Preservation Potentials: 55 Newton Avenue

SEPTEMBER 2013 UPDATE: SOLD

 

 

Attention: Victorian House Lovers, Steampunks, Anglophiles, and fellow appreciators of all things antique! I'm not sure old-house hunters outside the immediate area realize the unique architectural offerings Woodbury, NJ has in store. In some cases these houses will require a little creativity to restore them to their former glory, but most will have retained a large semblance of the magnificent days of English-inspired American architecture, for a fraction of the cost found in other areas.

Recently listed is an amazingly beautiful gray stone Victorian duplex on a lovely and predominantly period street, Newton Avenue. At $159,000, you can't go wrong. Listing HERE. Zoned residential/commercial, you could operate a business where you live if you wanted. There's enough room (and a private entrance) if you wish to rent one of the three floors out as well. But... how about I aim high and hope that a young family moves and converts this lovely home into a single family, as this one would make a lovely residence. For each unit removed the City of Woodbury will provide a $500 credit towards permit fees and a 5-year tax abatement on a home’s increased value. WORC will pay 50% of an owner’s permit fees above the city’s $500 credit and further, will offer a grant of up to $5,000 for each apartment removed from a property. Brochure HERE.

 

It is my opinion that reviving a once grand city is a community effort that largely starts at home. Vested homeowners that value the history and heritage of their house and who treat their home as an extension of the family and not just some place to crash, can and do make a difference. Preserve the past, to better the future!