The size of this Carroll Gardens apartment is debatable. But is it a steal regardless?

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | August 12, 2015 - 2:59PM

This $3,000/month Carroll Gardens walk-up, at 32 Garnet Street, was obviously renovated recently -- the kitchen has stainless appliances (including a dishwasher) and there's marble in the bathroom. The apartment's also got exposed brick and French doors. But to call it a true two-bedroom is a stretch, considering it appears as though those aforementioned French doors are separating a window-less living room/kitchen area from the "bedroom."

The price tag is high if you consider it a one-bedroom (the median price of one-bedrooms in the neighborhood is $2,600, according to StreetEasy) and pretty good if you consider it a two-bedroom (median price for those is $3,800). We consider this apartment somewhere in between those two, so the price may be just about right.

So is it a steal or a stretch for this place, right on the border of Gowanus? I asked our experts (and veteran renters), RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin and freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, to weigh in with me on this week's Take It or Leave It.

Size: Two-bedroom, one-bath
Location: 32 Garnet Street (between Smith and Court)
Cost: $3,000/month
Flexible layout: Yes
Days on the market: 4
Subway: F, G to Smith-9th Street

Pros and cons:

"The finishes here are modern, and who wouldn't like stainless appliances juxtaposed against exposed brick? Also, Carroll Gardens is a really desirable neighborhood that oozes Brooklyn charm. And this apartment is only a few hundred feet from the F and G stop. But it's a walk-up, and the living room space looks tiny. If you ask me, this is a one-bedroom parading around as a two-bedroom. And if you like to take baths, you're out of luck with that stall shower." — Lucy

"I like the modern renovation with exposed brick, dark woods, a great kitchen with dishwasher, and the location in the south end of good old Carroll Gardens. Best I can tell from the photos, this place works best as a one-bed, not a two." — Zeb

"I'm crazy about the seafoam subway tiles in the kitchen (but a little less psyched about the ultra-slim fridge) and the long wall of exposed brick is pretty fab, too. The only downsides? I think we have another faux two-bedroom here with one "bedroom" attached via French doors. And the walk-up to floor three may not be all that appealing to everyone." — Lambeth

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

"A couple. The apartment would feel rather claustrophobic with roommates. Even better: A single person who works from home and could use the 'second bedroom' as an office." — Lucy

"A pet-owning Brooklyn couple would fit in perfectly here. Storage for the bicycles and pet carriers. Bonus for cooks ready to chef it up in the new kitchen." — Zeb

"A couple in love with Carroll Gardens who don't mind living in the shadow of the BQE and using the F and G."— Lambeth

The verdict(s):

LEAVE IT "It's pretty but small. I think you'd be overpaying." — Lucy

TAKE IT "If you've come to terms with paying a little extra for a newly refinished one-bedroom, this will work." — Zeb

TAKE IT "If only to learn the ins and outs of this neighborhood. After all, this is a tidy starter apartment that's been renovated pretty stylishly." — Lambeth

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