For those house-hunting for something with character in Brooklyn, a design and historic treasure just listed in Crown Heights. The circa-1910 carriage house belongs to architects Colin Faber and Leni Niemegeers-Faber, the founding partners of SHED Studio, and has been their family home since they purchased the abode in 2009 and revitalized it into a live/work compound.
When the couple happened across 497 Saint Johns Place, it was in a sorry state. But, of course, if anyone could see its potential and commit to uncovering it, it was them. When they bought it, it was run down and divided into four apartments, but they spent 18 months turning it into a wellness-oriented, rustic yet airy residence. There’s now the main townhouse and a custom-built guesthouse/spa. Add in the minimalist, leafy garden with bluestone pathways, and it definitely appeals as a city sanctuary.
Now that the sellers have moved to Canada, they’re seeking $5.75 million for their longtime Brooklyn home. Buyers can look forward to 4,000 square feet of living space spread across both buildings. In the main house, rare and reclaimed materials abound to celebrate the home’s age beautifully. You can discover its design story through recycled sequoia and walnut woodwork, exposed brick, hot-rolled steel, and gorgeous brick fireplaces. Meanwhile, elements like the floating staircase and clean lines in the kitchen bring in subtle modernity.
The guesthouse is a dream for those who want the best of both worlds: The ability to relax away from the main spaces, or get to work. One wing of the abode serves as a studio while the other holds a unique Japanese-inspired spa with a hinoki wood soaking tub, steam room, and open shower.
Linda Peng and Dwayne Powell of The Corcoran Group hold the listing.
