Architect for rooftop addition?

We plan to add one story atop our three-story brownstone. I’ve met with one architect I really liked and who has experience doing this, but should do my due diligence and meet with at least one more architect. I’ve done google searches, but have not found anyone with this experience (rooftop addition in a landmark district). Any suggestions? Thanks!

visit.susan

in General Discussion 3 years and 3 months ago

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housebywe | 3 years and 3 months ago

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Highly recommend Urban Pioneering (Jim Hill above)

rkfinancialservices | 3 years and 3 months ago

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Hello, we are an architectural practice currently working on two additions in Brooklyn – one in Park Slope and another in Bed-Stuy. Please feel free to reach out, we are happy to take a look at the project and send you a proposal, if you are interested. matthew@raucharchitecture.com

Archiefina | 3 years and 3 months ago

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Consider this architect, landmark district plus roof addition; am linking to a recent brownstoner posting:

https://www.brownstoner.com/interiors-renovation/clinton-hill-carriage-house-renovation-roof-addition-neuhaus-design-architecture/

helen40

in General Discussion 3 years and 3 months ago

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@jimhillra As always, thanks for your thoughtful and informed comments.

@OP remember that as @jimhillra says, your addition cannot be visible from the street.
And, if your building’s current roofline is visible from both the “front” and the rear or side from a perpendicular street, your addition’s size is further restricted.

jimhillra | 3 years and 3 months ago

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Adding a floor in a landmark district can be daunting. Not many people try it so you may have a hard time finding many architects with the experience.

We do a lot of work that goes through Landmarks, a good deal of which has to go through the commissioner level review. We’ve done several rooftop additions in non-landmarked areas and have even done ground-up construction in a landmark district in which the top floor was set back and recessed so that it was not visible from the street, but have only recently had our first opportunity to obtain approval for a rooftop addition in a landmark district.

That said, it’s not nearly as bad as most people think. It’s relatively easy to make sure it’s not visible from the front if you’re willing to set it back far enough or get creative about the roofline.

So yes, do your due diligence. if you really like the architect you’ve met already, chances are you’ll go with them, but it’s helpful to get more context. The most important bit of advice I’d say is to make sure you feel comfortable with the architect. You will be worki ng with them for a long time, and it will be stressful. You want someone you feel gets you and holds your interests above their own.

resident2 | 3 years and 3 months ago

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Forget it! Your RE Tax re-assessment will go completely off the wall.
It would be better to sell & buy a bigger house, if that is what you want.