Brooklyn Modern #4: Green, Industrial Wonderland
[nggallery id=”26450″ template=galleryview] And now, the final in our mini-series looking at homes featured in Brooklyn Modern by Diana Lind, with photographs by Yoko Inoue. Here’s Diana’s installment #4: Susan Boyle and Benton Brown live the dream that probably many Brownstoner readers have only the time to fantasize about. The couple bought a package of…
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And now, the final in our mini-series looking at homes featured in Brooklyn Modern by Diana Lind, with photographs by Yoko Inoue. Here’s Diana’s installment #4:
Susan Boyle and Benton Brown live the dream that probably many Brownstoner readers have only the time to fantasize about. The couple bought a package of industrial buildings in Crown Heights, re-selling a few and keeping two of the most precious to renovate into a green residential loft building and a commercial rental building. Their own duplex apartment sits on the penthouse of the former building and features reclaimed materials throughout. A stunning bookcase is made from timbers found on site, the bathrooms are fitted with vintage fixtures and tubs and sinks, even their bedroom closet’s doors are made from former ambulance doors. The buildings were renovated with a 30-year plan in mind — but for now, some eco-friendly aspects such as a green roof that catches rain run-off and tall windows that provide natural light and ventilation are already cutting down the building’s already-low environmental impact.
Any one have or seen any contact information for Susan Boyle or Benton Brown? Interested buyer.
If so, email me? (keithan@kgdevllc.com)
thanks,
Keithan
Try Two Jakes in Williamsburg, Johnny. Or maybe Moon Chattal.
I used this (Ice House) as one of entries in my Master’s study. S and D were very helpful and I also was in awe of their ability and work ethic…I don’t think they actually had a lot of money, beyond being able to buy the buildings. A LOT of sweat equity, the place was a total mess with lots of heavy timbers and junk around.
They actually have a green roof on a sloped surface! Lots of innovative methodology in building materials.
I never followed up on them and wonder if they ever developed anything else as they wanted to…or was this just too much?
Whatever you wanna call it, it’s %#@%$#ing beautiful. Interior decoration is spot on.
Has anyone found a reasonably priced source for those hospital-type industrial medicine cabinets they’ve got? Been looking for a while. Has to be somewhere more reasonable than the place on Atlantic.
[enter hot butler]
I think you are imnposing a very tight definition on modern. Industrial loft is very modern to me. Perhaps you are meaning to say Bauhaus or International style? But, please continue if you need to…
I too have major lust over this space. While I love my eclectic renovated (not restored) row house, if I were to get a second shot at a renovation, I would definitely prefer something rougher and more industrial. I find the typical row house so restricting, and oddly primitive in its use of space. Hmm, I guess I could go in the other direction and go for some turn of the century four square in Ditmas Park. My kingdom for a butler’s pantry…
I still see nothing Modern about this. Though it ain’t French Country either. More like Industrial/Flea Market stuff piled up style. Google Kaufmann Desert House, that is modern.
I read the above-referenced article in the Times about this building and ended up living there. My husband and I were among the first tenants of the rental portion, which was designed in a similar style. This was by far the best rental I ever lived in and Susan and Benton were by far the best landlords I ever had. They not only had a vision in terms of green building but good taste. And skills — what the blurb does not mention is that they acted as their own GC.
Thanks to them also for introducing us to a fantastic neighborhood where we subsequently bought a house and plan to stay for the long haul.
Very AvroKO.