Construction update: Michelle Williams’ Victorian Flatbush house is shaping up nicely

Eye on Real Estate

December 20, 2017 By Lore Croghan Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Michelle Williams, seen here at a November Lincoln Center gala, is making big strides in renovating her Victorian Flatbush house. Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

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Homeowners in landmarked neighborhoods are stewards of history.

In Victorian Flatbush, you can see how seriously they take their responsibilities. Just look at all the historically appropriate renovation that’s underway in the neighborhood.

This work is moving forward even as wintry weather descends on Brooklyn.

On a short stretch of Albemarle Road in the Prospect Park South Historic District, two houses that resemble Scarlett O’Hara’s mansion Tara in the film “Gone With the Wind” are being restored.

One of them belongs to Academy Award-nominated actress Michelle Williams.

It’s at 1440 Albemarle Road, which is on the corner of Marlborough Road. The other house, which is equally glamorous, is at 1305 Albemarle Road, which is on the corner of Argyle Road.

Williams’ stately Colonial Revival-style home, which was designed in 1905 by Robert Bryson and Charles Pratt, is shaping up beautifully.

Its facade is clad with historically appropriate cedar shingles and cedar clapboard, both painted subtle shades of white. Many exterior details are in tip-top shape, from porch railings to copper downspouts to a nifty weather vane.

The 18-room mansion was covered with asphalt shingles

The 18-room house was a jaw-dropper even before the renovation team led by Matiz Architecture & Design got down to work.

It has an eye-catching front-entrance porch with two-story-high fluted Ionic columns. There are porches on the Marlborough Road side of the house and the back of the house as well.

The one thing that made it less than Instagram-worthy before Williams bought it was its facade, which was covered with gray asphalt shingles. They’d been there at least since 1979 — they’re mentioned in the city Landmarks Preservation Commission’s Prospect Park South Historic District designation report, which was written that year.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved Williams’ renovation plans in March 2016.

There’s perennial debate about whether it’s kosher to publish celebrities’ addresses. In Williams’ case, her reps gave the house’s address to the blog Ditmas Park Corner, which broke the story of her purchase.

According to city Finance Department records, Williams bought 1440 Albemarle Road through a trust for $2,500,001 in 2015.

Alexandra Reddish of Mary Kay Gallagher Real Estate, who repped the house’s seller, came up with the nickname “’Gone With the Wind’ house.”

By the way, Williams is co-starring in a new film about P.T. Barnum called “The Greatest Showman.”

The other Tara’s renovation is progressing nicely

Renovation work is also coming along beautifully at Albemarle Road’s other “Gone With the Wind” house.

The front of 1305 Albemarle Road is looking great. So is its Argyle Road facade. Work continues on the back of the house.

According to the Prospect Park South Historic District designation report, the Colonial Revival-style mansion was designed by architect H.B. Moore and built in 1905.

It has 22 rooms.

Stephen Tanenbaum and Alisa Stratton bought 1305 Albemarle Road for $2.75 million in January, Finance Department records indicate.