Novelist Norman Mailer's Former Nautical-Inspired Brooklyn Flat Asks $2.25M

Take over the top-floor apartment of a landmarked 1840 Brooklyn Heights townhouse where Pulitzer Prize-winning author Norman Mailer worked.

The rare and culturally significant property is now available through CORE. Famous guests—including John Lennon and Bob Dylan—have gathered in the flat during the many parties Mailer hosted here.

It was in this 142 Columbia Heights flat that renowned American novelist, journalist, essayist, playwright, filmmaker, actor, and liberal political activist Norman Mailer wrote many of his bestselling novels, including The Executioner’s Song and Ancient Evenings.

It was in this 142 Columbia Heights flat that renowned American novelist, journalist, essayist, playwright, filmmaker, actor, and liberal political activist Norman Mailer wrote many of his bestselling novels, including The Executioner’s Song and Ancient Evenings.

The roof is fitted with unique, architectural skylights.

The roof is fitted with unique, architectural skylights.

Mailer worked on the interiors of the 1,636-square-foot flat himself.

Mailer worked on the interiors of the 1,636-square-foot flat himself.

He transformed it to resemble a ship, with a double-height, glass-and-wood atrium that draws in plenty of sunlight.  

He transformed it to resemble a ship, with a double-height, glass-and-wood atrium that draws in plenty of sunlight.  

To help him overcome his fear of heights, Mailer installed gangplanks, hammocks, and a trapeze in the two-story flat.

To help him overcome his fear of heights, Mailer installed gangplanks, hammocks, and a trapeze in the two-story flat.

The smooth sloping wood of the ceiling above the living and dining areas echoes the curves of a grand sailboat.

The smooth sloping wood of the ceiling above the living and dining areas echoes the curves of a grand sailboat.

According to the author’s son Michael Mailer, his father had previously owned the entire townhouse, but in the 1970s, he turned it into a co-op.

According to the author’s son Michael Mailer, his father had previously owned the entire townhouse, but in the 1970s, he turned it into a co-op.

A separate one-bedroom apartment on the third floor is included in the sale.

A separate one-bedroom apartment on the third floor is included in the sale.

Mailer sold the lower floors before he died in 2007, but had kept this top floor unit. 

Mailer sold the lower floors before he died in 2007, but had kept this top floor unit. 

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom flat has several outdoor terraces that look out to panoramic views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Statue of Liberty.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom flat has several outdoor terraces that look out to panoramic views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Statue of Liberty.

For more information, contact CORE agent Patrick Lilly.

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Michele Koh Morollo
Dwell Contributor
Michele Koh Morollo is a journalist who has been writing about design, lifestyle and travel for the last twenty years.

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