Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Photo by Steve Chan

It’s the thing in Brooklyn these days to convert chopped-up brownstones back into single-family homes. Rarer is the instance when a homeowner beautifully transforms a single-family brownstone into condos.

But that is exactly what Amy Werba, a French-Italian former actress, did with the Halsey Street brownstone she purchased in 2012. When Werba acquired the 19th-century Italianate home, it was not aging gracefully.

“The brownstone property was in terrible shape,” Werba told Brownstoner. “The home was squatted in with everything becoming rotten. Not a single original detail could be saved.”

Neglect wasn’t her only problem: The first two construction workers Werba hired “took the money and ran.” But once she found contractor Frank Medina and his assistant Cabeza, Werba’s renovation really took off.

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Photos via Amy Werba

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Photo of upstairs duplex by Yasha Gruben

Werba connected with a skilled Venetian woodworker who’d cut his teeth doing Sicilian church restorations. The pair restored a set of antique doors found at Eddie’s in Clinton Hill, and salvaged the home’s original wooden beams and floors. All the locks, handles and knobs were bought at at Rogerson’s Hardware in Hudson, N.Y.

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Photo by Steve Chan

For the brownstone’s entrance floor, Werba chose eclectic Moroccan tiles.

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Photo by Yasha Gruben

Werba worked with architect Lara Eldin of Lara Eldin Design to create a layered space that felt open and airy. The brief, Eldin explained to Brownstoner, was to “squeeze in the desired multiple uses, spaces and rooms and still bring in light and openness.”

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Photo by Steve Chan

Werba found a Fuller and Warren heating stove from the 1800s, restored it, and installed it in the new parlor-floor kitchen.

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Photo by Steve Chan

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Photo by Steve Chan

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

When the condo conversion goes through, Werba plans to put this upstairs duplex on the market. She’s keeping the downstairs triplex. Photos below by Yasha Gruben

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos
Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos
Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos
Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos
Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos
Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos
Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

Brooklyn Renovation Bed Stuy Brownstone Into Charming Condos

The building is landmarked, and it took two and a half years to get the required permits and complete the bulk of construction. Just this week, Werba is finishing the railings on the roof.

[Photos: Steve Chan | Yasha Gruben | Amy Werba]

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What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. This house is for sale! 588 Halsey. I have to remember to post my reno on brownstoner, create a buzz from people who think I’m actually going to live in it and then fool them all by putting it on the market 30 seconds later.

  2. i love the collapsible staircase for the roof hatch as well. could you send the product details? it looks like it might be a bilco hatch with collapsible staircase? i like that the footprint on the roof is so much smaller than a proper bulkhead

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