$18M townhouse tops Brooklyn luxury market

Brooklyn Heights home is year’s most expensive listing to go into contract

77 Columbia Heights and 147 Congress Street in Brooklyn (Sotheby's International Realty, Corcoran)
77 Columbia Heights and 147 Congress Street in Brooklyn (Sotheby's International Realty, Corcoran)

A 160-year-old townhouse in Brooklyn Heights led Brooklyn contract signings last week.

The 5,000-square-foot house at 77 Columbia Heights went into contract asking $17.777 million, and if it closes near that price, it would be the most expensive sale this year in Brooklyn, according to Compass’ weekly report of homes asking $2 million or more.

The stately five-bedroom, three-bathroom brick house commands a corner lot overlooking the East River. On the other side, a landscaped garden with an antique fountain sits on top of the two garage.

The 25-foot-wide home, built in 1861, also has a roof deck with an outdoor kitchen, four living rooms, a wine cellar, a gym and wide-plank walnut flooring. The house is close to Brooklyn Bridge Park. The home was last sold in 1986 for $1.1 million, before the park existed, according to property records.

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A landmarked 102-year-old townhouse at 147 Congress Street in Cobble Hill was the second most expensive listing to go into contract last week. It was asking $5.2 million.

Built in 1920, the Queen Anne–style, 20-foot-wide home spans 3,000 square feet and has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It has a mansard roof, a double entry with arched doors and an open kitchen with a walnut-topped island and glass French doors leading to the garden.

The primary suite, on the top floor, has a skylight, attached dressing room and modern bathroom with a walk-in shower. The house is close to several subway lines.

Twenty-eight homes — nine condos and 19 townhouses — asking at least $2 million went into contract last week, down from 31 the week prior. The average price per square foot was $1,268.

The combined asking prices for the homes was just under $95 million and homes spent an average of 63 days on the market. The average asking price was not discounted.