The 1890s brownstone boasts wainscoting, mantels, pocket doors, stained glass, and fretwork.


Photo via Peoples Realty & Associates
An 1890s brownstone that still has some details intact, this Bed Stuy two-family has room for some updates as well. At 550 Decatur Street, it boasts wainscoting, mantels, pocket doors, stained glass, and fretwork.
It is one of a long stretch of houses constructed by prolific builder Charles G. Reynolds between circa 1894 and 1896. No. 550 was completed by 1896; Reynolds advertised it that year as “the prettiest and most elaborate” stone-front dwelling. Like some others in the row, it has some Romanesque Revival details such as the arched windows of the upper story. The interior originally featured a library, parquet floors, and “Moorish” fretwork, according to the ad. The house is within the National Register-eligible (but not listed) Stuyvesant East Historic District.
The brownstone is set up as a owner’s duplex with a garden rental. While most of the period details are in the owner’s unit, the garden apartment retains a wood floor with inlaid detail, wainscoting, and mantel in the original dining room, now set up as a bedroom.
In the owner’s duplex, the details start at the entry with wainscoting, the original stair, and mirror. There are wood floors with inlaid borders flowing through the front and rear parlors. There is still a bit of fretwork in evidence on the screen that divides the two rooms.
Pocket doors lead to a kitchen in the rear extension. There is a tin ceiling, wood cabinets, and stainless steel appliances, including a dishwasher. The original wood floor with inlaid border has been left in place.
Upstairs are three bedrooms and one full bath; the included floor plan omits the smallest of the three bedrooms. The larger front and rear facing bedrooms are connected with a passthrough that is now a walk-in closet. The doorways from each bedroom to the closet are decorated with fretwork and each bedroom has a mantel; one of those appears to have some of its original tile surround and hearth.
The full bath, the only bathroom in the duplex, has white fixtures and wall tiles.
The property last sold in 2003 for $484,100. Listed with Chrystina Peoples of Peoples Realty & Associates, it is priced at $2,124,999. What do you think?
[Listing: 550 Decatur Street | Broker: Peoples Realty & Associates] GMAP














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