Fort Greene Italianate

This Italianate rowhouse was constructed in the mid 1860s on the border of Fort Greene Park. In subsequent decades, this grand residence was divided into a 9-unit rooming house and later a small apartment building. Much of its original interior charm and detail were unfortunately lost along the way.

The newest stewards, a family with young children, were eager to make this home their own. We were tasked with returning the building to its original single-family configuration and preserving and augmenting the details that remained, all while optimizing the layout for modern family life.

We reconfigured the parlor level to create defined gathering spaces for cooking, gathering, and dining.The curved dining nook was carved out of an oversized front parlor, with new trim and millwork designed to define this central space. Simultaneously, the living room’s original plaster crown moldings was rehabilitated with newly cast sections restoring continuity and proportion.

On upper floors, we designed a primary suite, complete with a booklined study, while the lower level was transformed into a den and cozy guest room with sliding partitions allowing for flexibility of use and unobstructed views from front to back.

After a circuitous journey, this grand, adaptable structure, once again serves the function for which it was originally intended. It’s updated layout and details honoring the craftsmanship of the past and defining home for a new generation.