Skip the Renovation: A Fully Restored 1840s Brooklyn Heights Townhouse Hits the Market for $12.75 Million

Standard-issue historic restorations often require years of patience, but a newly listed historic 178-year-old Brooklyn Heights townhouse offers all the 19th-century charm without any of the architectural heavy lifting.

Listed with Carl Gambino of the Gambino Group at Compass, the asking price for the six-bedroom, seven-bath home is $12,750,000.

"The current owners purchased this in 2023 and undertook its extensive renovation," Gambino tells Realtor.com®.

Spanning 6,000-square-feet, it’s stocked with luxuries that include Bianco Carrara marble countertops in the kitchen, solid white-oak floors, and Forbes & Lomax hardware. The next owner will have access to the Bertazzoni, Sub-Zero, and Miele appliances to whip up chef-grade meals or entertain in style.

But the “guts” of the home have also been updated. Now there’s new electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC, as well as an all-electric LG heat-pump system and eco-friendly insulation born out of mostly hemp.  Similar to other Brooklyn townhouses, the width is only 25 feet, but the property features a lot of height as there are five levels.

"It is unusual to find a 25-foot-wide Brooklyn Heights townhouse that preserves its 1848 Greek Revival character while offering a fully rebuilt interior," says Gambino.

"The historic facade and restored details sit alongside new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems throughout. The renovation was extensive, including a reconstruction of the rear wall and new systems throughout the home."

ASH, a firm recognized by Architectural Digest on its AD100 list of the world’s top designers and talent, worked with the sellers to reimagine the rooms so they sparkle, and show just how wow-worthy this home can be for the next owner.

At the same time, original architectural details throughout the home, such as restored millwork are intact and have been carefully preserved, making this property a true gem as it straddles historical architecture with modern-day living.

One level is tied into wellness, with a gym, sauna, and steam shower. Another healing sanctuary is the home's garden level, where a one-bedroom suite with a private kitchen and laundry area could host a guest or live-in staff. There's even room for a wine cellar on that lower level, in a power-ready space, to attract an oenophile.

Another entertaining-friendly feature is the eight-foot-deep ipe terrace, accessible from the parlor floor, above a fully landscaped garden and bluestone patio.

The last time this home was on the market, in 2023, it sold for $5,350,000.

This new price reflects all of the costly updates and the fact that you just can’t find a listing like this very easily in Brooklyn Heights.

"The combination of a 25-foot width, approximately 6,000 square feet, and private outdoor space is compelling in this neighborhood," says Gambino. "The finished cellar has a gym and sauna, while a separate suite with its own kitchen gives the next owner valuable flexibility."

In addition to the home’s amenities and modernized design, what also makes this a stand-out listing is the neighborhood.

"Buyers come to Brooklyn Heights for its preserved architecture and residential streets, with Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Promenade, and Manhattan close by," says Gambio. "It offers a strong sense of neighborhood without giving up access to the city.

"I see this appealing to someone who wants the scale and privacy of a substantial townhouse, appreciates historic architecture, and values a home ready for contemporary living.

"Its six bedrooms and flexible suite could serve a family, frequent guests, or a household with changing needs."