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House Hunters Tripped Up by 'No Shoes' Rule at Jane Street Duplex

By DNAinfo Staff on April 16, 2012 6:55pm

By Thornton McEnery

Special to DNAinfo

130 Jane St. Apt # 1/2B
2-bedroom, 2 bath
$2.3 million
Maintenance: $2,819
 
WEST VILLAGE — Shoes had to come off to tour this ground floor multimillion dollar duplex on Jane Street, just west of Washington Street.

Halstead broker Louise Phillips Forbes explained the "No Shoes" rule was due to the fact "the owners have a small child."

Visitors seemed a bit put out by the request. One woman, who appeared to be in her early 30s, announced to her male companion that she “hate[d] taking her shoes off in other peoples houses.”

But once inside they were then able to walk through the large living/dining space and out through glass doors to gawk at the "garden" patio, covered in Astroturf.  It provided ample entertaining space, and the current owners showed a nice example of where to put a barbecue grill.

Upstairs, were two narrow bedrooms and a window-less office, currently being used as a nursery.

One couple, in their 30s, who had a small child, was impressed.

"I see it's listed as an office on the layout," the wife said. "But even though it doesn't have a window, the light is perfect for a nursery."

Though described as loft-like, the upstairs felt a bit "warren-like." Yet, the apartment's antique hardwood floors brought a lot of character to the modern feel of the space.

"Those floors are yellow pine," Forbes explained. "Old yellow pine. As you can see, this building has a lot of history."

"These floors are great," said a gray haired man in his late 50s. His female companion nodded in agreement.

As shoes were put back on by a small group at the doorway, one pregnant woman in her early 30s announced that when it came to bedbugs and rodents "ground floor units have a stigma attached to them."

Other house hunters doubted the veracity of her information, and Forbes moved swiftly to help dissuade the pregnant woman of her idea as the woman's husband kneeled to re-tie her shoes.