Intent on creating a home in America, an energetic French family purchased this 4800sf, 20-year vacant Striver’s Row townhouse.

The property was converted from a 15-unit SRO into an owners’ triplex with a 2-bedroom garden rental. To marry their clean European aesthetic with salvaged original details, the work involved removing much of the divisive partitioning built over the landmarked windows, and patching and reconfiguring the remaining interior plaster and millwork detail.

We carefully considered all materials and fixtures for maximum value within strict budget parameters, and incorporated infrastructure for later projects to include integrated room-by-room AC, a roof deck, and basement ‘endless’ pool. The backyard, accessible to a mid-block private alley, was redesigned, featuring a contemporary steel stair that leads to the owners’ kitchen.

This loan-driven renovation successfully balanced the necessary repairs with the owners’ immediate priorities, creating an inviting modern home with ample opportunity for a variety of future embellishments.