439 Washington Ave

Don't miss this rare opportunity to live in a historic Clinton Hill townhouse filled with charm and period detail, generous living and entertaining spaces, and timeless character.

Currently used as a single-family home, the house boasts a center staircase, haloed by a gorgeous circular stained-glass skylight, and offers three-bedrooms, a library/den (easily converted to a fourth bedroom) and two and a half baths. Three stories high, it also includes an English basement that can be legally converted into a separate apartment for rental income.

Walk through the pretty front garden with its delightful gas streetlamp, up three steps and enter the lovely foyer. The formal living room, which has custom built-in bookshelves surrounding a decorative fireplace, gets bright light through the west-facing bay windows, beautifully framed by a decorative arch. The large, wainscoted, dining room has another decorative fireplace and features custom cabinetry for storage and display and an inviting window seat, perfect for reading or just gazing at the private back garden. An adorable powder room is discreetly tucked off the dining room, under the stairs.

From the dining room, step into the modern kitchen which provides access to the enchanting garden. Stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and ample solid-wood cabinetry provide generous work and storage space. Fenced in and beautifully landscaped, the garden has attractive pavers and a brick patio. With a large tree for shade and flowering plants, and bushes, it's easy to imagine dining al fresco on summer evenings in this lovely and private space.

One flight up, the gorgeous front parlor is currently used as a library/den but could easily be used as a bedroom instead. Massive floor-to-ceiling, west-facing windows, another decorative fireplace framed by built-in bookshelves and cabinetry, and stunning period detail including dentil molding, and original wainscoting, gives this room the elegant feel of the historic home it is. Across the hall, the exceptionally large primary bedroom features a lovely bay window overlooking the garden below, a decorative fireplace, and a renovated, windowed, en-suite bath with a deep soaking tub, classic finishes, and Waterworks fixtures. On the third floor you'll find two more generously sized bedrooms and a renovated full bathroom.

The English basement, which also leads to the garden, houses the laundry room and a fantastic "bonus room" awaiting the next owner's needs. Throughout the home you'll find stunning hardwood floors, great closet space, and custom window treatments.

Built in 1865 by architect Alfred M. Tredwell, the brick and stone Italianate townhouse was once occupied by Captain Alexander V. Fraser, who was awarded a medal by Congress for bravery in the Civil War. For many years Captain Fraser worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. No. 439 benefits from its location in Clinton Hill's landmarked district on Washington Avenue, between Greene and Gates, which is substantially wider than other streets in Clinton Hill. Like its neighbors, No. 439 is set well back from the sidewalk behind a deep front yard, lending the street a graceful, relaxed charm.

Very convenient to the G and C trains, 439 Washington Avenue is close to the best of Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, including parks, shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions such as Pratt and BAM.