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The Attic Airbnb opens in downtown Brooklyn
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
BROOKLYN — A love of old historic buildings has led a Brooklyn women to open a year-round Airbnb in a second floor downtown Brooklyn building on Front Street.
Alyssa Beaderstadt and her husband, Luke, opened The Attic in late November. The vacation rental home is located above the Brooklyn Pharmacy at 105 E. Front St.
The unit features a large living space with views to the north of the Brooklyn downtown area with the Opera House, MJM Community Center, business district and the nearby flag display.
The main room includes two full-size beds and a pullout sofa bed, with a large television with Wi-Fi and a loft area above the stairs with a day bed.
“I plan on adding extra-large pillows in the loft area for guests who want a quiet place to read,” said Beaderstadt.
The full kitchen features a stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker and table and chairs. And there is a full bath with shower. A washer and dryer is also available.
The space was once a popular hangout for teens, and, according to Beaderstadt, is full of memories and fun times.
Construction on the Airbnb started in August. Beaderstadt stripped and refinished the woodwork, scraping the blacklight paint off the walls, refinishing the floors and basically redoing the entire space.
“A huge shoutout 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 happen,” said Beaderstadt.
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 helps 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 Brooklyn building in May 2021.
“I loved the space, character and building,” said Beaderstadt.
She and Luke purchased the building a little more than two years later in August 2023 from Trevor and Paula White.
Beaderstadt said the building has been a cornerstone of downtown Brooklyn for generations.
“Originally, it was home to retail spaces downstairs and the Knights of Pythias Lodge upstairs,” said Beaderstadt.
“The original door knobs are just one of the many historic features we’ve kept in the remodel of the upstairs space. We worked hard to blend its vintage charm with modern touches.
“It’s nicer than I ever imagined it to be,” Beaderstadt said of the finished space. “This is the perfect spot to experience Brooklyn's charm and history.”
Beaderstadt said children and pets are welcome at The Attic.
For information on availability and rental costs, visit airbnb.com/h/theatticbrooklyn
