Greek Revival Townhouse — a classic residence transformed for contemporary life and art

Brooklyn, NY
4,900 square feet
2019
Type: Interiors / Townhouses

This Greek Revival style townhouse built in 1834 was carefully restored and transformed for the contemporary life of an art collector. The building’s style, scale, materials, and details contribute to the special character of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District. Our design includes the addition of a rooftop room that is carefully set back from the surrounding streets to be hidden from view. A skylight at this level brings in natural light through the house and gently lights a sensuous stair.

Interior details throughout the house are a simplified, pared-down expression of the house’s classical language. Visitors enter at the parlor-level into a foyer where the sculptural staircase connects five levels of the townhouse. Off the entry hall, a double parlor is designed for entertaining. Each room has a matched and figural Grigio Carnico fireplace and the large windows are fitted with carefully detailed built-in shutters. The rear parlor houses a grand piano, and both rooms are enlivened with contemporary art, including a Patrick Jacobs diorama set within the wall separating the two rooms.

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While striking at first encounter, the beauty of this house reveals itself over time. Each detail was carefully considered, and together they form an immaculate expression.

Deborah Berke, Founding Principal

Image pair of winding stairway spaces.

With Brooklyn Heights townhouses, one feels a little reverential. In this case, owing in part to its pre-renovated state, we were at liberty to rethink it from first principles. In the end, we made it even more like itself.

Arthi Krishnamoorthy, Senior Principal

Collaborators

TenBerke
Architect, Interior Designer

Gunn Landscapes
Landscape Design

Dot Dash
Lighting Design

Kohler Ronan
MEP/FP Engineer