Jewel Box House
Jewel Box House is the comprehensive renovation of a historic three-story brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn, distinguished by its exceptionally rich original woodwork and architectural detailing.
The project carefully balances preservation and transformation, restoring the home’s historic craftsmanship while introducing a contemporary layout, refined interiors, and improved building performance.
Rather than competing with the existing architecture, new interventions provide a quieter backdrop that allows the original details to take center stage.
Photography by reBuild Workshop
The Plan
The renovation reorganizes the historic brownstone into a two-family residence, with an owner’s duplex occupying the upper two floors and a separate rental apartment at the garden level.
At the parlor level, a generous kitchen and dining area opens directly onto a new rear deck through French doors, establishing a stronger connection between the home and its garden. A centrally located powder room and storage area efficiently accommodate contemporary building systems while preserving the openness of the main living spaces. Upstairs, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a dedicated home office provide a flexible arrangement for contemporary family life.
The home’s most distinctive feature is its remarkable collection of original millwork, much of which remained in excellent condition. Rather than replacing these elements, we carefully restored and selectively refinished them, allowing their craftsmanship and intricate detailing to remain central to the design.
Lighter finishes bring a new sense of openness to the interiors, while select elements—including the original staircase and fireplace—retain their darker wood tones. This deliberate contrast highlights the richness of the historic details against a brighter, more restrained palette.
The result is a home that feels both contemporary and deeply connected to its architectural past, where original craftsmanship and modern interventions complement one another.
Performance
Alongside the architectural renovation, Jewel Box House received significant upgrades to improve energy efficiency and year-round comfort.
The existing gas-fired boiler was replaced with a high-efficiency, concealed heat-pump system providing both heating and cooling. High-performance replacement windows and skylights, approved by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, improve thermal comfort while maintaining the building’s historic appearance.
The exterior envelope was insulated beyond code requirements, reducing heat loss, drafts, and energy demand.
Together, these improvements bring contemporary comfort and efficiency to a historic Brooklyn brownstone while preserving the architectural character that makes it distinctive.
