196 Berkeley Place Brooklyn, NY 11217

For the discerning Park Slope townhouse buyer - we present 196 Berkeley Place. Finally, a home which is absolutely up-to-the-minute in its renovations, while polished to perfection in its restorations. The owner of this home carried out meticulous work to revive the original details. Plaster designs on the ceiling and walls were restored to match the original throughout the parlor floor by talented craftsmen. Woodwork was honed to its original glow. Fretwork, a huge pier mirror, and double mahogany doors were restored to frame the lovely double parlor. The kitchen and dining room feature an ornate decorative fireplace, as well as stained glass transoms over the double doors that lead to the garden. The Parlor floor features built-in Blue Sound speakers, fantastic for entertaining.

To complement the original home, the owner has added every update required by the serious townhouse owner. There is a Daikon electric HVAC system that provides heat and air conditioning to 5 separate zones in the house at a very reasonable average monthly cost. The kitchen, boasting granite countertops and a marble backsplash, is a cook's dream. The wall ovens and range are Wolf; the fridge is Sub-Zero.

The layout of the upper floors, which also have beautiful original details throughout, is smart and flexible. Above the parlor floor, there are two large bedrooms (one of which is used as a den or media room), one airy bathroom, and a laundry room. On the top floor, there is another bathroom and bedroom, as well as a smartly designed primary suite. The suite has its own bathroom, a windowed desk area, and a spacious walk-in closet. There is even a powder room on the parlor floor. All bathrooms in the house were replaced, and an additional en-suite bath was added to the primary bedroom.

The outdoor space is special. Facing south is a deck off the kitchen with plenty of space for dining and grilling. Steps lead to a lush, landscaped garden with mature plantings, ranging from a small grove of birch trees to a Japanese maple to a variety of evergreens (garden photos coming soon).

Further smart design is demonstrated in the one-bedroom garden apartment, which can be rented or not. And the cherry on top is a built-out basement currently used as a gym, with room for every type of equipment one might need. The basement also has a 1/2 bath and a laundry facility, and can be used as a media room or in any of several other ways.

The 21st century meets the 19th century in 196 Berkeley Place, and the new owner will reap the benefits of both.