135 Willow St

135 Willow

“Brooklyn Heights is a neighborhood of rare charm and historic significance.” So states the 1965 report designating the enclave as New York City’s first official Historic District. In the heart of the tree-lined neighborhood is 135 Willow St., a full-service co-op building completed in 1956 by architects Ralph E. Leff and Phillip Birnbaum, the latter of whom would go on to a prolific career in the 1970s and ’80s. Defined by a simple red-brick facade that features a series of recessed bays, the 10-story structure is a relative newcomer when compared to neighboring Greek Revival townhouses and Italianate brownstones, many of which date to before the Civil War. The 112-unit tower’s most distinctive feature is its Art Deco entrance, framed in richly veined stone and studded with Art Nouveau-style metalwork. Due to how the neighborhood is zoned, many of the residences come with protected views of the New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan skyline — and those that don’t still include access to a large private outdoor space that offers 360-degree vistas. “It has one of best roof decks in Brooklyn Heights,” says Daniel Kramp, a broker with Christie’s who recently listed a two-bedroom unit at the property. Other draws include a parking garage, easy access to a slew of top-rated schools and a prime location near postcard-worthy Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The property contains a mix of studios to two-bedroom residences, with a few larger combinations available on rare occasion. Studios start at around $515,000, while one-bedrooms range from $650,000 and go up to $1 million when equipped with outdoor space. Two-bedroom homes can reach $1.6 million. All the units come with hardwood floors, and many have been modernized with the times. For instance, a one-bedroom dwelling listed in 2023 featured a renovated chef’s kitchen with granite countertops and a French-door refrigerator. Some units have their own with private terraces, and several ground-floor residences come with direct access to a shared courtyard planted with mature trees and decorated with patio furniture. Notably, laundry machines are not permitted in the apartments, and there’s no central air conditioning, with most sporting window units. Exterior improvements in accordance to Local Law 11 were completed three years ago, and there’s no current monthly assessment. “It’s 100% owner-occupied, but they do allow subletting after a number of years as well as pied-a-terres,” adds Kramp. As a full-service co-op building,135 Willow St. employs a 24-hour doorman, two porters and a live-in super who is available to assist residents with maintenance needs. “Finding parking in the area is almost impossible, so having a garage for shareholders is definitely a huge perk,” adds Kramp, noting that he has clients who value the amenity so much that they prefer to stay within the building when looking to buy. (There’s currently a waiting list for a spot.) Another major draw is the spacious roof deck dotted with lounge furniture as well as tables and chairs that make it easy to take in the sweeping city views. A ground-level courtyard provides another spot to rest and recharge while getting fresh air. Rounding out the property’s amenity package is bike storage and a shared laundry room. The building is also pet friendly pending board approval. Occupying a slice of the East River waterfront between Dumbo and Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights consistently ranks among the borough’s most expensive neighborhoods, and new construction is extremely limited. “Brooklyn Heights has been attracting a lot of buyers and celebrities in the last several years,” says Kramp, noting Matt Damon bought a nearby penthouse a few years ago. The surge in popularity might be partially due to the mile-long Brooklyn Bridge Park bordering the neighborhood that was completed in phases from 2010 to 2021. Designed by celebrated landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburg, the 85-acre green space transformed six industrial piers with recreational facilities, gardens and a network of pathways. Reaching the park is easy from 135 Willow St., with two entrances off the nearby Brooklyn Heights Promenade, a popular scenic destination. In the other direction, a few blocks toward Downtown Brooklyn, Cadman Plaza Park features a large central lawn and plays host to regular events such as the Brooklyn Book Festival. Montague Street, two blocks from the 135 Willow St., has long been a commercial hub for the Brooklyn Heights community and is home to grocery stores including Key Food and Fresh Start Marketplace. Other grocery options in the area include Gristedes, Food Town and Trader Joe’s. “I wouldn’t say the neighborhood is a destination for restaurants, but there are definitely some good ones,” says Kramp. Among them are the Michelin-starred restaurant Clover Hill, as well as old standbys such as down-home diner Clark’s and Sardinian trattoria River Deli. Recent years have ushered in a new wave of hot spots, including Tik Tok-famous bakery L’Appartement 4F, which has a constant line down the block due to its viral mini-croissant cereal. One of the chief advantages of the neighborhood is its proximity to numerous transportation options. For straphangers, the 2 and 3 trains stop at the Clark Street station, which is less than a five-minute walk from the building. Both lines quickly whisk riders into Lower Manhattan before going uptown. A little further than that is the High Street station, where the A and C trains offer service to Manhattan and connections to other parts of Brooklyn. Multiple lines converge at the Borough Hall-Court Street station complex, including the 2, 3, 4, 5, R and W trains, while the nearby Jay Street-MetroTech station adds access to the F line. The B25 bus, which stops nearby, travels through downtown Brooklyn and into East New York, ending at a station for the Long Island Rail Road. Additionally, those who prefer biking can utilize two Citi Bike docks within several blocks of the building. Lastly, two ferry lines can be found at the north end of Brooklyn Bridge Park, making travel easier to numerous waterfront locations throughout the city.