BROWNSTONERS HOUSE TOUR
SHOWCASE YOUNG OWNERS
By Keith L. Forest
Timothy and Simone Pratt are experiencing a lot of first this year. The newlyweds, who recently celebrated their first nuptial and first year as Bed Stuy home owners, are looking forward to the arrival of their first child.
The Pratt’s four story restored brownstone is one of several homes on the Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant 29th Annual House Tour. “We actually attended the tour last year and got some great ideas on how to (fix) our place. However, I didn’t think we were ready,” recalls Tim, 36, a former Wall Street Executive who currently works for the NFL.
The Pratt’s turn of the century brownstone has undergone a year long renovation which includes the preservation of all the original wood work, gutting the upper levels for rental units and a revamped layout. Tim, a novice carpenter did the majority of the demolition and paint stripping. However, he hired contractors to install the couple’s chic kitchen that features a designer marble top island, cherry wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and pendent lighting.
The house tour, which is part of the Bed Stuy Alive! Taste, Strut, Tour Know festival, will showcase several spectacular brownstones and limestones along Bedford Stuyvesant’s tree-lined streets. Each year hundreds of home enthusiast flocks to the area eagerly anticipating a sneak-peek at some of the stylish refurbished quarters. Many of which recapture the timeless beauty and elegance of Bed Stuy living.
Prior to moving to Bed Stuy, Tim and Simone rented in Crown Heights and Clinton Hills respectfully. “We both love Brooklyn and had already invested years here.” Say Tim, who grew up in Long Island, NY. He knew he wanted to make an investment in Brooklyn and was drawn to Bedford Stuyvesant’s quality housing stock. “The bones of these homes are amazing,” says the novice carpenter who did the majority of the demolition and restoration work himself.
“It feels good to put down roots here. There is so much going on. Shops and restaurants are opening up all over the place,” says Tim. “It’s such an exciting time to be here and a great place to raise a family.”
The self guided tour takes place Saturday, October 20th. It begins at the historic “Old” Boys High School, at 832 Marcy Avenue, near the corner of Putnam Ave from 11:0 AM – 4:00 PM, rain or shine. Patrons are given maps and addresses of all participating properties. In addition to the spectacular display of homes, attendees can also participate in a homeownership workshop and partake in the annual Bed Stuy Bazaar.
Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.
By Keith L. Forest
Timothy and Simone Pratt are experiencing a lot of first this year. The newlyweds, who recently celebrated their first nuptial and first year as Bed Stuy home owners, are looking forward to the arrival of their first child.
The Pratt’s four story restored brownstone is one of several homes on the Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant 29th Annual House Tour. “We actually attended the tour last year and got some great ideas on how to (fix) our place. However, I didn’t think we were ready,” recalls Tim, 36, a former Wall Street Executive who currently works for the NFL.
The Pratt’s turn of the century brownstone has undergone a year long renovation which includes the preservation of all the original wood work, gutting the upper levels for rental units and a revamped layout. Tim, a novice carpenter did the majority of the demolition and paint stripping. However, he hired contractors to install the couple’s chic kitchen that features a designer marble top island, cherry wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and pendent lighting.
The house tour, which is part of the Bed Stuy Alive! Taste, Strut, Tour Know festival, will showcase several spectacular brownstones and limestones along Bedford Stuyvesant’s tree-lined streets. Each year hundreds of home enthusiast flocks to the area eagerly anticipating a sneak-peek at some of the stylish refurbished quarters. Many of which recapture the timeless beauty and elegance of Bed Stuy living.
Prior to moving to Bed Stuy, Tim and Simone rented in Crown Heights and Clinton Hills respectfully. “We both love Brooklyn and had already invested years here.” Say Tim, who grew up in Long Island, NY. He knew he wanted to make an investment in Brooklyn and was drawn to Bedford Stuyvesant’s quality housing stock. “The bones of these homes are amazing,” says the novice carpenter who did the majority of the demolition and restoration work himself.
“It feels good to put down roots here. There is so much going on. Shops and restaurants are opening up all over the place,” says Tim. “It’s such an exciting time to be here and a great place to raise a family.”
The self guided tour takes place Saturday, October 20th. It begins at the historic “Old” Boys High School, at 832 Marcy Avenue, near the corner of Putnam Ave from 11:0 AM – 4:00 PM, rain or shine. Patrons are given maps and addresses of all participating properties. In addition to the spectacular display of homes, attendees can also participate in a homeownership workshop and partake in the annual Bed Stuy Bazaar.
Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.
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