Kane Street Townhouse

On a historic block in Cobble Hill, a 15-foot-wide 1850s townhouse—worn by decades of patchwork renovations—was purchased by a young family during the pandemic. Despite awkward layouts and deterioration, the parlor floor retained enough original charm to inspire them to hire Brooklyn-based studio Coughlin Scheel. A small bathroom update quickly grew into a full plan to modernize the home while respecting its history.

With most original details gone, the architects restored what remained, removed poorly executed additions, and introduced a new vocabulary of curves and arches as a contemporary echo of the home’s Italianate roots. Landmark rules guided historically accurate window replacements, and inside, the vestibule and parlor were reworked with an arched entry door, herringbone floors, period-inspired lighting, and custom built-ins that unify spaces and maximize storage.

The failing, sloped original staircase was carefully reinforced step by step instead of replaced, preserving the geometry while improving safety. A continuous railing was reconstructed from surviving fragments.

The top floors were fully rebuilt: a primary suite with a curved skylight and mosaic tile bathroom, plus a bedroom with hidden storage and a window-seat nook; and children’s rooms designed with playful, space-efficient millwork and a green-tiled shared bath. The garden-level kitchen received light updates, with a full renovation planned for later.