With its rich historical background and sharp, nearly 90-degree turn — an unusual bend that aligns with similar curves in other nearby streets that follow an old property line established in 1633 — West Village’s Commerce Street is a unique piece of New York City history.
And the many historically significant buildings that surround it are proof of that.
The nearby Isaacs-Hendricks House at 77 Bedford Street is one of the few remaining 18th-century buildings in Manhattan, dating back to 1799. Neighboring it at 75-1/2 Bedford Street is a narrow 9-1/2 feet wide house built in 1873, once home to poet Edna St. Vincent Millay.
On Commerce Street proper, we find the Cherry Lane Theatre, the oldest continuously running off-Broadway theater in New York City.
And the buildings at numbers 41 and 39, built in 1831, are known for their mansard roofs added in 1873, but also for the folk tales that surround them. The twin houses are said to have been built by a sea captain who had two feuding daughters, so he built them identical, separate homes with a shared garden.
At 48 Commerce Street, we find another West Village gem — one that’s currently on the market and looking for an architecturally inclined or history-loving owner.
Originally built in 1844, the 5-story townhouse was built on land once owned by Queen Anne, the younger daughter of James II, who reigned over Great Britain and Ireland at the dawn of the 18th century.
According to our sources, Queen Anne later sold it to Trinity Church, after which architect Alexander T. Stewart — an Irish immigrant who created one of the first department stores in America, The Marble Dry-Good Palace — bought it and built the 5-story structure at 48 Commerce Street.
The West Village townhouse, now listed for $10,000,000, sits on an expansive lot with almost 5,000 square feet of living space and a width of 20 feet — and can accommodate at least 6 bedrooms, each with its own office and walk-in closet.
With 8 full baths, future residents and guests will get to enjoy comfort and privacy in one of the city’s most desirable locations. Features include 9 wood-burning fireplaces, a rear patio, a front garden, and rooftop space that allows for a deck with skyline views.
Norman L. Steele, the current owner of the property — who’s also a former real estate mogul that once worked for IBM — restored the building in 1994.
He’s now ready to part ways with his West Village townhouse, offering one lucky buyer the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind dream home in a beloved Manhattan location or to split it into several units and maximize their investment.
48 Commerce Street is listed for $10 million with Michael Biryla of The Agency New York.
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A stylish duplex loft with 14-foot ceilings and oversized windows in West Chelsea has recently landed on the market. And it has some star power to add to its appeal.
The New York City apartment — set in the former industrial-turned-luxury-condo Loft 25 building at 420 West 25th Street — was once owned by veteran actor Matthew Modine, and served as his home for close to five years.
Renowned for his versatile career, which spans iconic films and TV shows such as Full Metal Jacket, Birdy, and a captivating portrayal of Dr. Martin Brenner in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Stranger Things, Modine also made an appearance in this summer’s blockbuster Christopher Nolan-directed movie, Oppenheimer.
In 2008, Modine acquired his stylish urban retreat, a 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom apartment with an exquisite private terrace. Set within the meticulously converted building that echoes the artistic spirit of Chelsea, the abode served as a tranquil haven for the actor during his time in the city.
Related: 10 Real-life Stranger Things houses & how much they’re worth
He then brought it to market in late 2012 and capitalized on his star power to attract buyers. How, you might ask?
Well, the movie and TV star narrated (and made a brief appearance) in the property’s video listing, going over some of the most notable features of his NYC abode. And it did the trick, as Modine sold the place in early 2013 for $2,175,000.
Now, 10 years after its former celebrity owner parted ways with the West Chelsea condo, the 1,668-square-foot unit is back on the market. The property is listed for $2.5 million with Jed Lewin, Esq. and Monica Park, both with The Agency.
Set in a converted industrial loft building in the heart of Chelsea’s vibrant Gallery District, the stylish unit has 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths and 1 half bath, and an open-concept living area accented by a ventless Carrara marble fireplace.
Fully renovated — with no expenses spared — the duplex loft features an impressive gourmet kitchen fitted with top-of-the-line appliances (Miele, Sub-Zero, Wolf), flowing Calacatta marble countertops, and ample storage.
Both bedrooms are generously sized, offering peaceful retreats with en-suite bathrooms adorned with exquisite Waterworks fixtures, according to the listing.
Tall, 14-foot ceilings and oversized windows that flood the space with natural southern light add to the loft’s appeal, as does the charming outdoor space, where we find a secluded retreat equipped with a full-sized grill.
Future owners and residents also get to enjoy all the perks that come with living in the Loft 25 building, and to immerse themselves in the West Chelsea art scene, with galleries and cultural venues just steps away.
A full-service luxury doorman condo, the building has a full-time staff, a live-in super, and a whole range of upscale amenities, including a gym, screening room, zen garden, and a 5,000-square-foot roof deck complete with gas grills, an outdoor shower, and panoramic views.
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NYC Real Estate Tech Week is taking place in November, from the 11th through the 15th. All the details are here.
The MIPIM PropTech Summit, a collaboration between MIPIM and MetaProp NYC, is a big part of the programming during the week to unite key real estate decision makers from all sectors and technology companies to take their business to the next level and build the future of real estate.
Logistics:
Dates: November 12th and 13th
Venue: Metropolitan Pavilion & Altman Building (125 & 135 W 18th Street)
2019’s Theme: Matching user expectations
As part of the 2019 theme, ‘Matching User Expectations’, they are looking through two prisms: that of the user of the city (the citizen) and that of the user of the building (the occupier). Responding to individual user expectations is challenging. The first step is to understand the priorities of citizens and occupiers. Then, to identify the changes needed to improve services and to make them innovative, reactive, accessible and transparent.
Key questions are:
How do we align the short-term demands of users, and the fast-changing nature of technology, with the long-term strategies of the private and public sectors?
What does it mean to be user focused, to be customer centric?
How can proptech help the public and private sectors have a better understanding of the needs of users?
How can we build a strong user-centric differentiator strategy, to develop unique products for different users?
Here’s the entire agenda and the PDF program can be had here.
MetaProp is hiring a Senior Associate for Startup Services.
Responsibilities:
As Startup Services lead you will manage/coordinate the firm’s startup support strategy and operational execution across MetaProp’s global portfolio. These activities require regular interaction with all MetaProp partners, employees and numerous external stakeholders.
Portfolio support strategy, development, and reporting
Own the Startup Services strategy map
Take a lead role in database management, tracking, case study development and internal/external reporting on outcomes
Regularly ideating and testing new initiatives for portfolio support
Sourcing and building a robust database of corporate/potential customer relationships
Startup onboarding and ongoing support
1:1 onboarding with each new portfolio company upon close of an investment
Coordinating and project managing to completion all inbound requests for startup support
Proactively suggesting value add, bespoke connections and opportunities to existing and prospective portfolio companies
Managing the MetaProp expert and talent networks
Startup programming/events
Managing and improving the MetaProp Accelerator at Columbia University program
Managing and improving the MetaProp Entrepreneur Resource Group (“ERG”) programs
Facilitating startup success at NYC Real Estate Tech Week and at PropTech Place
Representing MetaProp at industry events
Sourcing new startups, investors, advisors and partners into the firm’s network
Generally keeping a pulse on the PropTech community
General
Furthering MetaProp’s position as a thought leader in the PropTech market by contributing to thesis development and authoring and publishing market research and opinions.
Upholding the firm’s core values of diversity, integrity, affordability/sustainability and entrepreneurship
Assist with other business activities as directed by the Managing Partner
Interested?
Learn More
[Editor’s note: Job postings are available to any member of the Geek Estate Mastermind.]
There were several reports floating around today that Zillow is in talks to buy its smaller rival Trulia for a whole lot of money, despite spokespeople for both companies declining to comment. But these rumors generally turn out to be true.
Yesterday, Trulia was valued at about $1.5 billion. Today, after the rumors surfaced, the stock climbed from around $40 to nearly $54 a pop, valuing it closer to $2 billion.
This would be a pretty quick exit strategy for the company, which only went public back in late 2012.
At the time, its shares traded in the high teens before climbing as high as about $50 a year later thanks to a broader stock market rally (and I suppose renewed interest in housing).
Zillow also got a boost on the news, with its shares rising more than 15%, or $19.29, to $145.76. Shares actually climbed as high as $157.61 on the merger rumors, but settled back down after an initial pop.
The company is now valued at about $5.8 billion, which in the world of tech stocks is nothing…
Possibly a $2 Billion Price Tag
Bloomberg reported that Trulia could fetch as much as $2 billion from Zillow, which wouldn’t give the stock much upside after it rocketed 32% higher today.
But based on the astronomical prices being paid to acquire companies today, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s sold for even more.
It would create quite the real estate juggernaut, seeing that Zillow is already partnered with Yahoo! Homes. And Trulia purchased ActiveRain last year, which brings with it over three million blog posts about real estate, mortgage, and so on.
Additionally, Zillow acquired real estate software company Retsly earlier this month and NYC real estate portal StreetEasy last year.
Together, the two companies would hold a huge chunk of online real estate traffic, with the only real rivals Redfin and Move remaining.
Last month, Trulia CFO Sean Aggarwal called the online real estate realm a “very large category,” and noted that real estate pros spend a collective $28 billion annually on marketing.
And Zillow and Trulia are only doing about $500 to $600 million in annual revenue, so there’s plenty of room to grow.
Trulia’s 2014 revenue is expected to climb to $253 million this year, up 76% from a year earlier. It doubled the year before that. Its June traffic totaled about 31.6 million unique visitors, per ComScore.
Meanwhile, Zillow is expected to bring in $311 million, a 58% increase from last year. It apparently had 53.8 million unique visitors in June, thanks in part to its popular Zestimate.
Together, the pair accounted for roughly 89% of all traffic to real estate websites, which kind of screams monopoly.
But with other competitors still out there, the merger shouldn’t face any hurdles in that respect.
Why Is Zillow Buying Trulia?
My guess is simply to take out the competition now while it’s still relatively cheap. Trulia and Zillow are very similar websites, though Zillow has a much larger mortgage footprint.
But their real estate listing pages are pretty much indistinguishable, especially given the fact that Trulia has its own “Trulia Estimates,” which are just like Zestimates.
And they actually appear to be even more accurate than Zestimates, which isn’t good for a company that is known for them.
Additionally, both companies would be able to streamline operations and save lots of money by reducing redundancies and improving efficiency, all while creating a force to be reckoned with.
The timing is also ripe for a merger because investors are going bonkers for both stocks at the moment and housing is en vogue again, so the market supports a high-priced, dare I say frothy, merger.
The only question now is what the name will be? A Bloomberg editor jokingly asked if it should be named Zulia or Trillow?
Update: The rumors were true. This morning Zillow issued a press release revealing its $3.5 billion acquisition of Trulia. The company will fund the purchase with stock, and is expected to close the transaction in 2015.
Trulia shareholders will receive 0.444 shares of Zillow stock for each share of Trulia.
Both brand names will be maintained, and both CEOs will remain at their respective companies. As for why they’re buying Trulia to begin with, they mentioned faster innovation, greater access to free real estate market data, broader distribution, better value for advertisers, and finally, corporate cost savings.
Update II: The FTC has approved the proposed merger between Zillow and Trulia, and Zillow now expects to close the deal as early as February 17th, 2015. However, because both stocks have decreased significantly since the announcement last year, the actual value of the acquisition could be considerably lower.
Stan Ponte started his real estate career as a leasing agent but was never one to shy away from new opportunities. When the opportunity to sell luxury real estate presented itself, he jumped on it. Now, 22 years later, Stan is one of New York City’s most successful luxury specialists, consistently ranking among Manhattan’s top agents by sales volume. He even has an active $79,000,000 five-story penthouse listing! On today’s podcast, Stan shares how he made a name for himself in luxury real estate and what it takes for a new agent to break into the luxury market. Don’t miss it!
Listen to today’s show and learn:
Stan’s start in real estate [1:47]
How to get into luxury real estate [3:13]
The story of how Stan almost helped Ed Burns buy an NYC loft [3:44]
The power of gifting [5:43]
How Stan got started as a luxury real estate agent [6:52]
Financial advice for new agents [9:45]
The trick to making great money in real estate [12:06]
Stan’s sales stats [15:14]
What’s unique about New York City’s real estate market [16:45]
Selling apartments in the aftermath of 9/11 [17:50]
When to take listings and when to work with buyers [19:23]
What qualifies as a luxury listing in New York City [20:21]
Advice on running a real estate business [21:18]
A tactical way to leverage your SOI for more business [24:36]
Stan’s opinion on outbound marketing [36:15]
The key to getting more referrals from other brokers [37:48]
Stan’s approach to contact communication [40:09]
One of the craziest luxury listings we’ve ever seen [43:38]
How to reach out to Stan Ponte [47:46]
What the NYC real estate market is like right now [48:55]
Stan Ponte
Stan Ponte is a Senior Global Real Estate Advisor and Associate Broker with Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage. He was named the #2 agent in Manhattan by sales volume for his work in 2020 according to “The Thousand” list, an annual national ranking by The Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends.
As a realtor in New York City for the past 21 years, Stan’s client list ranges from first time home buyers to CEOs, philanthropists, hedge fund managers, tech world innovators and entertainers. Stan’s success as a top performer in New York City’s white glove firms includes two years of management experience at a global real estate firm, where he honed his business development and agent services skills.
In addition to Stan’s resale activities, he is proud to have been chosen as co-director of sales to represent the Woolworth Tower Residences. “The opportunity to sell extraordinary homes in the most recognizable and beloved building in the world is one of the proudest moments of my career,” Stan says. To explore the Woolworth Tower Residences please visit thewoolworthtower.com.
Often called on as a keynote speaker or panelist, Stan is able to discuss his deep understanding of the global reach of Sotheby’s International Realty, bringing him to New Delhi, Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Boston, Stamford, Aspen, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Barcelona, Madrid and Washington D.C.
Stan is able to focus his time and energy on selling while his team manages the office and focuses on marketing; ensuring his clients receive the level of service and attention they deserve.
“Our tailored approach to marketing is something I look forward to sharing at my very first meeting with a seller,” Stan says. “We do our homework first. From the comparable market analysis to a carefully laid out print and e-marketing campaign, we target the buyers and brokers who are most likely to bring the highest price the market will bear.”
Stan is a proud member and co-founder of a referral group of agents in markets outside of New York City and encourages his clients to visit ourtrustednetwork.com if they are interested in being introduced to his trusted Sotheby’s International Realty colleagues who value professionalism, integrity and deep local market knowledge. “We treat our referrals for what they truly are, an extension of trust and an invitation to be added as a member of the client’s team of real estate advisors.”
A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Stan previously served on the Board of Directors of the Pre-War Condominium that he calls home and is a current board member and former President of The Drama League. He was one of the founding members of the successful Broker’s Build with Habitat for Humanity NYC and was recognized with their New Partnerships Award. Stan is a strong supporter of the Anti-Violence Project which awarded him in 2017 with their highest recognition, The Courage Award. In addition, Stan and his husband were honored to receive the 2020 Bailey House Rand Harlan Skolnick Social Responsibility Award. Stan also supports the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University where he serves on the NYC Leadership Circle and served as a founding board member at the Bedford Playhouse. He may be the proudest, however, to serve as President of Legacy Ranch, a horse rescue rehabilitation and adoption facility founded by his mother.
“My commitment to my friends, family, and non-profit organizations, especially through the theater, is paramount to my sense of being a responsible and grateful citizen and a proud contributing member of the community.”
Related Links and Resources:
Thank You Rockstars! It might go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: We really value listeners like you. We’re constantly working to improve the show, so why not leave us a review? If you love the content and can’t stand the thought of missing the nuggets our Rockstar guests share every week, please subscribe; it’ll get you instant access to our latest episodes and is the best way to support your favorite real estate podcast. Have questions? Suggestions? Want to say hi? Shoot me a message via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Email. -Aaron Amuchastegui
A historic Manhattan townhouse that was among the very first to showcase the works of some of the most notable artists of the 20th century (including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Cy Twombly) is now up for grabs in New York City.
Recently listed for $25 million, the massive property at 4 East 77th Street — whose first two floors currently host the Michael Werner gallery — was also home to prolific inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Maurice Kanbar, who famously invented Skyy Vodka while living here.
Now, the century-old residence is ready to add a new chapter to its storied history.
Compass agents Stacey Kanbar, Julie Kopel, and Leonard Steinberg have been enlisted to find the right buyer for this unique property, which is currently configured for mixed use (with commercial zoning on the first two floors) and has the potential to become one of the most significant single-family residences in all of New York City.
With a highly desirable address (it’s the first house off of Fifth Avenue), plenty of space (11,695 square feet, including the full-height cellar), and countless architectural details, the historic townhouse offers endless possibilities for reconfiguration.
The first two floors, currently housing the Michael Werner gallery, feature exquisite bowed windows that capture light from both the east and west sides, while the upper levels host four vacant residential units on floors 3 through 5.
The third floor hosts a luxurious full-floor apartment with north-facing Juliette balconies and a charming terrace on the east side. Two one-bedroom apartments adorn the fourth floor, while the fifth floor boasts a single floor-through apartment with a stunning 15′ x 19′ south-facing setback terrace, offering magnificent downtown views.
Future owners can choose to either keep the lower-level tenants and earn passive income, or turn the entire townhome into a massive single-family home again, as it was when originally built over a century ago. Renderings that accompany the listing show the many possibilities to transform this grand residence.
The storied history of 4 East 77th Street
4 East 77th Street was built near the end of America’s “Gilded Age,” an era of explosive economic growth and migration. It started at the end of Southern Reconstruction (1877) and lasted two decades. New York experienced an almost exponential population boom during this time, with numerous construction projects popping up all over the city.
SEE ALSO: Here’s the Estate that Served as Inspiration for “The Great Gatsby’s” Opulent House
In 1895, acclaimed developers Robert McCafferty and Richard W. Buckley added another project to the boom with this magnificent, five-story residence.
The 11,695-square-foot property still boasts its original marble façade and includes a full-height cellar.
Just west of the building, where East 77th opens onto Fifth Avenue, lies Manhattan’s Gold Coast district. This seven-block stretch of Fifth Avenue lies between 14th Street and Washington Square Park and is made up of several opulent historical buildings, including many hotels and mansions once belonging to some of New York’s wealthiest, most influential residents.
The buildings here have been impeccably maintained, and the owner of 4 East 77th will be just a walk or bike ride away from this elegantly preserved piece of New York history.
4 East 77th Street’s first owner, Benjamin J. Knower, bought it in 1897. Knower and his wife Mary Constance Allen were active members of New York’s “high society” and had close ties to Caroline Astor, the foremost New York socialite of the era.
It later housed the Leo Castelli gallery
By 1942, 4 East 77th Street had been converted into a multi-family townhouse.
This is when Leo Castelli, a prominent art dealer and a refugee from Nazi-occupied France, bought an apartment on the fourth floor.
You might not know Castelli’s name, but you’ve likely heard of the major 20th-century artists whose careers he helped launch or develop.
Those names include Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella, Claes Oldenberg, Cy Twombly, Donald Judd, Dan Flavin, Robert Morris, James Rosenquist, Bruce Nauman, Richard Serra, Joseph Kosuth, Lawrence Weiner, Salvatore Scarpitta, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol.
In 1957, in the living room of his fourth-floor apartment at 4 East 77th Street, Castelli opened the Leo Castelli Gallery. Castelli paid his artists using a stipend system that was groundbreaking for its time. It guaranteed the artists an income whether he used their work or not. This system allowed him to attract, discover and retain a vast stable of young, visionary talents.
Many of the gallery’s artists would get their first one-person shows right there on the fourth-floor living room at 4 East 77th Street.
SEE ALSO: Neil Patrick Harris’ impeccably restored house in Harlem sells for $6.99M, sets new record for the neighborhood
Castelli’s gallery helped shape America’s 20th-century tastes in art. Pop art, minimalism, and conceptual art largely owe their success to his gallery. Castelli also used his success at 4 East 77th Street to help initiate the contemporary art gallery system as it exists today.
The townhouse was also home to Skyy Vodka inventor Maurice Kanbar
Maurice Kanbar, a prolific inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, has owned the property since 1964.
During his residency at 77th Street, Kanbar invented Skyy Vodka, revolutionizing the spirits industry. But the popular drink is by no means his only creation; Kanbar’s numerous inventions also include a safety sheath for hypodermic needles and a cryogenic cataract remover.
Additionally, Kanbar (who passed away in 2022 at age 93) opened the Quad Cinema in Greenwich Village, the first multiplex cinema on the East Coast and the second in the United States. He furthered his impact on the arts by endowing the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at NYU.
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Appearing as a guest on Good Morning America this week, Barbara Corcoran answered several questions from viewers, ranging from when the right time to buy a home is to how to win a bidding war. As for the former, Corcoran said now is the time to buy.
“It’s a good time to buy because the minute interest rates go down, everybody’s waiting for them to go down even by a point, and when they do, they’re going to come rushing back in the market,” Corcoran said. “Prices are going to explode, and you’re going to be paying more for the same house. And you can always refinance, remember, when and if interest rates come down.”
It’s not Corcoran’s first time advising against even attempting to time the market. Previously, on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Corcoran said to forget about the timing, again stressing that now is always the time to buy.
The self-proclaimed “NYC Real Estate Queen” founded the Corcoran Group with a $1,000 loan in 1973, which she famously turned into $66 million after selling her business in 2001. She’ll always be a powerhouse within the real estate industry, but now most people know her as the spunky, blunt, and well-dressed shark on ABC’s Shark Tank.
Another viewer asked Corcoran how to win bidding wars, saying that he and his fiancee have been looking for a house but have been out bid every time they’ve found one they like. Corcoran said the key is to look like the “best deal in town,” while playing on the seller’s emotions.
“You have to be prequalified for your mortgage so you can go in there as an all cash deal. I’m an all cash deal, it’s not contingent, I already got my mortgage—you want that power behind you,” Corcoran said. “You also want to go in and realize it’s never just a financial deal. Get a nice piece of stationery and handwrite a note to that owner, and tell them how much you love the house. It makes a difference because people like to sell homes to people who love their house.”
As for the different types of mortgage loans that buyers can choose from, Corcoran said it depends on how long you’re going to live in that home. If you’re going to live there a long time, or at least except you are, Corcoran said a conventional rate mortgage at the shortest term you can afford, is the best option. On the other hand, if you’re only going to be living there for a short period of time, likely under five years, she said you’ll want to get an adjustable rate mortgage because it’s cheaper.
When Corcoran was then asked if there’s any way to get relief as someone who’s “house poor,” a term used to describe someone that’s spending more than 30% of their income on housing, she answered: “you don’t get relief from that.” In coastal cities, Corcoran said, people are spending more than 40% of their income on housing. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, in her view—people are forced to save by paying off their mortgage.
“When it comes time to retire, for most of us, it’s the only money we have to retire on,” Corcoran said.
Now if you want to make the most out of your home purchase, she said you’ll always get the best return in a high-traffic area. And if you want to make a killing, buy a home in an up and coming area. Corcoran’s formula for doing so? Follow the creative community and see where they’re living, and check out the nightlife.
And of course, a Corcoran Q&A couldn’t be complete without touching on rentals and renting. As for rent prices, Corcoran said they’re going to continue to go up, and there won’t be any relief. When interest rates go up and chase people into the rental market, rents generally go up. But when interest rates go down, that doesn’t mean rent follows. Corcoran said she’s never met a landlord that brings down their rent, ever. And, most of us know how she feels about renting—that it’s a “no-win game.”
Nestled on a private 20,000-square-foot lot in Brooklyn’s now trendy Bay Ridge, the insanely adorable Gingerbread House is quite possibly the closest thing to a fairy tale come true.
Built back in 1917 — when it immediately grabbed the title of ‘most magnificent residence in New York City‘ — the 5,746-square-foot home at 8220 Narrows Avenue home beautifully retained its unique charm throughout the decades.
The the real-life gingerbread house, built from uncut stone, stays true to the rolling topography of the land with a pitched roof and gabled windows that look like they’ve been taken straight out of The Shire.
A captivating archway leads to a secret oasis of emerald lawns and flowing fountains as well as the home’s private entrance and three-car garage. Spacious rooms and an open layout reveal glittering stained glass windows, intricate woodcarvings, hand-painted ceilings, and whimsical door knockers.
Despite all this, the real-life Gingerbread House has been repeatedly struggling to find a buyer.
First listed in 2009 for $12 million, the unique home quietly went off market only to return in May 2014 with a fresh asking of $10.5M. Despite failing to find a buyer — and even after giving renting a shot — the Gingerbread House is now surprisingly priced at $10,999,000.
But a home like the one at 8220 Narrows Avenue isn’t looking for just any buyer; there’s probably just a handful of Hansels and Gretels in the world with pockets deep enough — and tastes this particular — that can afford to take the house off of the witch’s hands (sorry, owners; nothing personal).
Now let’s skip to the good part and take a closer look at this enchanting storybook home:
After serving two world wars, taking newly arrived immigrants from Ellis Island to Manhattan, and touring people to see the sights (among other adventures), the 109-year-old MacKenzie-Childs Yankee Ferry is looking to retire as an adorable houseboat.
But retirement might not be all that peaceful and relaxing.
The 4,000-square foot vessel can sleep up to 24 people, comes with tons of space for people to hang out and enjoy views of the city, and is so beautifully decorated that the boat’s new owners would be foolish not to have people over all the time.
Now docked in Red Hook, Brooklyn, the ferry has 5 bedrooms, 1 full bath and one half bath, with separate crew quarters. And it’s on the market for $1.25 million.