Monday, August 25, 2008

Legacy of the Gentrifiers of the 1800s

614 Courtlandt Avenue in the Melrose section of the Bronx is evidence of a past wave of gentrification to hit Melrose. Julius Ruppert, a saloon and billiard hall owner from the cramped Lower East Side, built this beauty in 1871 to cash in on the influx of German immigrants seeking the space and greenery of the Bronx.

The landmarked building fell into disrepair and was vacant for decades following the 1970s, but now it is getting a new life on a new wave of development for Melrose. (Photo courtesy of NYC Landmarks Commission via NY Times]

Neighborhood Housing Services and Landmarks Preservation Commission are working to renovate this beautiful building and then to place it on the open market to court a private buyer.

"When finished, it will house three two-bedroom apartments and a commercial space on the first floor. The top floor, with its tall, sloping walls and oval windows, is like a painter’s garret. On the first floor, original cast iron columns lend a graceful note to the entrance. The asking price is $800,000." [NY Times]

If you have the money, love the Bronx or just want to be ahead of the curve in landownership in the borough with the largest upside in the city, please contact Neighborhood Housing Services, Landmarks Preservation Commission to secure your spot as a real estate smarty-pants.
(Photo courtesy of David Gonzales/NY Times]

A Neglected Bronx Landmark Gets a New Life [NY Times Article by David Gonzalez]

~ErLu

1 comment:

Guywithacause said...

That's a beautiful building....$800,000 for a fully renovated 3 family building + commercial space sounds like a decent price. Thanks for the great post.