Skinny in Harlem, Estate of the Day
Every article I read about New York real estate highlights how expensive it is so when I received the tip to check out this home I was curious. A New York townhouse for just a few million? Don't get too excited, it is in Harlem and it is skinny (under 16 feet wide). The home was built in 1910 and has a planted terrace and garden. The parlor floor has 12-foot ceilings and lots of original wood including mahogany-framed windows and mirrors, carved woodwork, crown moldings and a carved staircase. The kitchen looks to be the most modern room of the house with a La Canche range, double drawer dishwasher and a large bay window overlooking walled landscaped garden. The home is four floors total, the garden floor with a kitchen and a great room and a guest bedroom. The parlor floor includes a formal dining room, home office and a parlor with an adjoining movie room. The third floor is home to another bedroom, a library and a terrace and the top floor has two more bedrooms which share a bathroom. The home also has two laundry rooms and a basement with a carpeted area and storage space. The home's taxes are just $2,500. This home is listed at $3.2 million. There is an open house this Sunday for this home if you are curious. After the jump, I'm usually in favor of dark wood but I think in this house it makes things too gloomy.[Thanks, Kerry!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Berry Feb 23rd 2007 2:43PM
Wow, that was a backhanded insult if I ever heard one...it IS in Harlem????
Veronica Feb 23rd 2007 2:53PM
Really Deidre! Could you sound more snobbish and oh I don't know....racist! Harlem has more history and culture in one block then most of the Mcmansion, upper-crust enclaves that your normally showcase on here. I would try for more tact next time.
Ben Feb 23rd 2007 3:20PM
Deidre,
I think the word "skinny" is somewhat inappropriate. Most townhouses in NYC aren't that wide to begin with. That said, at least based on the photos, the house looks a lot wider than the 16 feet that you suggest.
Also, since this house is built around the turn of the century, it would have been originally built with dark mahogany as was the style and typical of the period.
If what you are saying is that this house seems very bright and cheerful, then I agree with you - it looks great! And, what a steal at $3.2M for a Manhattan townhouse in the most culturally diverse part of NYC. From the photos, the house looks more consistent with townhouses that are priced at over $10M.
james Feb 23rd 2007 3:32PM
Why is it an insult to say it IS in Harlem? Harlem is the cheapest part of Manhattan (the further up, the cheaper) and it's no different than saying, "This house is only $90,000, but it IS in Detroit." Houses that seem like bargains aren't really if they're in low-rent areas.
debby Feb 23rd 2007 3:56PM
Well, I have been to several fabulous parties in this home. First of all, it is almost 17ft wide and it truly feels like a 20 footer inside because of the 12ft ceilings and incredible mahogany framed mirrors and sunlight.Take it from me, this one is a winner!
Darell Isaac Feb 23rd 2007 5:55PM
Thanks, after the jump.. I know that you won't be visiting.... This house is now #1 on my wish list.
K Feb 23rd 2007 6:21PM
Yes, I agree, pretty snobby sounding post. That said, I didn't read any emphasis in the word "IS." I just read it as "Don't get too excited -- it's in Harlem, not Mahattan" (meaning an undesireable area).
Harlem is rich in beauty and history. The house is not gloomy. It's quite lovely and a bargain and I'd love having it. Even though it IS in Harlem.
harlem resident Feb 23rd 2007 7:01PM
first time commenter, long time viewer...
don't get excited....its in Harlem..."
@#1 poster: you are so correct, what a back handed insult..
Harlem has so much history, character and artistic influence as community, but you would never know, because it is unlikely you ever visited.
Harlem has some of the best architecture in the country and people that live there love it and welcome people from all over the world~
if you ever get chance to visit, email me and i will be glad to show you around.
Hopefully your bigotry and ignorance can be cured~good luck to you
goke Feb 24th 2007 1:35AM
i read this blog everyday...this has to be my first comment... gotta agree with comment #1....it's black history month
hat3r Feb 24th 2007 1:33PM
Hi Deidre Woollard
I decided to google you,
not impressed at all...macaroni and cheese photos on flickr?
this is what you do with a MFA in writing no less?
sorry you are the last person that should cast judgement on Harlem
have you ever been to NYC?
another Harlemite Feb 24th 2007 12:35PM
I'm with the rest of the posters... perhaps if the "writer" had ever been to Harlem, she'd know what a wonderful place it is to live and that's why everyone is flocking to gobble up property here. If she had any taste, she'd recognize the amazing beauty of this building's interior. New Yorkers don't write about LA, so why do they think they are qualified to write about NY? Stick to what you know: celebutards and suntanning.
terayon Feb 24th 2007 8:43PM
I have been to harlem many times, and while I have never had any particularly negative experiences - It never appealed to me in the least. If this poorly aged, heavilly dated dwelling were located anywhere else, they would be lucky to get 1million for it. I understand you pay a hefty premium for living downtown, but jesus christ, id feel like a complete sucker paying 3.2 for that abomination. The kitchen is the only room in the house that doesnt make me want to gag - you'd spend another million without blinking just trying to modernize the house and inbibe it with some semblence of taste. My townhouse in Toronto is a brand new, tastefully furnished 4 floor 21 footer that cost less than half of this and isnt located in the fucking ghetto. Oh well, some sucker.....errrr buyer...is going to get one hell of a "good deal" on this piece... You'd be better off buying in the suburbs and using the 2+ million you saved to buy fractional ownership of a helicopter and a maseratti for when you have to commute...
Douglas Feb 26th 2007 2:59AM
Actually, poster #7, Harlem is in fact part of Manhattan... in my opinion, only those who attempt to segregate and devalue it would make such a distinction.