TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Glossier founder Emily Weiss has made headlines with her recent real estate move, purchasing a Brooklyn brownstone for $22.1 million. This transaction marks the second most expensive home sale in Brooklyn’s history. Weiss, along with her partner, Stripe executive Will Gaybrick, finalized the purchase of the five-story Brooklyn Heights home earlier this week.
The couple originally signed a contract for this historic property in April. Concurrently, they listed their Greenwich Village townhouse, bought just five months prior for $17.9 million. The townhouse sold in June for $17.25 million, according to news reports and property records.
A Historic and Modern Marvel
Built in 1899, the Brooklyn brownstone has undergone significant transformation. The Brooklyn Home Company, a real estate design firm, converted it into a single-family unit through a comprehensive renovation. The firm reimagined the interior, added a landscaped roof deck, covered garage, and restored the facade in compliance with the Landmark Preservation Commission’s regulations due to its location within the Brooklyn Heights Historic District.
“We’ve been doing design and restoration of homes in Brooklyn for a long time,” said Bill Caleo of the Brooklyn Home Company. “We’ve developed a system and strategy to bring it back to its original glory.”
Significant Investment
The $22.1 million price tag reflects the extensive and costly renovations undertaken by the seller, who originally purchased the property for $7.65 million in 2021. The home now spans 8,488 square feet and offers exposure to natural light on three sides, with three levels of outdoor space. The interior features a new Plain English kitchen with hand-painted cabinetry, formal and informal living rooms, and an entire floor dedicated to the primary suite. The basement has been converted into a staff suite and a spacious mudroom.
Art and Legacy
The home holds a significant place in art history as it was once owned by modernist artist John Graham, a prominent figure in the 20th-century New York art scene. The sellers, in preparation to list the home, hosted an exhibition of Graham’s work and legacy, as well as the artwork of those influenced by his Abstract Expressionism. This exhibition was intended to open to the public and served as a unique staging strategy.
Swift Sale
The property, marketed by Lindsay Barton Barrett of Douglas Elliman, quickly attracted interest and found a buyer shortly after listing. “We got a couple of very quick bites from a couple of parties, so the deal came together really quickly,” Caleo commented.
Weiss and Glossier
Emily Weiss is the founder and executive chairwoman of Glossier, a billion-dollar beauty brand that originated from her blog, “Into The Gloss.” While Glossier has evolved from its cult status, Weiss handed over the CEO role to Kyle Leahy in 2022 to guide the company through its next phase in a competitive market.
Weiss and Gaybrick, who welcomed a daughter in 2022, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Brooklyn’s Luxury Market
This sale is notable for its place in Brooklyn’s luxury real estate market, only surpassed by a $25.5 million townhouse sale on Montague Street in 2021. It replaces the $20.3 million sale of a penthouse at the Quay Tower on the Brooklyn Heights waterfront as the second most expensive home sale in the borough.
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