Brooklyn voyeurs, here’s your chance to see how the other half lives — the other half that lives better than you do, that is.
Yes, folks, house tour season is upon us once again. Starting this weekend and through the fall, the cream of the crop in nearly a dozen neighborhoods across the borough will be opening up their doors for those who can’t get enough of unique architectural details, modern home decor or simply meeting new people.
Want in? Here’s your one-stop shop for all of that this year’s self-guided house tours have to offer, from the landmarked homes of Brooklyn Heights to the brownstones of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Tour
Date
Time
Cost
Starting location
Highlights
Basic info
LiveWorkPlayFortGreene
May 2
Noon–5 pm
$20 in advance
BAM Triangle Park, Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street
Behind-the-scenes tours of BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House, as well as a focus on places where people live and work, such as an artist who has a studio in her home. “It’s a lifestyle that a lot of people are beginning to associate with Brooklyn,” said Hallie Kapner, of the Fort Greene Association.
For info, visit www.historicfortgreene.org/house-tour-2010 or call (718) 875-1855
Brooklyn Heights tour
May 8
1–5 pm
129 Pierrepont St. at Clinton Street
$40
An Italianate styled brownstone built in 1865. The current owners have restored the villa-styled building’s double-door stoop, which was removed during the 1950s in favor of a black brick door “the size of a closet,” said Judy Stanton, executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association. For info, visit www.thebha.org or call (718) 858-9193
Park Slope Civic Council
May 16
Noon to 5 pm
Poly Prep Country Day School, 50 Prospect Park West at First Street
$20
A 1919 Neo-Tudor, one of the last single-family homes built in the neighborhood. “The house has a driveway that leads up to the house because back then, people actually had cars,” said Candace Woodward, of the Park Slope Civic Council.
For info, visit, www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org or call (718) 832-8227
Boerum Hill tour
May 23
1–5 pm
Bishop Mugavero Center, Hoyt and Pacific streets
$20 in advance
An 1870s Italianate brownstone with flat Greco revival facades and an expansive third floor family room with Scrabble and Play-doh stashed in antique wooden cabinets.
For info, visit www.boerumhillassociation.org or call (718) 625-4073
Prospect Lefferts Garden tour
May 23
Noon–5 pm
K-Dog & Dunebuggy, 43 Lincoln Rd. between Ocean and Flatbush avenues
$20 in advance
The kitchen in a free-standing neo-Georgian two-story English-bond brick home: arched doors lead to a dramatic full-width black and white kitchen featuring high-end European appliances housed in an ingenious triple island design.
For info, visit www.leffertsmanor.org or call (718) 284-6210
Clinton Hill garden walk
June 6
11 am–5 pm
$15 in advance
Symbols, Parables and Healing, a biblical-themed garden run by Teen Challenge, a group that helps keep kids off the streets.
For info, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/107257 or call (718) 852-9283
Victorian Flatbush tour
June 13
1–6 pm
Temple Beth Emith (83 Marlborough Rd. near E. 15th Street)
$20 in advance
Legitimate houses; home and garden enthusiasts come from all over the country to tour this suburban oasis.
For info, visit www.fdconline.org or call (718) 859-3800
Crown Heights North tour
Oct. 2
11 am-4 pm
$20 in advance
Artist and artisan homes, historic places of worship and architecturally significant residential buildings.
For info, visit www.crownheightsnorth.org or call (917) 748-4664
Bedford-Stuyvesant tour
Oct. 16
11 am-4 pm
$15 in advance
Brooklyn Academy at Marcy and Putnam avenues (tentative)
In addition to gorgeous brownstones and limestones, this year’s will feature the Bed-Stuy Bazaar — get started on that holiday shopping early.
For info, visit www.brownstonersofbedstuy.org or call (718) 221-2213
— with Elizabeth Dana