Beloved Brooklyn Gingerbread House Tempts the Market With Fairy-Tale Charm for $8.7M

by Kathleen Willcox

Unique Gingerbread style home — Realtor.com

A delightfully familiar Brooklyn, NY, home has hit the market for $8,750,000.

This Bay Ridge beauty at 8200 Narrows Avenue has six bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and a fascinating history.

“It is a special part of the Bay Ridge community and has long been a destination for members of New York society,” says listing agent Peter Grazioli, of Brown Harris Stevens Brooklyn. “This home has a unique voice that speaks to every person who enters it. The special part is, everyone hears something different—but all good things!”

Spacious outdoor areas for entertaining
Brown Harris Stevens

‘Like Owning Your Own Park’

The home was designed by James Sarsfield Kennedy for Howard and Jessie Jones and was quickly dubbed the Gingerbread House for its resemblance to a whimsical fairy-tale cottage—think Hansel and Gretel.

Kennedy also designed other iconic Brooklyn homes, including several mansions in Prospect Park South and the Picnic House in Prospect Park itself.

But the Gingerbread House is considered Kennedy’s masterpiece.

Howard Jones was a shipping mogul. Both he and his wife were involved in charitable causes. Together, they held many social functions for business associates and friends at the iconic home.

The Gingerbread House’s exterior is adorned with uncut stone and has an undulating asphalt roof. Completed in 1917, the Arts and Crafts-style home is more rustic on the exterior, but its interior is more refined.

Inside and out, the design echoes the philosophy of Arts and Crafts-movement practitioners. There’s a real emphasis here on natural building materials and a relaxing, inviting design.

The grounds feature ironwork fences, gates, lanterns, and downspouts. A charming archway serves as the home’s main entrance.

A large lawn with a back extension and a garden await. Plus, there’s room for a pool.

Meanwhile, the three-car garage and courtyard provide enough space for a fleet of vehicles.

“The home’s original details remain, but the current owners did renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms, windows, plumbing, electric, and central air,” Grazioli explains. “It’s modernized for today’s living standards, with respect for craftsmanship … and the indoor and outdoor spaces are amazing for entertaining. The property grounds are like owning your own park.”

Incredible interior

The expansive, 12-room interior includes classical elements such as handcarved wainscoting; bungalow-style, beamed ceilings; marble mantels; hand-painted, coffered ceilings; and stained-glass doors.

Mahogany- and cherry-wood floors are found in the living, dining, and music rooms. There’s also a fountain room, which leads to the patio and outdoor spaces.

Wood-paneled interior
Brown Harris Stevens

Fountain and stained glass
Brown Harris Stevens

The primary suite is spacious, with walk-in closets, a sitting room, dressing room, and a fireplace flanked by two balconies.

The lower level could be used for a variety of amenities, such as a movie theater or home gym, the listing notes.

The Gingerbread House has been a tourist attraction from the beginning, because it’s so unusual and graceful in its proportions. It’s even a social media star—no stranger to cameras!

For more information and photos, check out the full listing here.

To see other homes for sale in Brooklyn, NY, go here.

The post Beloved Brooklyn Gingerbread House Tempts the Market With Fairy-Tale Charm for $8.7M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

GET MORE INFORMATION

Name

Email*

Phone*

Message

By registering on this website, you hereby grant permission to Round Table Realty, its affiliates, and its agents to contact you via email, text message, telephone, and other communication methods, including but not limited to mass communication systems, unique communication systems, and automated or artificial intelligence systems. Such communications may be for the purposes of responding to inquiries, providing real estate services, marketing, or other business-related matters.

You acknowledge that these communications may include autodialed or prerecorded messages and that you consent to receiving such communications at the email address and phone number(s) you provide, even if your phone number is on a state or national Do Not Call registry. Message and data rates may apply.

This consent is not a condition of any purchase or transaction. You may revoke your consent to receive such communications at any time by notifying us in writing or using the opt-out mechanisms provided in the communication.

Florida-Specific Notice:
Pursuant to Florida law, you are hereby informed that your contact information may be used to provide information about real estate services, listings, and related topics. Round Table Realty complies with all applicable federal and state laws, including the Florida Telephone Solicitation Act (FTSA), and takes measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of your contact information.

For more information about our policies or to exercise your rights under applicable laws, please see our Privacy Policy.

By clicking “I'm Finished” or completing the registration process, you affirmatively acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclosure and consent to the above terms.