Dan Futterman buys in Park Slope

Dan Futterman has won numerous roles in film and television, as well as an Academy Award nomination for his screenplay Capote, but perhaps his most impressive get is the five-bedroom Park Slope townhouse that he scored for just $1.17 million,
according to city records.

Mr. Futterman scooped up the house at 383 16th Street with his television writer wife Anya Epstein (the two met on the set of Homicide: Life on the Street).

The house has nice bones.

The home was listed with Brooklyn Properties broker Michael Wickes at $1.15 million (Mr. Futterman was not, apparently, the only one who saw potential in the place). It does appear to need a little work, or at least some serious redecorating (there's faux wood paneling, prominent ceiling fans and wallpaper borders).

But dated decorating be damned, the home has all the hallmarks of the kind of beautiful brownstone that could very well fetch millions more after renovation: slate mantels over 5 fireplaces, pocket doors, Eastlake cherry woodwork and tin ceilings.

The couple bought the house from Joseph M. Lever, who owned the property with his late wife Mary.

At least Mr. Futterman, a Brooklyn native, won't get have trouble finding his way around South Slope. And who knows? He may set off a tide of celebrity copycats. We've heard that there aren't enough Park Slope brownstones to go around these days.

kvelsey@observer.com