The Flatbush and Prospect Park South neighborhoods of Brooklyn are riddled with gorgeous Victorian mansions, but none are quite as unique as the famous “Japanese House.” While there are many rumors surrounding the origins of this private home, also known as the Frederick and Loretta Kohle House, what is true is that it was built between 1902 to 1903 and there’s none quite like it. On a special tour this November, you can take advantage of a rare invitation to step inside the home and meet its current owner!
On Saturday, November 12th, join Untapped New York Insiders for a members-only tour of the Japanese House with owner Gloria Fischer. This event is free for Untapped New York Insiders. Not a member yet? Join today!
Tour Brooklyn’s Japanese House
The success of the Japanese pavilion at the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893 helped boost the popularity of Japanese design in American residential architecture. In hopes of riding that craze, this Japanese-style house was built as an advertising and marketing initiative. Though it had success in the press, the house was ultimately sold below cost and no other Japanese houses were ever built in Flatbush-Ditmas Park.
In 1997, the New York Times called it “perhaps New York’s most unusual residence.” It’s quite a feat to stand out among the other massive and elegantly designed mansions of the neighborhood, but the Japanese House does just that with its bright colors and distinctive style. The home is now likely to be valued at over $2 million!
On Untapped New York’s Insiders tour of the home led by owner Gloria Fischer, you’ll admire the exterior (which was repainted to its original green and orange paint scheme), then step inside to learn more about the home’s history. Inside, as you disentangle fact from fiction, you’ll see how the Fischers restored the home and how they continue to care for original features such as stained glass windows and original woodwork.
Tour Brooklyn’s Japanese House
Next, check out A Guide to the Victorian Mansions of Flatbush