Contemporary Townhouse

Clinton Hill Gold Coast Rowhouse

Bright blue cornice atop a limestone rowhouse in Clinton Hill, New York.

The history of this 19th-century rowhouse played a major role in our renovation of the home for a vibrant family of five. The French Second Empire style O'Mahony house was built in 1867, modest among the grand mansions of oil barons and prominent merchants who called Clinton Hill home at the time.

Refurbished brick rear façade of a Clinton Hill rowhome with restored shingles, new windows, and enlarged openings. — Updating the rear façade without altering its structure allowed us to preserve the home's past.

Painted brick rear facade of a Clinton Hill rowhome before our renovation. — Updating the rear façade without altering its structure allowed us to preserve the home's past.

Kitchen with natural wood island, dark teal floor-to-ceiling cabinets, patterned tile backsplash, and marble countertops — The kitchen layers artwork, fabric, and pattern to create an individualized space.

Kitchen before our renovation, with parquet wood floors, a portable island, and stainless steel appliances. — The kitchen layers artwork, fabric, and pattern to create an individualized space.

Front façade of a stucco Clinton Hill rowhome with light blue painted shingles. — A large bay window was removed in the 1920s, replaced with a massive picture window. Our clients loved the character of the existing bright blue painted shingles, so we fully restored the existing front façade.

Front façade of a stucco Clinton Hill rowhome with light blue painted shingles before renovation — A large bay window was removed in the 1920s, replaced with a massive picture window. Our clients loved the character of the existing bright blue painted shingles, so we fully restored the existing front façade.

Open concept parlor floor of a Clinton Hill rowhouse with a natural wood dining table, living room area, and historic fireplace.

Note from the Architect

The original one-family home was chopped into apartments for a second life in the mid-1900s. Our clients sought to give the home a third life, restoring it to its previous one-family glory.

Living room with four backlit built-in cubbies next to a bumped out window seat.

Entryway of a Clinton Hill rowhome with recreated historic doors and transom, geometric light fixture, and historic newel and railing in the foreground.

With the creative arts being central to the family's lifestyle, they committed to a design that was fun, whimsical, and highly personal.

We collaborated with Indigo & Ochre Design to create a one-of-a-kind interior that is comfortable, practical, and meshes well with both the family's creativity and the vibrant energy of Clinton Hill.