1305 Albemarle Rd

This majestic turn-of-the-century mansion was built for New York industrialist George Gale in 1905 by H.B. Moore, a disciple of famed architect Stanford White, inspired by White’s design of the Atlantic Yacht Club in Seagate. Featured in the American Institute of Architects Guide to New York City, a rare distinction for a single-family house, the Gale Mansion has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, making it one of Brooklyn’s most iconic homes. Situated on a third of an acre, a lush, private corner parcel on Albemarle Road—described by The New York Times’ Christopher Gray as “one of the grandest residential streets in the whole city”—stands the Gale Mansion, the Crown Jewel of the Prospect Park South Historic District. This exuberant masterpiece features a towering two-story portico crowned by eyebrow dormers and supported by soaring 25’ fluted columns. Albemarle Road is a park-like boulevard with landscaped greenspace and no on-street parking (2-car garage). During weekend “open street” events, it transforms into a pedestrian park steps from your door. Prospect Park and the Parade Grounds are two blocks away, offering tennis, paddle boats, soccer, horseback riding, and more. The 11,400-square-foot home comprises 22 rooms, 9 bedrooms, and 7.5 bathrooms, fully restored and renovated to meticulous standards by its architect-owner, including modern mechanical systems for comfort and efficiency. A covered porch welcomes you into a breathtaking foyer with sweeping grand staircase and original neoclassical mantel fireplace. The sun-drenched living room boasts a Calacatta marble mosaic fireplace with 19th-century carved wood mantel and rare round over-mirror, accented by a Jonathan Adler chandelier. The adjacent library, through mahogany pocket doors, features oak and leather wainscoting, built-in bookshelves, and custom cabinetry. The parlor showcases period sconces, ornamental trim, and Victorian-inspired wallpaper. Entertain in the mahogany-paneled dining room with leaded glass breakfront, working gas fireplace, and wall of windows overlooking the garden. The 700-square-foot chef’s kitchen features top-tier appliances, Parisian mirror-glass backsplash, carved marble farm sink, Calacatta quartzite island with antique bronze chandeliers, stainless steel counters, bespoke cabinetry, oak library rolling ladder, wood-burning fireplace, and antique limestone mantel from a Scottish castle. The breakfast nook seats six, with French doors opening to a bluestone terrace and south-facing lawn for alfresco dining and garden parties. The second-floor primary suite offers a hand-carved fireplace, custom Swedish antique bronze light fixture, oversized bow windows, two large closets, dressing room with wall-to-wall storage, and luxurious bath with clawfoot tub, double vanity, glass-enclosed shower, mosaic marble floor, custom oak cabinetry, and radiant floor heat with zoned A/C. Four additional bedrooms and two baths, one with adjoining office and en suite, complete this floor. The third floor houses a 1,200-square-foot ballroom with 17-foot vaulted ceiling, home theatre, billiards, antique bar, game room, spiral staircase, catwalk, and 300-square-foot skylit loft/office, plus three bedrooms and two baths. The English basement has a private entrance, Swedish-inspired kitchen and living area, exposed beams, wood-burning fireplace, gym, Finlandia cedar sauna, and entertainment space. Modern comforts include 13-zone A/C, 24-zone heating, smart thermostats, two new high-efficiency boilers, water heaters, new roof and storm drainage, upgraded electric and plumbing, new insulation, backflow check-valve, and monitored alarm system. The landmarked Prospect Park South neighborhood (1898–1920) features 206 freestanding homes by notable architects like William Van Alen and Arthur Loomis Harmon, attracting prominent residents historically and today.