'Haunted' Ditmas Park Luxury Development Opens 2nd Wing to Renters

DITMAS PARK, BROOKLYN — It was just over a year ago that the older, darker sister of the new The Parkside Brooklyn luxury development in Ditmas Park, called 123 On The Park — built inside the neighborhood's ancient Caledonian Hospital building, albeit thoroughly renovated — became famous for more than just its killer park views and lavish roof deck, when several former employees and spooked-out residents went to the press with ghost stories from within.

“Somebody definitely died here,” Janine Melnitz, a resident, told a reporter from the New Yorker as she walked through the subcellar. Andy Hamingson, another high-profile resident, agreed: “When I was in the subbasement, many months ago, I definitely felt something weird,” he said.

Ghost sightings at 123 On The Park became so frequent, the New York Post reported, that at least three doormen quit their jobs within a six-month span. One of them reportedly described the property as "a messed-up place to work because it’s haunted.”

The old Caledonian Hospital property was purchased by developers Joseph Chetrit and David Bistricer in 2007 for $15.6 million, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.

Renderings courtesy of Parkside Brooklyn

Phase I of the project, staged at 123 Parkside Ave., involved transforming the hospital's main building into a set of luxury apartments. (After moving in, residents speculated in interviews with the New Yorker that the laundry room — or perhaps the gym — was located in what used to be the hospital morgue.)

Phase II of the project, a tower of 130 units next door at 125 Parkside Ave. that's now accepting applications, may avoid such spiritual sidebars: This time, the developers instead decided to demolish the old hospital structure on the lot and start building anew.

One-, two- and three-bedroom units in the buildings are lined with "large windows that have views of Prospect Park," developers say. Shared amenities include a roof deck, a fitness center, a yoga room and a media room.

Here's a breakdown of what's available:

• Studios, averaging 492 square feet, start at $2,650 per month
• One-bedrooms, running from 554 to 710 square feet, start at $2,850 per month
• Two-bedrooms, running from 846 to 996 square feet, start at $3,900 per month
• Three-bedrooms, running from 1,190 to 1,318 square feet, start at $5,000 per month

More renderings and floor plans are available to view here.Renters can begin moving into the property in October. Interested parties can contact the building's managers by emailing leasing@parksidebk.com, or by calling 718-820-PARK.