The Calvert Villas
is a six-story, ten-unit boutique condominium located on a tree-lined block at 624 New York Avenue in Brooklyn's Prospect Lefferts Gardens. The building is part of a two-building development called The Calvert Collection, designed by Palette Architecture and developed by Kingsdel Real Estate.
Located within reach of Prospect Park, Little Caribbean dining, and the Winthrop Street 2/5 train subway station, The Calvert Villas comprise two- to four-bedroom residences, all with private outdoor space. The building is crowned by two duplex penthouses—one featuring a double-height living space, and both offering expansive private terraces with cinematic views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines.
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Palette Architecture’s design maximizes sunlight and creates a true indoor/outdoor living experience. All homes have large picture windows, 7.5" white oak flooring, generous closet space, and in-unit LG washer and dryers. Kitchens are equipped with custom walnut cabinetry, honed Calacatta quartz countertops, and high-end appliances. Primary baths feature porcelain walls and flooring, custom millwork medicine cabinets, and high-end fixtures. Every home also has a washer/dryer and a heating and cooling system by Mitsubishi with ductless distribution.
The Calvert Villas will be joined by Calvert House at 625 New York Avenue, a larger offering directly across the street that will bring 49 condos to market next year.
Residential amenities will be shared between the two buildings, and include a lobby lounge, a fitness center, a children's playroom, a lounge with remote work pods and a demo kitchen, a landscaped courtyard, and a rooftop terrace with an outdoor kitchen. Garage parking is available for purchase, and there is also bike storage. A new private school will open at the base of the building next year.
Residential amenities will be shared between the two buildings, and include a lobby lounge, a fitness center, a children's playroom, a lounge with remote work pods and a demo kitchen, a landscaped courtyard, and a rooftop terrace with an outdoor kitchen. Garage parking is available for purchase, and there is also bike storage. A new private school will open at the base of the building next year.
Bruce Henderson of Corcoran is leading sales at The Calvert Collection, bringing a wealth of knowledge from two decades of marketing and real estate experience across NYC neighborhoods. Known for his attentive, client-first approach and Certified Negotiation expertise, Bruce is a trusted guide to buyers, sellers, and investors alike. We spoke to Bruce about his work with The Calvert Collection, how it stands out in the Prospect Lefferts Gardens market, and striking the right balance with private outdoor space.
Bruce, what is your role in the Calvert Collection?
I am the sales and marketing lead on this project and built my team around it for this client. They just expanded the team a bit, but I’m the one who engaged Corcoran to research, market, and sell the project.
I'm hands-on with the project team, working on the layouts with Palette Architecture, the interior designer Atelier Feder, and the rest of the development team.
I'm hands-on with the project team, working on the layouts with Palette Architecture, the interior designer Atelier Feder, and the rest of the development team.
Can you tell me a little about the project and what makes it special?
We are creating a self-contained world there for residents. One of the things I learned about this area. It has a huge amount to offer. I consider it a sleeper. The ethnic food can’t be beat – except for maybe Queens. It has some of the most beautiful townhouses I’ve ever seen. However, some of the local services and amenities are not quite there yet, so we made the amenities for this project pretty rich.
Livability is the overarching concept and we focused on indoor and outdoor living. It’s also about creating custom spaces. There are rarely two units that are exactly alike. We want to assure buyers that they are getting something special and unique. Those are the high points of the concept of what we are trying to create.
Livability is the overarching concept and we focused on indoor and outdoor living. It’s also about creating custom spaces. There are rarely two units that are exactly alike. We want to assure buyers that they are getting something special and unique. Those are the high points of the concept of what we are trying to create.
Prospect Lefferts Gardens (PLG) is still unfamiliar to many New Yorkers outside Brooklyn. In your opinion, what makes this neighborhood appealing, and what are the benefits of living here?
There are two key things: First, it’s an incredibly rich residential area near Prospect Park. It’s still neighborhoody down there and some of the most beautiful houses in Brooklyn are in the landmarked area — homes you can’t find anywhere else in the borough. There’s also the Brooklyn Museum, the Botanic Gardens, and a mix of single- and multi-family homes, co-ops, and a few new developments.
Second, the easy commute. The development is a block and a half from the 2 and 5 lines. We have been getting some people from Manhattan since there are not many areas where you can have a three-bedroom condo with a private roof terrace for under $1.3M. We are giving people more furnishable space, with decent-sized bedrooms at an attractive price point; within a 30-minute commute to Manhattan.
Second, the easy commute. The development is a block and a half from the 2 and 5 lines. We have been getting some people from Manhattan since there are not many areas where you can have a three-bedroom condo with a private roof terrace for under $1.3M. We are giving people more furnishable space, with decent-sized bedrooms at an attractive price point; within a 30-minute commute to Manhattan.
How has the real estate market in PLG evolved in recent years, and what trends are you seeing?
There has definitely been an increase in pricing, and we are at the higher end of the range by offering a better product. There is a decent amount of development in the area since land prices are less expensive than in other neighborhoods around Prospect Park. In our past developments, we were getting more locals but now we are seeing a lot more interest from other parts of the city.
Calvert Villas, #3A (Corcoran Group)
PLG is known for its beautiful rowhouses. Why might someone choose a three- or four-bedroom condo in the Calvert Collection over a townhouse?
Townhouse prices have soared. A limestone or brick townhouse is now over $2M, and a two-family that needs updating is around $1.7M to $1.8M. Our larger units offer comparable space for less. We are listing the largest homes we’ve ever sold in the project..
And not everyone wants a house. I have a house and there’s a lot of responsibility. There is always something to fix --roof, plumbing, etc. You may not see it in the monthly costs, but you’re going to face them down the road. There's always something...
And not everyone wants a house. I have a house and there’s a lot of responsibility. There is always something to fix --roof, plumbing, etc. You may not see it in the monthly costs, but you’re going to face them down the road. There's always something...
Common lounge and outdoor terrace at The Calvert Villas
In the condos we are positioning, there is a lot of room and a lot of outdoor space, and you share the upkeep expense with other buyers in the building.
Then you have the amenities. The Calvert Collection has a part-time doorman, bike storage, and a dog run. Pet amenities are another outgrowth of the pandemic. I never had a dog in my life and now I have two — and in some areas, it’s still difficult to get to the dog park, so that’s why they are becoming a more common amenity.
Then you have the amenities. The Calvert Collection has a part-time doorman, bike storage, and a dog run. Pet amenities are another outgrowth of the pandemic. I never had a dog in my life and now I have two — and in some areas, it’s still difficult to get to the dog park, so that’s why they are becoming a more common amenity.
Where does private outdoor space rank on buyers' wish lists, and how much value do you think it adds to a property?
It adds a reasonable amount of value, but it’s possible to give someone too much outdoor space. That is something I’ve discovered in the resale market. Buyers will tell themselves; "I don’t have the money to furnish this amount of space!"
Sixty to 200 square feet is the sweet spot, where you can put a grill and a table. I think once you get above 400 square feet buyers get overwhelmed. We do have a few of those accompanying the larger units here, however, for those looking for the full house experience.
Sixty to 200 square feet is the sweet spot, where you can put a grill and a table. I think once you get above 400 square feet buyers get overwhelmed. We do have a few of those accompanying the larger units here, however, for those looking for the full house experience.
Calvert Villas, #3B (Corcoran Group)
Calvert Villas, #3C
$1,230,000
Prospect Lefferts Gardens | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,080 ft2
Calvert Villas, #3C (Corcoran Group)
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New Developments Editor
Ondel Hylton
Ondel is a lifelong New Yorker and comprehensive assessor of the city's dynamic urban landscape.
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