This may be the most expensive home ever to sell in this N.J. city

The flowering cherry trees in Branch Brook Park inspired the design inside this Georgian colonial in Newark’s Forest Hill neighborhood.

The home was built in 1927 and underwent a more than $1 million renovation two years ago with interior designer Sasha Bikoff, who drew inspiration from the 360-acre park that’s across the street. She modernized the historic home with a kaldescope of colors and nature-themed elements throughout the 5,000-square-foot home.

Now, the six bedroom, four full and one half bathroom home is listed for sale for $1,495,000.

And there’s a good chance that, when it sells, it will break a price record for Newark.

The current record for home sale in Newark belongs to a newly constructed home on Parker Street that sold ifor $1.1 million n March.

“New construction doesn’t have the appeal of older homes,” said Brendan Da Silva of Keller Williams Realty NJ Metro Group, the listing agent.

The all brick home he listed was built for Joseph L. Smith and Florence Fitzsimmons and their daughter. Smith was the son of U.S. Senator James Smith, who was also an Essex County Prosecutor and was appointed a Superior Court judge in 1933, according to a Newark Landmark plaque that calls the property an historic site.

It has a Greek pilaster entrance, french doors with transoms, hardwood floors, built-ins, a marble foyer with a curved staircase and two fireplaces.

The renovation included a new slate roof, plaster walls and the fireplaces were restored, it has custom wallpaper, custom brass sinks, California Closets and more.

“Usually when someone spends that kind of money on a renovation, they stay in the house forever,” Da Silva said.

The home was listed Feb. 19 and has gotten a lot of interest, he said, drawing 15 to 20 people to each open house and commanding an average of five showings per week.

There have been offers, but the seller is firm on the price. “Even if the guy sells it for the asking price, he spent so much money on the renovation, he’ll actually lose money,” Da Silva said.

One area of the home that has sparked conversations from potential buyers is the kitchen. It has a custom, $15,000 range, high-end appliances -- and green cabinetry.

“People either absolutely adore the design or hate it,” he said. “But the majority do love it.”

Pink, green and blue are carried throughout the house in wallpaper, tile and paint colors.

“It was inspired by a life of being outdoors at a park and picnicking,“ Da Silva said. ”Even in the winter you have that warmth."

The home sits on a 100 by 100 foot, nearly quarter acre lot. The backyard has a patio, a sound system and mature landscaping.

It’s located about a 40-minute drive from Manhattan in a close-knit neighborhood of Newark that’s known for family movie nights, and active Facebook groups. It’s an area where the neighbors know each other, he said.

Are you an agent, buyer or seller who is active in this changing market? Do you have tips about New Jersey’s real estate market? Unusual listings? Let us know.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.