Architect and Expeditor recommendations
Hello there. I am looking for a brownstone house in Brooklyn to possibly expand the house backward and/or upward. Do you know which neighborhood would allow you to do that? I know certain towns are more restrictive than others in terms of alternations and additions.
Do you have any recommendations for architects and expeditors? I am not looking for fancy high end renovation, but rather basic, functional designs.

jw9976
in General Discussion 3 years and 2 months ago
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RobertGMarvin
in General Discussion 3 years and 2 months ago
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Because of the high cost it might be more effective to look for a very large existing brownstone. There are a few five story (legally four plus garden floor “basement “) that are upwards of 5,000 square feet. Such houses are very costly, but probably far less so than a smaller house plus the sort of addition you suggest.

cate | 3 years and 2 months ago
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It’s costly to build an addition in NYC and your taxes will go up dramatically. This may not be the best approach for an outside investor.

RobertGMarvin
in General Discussion 3 years and 2 months ago
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‘”I know certain towns are more restrictive than others in terms of alternations and additions.”?
All neighborhoods in Brooklyn are part of the same “town”–the City of New York. You’ll need to look into houses that have enough unused FAR (floor area ratio) to allow for expansion. Also, you’ll have an easier time with a house that isn’t in an Historic District.