Manhattan Brownstone

THE PROJECT

Behind the distinction.

✓ Verified winner · DESIGNSKILLAWARDS-48C1D81CDC757F17

A once-fragmented Manhattan brownstone is reimagined as a light-filled two-family residence balancing the needs of a growing family. At the heart of the design is a dramatic rear addition organized around a 23-foot-tall double-height breakfast room that brings daylight deep into the narrow brownstone. A fully glazed rear façade dissolves the boundary between house and garden, while a NanaWall system opens the parlor level to an elevated deck. Oversized porcelain floor tiles continue seamlessly from the interior to the exterior, reinforcing the connection between architecture and landscape.

Spanning this soaring volume, an oak-and-steel bridge and matching open-riser stair establish visual connections between floors while emphasizing the home's verticality. The adjacent kitchen is anchored by a 17½-foot-long island that serves as the social center of the house, with family living spaces overlooking the open volume above.

Rather than maximizing the rear extension at the expense of the site, the design was shaped around a mature oak tree believed to be nearly as old as the house itself. Careful excavation preserved its root system, allowing its canopy to frame views, provide seasonal shade, enhance privacy, and become the focal point of the family's daily life. A rooftop terrace nestled within the branches offers an elevated outdoor retreat.

Throughout the house, contemporary interventions are balanced by the restoration of significant historic fabric, including original millwork, mantels, stained glass, and select architectural details. The restored front façade reinforces the building's historic presence while concealing extensive structural upgrades required for a complete interior reconstruction. Accessibility and long-term livability informed the planning from the outset. A new elevator connects the owner's dwelling across multiple levels, while a laundry chute and barrier-free primary shower support ease of everyday living. The primary bath is illuminated by a linear skylight that washes daylight across handcrafted Fornace Brioni tile, creating a quiet, sculptural retreat at the top of the house.

Behind the restored envelope, new high-efficiency mechanical systems, separated utilities for the two units, integrated fire protection, stormwater improvements, and rooftop solar infrastructure prepare the century-old building for another generation of use. By preserving what gives the brownstone its character while introducing bold and open contemporary interventions filled with light and connected to green space, the project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can simultaneously honor history, improve performance, and redefine urban family living.