450 Henry Street

450 Henry Street is a modern homage to the brownstone tradition—a tribute to the elegance of the past with a meticulously updated design and infrastructure. This beautiful brownstone, situated on a timeless, tree-lined Cobble Hill street is stately but welcoming, refined but vibrant.

The 21’ wide, four story home has just been given a thoughtful, painstaking gut renovation and restoration. Every corner was updated and upgraded with the finest finishes, most current technology and clever touches designed for modern Brooklyn living. And yet, wherever possible, original details from the turn of the last century were preserved and integrated. The result is a contemporary classic, an eminently livable stunner that astounds at every turn.

Entering at the parlor level, step through the graciously proportioned, tiled foyer and into an entry hall that sweeps upward, with dark wood stairs that were hand-built by the home’s original owner and his father. From the entry hall, you'll catch glimpses of each room on this breathtaking parlor floor.

A warm, inviting front dining room calls for entertaining family and friends and conversation by the marble fireplace. Swing open the salvaged and refurbished wood shutters on the sky-high windows, and look out over the community that hums on Henry Street and gives this block a neighborly—almost small-town—feel.

The design of the parlor floor takes its cue from the archways common to homes of this era. Like a threshold from the old to the new, a soaring arch draws you from the dining room to the central kitchen, where a waterfall Calacatta marble island is the center of gravity around which a busy family will swirl. Bertazzoni, Bosch and GE appliances, as well as endless walls of custom cabinetry, will keep a chef happy and organized.

From the kitchen, another arch beckons you through to the wide, bright and comfortable living room—where the combination of proportion and scale provide both intimacy and drama. The massive, floor-to-ceiling steel-and-glass doors let light flood through and lead to the sprawling deck with its custom-cast balustrade. Just below lies the peaceful backyard, with its artful plantings, stucco walls, and limestone surfaces, plus a built-in bench running the length of the rear yard.

The second floor offers a serene master bedroom at the back of the house. A generous master bath with double sinks and huge shower and a spacious dressing room with massive custom closets will make the morning routine a breeze. Also on this floor are a guest room with en suite bath, and a huge laundry room with a stackable Whirlpool washer and dryer and work sink. This room does double-duty for linens and plenty of storage.

Head up one flight and the fun begins in the large yet cozy central playroom—the perfect family hub for movie nights and reading marathons on the couch. Textured wallpapers and pressed tin ceilings suggest the history of the home but bring the room to life in the most current way. Look straight up to spot a crowning touch: An awe-inspiring glass cupola, designed after the home’s original skylight. Two comfortable bedrooms—one on either end of the playroom—as well as a shared bathroom with two sinks in the back, a full-size office at the front, and built-in bookshelves throughout make this floor its own paradise.

At the garden level, a crisp and clean-lined two-bedroom, one-bath rental unit is ready for a tenant who will significantly subsidize your living costs—or for visiting friends and family. No detail has been spared here either: an open kitchen with Fisher and Paykel appliances and marble countertops, plentiful closet space, separate living and dining space, and storage and basement laundry, will make anyone feel right at home.

A short trip downstairs find the finished cellar, which offers room after room of storage—plenty to go around for both owner and tenant—plus a second washer and dryer for the tenant’s use.

Multi-zone AC, a high-end alarm system, Lutron lighting control, and all the technology and comforts of a modern home are built right in, on every floor.

Every element of this classic space has been thought through and made both useful and beautiful. 450 Henry Street is a home that never lets you forget the past while always guiding you forward. In the heart of utterly charming Cobble Hill, with world renowned shopping and dining everywhere you turn, easy access to Brooklyn Bridge, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Parks, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and so much that Brooklyn offers.