Since 2009, the fairy-tale-storybook-magical-gingerbread-Hansel-and-Gretel house that is 8200 Narrows Avenue has been quietly sitting on the market. But the owners of the Bay Ridge mansion recently revamped the listing and chopped the pricetag to $11 million, down from $12 million. They invited Jason Sheftell of the Daily News for a look around, and sadly, it seems that there are no unicorns or magical gnomes hiding inside. Still, it certainly won him over?Sheftell called it the "most magnificent residence in all of New York City. Everywhere you look is something pretty."
"Standing in the yard or sitting inside the living room," writes Sheftell, "the house an energy to match its appearance. There is a calmness in almost every room, a quiet beauty you don't get from other homes." The owners, Jerry and Diane Fishman clearly agree: "It sounds crazy to attribute a house to good luck, but from the day we bought this house, there was life magic," Fishman told Sheftell.
The Fishmans bought the house in the 1980s, and they're selling because they plan to leave New York City for warmer climates. The place was designed in 1916 by architect James Sarsfield Kennedy, and most of the original designs, carefully restored by the Fishmans, still remain. From the brokerbabble:
There is refined craftsmanship throughout the main floor with a spacious layout in the formal dining room, living room, den, and three wrap-around patios. Featuring: original oak paneled walls, Burmese mahogany floors, coffered ceilings with hand painted canvases, pastoral plaster relief, antique stained glass artwork imported from Europe, handmade tiles, and handcrafted fireplaces. Chef's Kitchen features 50 feet of countertops, floor to ceiling custom oak cabinets and a 17 foot butler's pantry for plenty of storage. A private two-room guest suite and bath overlooks the pond, fountain and gardens.There's no mention of the bowling alley or revolving garage door, but maybe they just don't want to give away all the secrets.
· Own a Piece of the Brooklyn Storybook With This 1917 Bay Ridge Charmer [NYDN]
· Listing: 8200 Narrows Avenue [Elliman]
· On the Market: Hansel and Gretel's Bay Ridge Hidey Hole [Curbed]
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