A historic Greek Revival townhouse in Brooklyn Heights, the last surviving example from its original row of four, has been listed for sale for the first time in over half a century. Located at 46 Willow Place, the home has remained in the same family since 1969 and is now on the market for just over $3.4 million.
The property, distinguished by its two-story wooden columns and peeling green paint, stands as a remnant of 1840s architecture, wedged between modern townhouses. Its sale marks the end of an era for a home that has captivated tourists and locals for decades.
Key Takeaways
- A Greek Revival townhouse at 46 Willow Place in Brooklyn Heights is for sale for $3.4 million.
- The house is the sole survivor of a row of four identical colonnaded homes built in the 1840s.
- The Palmer family owned the home for 56 years, having purchased it for $50,000 in 1969.
- The property requires a complete renovation, with many original or mid-century features still in place.
- The home next door sold for $10.6 million in 2024, highlighting the potential value after restoration.
A Family's Home for Half a Century
For 56 years, 46 Willow Place was home to the Palmer family. Bob and Ina Palmer purchased the property in 1969 for $50,000, which, adjusted for inflation, is approximately $450,000 today. Their children, Brian and Cynthia Palmer, grew up within its historic walls, and are now selling the home following their mother's passing last year at the age of 98.
The house has remained largely untouched since the family moved in. The green paint on the iconic columns was already flaking in 1969 and was never repainted. Inside, the home is a time capsule, featuring warped linoleum floors, cloth-wired light fixtures, and a kitchen oven that dates back to the 1960s.
"My sister and I grew up there, hiding behind the pillars of the twin-story porch as guides stopped out front and told groups of tourists that the house was haunted," Brian Palmer recalled. "Other passers-by would tell us that ours was their favorite house in the city and that we should never refurbish it to look like the flawless quartet of houses across the street."
The family's decision not to renovate was partly a matter of priorities and partly a reflection of their values. Instead of home improvements, they focused on passions like an environmental magazine started by Brian in high school. This frugality was shaped by family history, including stories of a grandfather who reused sandwich wrappers and a mother who escaped the Holocaust.
The Last Survivor of Its Kind
The townhouse at 46 Willow Place was not built as a standalone structure. It was originally one of four identical colonnaded homes on the east side of the street, designed to mirror a matching set of four houses directly across from them. While the western row remains perfectly preserved and was famously photographed by Berenice Abbott in 1936, the eastern row has vanished—all except for No. 46.
Architectural Significance
The home's Greek Revival style was immensely popular in the United States from the 1820s to the 1850s. Adopting the architectural forms of ancient Greece, the birthplace of democracy, was a way for the young American nation to express its identity. Its columns are made of wood rather than marble, indicating it was a more modest interpretation of the grand style.
The exact construction date is uncertain, with records suggesting it was built between 1846 and 1849. At the time, Brooklyn and Manhattan were connected only by ferry, decades before the Brooklyn Bridge would be completed.
Architectural historian Patrick Ciccone, who has studied the city's rowhouses, highlighted the building's unique status. "The oddity of this one is its story — it’s the surviving one," he noted, describing it as being "like one tooth out of a smile."
A Blank Canvas for a New Owner
The asking price of $3.4 million reflects the extensive work required to modernize the property. The listing presents a rare opportunity for a buyer to undertake a gut renovation and restore a significant piece of Brooklyn's architectural heritage.
The financial potential is clear. The modernist townhouse immediately to its left sold in 2024 for $10.6 million, more than three times the asking price for No. 46. This suggests that a significant investment could yield a substantial return, transforming the weathered structure into a modern home while preserving its historic facade.
About Greek Revival Architecture
- Period of Popularity: Primarily between 1820 and 1850 in the United States.
- Key Features: Symmetrical shape, columns (often Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian), gabled roofs, and decorative pilasters.
- Symbolism: Associated with American democracy and the ideals of ancient Greece.
- Influence: The style was popularized by architectural pattern books, including "The Antiquities of Athens" published in 1762.
For decades, the house has been a landmark, described in one New York City guidebook as looking "for all the world like a set from ‘Gone with the Wind.’" Its weathered appearance has been a source of fascination and even a point of pride for some.
As the Palmer family prepares to pass the torch to a new owner, the future of 46 Willow Place is unwritten. The sale offers a chance to either meticulously restore its 19th-century character or reimagine it for the 21st century, ensuring that the story of Brooklyn's last column house continues.