The Brooklyn Heights apartment of Norman Mailer, an American novelist and journalist is now on the market for $2.4 million. The apartment will appeal to literary and history buffs alike, as the unit is on the 4th floor of a landmarked Columbia Heights brownstone and is the location where Mailer reportedly wrote The Executioner’s Song. But it’s not only the magical views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline from the writer’s vantage point that make this 3-bedroom, 1840s residence such a delight. The unique charm comes from the apartment’s unusual layout and history.
Mailer, looking to overcome a lifelong fear of heights renovated the home in the early 1960s to resemble a pirate’s ship. The roof was raised to mimic a three tier crow’s nest and a series of ladders led up to the upper floors. According to the NY Times, Mailer’s son described that in his youth, there was a hammock hung between the rafters and a rope ladder and trapeze suspended from the ceiling. Undoubtedly, the ship-like home was a fabulous place to grow up.
Though the ship accents have since been removed, the intriguing architecture remains. New residents can look forward to basking in the sun that pours in through the 2-story glass atrium. Stained glass windows also add a bit of vintage flavor to the living room, and of course there are plenty of bookshelves. There are also multiple outdoor terraces with coveted views of the Brooklyn Promenade and beyond. And though there are no sailboat remnants left, the listing does include a separate one bedroom apartment one floor down.
Patrick Lilly of Core has the charming listing, which might sail off the market soon.