526 Monroe Street

Romantic. Fanciful. Inspired. It’s not often we use these words to describe one of our properties but 526 Monroe Street is all that and more. This four-story French Neo-Grec brownstone — built in 1887 by the esteemed Daniel B. Norris — is bedecked in architectural details and dressed for the ball in velvety blues, bold prints and rich materials. Color and texture, and the flow from one room to another was planned to enhance the original architecture while layering on modern refinement and top-end finishes — and with all new electrical and plumbing systems, including HVAC throughout, this restoration goes well below the surface. This luxurious single-family home remains true to the original floor plan. The double-parlor floor is laid out as it was in 1887 — but is now bathed in Farrow & Ball paint summoning us back to 2020. Two Minton-style mantles create focal points for each room and the inspiration for the color palette while high ceilings, intact fretwork and molding on three sets of pocket doors, original plasterwork, and parquetry floors provide an exceptional backdrop. A hallway door to the rear parlor side room is inset with hand-painted kiln-fired glass, a beautiful original feature rarely seen today. The garden level incorporates the kitchen and dining rooms just as it did in 1887 with the addition of a full bath. Decidedly the heart of 526 Monroe Street, this floor has been strikingly transformed for modern living. The dividing wall between the two rooms has been opened up connecting the entire floor with site lines clear out through the rear garden — yet each room still retains its sense of purpose. A chef and entertainers dream, the enormous kitchen features a large island covered in thick Calacatta Gold marble. The ample cabinetry is custom lacquered maple with an integrated Bosch dishwasher and Sub-Zero beverage center; the integrated refrigerator is Sub-Zero and the range is 36” Bertazzoni. Exposed beams and brick add warmth and texture to the design while custom steel and glass French doors leading to the rear garden bring the outside in. The rear garden is truly an extension of the interior experience — fully landscaped with a custom bluestone patio, custom planters and a remarkable four-story magnolia casting a pink glow to both the yard and the home’s interior in springtime. I’ll have a martini please! The entire home is glorified with a rear southern exposure and a cooler northern light from the front, but the upper two floors are especially bright. Once you’re able to extract yourself from the lower floors, explore the four large bedrooms plus two smaller rooms and two full baths. The original architectural details continue with fireplace mantles in each of the bedrooms, fretwork, ceiling molding, parquetry floors and a second door inset with original hand-painted kiln-fired glass. Both full baths are uniquely modern and have been invitingly renovated with subway tile, Kohler fixtures and hardware, a custom steel and glass shower enclosure in the en suite primary bath, and exposed beams and a skylight in the top floor bath. Original and new custom built-ins on each floor provide storage. 526 Monroe Street is a timeless sanctuary with urban access. Ideally located in the heart of Bedford Stuyvesant, a pleasant walk to the A/C lines or the J train. Nearby you’ll enjoy Bed-Stuy favorites such as Saraghina, Peaches, Bravi Ragazzi, Zaca Café, Bar LunAtico, the Michelin-reviewed L’Antagoniste, Mama Fox, Halsey Traders Market and many other establishments in burgeoning Bedford Stuyvesant.