Stuyvesant Heights: "Bed-Stuy's Red Carpet"

In my last column, "," we took a peek at the current sales energy in Bedford-Stuyvesant, "post-bubble."

While it is still up for debate by some whether or not Bed-Stuy real estate is "on fire," there is one section of the neighborhood whose appeal cannot be denied: Stuyvesant Heights. 

Bordering Tompkins Avenue to the west, Stuyvesant avenue to the east, Macon street to the north and Chauncey street to the south, this 13-block landmark district has consistently fetched record prices for its property.

There are some newcomers to the Stuy who suspect that Stuyvesant Heights is just marketing hype.

Though many agents and owners have taken liberties to try to sell their homes around the city (see: "Hakeem Jeffries Wants Bill To Prevent Brokers From Creating More 'Pro-Cro's"), this land-marked district is real. Stuyvesant Heights has been official since it was listed on the National Register in 1975.

It's so official that the term "Stuyvesant Heights area" has been used to death.

One only needs but to stand on the corner of MacDonough Street and Lewis Avenue on a sunny Saturday afternoon to see why the excitement is legit. Beyond the gorgeous brownstones with manicured front yards, it's the vibe of the people in the area that makes this section feel like one of the most charming in all of New York.

Between folk dining at Peaches, picking up a latte and pumpkin bread at Bread Stuy or catching a drink of some exotic lager at Therapy Wine Bar, there is a sweet, down-home metropolitan vibe going on. 

Stuyvesant Heights' recent real estate storm was precipitated by none other than Barbara Corcoran's purchase of 408 Stuyvesant Avenue for $1,460,000, in the fall of 2008.

Months earlier, 404 Stuyvesant Avenue, a similar limestone mansion, closed for $1,115,000.

Fast forward to today, it appears that the skies are about to rain some serious green on this section again. There are presently two homes on Stuyvesant Avenue between Bainbridge and Decatur with accepted offers over a million dollars. 

What makes these potential sales remarkable are the sales in 2008 were for semi-detached limestones that were over 5,000 square feet. The present Queen Anne row homes with accepted offers, while large and remarkable in terms of detail and condition, are both smaller and attached on both sides.

When they close, it will create another sea of change in this revered part of Bedford-Stuyvesant. 

What was once Bed-Stuy's "Doctor's Row," may soon become known as "Millionaires Row." Stay tuned!

Next... "Top-7 steps to getting a mortgage, post recession"

Martin Tkalla Keaton is a senior associate and Multi Million-Dollar Club member of the Corcoran Group.