Iconic 1826 Hicks Street Homes Reveal Fresh Facades

By on March 4, 2012 9:35 pm in Architecture, Brooklyn Heights, Home Improvement, Movie shoots

The two adjoining wood clapboard multi-level town-homes at 146 and 148 Hicks Street—whose exteriors were seriously damaged when the Mansion House tree fell during last August’s Hurricane Irene—have both been undergoing intensive renovations since, with all new planking installed and replacement windows, many of which were broken by the felled American elm.

This weekend, the scaffolding came down, revealing the refreshed facades of the iconic Hicks homes. The blue three-level 146, built in 1826, was utilized for filming of the Coen brother’s “Burn After Reading,” starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, as well as the site of an AT&T commercial.

The gray four-level at 148 was also built in 1826, but its occupants appear intent on maintaining it as a home, instead of, uh, a profit-making machine.

(Photo: Chuck Taylor)

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  • stuart

    The tree should have been taken down three years ago when the board of directors of Mansion House stated that it was damaging the building’s foundations, and was a public hazard. An uproar by the botanically clueless who cannot comprehend that a giant leaning tree is dangerous, stopped the Board from doing the right thing.
    In the end it was a miracle that when the tree fell, it did not kill anyone.
    Every time I walked down that street and saw that immense tree leaning so precariously over the sidewalk, street, and cars, I thought to myself: “any day now.”
    It could have been a real tragedy. Thank goodness no one was hurt.

  • GHB

    Considering the size of that tree, these buildings got through the hurricane relatively unscathed. Glad no one was hurt.

  • Nick A

    lovely. nothing better than a classic heights greek revival. i’ll take the one on the right, please!

  • J

    Is the same color blue required for all the *Blue* builidings in the Heights?

  • Carlotta

    Do the occupants of 146 use their home only for film and commercial shoots or do they occassionally rent it for this purpose -and if that’s the case, would this degrogative insinuation be aimed at everyone in the Heights who on occasion participates in this enterprise be called “using their home as a profit-making machine”?

  • Wrennie

    Actually I think the blue house doesn’t actually have anyone living in it full-time. They never shovel their sidewalks.

  • GHB

    Wrennie, it’s been a while since shoveling was needed ;-)

  • Wrennie

    True, GHB. I just remember last winter having to trudge through knee-deep snow right in front of that house. It was there for weeks, until foot traffic eventually condensed it to a manageable level.

  • Eelface

    You have the wrong block wrennie. Further down hicks there is a house that doesn’t shovel. 146 is always shoveled. Thanks for the input though

  • Wrennie

    Ha um I think I know where I live, and that house was not shoveled last year at all.

  • Wrennie

    I’ll grant you that someone else may have eventually gotten to it. But it took forever.

  • Eelface

    Living on block as well I’d say it’s entirely inaccurate to say you ” trudge(d) through knee-deep snow…for weeks”

    I also agree with Carlotta, not sure why the dig on the house being used for commercial shoots. Instead how about people appreciating the beautiful job these people did to preserve a historic home?

  • Wrennie

    Either way, Eelface, maybe just watch your tone. Thanks for the input, though.

  • Eelface

    You are right, I will watch my tone. It’s silly to get annoyed by these posts. But it is frustrating when people post ridiculous statements that are factually untrue just because it’s an anonymous blog

  • Wrennie

    Ridiculous? Frustrating? You’re really a fan of strong language (and being very easily offended), aren’t you? I can assure you that it wasn’t my intent to go rogue and secretly post comments erroneously about a house on a street having snow in front of it. I’m not sure what the motive would have been in that case. Now that I think of it, my memory from 15 months ago is a little skewed…I think the house I’m thinking of was maybe 2 or 3 buildings further south.

    I’m so terribly sorry that I’ve offended you by making a simple, innocuous, innocent comment about the accumulation of precipitation on Hicks Street.

  • Eelface

    Eelface 1 – Weenie 0.

  • Buddy

    I’m just curious after reading this award winning bit of journalism and the subsequent responses what makes any of you think you have the right to judge a homeowner for what they do in their own home. I for one, loved Burn After Reading and am proud that such a great film will be associated with the neighborhood. I applaud the people who live there for the impeccable renovation as well- I can guarantee you that restoring asbestos filled clapboard in that manner came at a non-reimbursable cost. I wish the author and the rest of you who use these anonymous forums to post inaccurate and yes- directly offensive comments would have just said thank you- we need more people like the owners in this neighborhood and less of yourselves.

  • Eelface

    Wrennie – I’ve thought about this more and I’m getting kind of concerned. Are you sure you do know where you live?

  • Elaine Comstock-Leirer

    I am sure that Eelface and Wrennie are enjoying their contratemps..BUT….using our homes for cinema involvement gives owners extra cash with which to beautify and maintain our
    buildings and glorify the Heights. Good job 146 and 148.

  • Brooklyn

    Fortunately, I don’t think the Mansion House tree did as much damage as one would imagine. The house at 146 was already under renovation before the tree fell. It is so nice to see both houses after months of scaffolding. Next, getting rid of the dumpsters!