Porch Restoration Under Way for Prominent Stuy Heights House
We were excited to see the long-crumbling porch on one of Stuy Heights’ most important houses is getting a redo when we passed by recently. The landmarked house at 339 MacDonough Street stands out in many ways. It is one of three big, standalone wood-frame houses on huge lots on the block — a rarity in these…
We were excited to see the long-crumbling porch on one of Stuy Heights’ most important houses is getting a redo when we passed by recently. The landmarked house at 339 MacDonough Street stands out in many ways.
It is one of three big, standalone wood-frame houses on huge lots on the block — a rarity in these parts, although not on this special block.
The Second Empire-style mansard roof, porch and tower are eye catching, and the property is raised above the street, giving it an extra presence.
The owners are prominent in the area and years ago were profiled in the New York Times about their renovation plans. One of them used to own Brownstone Books on Lewis Avenue, now closed.
The block is widely considered one of Stuy Heights’ finest, in part because of these three big houses. No. 339 sits next to the equally striking and well-known Akwaaba mansion next door and directly across the street from another impressive double-width wood frame house with wraparound porch and stable in back. Retired Councilman Al Vann owns a house on the block.
The porch was sagging, as can be seen in the photo below, taken in 2012. The rebuilt porch is straight and looks exactly like it did before, with every detail perfect. Kudos to the owners for pulling this off.
Photo below by Christopher Bride for PropertyShark
Beautiful! When we were first starting to look to purchase in the area the owner of this house went out of his way to take us for a tour around the neighborhood even though he had no listings at the time. It was one of many welcomes we had to the area that we are so fortunate to live in now.
The Landmarks commission actually still insists on wood siding for these houses. You really have to fight for them to approve hardy board. Recently I had the plan examiner for a minor alteration write a letter to insist on hardy board due to rental units in the building. It was a two family. They finally very reluctantly backed down.
It makes no sense in this day and age!
Hardy Board is the best way to preserve these houses, not only is it fire retardant, it does not build up condensation as vinyl siding and aluminum does and thus rot the frame of the house.
Looks great! Take your time and do it right….
Beautiful job! I suppose (hope?) it’s in their future plans to replace that 40’s fiberboard and asphalt siding with either wood or Hardie plank. It would look spectacular if they go back to the original clapboard style siding.
Agreed. We went with Hardie as well. It goes on like wood one plank at a time and looks like wood when its done. It also frustrates bumblebees who keep buzzing around trying to figure out what the material is and why their internal wood sensors aren’t indicating its a good place to drill into to lay their egg. So they move on…
Not sure. I still see it going on houses all over Williamsburg, even attached ones. To my knowledge exterior siding doesn’t require permits so I’m not sure what if any regulations exist for it.