1305 Albemarle Road

This majestic turn-of-the-century mansion was built for the New York Industrialist George Gale in 1905 by H.B. Moore, a disciple of famed architect Stanford White, inspired by White’s seminal design of the Atlantic Yacht Club in Seagate. The Gale Mansion is featured in the American Institute of Architects Guide to New York City, a rare distinction for a single-family house. It has appeared in numerous feature films and television shows, and is one of the most iconic homes in Brooklyn. Situated on a third of an acre, a lush and private sprawling corner parcel on Albemarle Road, which was described by The New York Times’ Christopher Gray as “one of the grandest residential streets in the whole city”, stands the Gale Mansion, the Crown Jewel of the Prospect Park South Historic District, an exuberant masterpiece with a towering two-story portico crowned by eyebrow dormers and supported by soaring, 25' foot fluted columns. This home presides over an impressive array of architecturally significant houses that line Albemarle Road, no ordinary city street, but a park-like boulevard with a landscaped greenspace. The serene setting is not sullied by on-street parking which is not allowed (do not fret, you have a 2-car garage). During the “open street” pedestrian program on weekends, Albemarle Road transforms into your very own park, just steps from your front door. Prospect Park and the Parade Grounds are only two blocks away for longer walks, runs, or bike rides. Clay court tennis, paddle boats, soccer fields, and horseback riding round out this unique country-in-the-city setting. The Gale Mansion, comprised of 22 rooms, 9 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, is an 11,400 square foot turnkey home, entirely restored and renovated to a meticulous degree by its architect-owner, including state of the art mechanical systems and materials that provide the efficiency, comfort and luxury of a brand new home. The awe inspiring, covered porch, a spectacle of colossal scale and grandeur welcomes you into the breathtaking foyer that is a showcase of beautifully restored original detail including the sweeping, grand staircase and the working fireplace with its original neoclassical mantel- this foyer is no mere hallway, but a grand room you will enjoy spending time in by the wood fire, or receiving party guests. The sun-drenched living room boasts a Calacatta marble mosaic fireplace with a 19th century carved wood mantel and very rare round over-mirror. The room is accented by a modern Jonathan Adler chandelier. Enter the adjacent handsome library through the mahogany pocket double doors, and luxuriate in the richly stained oak and leather wainscoting, built-in bookshelves and custom oak cabinetry. The parlor, with rounded corners, highlights period sconces that frame stately windows and ornamental trim that complements Victorian inspired wallpaper. Host elegant soirées in the mahogany-paneled dining room with a splendid leaded glass breakfront, working gas fireplace, and magnificent wall of windows that reveals a tranquil view to the garden and patio. The heart of the home awaits in the 700-square-foot chef’s kitchen equipped with top-of-the-line appliances—including a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Viking pro-range and double oven, and 3 Fisher Paykel dish washers—a Parisian mirror-glass backsplash, a carved marble farm sink, a super-hard, natural Calacatta quartzite center island adorned by antique bronze chandeliers, gleaming stainless steel countertops, bespoke cabinetry, an oak library rolling ladder by Putnam & Co, as well as the finishing touch- a wood-burning fireplace and antique limestone mantel sourced from a castle in Scotland. An airy breakfast nook seating 6, provides a cozy spot for casual dining, and through the French doors is an expansive bluestone terrace overlooking a lushly landscaped south-facing lawn, the quintessential setting for alfresco dining and intimate garden parties. On the second level, the palatial sun-kissed primary suite offers a luxuriously serene retreat embellished with a hand-carved decorative fireplace, and an antique bronze light fixture custom designed in Sweden for the flagship Lord & Taylor department store, as well as ornate oversized bow windows with curved glass. Two large closets and a glamorous, windowed dressing room with wall-to-wall custom storage lead to the beautifully appointed bathroom with a freestanding clawfoot tub, double-sink vanity, oversized glass-enclosed shower with soothing rain shower head, a separate water closet, mosaic marble tile floor, custom oak cabinetry and mirrored subway tile backsplash. All of it furnished with radiant floor heat and zoned air conditioning for ultimate comfort. In addition to the primary suite on this floor are four generously proportioned bedrooms and two baths, one of which features an adjoining office and en suite bathroom, offering versatility and abundant space for family, friends and remote office work. A paragon of Gilded Age splendor, the third floor showcases a 1,200-square-foot formal ballroom with a 17-foot vaulted ceiling that you will enjoy using for both entertaining as well as an everyday family great room- complete with a home theatre, billiards area, full-size antique bar and game room. A 19th-century spiral staircase and accompanying catwalk provide an elevated perspective leading to a 300-square-foot skylit reading loft or office. The third floor is completed by three additional bedrooms and two full baths. The sprawling layout continues down to the finished English basement that has a private entrance with 5 windows and its own entrance to the outside. It features a Swedish-inspired kitchen and living area with exposed beams and a wood-burning fireplace, home gym, Finlandia cedar sauna, and an entertainment room that can also accommodate visitors and staff. Preserved architectural detail and meticulous restoration blend seamlessly throughout with modern comforts, including a 13-zone A/C and 24 zone heating system with smart wifi controlled thermostats, as well as 2 new high efficiency boilers, 2 water heaters, new roof and storm drainage system with custom gutters and leaders and drywells, upgraded electric and plumbing, new insulation, a backflow check-valve at the basement level, and a monitored alarm system. A full list of Improvements can be provided upon request. The landmarked Prospect Park South neighborhood was developed between 1898 and 1920, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It consists of 206 freestanding homes, many of which were designed by noteworthy architects. Among them, William Van Alen, architect of the Chrysler building, and Arthur Loomis Harmon, the design partner of the Empire State Building. The development attracted prominent people in business, finance and society, like the Gale family, who were lured by the peace and quiet of the 'suburbs'. Today, people in the arts, entertainment and politics have rediscovered this utterly unique enclave and, just like the original owners, they enjoy the private, comfortable lifestyle afforded by these 'estates-in-the-city', while also having the option to enjoy the beloved social events organized by the Neighborhood Association such as the Halloween parade, a progressive dinner, holiday party, summer porch cocktail party, and several porch concerts organized by Operation Gig. Just two blocks from Prospect Park’s endless charms and the shopping and dining options lining Cortelyou Road, this extraordinary estate is a resplendent urban oasis offering you the chance to live in a coveted piece of New York history, updated with the modern conveniences and functions, allowing you can to just move right in and start living.