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Among Brooklyn’s 19th-century architectural styles, Second Empire stands apart for its distinctive rooflines and unmistakable silhouette. Introduced in the United States during the mid-19th century and popularized after the Civil War, the style brought a touch of Parisian urbanism to Brooklyn’s developing neighborhoods. Though less common than Italianate or later revival styles, Second Empire homes […]

Among Brooklyn’s historic residential styles, Queen Anne architecture stands out for its exuberance. Emerging in the late 19th century, these homes reflect a shift away from strict classical symmetry toward visual richness, texture, and individuality. Although best known in suburban Victorian enclaves, Queen Anne buildings appear throughout Brooklyn in forms ranging from freestanding villas to […]

Brooklyn’s architectural landscape is a living archive of New York City’s growth, but few styles capture the borough’s ambition and artistic confidence quite like Renaissance Revival. Emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this architectural movement brought a sense of European grandeur to Brooklyn’s rapidly expanding residential neighborhoods. Today, Renaissance Revival homes remain […]

Brooklyn’s architectural history is often associated with brownstone rows and classical revival styles, but some of the borough’s most intriguing buildings date to an earlier and more expressive period. Gothic Revival homes, constructed primarily in the mid-19th century, represent one of Brooklyn’s earliest experiments in residential architectural identity. Inspired by medieval European forms, these buildings […]

Brooklyn, with its rich architectural history, boasts an array of brownstones that have become iconic symbols of the borough’s charm. These historic homes, characterized by their distinctive brown sandstone facades, reflect a fascinating blend of architectural styles. Let’s delve into the most prominent styles of brownstones that grace the streets of Brooklyn. Greek Revival Brownstones […]

The recent project at 244 Putnam added a 13’ x 20’ extension to the existing envelope and a 20’ x 30’ addition to the top of the building. There was tremendous reinforcement needed. Both at the rear of the building to support the additional pressure as well as support in the cellar for the additional […]

  Brownstone is a type of sandstone utilized in the construction of facades in the 19th century. Originally these stones were cut thin pieces and adhered to buildings. Nowadays the restoration of replacing the brownstone façade has changed, and most buildings are resurfaced with a pigmented mixture of stucco concrete instead. When your brownstone façade […]

  During the last two projects we have worked on, we encountered various staircase scenarios that required different approaches.  It’s always a good idea to know your options and the labor involved before you replace or restore a staircase.  Let’s look at what makes up a staircase first. Below is a great outline of the […]

We have begun our next project in Bed Stuy, a smaller 1890’s Renaissance Revival home with a very exciting amount of original detail and great bones. While we await for the design plans to be filed, we have begun the laborious and very messy process of stripping and restoring woodwork. STRIPPING With over 150 years […]