Back in 1901, just three years after Brooklyn became part of New York City, this impressive brownstone was erected. Built by developer William Flannigan for businessman J.J. Galligan and his family, the home combines Victorian charm with heavy Renaissance Revival touches. However, the mansion’s longest tenants were the Livingstons, some of the very earliest settlers in Brooklyn, who dwelled there for more than 60 years.
The last Livingston to live in the house was Charles L. Livingston, Jr. Up till his death at the age of 89 in 1974, Mr. Livingston was a partner at Lott & Livingston, a family firm founded in the mid-17th century. Lott & Livingston represented the Reform Protestant Dutch Church, when it was incorporated in 1654, and still exists today.
Junior’s father, Charles L. Livingston, Sr., bought the mansion around 1910, and the Livingstons would probably recognize the place today, as it seems remarkably unchanged since it was built, with many fireplaces, coffered ceilings, hand-planed wood paneling, decorative pillared entryways. Original brass fixtures shine like gold, tall ceilings remain, and stained glass can be found in windows, skylights, and transoms.
There have been, of course, numerous modern updates as well, including a media room, a roof deck (with incredible city and park views), a sauna and a Jacuzzi, and game room, as well as a home gym. A top-level family room, through which the roof deck is accessed, includes a full kitchen that simplifies rooftop entertaining. Other features, like a maid’s room, dumbwaiter, and restored flooring remain just as they ever were. Why fool with perfection?
In all, the 22-foot-wide townhouse offers 6 bedrooms (with 6 more possible), 4 bathrooms, and 4 powder rooms in about 6,500 square feet, not including the finished 1,700 square foot cellar. And of course, there is the roof terrace, as well as a rear garden and potential for another roof deck outside the primary bedroom. Not enough outdoor space to really run the kids and dogs? Propsect Park is all of three doors away.
Interested? The house is listed by Jessica Buchman at Corcoran, asking $9.25 million. We suggest Lott & Livingston to represent you at the closing.
