This historic Fort Greene townhouse, built in the 1880s, had been home to a single family since the 1980s. Over the decades, it served as the backdrop for raising children, housing numerous dogs, and accumulating years of wear and tear. While the home had incredible potential, its signature feature—a solarium in the kitchen—had deteriorated to the point where the glass was so dull you couldn’t see out. Alongside this, various neglected repairs needed attention, from fallen telephone lines in the backyard to broken fireplace surrounds and leaking pipes that had left water stains throughout the house.

At some point, the house had shifted from a cherished family home to a crash pad for extended relatives. With missing bedside tables, poor lighting, and general disarray, it had taken on the look and feel of a frat house rather than a refined historic residence. Restoring the home required a mix of strategic updates and thoughtful design choices to bring back both its charm and functionality. Once the solarium was replaced and key repairs and refinements were made, the transformation was undeniable. The result? A beautifully restored home that not only recaptured its original character but also sold for nearly $500,000 over asking in the spring of 2024.