A clean-sheet design, the striking six-floor townhouse at 106 Prospect Place neatly balances style and sustainability.
The townhouse at 106 Prospect Place is a standout in a neighborhood of standouts. The lot where this thoroughly modern home stands was, from its original purchase in the 1850s, the site of the carriage house for grand 104 Prospect next door — a home that’s had only five owners in close to 170 years. A New York Times gardening writer occupied the carriage house for a time, and she remained so enamored of this tree-lined block that, for years after she moved out, she would still pop by and reminisce about the good old days.
The current owner of 106, Christine Guerra, purchased the lot 25 years ago and developed the property with the assistance of architect James Cleary. Together, Guerra and Cleary completed a sustainable home that’s intended to hold onto its owner for a long, long time. Informed by Cleary’s reading of The New Net Zero: Leading-edge Design and Construction of Homes and Buildings for a Renewable Energy Future, by William Maclay, 106 Prospect Place features a number of energy efficient systems and materials conceived around smart insulation and air, water, and vapor barriers. Located on a historic block in Park Slope, surrounded by some of the oldest homes in Brooklyn, 106 Prospect Place is primed to go the distance. “This is a magnificent and one-of-a-kind custom home,” says associate broker Kelly Neinast. It is listed for $6,989,000.
By the numbers, the townhouse is impressive enough, boasting 1,100 square feet of private outdoor space (with three separate areas), six floors with an elevator, five bedrooms, five full baths, and three half baths. But it’s the home’s unique characteristics that truly distinguish it — and the surprises appear from top to bottom. Two decks offer stunning rooftop views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The garden floor contains a private car garage, with convenient access straight into the elevator. In addition, you can enter this floor under the stoop (which has heated steps) and step right into a spacious foyer. The south-facing backyard is accented with cedar fencing, pavers and a beautiful Japanese weeping cherry tree.
Between the garden and the roof is a study in spacious living, true materials, and the best brands in interior design. The entrance level has 11-foot ceilings, the formal dining room can seat 20, and light floods the space, courtesy of walls of windows. The modern chef’s kitchen features custom cabinetry by Jozef Koppelman Fine Woodworking of Brooklyn, Miele appliances, and Akdo Quartzite countertops. Flooring includes slate and Carlisle wide plank walnut. The bathrooms have only the best: Calacatta marble countertops, fixtures by Hansgrohe and Axor, and Toto toilets. The master bath is the showstopper, with its dual shower and 72-inch Avanity soaking tub with hand-honed marble. Along with the sun, the home’s six floors are illuminated by names such as Bestlite, Louis Poulsen, Artemide and Domo.
The exterior makes it easy to spot — and attests to its individuality. Let the other homes on the block keep the stately red brick and brownstone: 106 Prospect is tailored and fresh, clad in neutral, water-struck coal-fired bricks by Petersen Tegl, with a trim of Italian slate, steel and aluminum in gunmetal gray. That’s a façade sure to remain in fashion for the next few centuries.