Prime Rat Island Real Estate

How much would you pay for 21/2-acres of land in the Bronx? What if it were an island of your very own located swimming distance from the creepy, off-limits Hart Island? One man, Red Brennen, is asking $300K for ownership of the unfortunately named Rat Island, which he used mostly to store marine construction equipment throughout the years.

Though small in size, it's got a long history (albeit sometimes details are hard to come by). Allegedly it housed a typhoid quarantine hospital in the 1800s, and the remains of cobblestone walls and foundations are still there. The Daily News reports that it got the name from "when prisoners, nicknamed 'rats,' escaped from Hart Island, they paused on the island to catch their breath before swimming on toward City Island." No real rats have been spotted there in over 50 years, they likely bailed out for the same reason it became abandoned: storm floods. According to Wikipedia the highest point on the island is underwater during high tide storms.

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By Jen Carlson in News on March 25, 2009 2:06 PM

Comments [rss]

Travis Dykers

island,living room,lot,trailer,boat house,apartment,studio,palace or moms couch only the devious get collapsed. ill gotten gain you rot!

tops

Yes... i totally agree with readyabout.... the island is almost non-existant when there is a storm. the wave crashes so high on that island, you can't see any of the island.

Secondly, who in their right mind would pay much for a piece of rock in the middle of the water? See how that island served Mr. Brennan? If he had anything on that island... it must've been washed away in a storm. There's no practical use for that piece of property...unless you can get the seagulls to pay rent.

and lastly... 2.5 acres? Hahah.. that's a joke! Looks like someone inflated that number from half and acre to 2, then to 2.5! unless you consider underwater land as actual land. And if you ever looked at the sea depths by that piece of rock.. you'd know that there is a 48 foot channel drop on the east side, while on the west side.. it's only 4-5 feet deep. Looks to me like that land might one day slip under as that channel widens. Or global warming will add to rising sea-levels... that island will be gone! 300K? LOL..dream on Red..Dream on...

readyabout

The island does flood at high tide during noreasters. There is 100 miles of open water to the northeast of Rat Island. I've seen waves wash over the island during storms. That photo is not at low tide, more like mid tide. Tide range is around 6 feet around there.

The island is completely covered in bird crap. It stinks, and you'd spend your entire time trying to beat the birds off, including a few species of protected ones.

In the end... Only an idiot would buy this island for $300000. You can buy a house on City Island for that, and have water, heat and electricity. I have no idea how they are claiming it to be 2 acres in size. Water almost cuts the island in half at high tide.

readyabout

The island does flood at high tide during noreasters. There is 100 miles of open water to the northeast of Rat Island. I've seen waves wash over the island during storms. That photo is not at low tide, more like mid tide. Tide range is around 6 feet around there.

The island is completely covered in bird crap. It stinks, and you'd spend your entire time trying to beat the birds off, including a few species of protected ones.

In the end... Only an idiot would buy this island for $300000. You can buy a house on City Island for that, and have water, heat and electricity. I have no idea how they are claiming it to be 2 acres in size. Water almost cuts the island in half at high tide.

NannyState

Call it "Citi Island" and pray for the floods.

Past Taliban

They should rename it "America's Economy Isle" ..given that it's barren & mostly underwater.

Spirit of 76

Only $300k? That's a steal. Your own island within spitting distance of NYC. Just build your house on stilts like many beachfront homes and you'll be golden. Man, if I only had that money to spare.

whitecastlerock

Move the MTA offices here.

nomnomnom

That island clearly need a Duane Reade, Chase and Starbucks.

matty

Thread winner

nik13

Sorry. It was meant for Matty @#13.

nik13

In agreement 100%. At least a Duane Reade Express.

ides_of_march

Rat Island, Rat City, USA.

If there's no real rats here, it's beacuse the eating is too good over at Hart Island. Free delivery too.

Bernie Madoff-Goetz

I'm gonna buy it, put a home on it and then call FEMA when it floods! Oh, wait, I'm white. No one cares when whites along the Mississippi et al. get flooded out their homes. Never mind.