The Plan

The project involved reconfiguring a historic brownstone into a two-unit residence, with an owner’s duplex occupying the upper two floors and a separate rental apartment at the garden level. The owner’s unit is organized around a generous kitchen and dining space that opens directly onto a new rear deck through French doors, which strengthen the connection between interior living spaces and the outdoors. A powder room and storage are strategically located at the center of the parlor level, which allows new building systems to be integrated efficiently while maintaining a clear and open plan.

The upper level is arranged as a three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with an additional home office, to balance privacy, flexibility, and everyday functionality.

The house retained an abundance of original millwork and wood detailing in good condition, much of which we carefully preserved and restored. While the original dark finishes were visually heavy, selective refinishing lightened the interiors and clarified the architectural hierarchy. Key elements—such as the fireplace and interior stair—were intentionally left in a darker tone, so they emerge as focal points against a quieter, brighter backdrop.