Report from Sunday's 278 open house

Yesterday was Open House at Houdini's former home at 278 West 113th Street in Harlem. This was the third open house since the brownstone went on the market in June. Our friend Janet Davis was there and provides this wonderful report.

Beverley Draggon invited me in around 12:45 ("Welcome to 278, come on in," words I never imagined really hearing) and gave me a one-on-one tour of the entire building, starting at the 4th floor and ending in the basement. She showed me that there's a ladder leading up to the roof, but we didn't go up there. I can confirm that the second tub, piano, and bookcase are gone, but the wheel is still in the basement. Beverley even took me into the boiler room. Detria Davu arrived late in my visit and both women were extremely welcoming and patient with my questions. 

At around 1:20, the doorbell started buzzing with new arrivals and I didn't feel like I should take any more of Beverley's time. She gave me a print-out of the floor plans and the real estate hand-out for 278. And then I basically floated home! I feel like I was hardly breathing the whole time I was in the house. Again, I can't thank you enough for the Open House alert, your enthusiasm and encouragement. This was a memory I'll keep forever.

The sale of 278 is being handled by Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Asking price is $3,999,000.

Thanks Janet!

Related:

• Inside Houdini's 278
• Is there a Houdini prop in the basement of 278?
• Houdini's bookcase and piano are no longer inside 278