!