Beloved Brooklyn Gingerbread House Tempts the Market With Fairy-Tale Charm for $8.7M

A delightfully familiar Brooklyn, NY, home has hit the market for $8,750,000.

This Bay Ridge beauty at 8200 Narrows Avenue has six bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and a fascinating history.

“It is a special part of the Bay Ridge community and has long been a destination for members of New York society,” says listing agent Peter Grazioli, of Brown Harris Stevens Brooklyn. “This home has a unique voice that speaks to every person who enters it. The special part is, everyone hears something different—but all good things!”

‘Like Owning Your Own Park’

The home was designed by James Sarsfield Kennedy for Howard and Jessie Jones and was quickly dubbed the Gingerbread House for its resemblance to a whimsical fairy-tale cottage—think Hansel and Gretel.

Kennedy also designed other iconic Brooklyn homes, including several mansions in Prospect Park South and the Picnic House in Prospect Park itself.

But the Gingerbread House is considered Kennedy’s masterpiece.

Howard Jones was a shipping mogul. Both he and his wife were involved in charitable causes. Together, they held many social functions for business associates and friends at the iconic home.

The Gingerbread House’s exterior is adorned with uncut stone and has an undulating asphalt roof. Completed in 1917, the Arts and Crafts-style home is more rustic on the exterior, but its interior is more refined.

Inside and out, the design echoes the philosophy of Arts and Crafts-movement practitioners. There’s a real emphasis here on natural building materials and a relaxing, inviting design.

The grounds feature ironwork fences, gates, lanterns, and downspouts. A charming archway serves as the home’s main entrance.

A large lawn with a back extension and a garden await. Plus, there’s room for a pool.

Meanwhile, the three-car garage and courtyard provide enough space for a fleet of vehicles.

“The home’s original details remain, but the current owners did renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms, windows, plumbing, electric, and central air,” Grazioli explains. “It’s modernized for today’s living standards, with respect for craftsmanship … and the indoor and outdoor spaces are amazing for entertaining. The property grounds are like owning your own park.”

Incredible interior

The expansive, 12-room interior includes classical elements such as handcarved wainscoting; bungalow-style, beamed ceilings; marble mantels; hand-painted, coffered ceilings; and stained-glass doors.

Mahogany- and cherry-wood floors are found in the living, dining, and music rooms. There’s also a fountain room, which leads to the patio and outdoor spaces.

The primary suite is spacious, with walk-in closets, a sitting room, dressing room, and a fireplace flanked by two balconies.

The lower level could be used for a variety of amenities, such as a movie theater or home gym, the listing notes.

The Gingerbread House has been a tourist attraction from the beginning, because it’s so unusual and graceful in its proportions. It’s even a social media star—no stranger to cameras!

For more information and photos, check out the full listing here.

To see other homes for sale in Brooklyn, NY, go here.

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