MOTT HAVEN > LANDMARK PROPERTY | JUNE 13, 2025
1899 Brownstone with Colonial Details on the Market for $ 875k
Picture: Propety Professional Realty
Our pick this week for “Under a Million” is a standout: a charming 1899-built townhouse with Colonial details and serious investment potential. Priced at $75K below market comps, this historic fixer-upper has been labeled a “Great Investment Opportunity,” but does it live up to the hype? Let’s take a closer look.
Welcome to a one-of-a-kind gem in the heart of Mott Haven: a 2,920-square-foot Colonial-era brownstone brimming with period details. Located in the Bertine Block Historic District, this property is a rare find in one of the Bronx’s most architecturally rich neighborhoods. It offers four bedrooms and two bathrooms, thoughtfully spread across three levels, plus a basement, ideal for storage or future expansion.
Whether you’re dreaming of a single-family sanctuary, a high-earning rental, or a multi-generational home, the versatility here is hard to ignore. Add to that the historic charm and prime location, and this brownstone starts to make a compelling case for itself.
With a price tag of $875,000, this Bronx brownstone presents a unique opportunity to redesign and reconfigure the space to match your vision and ultimately transform it into the home of your dreams.
Exterior
Pictures Courtesy of toldya420.getarchive and realsteel.com
The façade features a charming mix of golden-yellow brick and brown sandstone. However, its former grandeur has faded due to years of wear and neglect. Historic black-and-white photos show that the window and door woodwork haven’t received much attention since their last renovation in the 1940s.
Interior
Step inside, and it becomes clear that decades of piecemeal renovations have carved the brownstone into multiple rental units. The current floor plan features a choppy one-bedroom layout, a cramped living room, narrow hallways, and an excessive number of closets. Even so, the parlor floor has remained largely intact. The original doors, though heavily painted, are surprisingly well-preserved. Additionally, the decorative plaster ceiling and crown molding bring unexpected charm. For detail lovers, the original window casings offer subtle elegance—a quiet tribute to the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
Upstairs, you’ll find a spacious duplex apartment featuring four bedrooms and a loft. While the unit offers generous square footage, it’s clearly in need of a makeover. Still, hints of the home’s former glory remain. Hidden treasures like intricate moldings and a vintage banister whisper of its historic charm. Beneath layers of heavy paint, an extraordinary level of original detail and craftsmanship lies waiting to be uncovered. From ornate woodwork to the elegant casings around the tall, elongated windows, this home is practically begging for someone with vision and a little elbow grease to bring it back to life.
Interior Design
With the right vision and a thoughtful renovation plan, this brownstone has the potential to be beautifully reimagined. The existing layout, although fragmented, provides a flexible canvas for creating a more functional and cohesive living space. By opening up the floor plan, restoring original architectural details, and modernizing the utilities, a future homeowner or investor could breathe new life into the property, blending historic character with contemporary comfort. Moreover, the preserved elements, such as the plaster ceiling, crown molding, and window casings, could serve as stunning focal points in a redesigned interior. In the hands of someone with creativity and care, this fixer-upper could easily evolve into a standout residence or a high-demand rental in one of the Bronx’s most historic districts.
Around Town
Location-wise, it doesn’t get much more convenient. Just steps from Willis Avenue and Mile 20 of the New York City Marathon, this brownstone is only a 7-minute walk to the 6 train at Brook Avenue, with additional express bus options that make commuting a breeze. Although there are no on-site amenities and parking is limited to the street, the Mott Haven neighborhood offers a primarily residential setting with tenement-style apartment buildings and public housing complexes plus quick access to Manhattan, adding undeniable value for city commuters.
City Records
According to city records, this brownstone is classified as a “Single-Family” home and is proudly designated as a Landmark. Better yet, there are no association fees, HOA fees, or co-op fees to worry about making ownership that much more appealing. Additionally, property taxes are currently $1,313 per year, which is remarkably low by New York City standards.
The listing is held by Property Professional Realty, with an asking price of $875,000. So the big question remains: is this so-called “great investment” truly worth your money?
*This article is based on publicly available sources and is intended for informational purposes only. We do not claim ownership of the content used and encourage readers to refer to the original materials from their respective authors.