18 Prospect Park W

Rarely - if ever - does a corner-located Neo-Italian Renaissance mansion-scaled limestone townhouse with three open exposures come to market, a collector-grade landmark perfectly positioned directly on Prospect Park with the most remarkable museum-quality level of intact historic millwork and detailing that retains its authenticity while delivering a living environment perfectly updated for today's lifestyle. Built in 1898 by Montrose Morris, and set back from the street on two sides behind an imposing iron fence with enchanting landscaping, this five-story townhouse underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. State-of-the-art mechanicals have been discretely installed to allow the abundance of glamorous, old-world details to function seamlessly in the 21st century. Built on a 25ft x 95ft corner lot, this 9,000+ square foot home is filled with opulent, ornate, original carved wood details, coffered ceilings, multiple stained glass windows, pocket doors, wood paneling, an imposing oak center staircase with hand carved posts and a stained glass skylight above that streams natural light down the center. The volume of detailing defies description. GARDEN FLOOR With its separate gated side entrance and ultra-charming courtyard garden, this floor houses a large media room/great room, a separate additional bedroom/games room with a half bathroom, and large storage and mechanical rooms. PARLOR FLOOR Step through the magnificent wrought iron gates and up the front porch to the glass and bronze canopy with anthemion cresting over the entrance of No. 18. The Parisian elegance of the canopy is matched by the matching handrailing above the flared wing-walls of the gracious stoop. A dramatic entry with magical ornate doors leads to an entry gallery. A large living room with a fireplace overlooks the park through oversized windows on the south and east. This leads to a second living room in the center of the house, which also has a large window overlooking the tree-lined street. This priceless feature fills the center of the house with light. The third entertaining space is a formal dining room of truly grand scale, perfect for opulent gatherings. It adjoins the renovated windowed kitchen, which has been perfectly adapted for today's lifestyle. It is rare indeed to find such a combination of generous living and dining space, as well as a kitchen, all on the parlor floor. 3rd FLOOR The ornately carved wide wood stairway is a sculpture unto itself, topped off with a museum-quality stained glass skylight that transports its glow all the way through the home. This floor houses a huge primary bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and huge walk-in closets with all original built-ins. A large study - or additional bedroom - faces south. A balustraded balcony above the Palladian windows serves this floor. 4th FLOOR This floor contains three full bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. All are beneficiaries of tree-top views and an abundance of natural light. 5th FLOOR This dormer floor houses the most enchanting rooms: 2 gorgeous bedrooms, a bathroom, and an abundance of storage space or a place for a gym or playroom. Initially conceived in 1864, and designed in 1865, Prospect Park is considered Frederick Law Olmsted's and Calvert Vaux's masterpiece, a milestone in the 19th-century movement to create naturalistic parks in America's cities as a response to increased industrialization. This property is located within close proximity to Grand Army Plaza, The Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, and the Zoo. Just 20 minutes from Downtown Manhattan, this ultra-desired neighborhood is famous for its tree-lined streets housing some of the most exquisite brownstones and townhouses in New York.