The best Brooklyn neighborhood is highly subjective, but there is no argument that Brooklyn Heights is among the most historically rich in the borough. The Battle of Brooklyn took place here during the Revolutionary War. Centuries later, when it was the headquarters of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson signed his contract here and thus integrated Major League Baseball.
Today, Brooklyn Heights is home to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and an influx of popular local restaurants. Many of those are closed as part of the effort to flatten the curve in the COVID-19 pandemic, but the tree-lined streets and verdant parks still make for a peaceful atmosphere. When leaving can't be avoided, several subway lines service the area to allow for a quick trip into Manhattan. And for all the recent changes, past residents like Truman Capote, Arthur Miller, and Walt Whitman would find the neighborhood much as they left it - when the Landmarks Preservation Law took effect in 1965, it was the first neighborhood to benefit from its protections.
Just outside the historic district, new, amenity-rich condominiums like One Clinton, Quay Tower, The Symon, and One Brooklyn Bridge Park have nodded to the area's timeless architecture while building high enough to take full advantage of the river and skyline views the location offers. However, contemporary luminaries like Michelle Williams, Thomas Kail, Jennifer Connelly, and Paul Bettany would say there is no substitute for the historic architecture, having chosen Brooklyn Heights townhouses over Manhattan penthouses. If you feel inclined to follow in their footsteps, especially at a time when the health and safety of crowded apartment buildings is in question, we present three highly appealing options. After taking a look at their features and galleries, cast a vote for your favorite at the bottom.
50 Hicks Street via Compass
50 Hicks Street would seem to be located right between Brooklyn Bridge Park and Cadman Plaza Park. The masonry-inspired red brick facade, oversized windows, and storefront-style bay window are all landmarked and protected, but the interiors recently underwent a full gut renovation for greater structural stability, flexibility, and modernity. It is currently configured as a single-family townhouse topped with a roof deck.
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Pros:
- The use of reinforced concrete throughout allows for higher ceilings and greater sound attenuation qualities.
- The kitchen spans the width of the townhouse and is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances.
- The master suite features a double-sided closet and spa-like bath with a private sauna.
- The master suite also serves as a state-of-the-art safe room with blast-resistant door and ballistically raided walls.
- The High Street-Brooklyn Bridge A/C station is only three blocks away.
Cons:
- The exteriors are protected, but the renovations appear to have taken place at the expense of architectural details.
- The interiors have the same white-box quality as some of Manhattan's less-inspired condos.
- The use of reinforced concrete throughout allows for higher ceilings and greater sound attenuation qualities.
- The kitchen spans the width of the townhouse and is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances.
- The master suite features a double-sided closet and spa-like bath with a private sauna.
- The master suite also serves as a state-of-the-art safe room with blast-resistant door and ballistically raided walls.
- The High Street-Brooklyn Bridge A/C station is only three blocks away.
Cons:
- The exteriors are protected, but the renovations appear to have taken place at the expense of architectural details.
- The interiors have the same white-box quality as some of Manhattan's less-inspired condos.
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88 Remsen Street via Brown Harris Stevens
88 Remsen Street presents a marriage of Brooklyn Heights' past and present: The townhouse's original details have been restored while incorporating modern conveniences. It is located on a quiet tree-lined street, but just around the block from the dining and shopping of Montague Street, not to mention within easy proximity to the 2, 3, 4, 5, and R trains. It is currently configured as a parlor quadruplex with a floor-through garden unit.
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Pros:
- Historic details like original fireplace mantles, crown moldings, arched entryways, and inlaid marquetry floors have been beautifully preserved.
- Floor-to-ceiling windows and 12' ceilings fill a triple parlor with abundant natural light.
- The custom kitchen opens up to a private terrace and garden.
- The master suite features two baths, generous built-in closet space, and a seating area with bay window.
- A finished basement has a screening area, pool table, foosball table, and jukebox.
Cons:
- More work is required to turn it into a true single-family home.
- Historic details like original fireplace mantles, crown moldings, arched entryways, and inlaid marquetry floors have been beautifully preserved.
- Floor-to-ceiling windows and 12' ceilings fill a triple parlor with abundant natural light.
- The custom kitchen opens up to a private terrace and garden.
- The master suite features two baths, generous built-in closet space, and a seating area with bay window.
- A finished basement has a screening area, pool table, foosball table, and jukebox.
Cons:
- More work is required to turn it into a true single-family home.
Floor plan via Brown Harris Stevens
100 Pierrepont Street via Compass
100 Pierrepont Street dates back to the middle of the 19th century, but a three-year gut renovation has brought its interiors and infrastructure into the 21st and beyond. The landmarked single-family townhouse is located near the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade and Pier 3 Greenway Terrace, but comes with a private garden off the kitchen and a roof deck with sweeping skyline views.
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Pros:
- The living room and master bedroom are filled with light from arched windows.
- The state-of-the-art infrastructure includes central HVAC, custom lighting, and smart home technology.
- The eat-in kitchen is outfitted with state-of-the-art appliances, a large center island, and a dumbwaiter connected to the formal dining room above.
- The full-floor master suite has a walk-through closet, office/den, and bath with double sinks, heated floors, free-standing tub, and separate shower.
Cons:
- The kitchen and some of the bedrooms appear to have been stripped of architectural character in the renovation.
- The New York Supreme Court Appellate courthouse is across the street.
- The living room and master bedroom are filled with light from arched windows.
- The state-of-the-art infrastructure includes central HVAC, custom lighting, and smart home technology.
- The eat-in kitchen is outfitted with state-of-the-art appliances, a large center island, and a dumbwaiter connected to the formal dining room above.
- The full-floor master suite has a walk-through closet, office/den, and bath with double sinks, heated floors, free-standing tub, and separate shower.
Cons:
- The kitchen and some of the bedrooms appear to have been stripped of architectural character in the renovation.
- The New York Supreme Court Appellate courthouse is across the street.
Floor plan via Compass
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