Brooklyn Heights is widely celebrated for its genteel, historic architecture, tree-lined streets, and timeless brownstone charm. However, when 16 Sidney Place was purchased in 2019 by Hollywood producer Jason Blum and his wife, screenwriter Lauren Schuker Blum, the turn-of-the-century townhouse featured a stark, ultra-modern aesthetic that felt more at home in a midtown Manhattan glass tower than in a historic Brooklyn neighborhood.
At the time, the property boasted an open, glass-and-steel floating staircase reminiscent of a sleek Apple retail store, minimalist cement flooring, and gas fireplaces set flush into the drywall. The kitchen was rendered in an almost entirely reflective, glossy white. While striking in its own right, the hyper-contemporary look evidently failed to resonate immediately with the local market. The property had languished on the market for two years prior to the Blums’ purchase, undergoing multiple price reductions before finally trading hands.
Now, the couple is preparing to test whether a warmer, more traditional yet eclectic design approach will find a more receptive audience. The expansive Brooklyn Heights townhouse has officially returned to the market, listed with an asking price of $14.95 million.
The transformation of the property under the ownership of the Blums is dramatic. The couple enlisted the Los Angeles-based design firm Studio Shamshiri to overhaul the interior spaces, replacing the cold, industrial minimalism with a heavy injection of color, rich textures, traditional moldings, and bold patterns. The resulting aesthetic is what listing broker James Lee Wall of Leslie Garfield describes as a distinct brand of "West Coast warmth."
Among the most significant structural and cosmetic changes was the decision to enclose the once-towering open staircase, grounding the vertical flow of the home. The flooring throughout the residence was similarly softened. Rather than bare cement, visitors now encounter wall-to-wall carpeting in several of the upper rooms, while the luxurious primary suite features unexpected and tactile leather flooring.
According to Wall, the material choice yields a sensory experience that stands out in the luxury real estate market. "It feels good underfoot," Wall notes, describing the choice as exceptionally soft and visually unusual for a New York City townhouse.
Despite boasting an impressive 6,600 square feet of living space—which includes six bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms—the home also features clever, bespoke design elements tailored for family life. Among them is a custom triple bunk bed ingeniously tucked under a slanted ceiling, complete with a skylight cut precisely to match the pitch of the roofline. It is a playful and space-efficient touch, suggesting that despite the home’s grand scale, the Blums’ three children appreciated a cozy setup for sharing quarters.
Beyond the bedrooms, the residence is outfitted with high-end modern amenities expected at this price tier, including a private elevator, a home gym, a ground-level garden, and a beautifully landscaped upper terrace overlooking the property’s outdoor spaces.
The decision to part with the property stems from changing lifestyle needs rather than any dissatisfaction with the home itself. Wall explains that the sellers primarily reside on the West Coast and also maintain a residence in Connecticut, ultimately realizing that they simply did not need a dedicated home base in New York City.
Jason Blum, the chief executive officer of Blumhouse Productions, has built a dominant reputation in the entertainment industry as a master of contemporary horror and thriller cinema. His production company is the powerhouse behind massively profitable and culturally impactful franchises such as Paranormal Activity, Insidious, and Jordan Peele’s Academy Award-winning Get Out.
When the Blums acquired 16 Sidney Place in July 2019, property records and media reports indicate they paid $9.8 million for the 22-foot-wide structure. In the years since, the New York City luxury real estate landscape has shifted significantly, driven by post-pandemic market dynamics and a persistent shortage of high-end inventory. Fully renovated townhouses of comparable size have commanded prices matching the Blums’ current ambition. For instance, 307 Hicks Street, a 6,000-square-foot home featuring a fresh—though somewhat less bespoke—renovation, successfully traded for $14.95 million in February.
The timing may work in their favor due to limited competition. According to real estate listings, the inventory of thoroughly renovated townhouses in Brooklyn Heights remains tightly constrained. Nearby properties on the market include 39 Willow Place, which leans into a more traditional aesthetic with an asking price of $12.75 million, and 175 Clinton Street, which is currently seeking $17.95 million. While 175 Clinton offers a wider 25-foot footprint, its location closer to commercial arteries like Atlantic Avenue lacks the quiet charm of the interior historic district blocks.
Sidney Place itself occupies a coveted position within the neighborhood. The block-long street sits firmly inside the historic district, offering a quiet, picturesque enclave that has previously attracted other high-profile buyers. Notably, Glossier founder Emily Weiss purchased a $22 million townhouse on the very same block just a few years ago.
As the property hits the market, the Blums will soon discover if Studio Shamshiri’s warm, textured redesign successfully bridges the gap between West Coast comfort and Brooklyn Heights heritage.
