Monday December 25, 2000

The Countessa's House

By train, taxi or by foot, Brooklyn is only a “stones throw” across Manhattan’s East River via the Brooklyn Bridge.

Fran Litweck and Jackie Lew are real estate agents with the Corcoran Group in Brooklyn's trendy Park Slope district. It's said that the fabled roads of “Sesame Street” are based on this colorful community of historic brownstones, open markets and cafes.

Our exclusive EXTRA listing takes us back in time and inside one of the last remaining park slope mansions.

"When you walk into this house you can't miss the splendor of this walk-in fireplace, set with magnificent orange and green tile."

This 12,000 square foot, four-story stone mansion was built over 110 years ago. It borders the 526 acre Prospect Park and it is known by its neighbors as "the Countessa's house."

"She was very tiny with huge blue eyes and wore big hats and was very friendly so everyone knew who she was"

"The Countessa was an Australian opera singer who married an italian aristocrat. The unfortunate part of her life, what happened at the end of her life, when the house fell into disrepair when she didn't even have bathroom facilities to use, when legend has it that when would use showers and baths of people down the block."

Purchased after the Countessa’s death, the new owners meticulously restored the home to its original state. Imagine how the countessa must have entertained in this regal living room and stately dining hall.

There are twelve bedrooms in all and an equal number of fireplaces.

"The fireplaces are massive, they're larger than life. Some of them are actually ten feet high and ten feet wide... some are tiled, some are marble"

Despite the historic detail of the bathrooms, the kitchen has the flair of modern conveniences, and the black and white tile basement has been transformed into an elegant steam room, spa and gymnasium.

Add it all up, and this Brooklyn baronial is yours for 4 million dollars. And as for the contessa who once graced the hallways and stairs?

"I think the present owners at times say that they still feel her presence and that in some way inhabits the house."