Extension on Brownstone
Question: So I want to remove the current extension on the back of my slope brownstone and rebuild a new one with a kitchen in it (the current one has a kitchen in it so its not unfeasible. It is currently about 5 feet back from the house and spans two stories. How difficult would…
Question: So I want to remove the current extension on the back of my slope brownstone and rebuild a new one with a kitchen in it (the current one has a kitchen in it so its not unfeasible. It is currently about 5 feet back from the house and spans two stories. How difficult would that be (timing, costs associated, permits?)
Thanks!
If you would like a free consultation and comprehensive estimate, please contact me.
I can also refer you to some architects. You should interview several and get a feel for who will work best for you.
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And don’t forget: if you are in a historic district, a new (or significantly altered) rear addition will be subject to review by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
You definitely need an architect, one who has been involved with extensions. Extending horizontally or vertically is done all the time, but you are looking at an alt 1 job, revising c of o, etc., and you need to find out whether the added living area is allowed on your lot. Whether the old extension is legal is probably not irrelevant, and if it’s original it would be grandfathered, but whether the proposed extension is allowable is what matters. It’s also possible that you don’t need to tear down the old one, depending on the shape and location….maybe you can leave it in place and build around it, removing part of it…but you need an architect to determine whether that even makes sense or gives you anything. It could be an opportunity to do something really nice, but it won’t be cheap.
Good luck, and let us know what you find out…
You need an architect. As long as the new extension fits within the current zoninng, it will not be a problem. We just took down a illegal (we think) extension on a townhouse in BK, it was not a problem. This project underwent a full review as well. Call one of the architects on the board here. This is what we do.
I’m in the same situation as yours. Piecemeal approach would be my recommendation. This way you’re only “fixing things, one after the other”. As opposed to tearing down which may open a can of worms. Not to mention that you may not get a permit to rebuild 🙁
agreed – I’m guessing you want the new extension much deeper than 5 feet (i.e. bigger kitchen)? Consider carving out of the interior before a teardown. A good architect can do wonders with existing, limited space. Start there.
You may be able to do it- there are “creative” ways to handle things sometimes. You should hire an Architect to do a zoning/code review for you and perhaps show you all of your choices.
I just am finishing up a Manhattan townhouse where we added a 4 story extension- and to be honest it took a lot of time to get through the Department of Buildings. But we eventually did and it’s a great improvement on the existing space.
It’s too hard to tell you costs without seeing your specific home.
Tear something down and it has to be rebuilt to current, newer code and zoning. It may not be possible to rebuild…every case will be different.
Why not just remodel the interior????
oh dibs, i know. tearing down an illegal extension is opening up a can of worms, no?