A beautifully renovated Brooklyn townhouse from the 1880s has just hit the market for $10.25 million. This new listing has set a new standard for luxury living in the neighborhood of Park Slope.
After a year-long renovation, the home’s price makes it the second most expensive townhouse currently for sale in Park Slope, where most brownstones range between $3 million and $7 million.
But according to listing agent Sophie Smadbeck from Leslie J. Garfield & Co., the high price reflects the home’s exceptional quality and design.
“There were four other sales on this block this year, all around $5 million, but those homes needed complete gut renovations,” Smadbeck explained.
“If someone bought one of those and renovated it to this level, they’d end up spending around the same amount.”
Luxury Meets History In This Brooklyn Renovated Townhouse
The sellers, Pilar Guzmán, editorial director at Oprah Daily, and her husband Chris Mitchell, a former publishing executive for GQ, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker, bought the property in 2004 for $1.5 million, according to PropertyShark records.
The two are design lovers, and they also co-authored a book about home decor, Patina Modern.
Their townhouse, which is 20-feet in width, feels like a living reflection of their book, which is a combination of ancient craftsmanship and contemporary comfort.
During the renovation, the original wood floors, trims and door frames were carefully retained, stripped, refinished and darkened to emphasize the home’s historic character.
In the meantime, the neutral walls, marble-topped kitchen island and Italian-style design accents add a warm, contemporary touch to the space.
“I have never encountered a house so perfectly balanced between the old and the new. They managed to keep the original dark wood, which is rare these days,” Smadbeck said.
A Modern Home with a Historic Soul
The nine-room townhouse splendidly offers a flexible layout that can include five or six bedrooms and features four and a half bathrooms.
The other features of the house are that it has a terrace that leads to the main kitchen, a secondary small kitchen on the garden floor, and a personal backyard that would suit well as an entertainment venue.
In addition to its historic beauty, the home also includes modern upgrades like solar panels and a new air conditioning system, part of a growing trend toward sustainable “passive house” living in Brooklyn.
Why It’s Making Headlines
Smadbeck believes this listing marks a turning point for Park Slope real estate.
“Park Slope hasn’t hit its peak yet,” she said. “We think it’s going to catch up to Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill in pricing. Homes like this one will help push that ceiling higher.”
The sellers had originally planned to stay here long-term, but during their temporary stay in an Upper East Side co-op while the renovation was underway, they fell in love with the neighborhood and decided to move there permanently.
“They put their heart into renovating this home for themselves,” Smadbeck said. “But life took them in a new direction.”
Key Details:
- Price: $10.25 million
- Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn
- Built: 1880s, fully renovated
- Features: 5–6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, marble kitchen, solar panels, backyard
- Sellers: Pilar Guzmán & Chris Mitchell
- Listing Agent: Sophie Smadbeck, Leslie J. Garfield & Co.
Author Profile
-
The writer is a real estate journalist specializing in all types of New York City properties, including luxury residences, commercial spaces, and homes.
He also writes humorous articles about real estate, investors, and realtors.
Latest Posts
BlogDecember 15, 2025Houston Real Estate 2026: Growth and Hotspots Ahead
BlogDecember 3, 2025Why Houston Real Estate Investing Is Surging in 2026
BlogNovember 29, 2025Real Estate Market Insights: Why Every Call Matters
PerspectiveNovember 20, 2025Things to do in New York without real estate agents