The Lefferts House
Lefferts House is the comprehensive restoration and renovation of an 1899 landmarked brownstone in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn, transformed into a welcoming contemporary home for a young family.
The project takes a measured approach to historic preservation, carefully restoring the home’s exceptional original woodwork, plaster detailing, and architectural character while introducing modern comforts and a new connection to the garden.
Where the historic interiors remained intact, our interventions were deliberately restrained. Where the building had lost its original character, we took the opportunity to reimagine the spaces for contemporary family life.
Photography by Pepe Molina
The Plan
Built in 1899 in the neo-Renaissance style, the brownstone retained an extraordinary collection of original architectural details across its upper floors. These spaces became the focus of a meticulous restoration, preserving the craftsmanship and character of the historic home.
Original millwork and decorative plasterwork were carefully repaired and restored, while existing hardwood floors were refinished. Two new bathrooms were integrated into the historic layout, introducing contemporary functionality without compromising the proportions and architectural language of the original rooms.
The garden level presented a different opportunity. Previously dark and outdated, it was completely reimagined as a bright, welcoming kitchen and family gathering space. Large French doors open directly onto the rear yard, bringing daylight into the interior and establishing a stronger connection between the house and garden.
Both exterior façades were repaired and restored, while a new rear staircase provides direct access from the parlor level to the garden.
Throughout, the design balances the preservation of original craftsmanship with carefully considered contemporary interventions, allowing the home’s historic character to remain central to everyday family life.
Performance
Alongside the architectural restoration, Lefferts House received substantial upgrades to improve energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and air quality.
Enhanced insulation and high-performance replacement windows reduce heat loss and drafts, while a new concealed heat-pump system provides efficient heating and cooling without disrupting the historic interiors.
Low-VOC paints, low-formaldehyde cabinetry and plywood, and energy-efficient LED lighting further support a healthier indoor environment.
Together, these improvements bring contemporary comfort and building performance to a century-old brownstone while preserving the architectural details that make it distinctive.
