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December 30, 2008

Inside This Old House Brooklyn

Yesterday, Gothamist got inside the ongoing renovation of a 104-year-old brownstone in Prospect Heights that is the latest project for This Old House. The plan is to do a "preservation-minded restoration" of the detail-laden interior, while patching and repainting the brownstone facade. Part of the renovation will include installing a wrought-iron spiral staircase the owners found on the Brownstoner Forum. Lots more photos on Gothamist, including one of the happy family.
This Old Brooklyn House [Gothamist]
New York City House Project [TOH]




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:28 AM | Comments (16)
Categories: Renovation

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Comments

that's awesome, does anyone know when this will air?

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at December 30, 2008 9:45 AM

The article says near the end of january (check your local listings). I'll be watching for this.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 30, 2008 9:51 AM

Me too.

This Old House Magazine's current issue, on newstands now, has an article about the house, complete with lots of close up pictures of the millwork and period details. Highly recommended.

TOH uses higher end stuff than I can afford, but I'm hoping to get lots of tips and advice on basic construction, and working with renovation and restoration specific to row house construction. I'll be glued to the tv and the website.

Congrats to the owners, they know it will get done right, and done on time. No disappearing contractors on this job.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at December 30, 2008 9:57 AM

TOH has done a number of shows on Ask This Old House on plaster repair and how the technology has changed. This show should be a gold mine for that sort of useful info to brownstoners.

I just hope they don't get into the neighborhood hypersensitivity syndrome and all the race, crime and real estate cost comparison issues that normally accompany any discussion on brownstones. God forbid these poor homeowners install some recessed lighting. Will there be an appearance by the What?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 30, 2008 10:03 AM

I'm so jealous. Why can't I get some TV crew to come in and fix my house up while I sit back sipping latte?

Posted by: rh at December 30, 2008 10:45 AM

Great job stripping the woodwork. Oak? I'm curious to know how they stripped it and what their refinishing schedule is.

Posted by: Bolder at December 30, 2008 11:02 AM

rh...the costs of jobs done by TOH tend to run extremely high. You also have to pay income tax on the donated materials.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 30, 2008 11:08 AM

Oh, they don't just pay for everything? My bad.

Posted by: rh at December 30, 2008 11:38 AM

@rh—the owners need to put in a certain amount of sweat equity into the project, as well as (*I think*) submit a budget for the project. TOH provides some additional guidance and expertise.

Posted by: jenchung at December 30, 2008 11:40 AM

I remember when TOH first put out a call for a house to renovate. The owner definitely pays the cost of renovation, although TOH may get some donated materials (that you have to pay taxes on). Or, perhaps the contractor will do it cheaper for the free publicity, but that's a different matter -- it's definitely not a free renovation.

Question -- I looked at the floorplans for the renovation and it says that owners plan to use "some" of the ground floor, and the parlor and floor above, while renting out the rest of the ground floor and top floor. But I can't quite figure out how the access to the ground floor room works since it seems to be part of the rental apt. Can anyone tell? Also, curious about people's opinions on this. I don't think it's a great idea to cut a hole in the parlor floor ceiling and put in a spiral staircase in order to use the parlor and 2nd floors while keeping the top floor a rental. Especially if, as the owners say, you hope to take over the top floor in 5 years. I'd rather keep the basement as the owner duplex (put bedrooms down there), and not have to cut a hole in the ceiling. Also, you don't have tenants above your bedrooms for 5 years. I guess the better light is the tradeoff, but seems as if they are doing an unusual floorplan.

Posted by: CGfan at December 30, 2008 12:26 PM

"I just hope they don't get into the neighborhood hypersensitivity syndrome and all the race, crime and real estate cost comparison issues that normally accompany any discussion on brownstones."

Why, Dave, no one would think of doing that on this site.

Fortunately, TOH is about as apolitical as you can get. They always do tours of the area of the houses they are fixing, so there will probably be lots of drive throughs of primo Prospect Hts blocks, and the Botanical Gardens, Museum, Prospect Park, etc. There won't be an ugly underside anywhere.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at December 30, 2008 12:28 PM

Yes, MM...I too am looking forward to the other "visits" that they do.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 30, 2008 12:33 PM

Please note: No exposed joists!

Posted by: Inigo at December 30, 2008 2:42 PM

I saw a recessed lighting can in a hallway photo. The horror!

Posted by: Montrose Morris at December 30, 2008 2:51 PM

I have to be prejudice about this project. This house belongs to my son and daughter-in-law. Although I have not yet see the house, I am sure that when I do i will be flabegated about how in came out, I am very proud of these two kids and wish them all the luck in the world. Love you guys.

Dad

Posted by: tailgunner at January 18, 2009 11:01 AM

To CGFan...Hi, I know the architect, Susanne Lyn, and the clients will enter the building on the parlor floor (aka, up the stairs to the stoop) and there is a stair on that level that leads to the back of the ground floor. The tenant will have most of the ground floor, but not access to the rear yard. That can only be accessed through the mudroom (which the client WILL have access to). I hope this answers your question.

Posted by: sjwarchive at January 27, 2009 5:36 PM

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