BRONX W www.BXTimes.com EEKLY October 13, 2019 10
BY ALEX MITCHELL
Talk about old school.
A University Heights couple has
dedicated the past eight years to
converting their two-bedroom co-op
into a Victorian-era extraordinaire
that could fi t nicely as a set piece for
Downton Abbey.
Now it’s a new age for owners
Emery and Chris Ortiz since the
duo put their old world apartment
on the market with an asking price
of $325,000 (265,978 British pounds)
earlier this year.
Furnished literally from top to
bottom, the fi fth fl oor unit on Davidson
Avenue displays: 19th centurystyle
hand-crafted wallpapering, tiling,
chairs, couches, dressers, rugs,
and of course it showcases a Louve
approved replica of a Jean-Honore
Fragonard mural in addition to its
upright piano and copper patina
fl oor to ceiling mirrors, just to name
a few of apartment 5A’s modest features.
“It started with just plain white
walls when we moved in,” 38-yearold
Emery, a stay at home mom said,
noting that Chris and her began
their immersive collection little by
little over the years.
It was after buying a single oldfashioned,
hooded chair that the
married couple had their ‘eureka’
moment to drape the place in Victorian
grandeur.
“We would we go to estate sales
in Connecticut for most of the furniture
but the butler’s pantry actually
came mostly from E-bay,” she said.
Even though 2506 Davidson Avenue
is an elevator building, many
of the Ortiz’ lavish collection had
to be carried up the fi ve fl ights of
stairs with the help of kindhearted
friends and neighbors because they
were massive compared to today’s
furnishings.
The “monstrous king-sized
rought iron bed frame,” which felt
like the weight of London Bridge,
proved to be an especially challenging
5-story adventure, Emery said.
“We paid our friends back in beer
for that one,” she joked.
More than just a series of Victorian
replicas, the fi ne attention to detail
throughout unit’s woodwork and
imported tiles are equally as unique
to its large and upholstered furnishing,
too.
Its wooden coffered ceilings and
crown molding are all handmade...
by Chris, a 40-year-old chef that
previously lived in Park Slope, Brroklyn.
“I never had ceilings like that
growing up and I asked him if we
could do that and he said sure,” Emery
said, mentioning that her husband’s
craftsmanship was honed
while attending high school woodshop
classes.
The Ortiz’ have two very good
reasons for leaving theirQueen Victoria’s
dream palace, a 3-year-old son
and a 1-year-old baby girl.
“We just need more space,” Emery
said, suggesting that the next
move for the Ortiz family will be
north of the city.
Although their new home will
likely not repeat the same Victorian
theme, Emery says that her plan is to
somehow make the next home even
more ornate than the Bronx unit.
“I’m not holding back on the
wallpaper,” she said. “It’ll make
sense when it’s all done,” Emery reassured.
Fortunately, this Bronx-minster
Abbey replica includes just about all
of its current furnishings for whoever
swipes it off the market from
Halstead’s Realty team.
Bronx-minster Abbey: Couple
fl ips 2-bed apartment
into Victorian masterpiece
A dining cove and the kitchen of 5A. Halstead
The drop down parlor in 5A. Halstead
The master bedroom of 5A. Halstead The bathroom featuring Lourve approved replica artwork. Halstead
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