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these historic homes still have a powerful place in contemporary culture. That project sparked a lifelong passion. I fell in love with the idea of bringing these buildings back to life.
Brownstones were originally built as grand single-family homes. Over time, many were chopped up into apartments, stripped of their details, or heavily altered. Early in my career, most clients wanted full gut renovations. The goal was to modernize completely, often at the expense of original character. Today, the mindset has shifted.
Homeowners now want restoration as much as renovation. Instead of erasing the past, they want to celebrate it: recreating missing plaster moldings, restoring staircases and stoops, repairing original brick façades, and converting multi-unit buildings back into single-family homes as they were originally intended.
At the same time, modern life has introduced new priorities. One of the biggest changes since 2006 is the addition of elevators in single-family brownstones. Families are planning to stay long term and want homes that can adapt to every stage of life. Roof decks have also made a major comeback, transforming unused space into outdoor retreats overlooking historic streets.
This blend of old and new defines the new wave of brownstone revival: preserve the soul of the building while quietly integrating 21st-century living.
Working on these houses, however, is never straightforward. You can survey and plan as much as you like, but until demolition begins, a century of hidden conditions remains a mystery. Rotten joists, compromised foundations, and outdated structural systems regularly appear once walls are opened. These discoveries can affect timelines and budgets but addressing them properly is what ensures these homes survive another hundred years.
Landmark regulations add another layer of complexity. In protected districts, railings, doors, windows, and façade details must be historically accurate. There is no off-the-shelf solution; everything is custom fabricated. Replicating a cast-iron railing or a historic wood door can take months, but that level of care is what keeps entire streetscapes authentic.
Ironically, those constraints are also what make the work meaningful. You’ re not just renovating a house; you’ re contributing to the preservation of a neighborhood’ s identity.
Over the years there’ s been an encouraging change. Instead of stripping brownstones down to bare shells and rebuilding them generically, more owners are embracing the quirks and craftsmanship that make these buildings unique. Original moldings are recreated rather than replaced with drywall. Fireplaces are restored as focal points. Old layouts are thoughtfully adapted instead of completely erased.
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