Brooklyn Heights Neo-Grec

This 1879 Neo-Grec rowhouse in Brooklyn Heights had evolved through multiple configurations over nearly 150 years, adapting to serve changing housing needs on one of New York's oldest streets, once home to the gardens of the Livingston Manor House.

When a family of four acquired it, they discovered compelling original architecture, including high ceilings and graceful proportions, within a layout that had been subdivided into tenant apartments. The renovation focused on revealing and enhancing the home's Neo-Grec character, while also embracing our client's aesthetic, which blends the comfort of English country with the restraint of Scandinavian design.

We restored the original room sequence and sight lines, then introduced thoughtful interventions that work within the historic framework. A pair of elliptical arches connects the front parlor to a paneled dining room, drenched in a deep blue, which enriches the experience of dining in an intimate, candlelit setting. The kitchen was relocated to the parlor, where new wood windows open to the rear garden, and a wood-burning fireplace with period-appropriate tiles anchors daily gathering.

The upper floors were reorganized around family needs, with a primary suite designed as a serene retreat. The children's bedrooms embrace treehouse-like heights through shades of green and layers of floral fabrics, and a restored church pew left behind by previous owners that speaks to the building's layered history. The house has been restored to a single-family home that honors the craftsmanship and character of the building's history, while giving it new life, reflecting our clients' lifestyle and taste.