Brooklyn brownstones and townhouses have a rich architectural history and legacy. These homes, typically built in the mid to late 1800s, were constructed with a high level of craftsmanship that can still be appreciated today. Although these homes are very well-built, time does catch up with them; after more than a hundred years, age begins to wear down their condition.
You can restore original architectural elements in Manhattan and Brooklyn townhouses with sufficient investment, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Masonry, doors, moldings, fireplaces, and stairs are common features that homeowners often seek to revive. This work requires balancing budgetary constraints with the owner’s desired outcome, while also incorporating modern upgrades, such as creating an open plan living space or adding updated HVAC systems or an elevator.
I am Jorge Fontan, an architect in New York and owner of Fontan Architecture, a Manhattan-based architecture firm. At our office, we focus on high-quality residential projects, including renovating and restoring historic townhouses and brownstones in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
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Restoring Original Doors: Embracing or Concealing Imperfections
When renovating your townhouse or brownstone, you will have to face a key decision: do you accept imperfections, or do you hide them? This is a critical part of the renovation and restoration process. In one home we renovated in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, the house still had its original front doors, but the doors had quite a bit of wear and tear.
The contractor stripped them down and sanded them, while filling all the cracks and crevices. The owner chose to have the doors painted, as this accomplished three things. First, it reduced cost, as painting historic woodwork is always a more cost-effective and easier solution. Second, painting provides a more uniform surface, as it conceals a great deal of imperfections and material differentiation from fillers and repairs. Third, it was more in line with the owner’s aesthetic, subtly modernizing the home.
Below is a photo of one of the doors from this Brooklyn townhouse during restoration. This is the door being stripped down and sanded.
Front Door Restoration Brooklyn Townhouse
Below is the finished product. The general contractor repaired the door, sanded it, puttied it, installed new hardware, and painted it black. This makes the door look new and fresh while maintaining a sense of its original character in a more refined, modernized form.
Refinished Front Door Bed-Stuy Townhouse
Exposing Brick: Texture and Character
Exposing brick is often a polarizing decision in home design. For people who like it, the choice brings character and texture to the home, along with a sense of history and a strong New York City identity. For those who do not like it, the choice can feel unrefined and incomplete. We have completed homes with and without exposed brick, but the key decision is to focus on continuity. If you are doing a pristine modernization and seeking a more perfect finish, I would advise against it. If you are doing a more textured and material-driven design, it can be a good choice, provided the home embraces character and imperfections. At the end of the day, consistency is key to quality design.
Below is a photo from a Brooklyn townhouse where we exposed brick on one of the parlor floor chimneys. The brick is quite imperfect, but in the context of this home it blends well; for example, it complements the original wood floors, which we refinished rather than replaced. This level of consistency is what makes the home cohesive and results in a thoughtful finished product.
Brooklyn Townhouse with Exposed Brick Chimney
Restoring Fireplaces
In some cases, people have painted over original fireplace marble. Luckily, this can be stripped off, and the marble can be polished to achieve a refreshed look. With the right approach, the original stone can be brought back to life, maintaining the integrity of the home while improving its overall appearance.
Below is a fireplace in this Brooklyn townhouse where we had the contractor strip and refresh the original stone. The marble had been painted, but once exposed and refinished, it became a focal point of the room. The result preserves the historic character while aligning with a more refined and updated interior.
Brooklyn Townhouse Restored Fireplace
Refinishing Original Wood Floors
One of the biggest decisions is whether to refinish or replace the wood floors. This is a complex question that requires a proper assessment of the existing conditions. Some floors are just terribly damaged, especially when exposed to excessive water damage and rot. This can happen, but that is not often the case. In many homes the floors are suitable for refinishing.
Below you can see a close up of some refinished floors from this Bed-Stuy townhouse we renovated and restored.
Refinished wood floors in Brooklyn Townhouse
Renovating and Restoring a Brooklyn Townhouse
Restoring a historic brownstone or townhouse requires clear direction and decision-making. Each element of the home, including doors, fireplaces, exposed brick, and wood floors, contributes to the overall architectural composition. The design process establishes a consistent vision that guides every intervention, ensuring that material choices, finishes, and detailing align with a unified aesthetic. Successful renovations maintain continuity across all elements, resulting in spaces that feel intentional, balanced, and resolved.
The most effective townhouse renovations focus on the owner’s priorities in balancing preservation with refinement. Original features such as marble fireplaces, historic woodwork, and masonry surfaces provide depth and character, while thoughtful updates introduce improved functionality and a higher level of finish. Decisions to expose, conceal, restore, or replace materials should align with the broader design intent. A cohesive project integrates these decisions into a clear architectural framework, producing a home that reflects both its historic origins and contemporary standards of living.
At Fontan Architecture, we approach townhouse and brownstone renovations with a focus on both design excellence and technical execution. Our process integrates architectural design, detailing, and construction coordination from the outset, ensuring that each decision supports the overall vision of the project. We work closely with clients to develop bespoke solutions that reflect their lifestyle and priorities, guiding projects from initial concept through completion with clarity and precision.
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Jorge Fontan, AIA, is an architect and founder of Fontan Architecture based in New York City. The firm focuses on residential design, including new homes and extensive renovations for discerning clients. Through collaborative dialogue that draws on the individuality of each client, projects develop as distinct architectural responses guided by thoughtful planning, precise detailing, and a commitment to creating enduring value.
