Park Slope Queen Anne

George P. Chappell designed this Queen Anne rowhouse in 1891 at the height of Park Slope's gilded age—limestone, terra cotta, and tan brick in an elaborate Victorian composition that defined the neighborhood then known as Brooklyn's Gold Coast. Our clients wanted to restore its grandeur while integrating sustainable technology that would serve their family for decades to come.

The renovation balanced historic restoration with environmental innovation. We reconstructed the parapet, repointed the masonry, and restored terra cotta details to return the facade to its original splendor. Inside, an open sculptural stair tower extends through a new penthouse to create dramatic vertical circulation and rooftop access—impossible in the original Victorian layout. Bleached oak joinery throughout provides material continuity while serving modern storage needs. A two-story rear extension houses new family spaces with expansive glazing to the garden. Most significantly, we integrated Passive House technology throughout—thermally broken steel windows, energy recovery ventilation, and advanced insulation.

This 130-year-old rowhouse now stands as both a faithful example of Park Slope's gilded age and a model for how historic architecture can meet the demands of the next century—its Gold Coast character intact, its environmental performance transformed.