Brooklyn’s stunning Pfizer Mansion returns to the market for $13.5M

This stunning four-story mansion on Washington Avenue, in Clinton Hill, dates back to 1887. Following a meticulous renovation a little over a decade ago, the 25-foot wide brownstone has returned to the market for $13.5 million, making it one of the most expensive homes for sale in Brooklyn.

The townhouse was originally built as a pair by Charles Erhart, brother-in-law to Charles Pfizer, and one of the co-founders of the chemical giant—hence the townhouse is also known as the Pfizer Mansion. Following the departure of the Pfizer family in the early 20th century, the brownstone saw many tenants come and go over the decades, according to the New York Times, which first wrote about this listing last month.

The building first served as temporary offices for the Brooklyn Public Library; that was followed by its tenure as a home to a a Roman Catholic bishop. It was then used as a Roman Catholic girls’ school, following which, a rockstar purchased it in the 1990s. The current owners, interior designer Jessica Warren, and her husband Douglas, purchased the townhouse in 2007 for $3.2 million.

The couple then spent $5 million to renovate and restore the mansion, and today some of its standout features include the semi-circular window that overlooks the garden from the eat-in kitchen; the wooden flooring with the inlaid borders; the intricate plasterwork on the front parlor ceiling; the stained glass windows; and a bathing room on the second floor with a bathtub at the center, a fireplace, and wooden flooring.

In all, this mansion has seven bedrooms, five full bathrooms, three half bathrooms, eight wood-burning fireplaces, gardens in the front and the back of the house, and an Otis elevator that connects all floors.

• Listing: 280 Washington Avenue [BHS]