This Upper West Side townhouse reinterprets a classic brownstone for modern family life through a careful balance of restoration and modern extensions. Two extensions create double-height spaces, adding drama and flow while creating multiple levels of outdoor space.
With seven levels serving a multi-generational family, circulation, accessibility, and comfort informed every decision—from light shafts that bring sunlight deep into the plan to planted terraces that provide private outdoor spaces for children, parents, and grandparents. Garden and rooftop extensions strengthen the relationship between interior and exterior, weaving greenery into daily family life. We likewise added an elevator—a key insertion given the home’s vertical nature.
Double-height volumes—rare within the constraints of a townhouse—connect the parlor and garden levels, creating visual connections across floors and reinforcing a sense of spatial continuity. Suspended terraces overlook the garden, offering moments of pause throughout the vertical journey. The roof is reimagined as two distinct zones: a generous rear deck for gathering and entertaining, and a quieter front retreat featuring a hot tub, providing a private escape above the city.
The home’s private floors are organized to reflect both togetherness and seclusion. The second floor is dedicated to the grandparents’ carefully crafted suite. Above, the third floor is shared by the children, with two bedrooms connected by a central play space where the stair opens into an open, flexible area for daily use. The fourth floor is reserved as a serene primary retreat with a bedroom suite and library. The bathroom is conceived as a spa-like wet room, anchored by a teak soaking tub that introduces warmth and ritual into daily routines.
At the garden level, the kitchen serves as the social and culinary heart of the home, designed for serious home cooking and daily family use with professional-grade appliances and generous work surfaces. Below, the cellar accommodates a gym and climbing wall, naturally lit by a walkable skylight that brings daylight and activity into the lowest level of the house.
On the parlor floor, a restored and reconfigured entrance leads to gracious living and dining spaces overlooking the double-height volume. A new wet bar supports family gatherings and entertaining, while original millwork and historic details have been carefully preserved. Throughout the house, contemporary comfort is layered into the historic fabric, creating a home that supports multi-generational family life while remaining grounded in light, greenery, and a sense of calm within the city.
Category:Restorations/RenovationsYear:2025Location:New York, New York, USAArchitects:Studio Delson Architecture P.C. Lead Architect: Perla Delson and Firas Maatouk Landscape Architects: Liz Pulver DesignInterior Designers:Fawn Galli Interiors General Contractor:Tatra Renovation Inc.Client: PrivatePhotographer: ason Schmidt and Hulya Kolabas
