140-Year Townhouse Gets Modern Overhaul
A Park Slope townhouse restoration navigated historical preservation requirements while modernizing a 140-year-old structure, preserving original brickwork during the full structural overhaul. The project demonstrates how historic homes can blend period character with contemporary comfort.
To bring more light into the 1880s structure, a non-historic brick facade on the garden level was removed and replaced with a storefront reconstructed from 1940s photographs. A significant alteration involved creating a 10-foot-wide opening at the rear of the parlor floor, installing custom steel doors that lead to a new steel-and-cedar deck. The renovation prioritized energy efficiency, going beyond code requirements by air-sealing the exterior building envelope and installing new high-performance windows. A high-efficiency, concealed heat-pump system was installed for heating and cooling, with the outdoor equipment placed discreetly on the roof to preserve the historic aesthetic. Inside, the layout was reconfigured for modern living on a busy street by placing the kitchen in the center of the parlor level. This allowed the primary living space to be shifted to the quieter back of the house, overlooking the garden. Renovating a landmarked home in Brooklyn requires navigating the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), which must approve all exterior materials and design elements. This adds another layer of complexity to projects, which often already contend with outdated electrical and plumbing systems and potential asbestos. The Park Slope Historic District was first designated in 1973 to protect the neighborhood's characteristic 19th-century "city of homes and churches" aesthetic. However, only about 25 percent of Park Slope is included in the historic district, leaving many similar buildings without landmark protection against drastic alterations. Older townhouses frequently contain structural problems hidden behind walls, a common surprise in renovations. Contractors often find piecemeal shortcuts from previous owners and must address inadequate structural work from the original construction.
