The Attic Airbnb features a large combined living and sleeping area with views north of downtown Brooklyn. The new Airbnb opened on Thanksgiving and is owned by Alyssa Beaderstadt and her husband Luke. (Submitted photo)
BROOKLYN – A love of old historic buildings has led a Brooklyn woman to open a year-round Airbnb in a second-floor building on Front Street in downtown Brooklyn.
Alyssa Beaderstadt and her husband Luke opened The Attic in late November. The cottage is located above Brooklyn Pharmacy at 105 E. Front St.
The attic was once used as a local youth hangout, as seen in this previous image. Alyssa Beaderstadt replaced all the windows and doors, repainted the walls, replaced the flooring and added many modern elements. (Submitted photo)
The unit features a large living space overlooking north downtown Brooklyn with the Opera House, the MJM Community Center, the business district and the nearby flag display.
The main room has two full-size beds and a pull-out sofa bed, a large TV with WiFi, and an above-stairs loft area with a daybed.
“I plan to add extra-large pillows in the loft area for guests who want a quiet place to read,” Beaderstadt said.
The fully equipped kitchen includes a stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, and table and chairs. And there is a full bathroom with a shower. A washing machine and dryer are also available.
Another view of the kitchen with cabinets, dishwasher, table and chairs. The new Airbnb has been completely remodeled including a new heating and air system, plumbing, electrical, paint and flooring work. (Submitted photo)
The space was once a popular hangout spot for teenagers and, according to Beaderstadt, is full of memories and fun times.
Construction of the Airbnb began in August. Beaderstadt removed and refinished the woodwork, scraped the blacklight paint off the walls, refinished the floors and basically redesigned the entire space.
“A big thank you to Jon Mullen with Mullen Custom Woodworking, Luke Beaderstadt, TK Electric, GC Plumbing LLC, Thiessen Heating and Cooling, family and friends who helped make this project a reality,” Beaderstadt said.
Beaderstadt, who grew up in nearby Belle Plaine, has lived in Brooklyn since 2005. She and Luke have three children.
Beaderstadt, a real estate agent with Re/Max Partners Realty in Grinnell, also assists Deb White, owner of Upfront Floral and Home Décor, on a part-time basis.
Beaderstadt studied interior design at Kirkwood Community College. She first looked at the building in Brooklyn in May 2021.
“I liked the space, the character and the building,” Beaderstadt said.
The attic is located above the Brooklyn Pharmacy at 105 Front St. The view from the north windows shows downtown Brooklyn, the MJM Community Center, the Brooklyn Opera House, and the Brooklyn flag one block north. (Submitted photo)
She and Luke purchased the building from Trevor and Paula White just over two years later, in August 2023.
Beaderstadt said the building has been a cornerstone of downtown Brooklyn for generations.
“Originally, there was retail space on the ground floor and the Knights of Pythias Lodge on the upper floor,” Beaderstadt said.
“The original door handles are just one of the many historic elements we retained when remodeling the upper floor. We worked hard to combine its vintage charm with modern touches.
The newly renovated Airbnb attic space features an over-the-stairs loft with a daybed and a comfortable space to read or work on another project. (Submitted photo)
“It’s more beautiful than I ever imagined,” Beaderstadt said of the finished space. “This is the perfect place to experience the charm and history of Brooklyn.”
Beaderstadt said children and pets are welcome at The Attic.
For availability and rental costs, visit airbnb.com/h/theatticbrooklyn