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14 Townhouses
Fourteen Brooklyn residences revitalize a rare find in the city: the block-front facade of the 1920s townhouse.
These 14 Townhouses are the first phase of development for a two-acre urban renewal project on a site that has been vacant for more than sixty years. Positioned between the commercial core of downtown Brooklyn and the historic neighborhoods of Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and Cobble Hill, the 14 Townhouses serve as an anchor for the planned redevelopment by reconnecting the site to its adjacent brownstone neighbors.
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Speculative development of 14 individual, single-family homes is a unique response to this site's context and provides a singular design opportunity. Not since the late 1920s has New York City seen the creation of an uninterrupted blockfront of new market-rate townhouses. Individually, the 14 Townhouses are a modern interpretation of the classic townhouse type. Together, they establish a unified aesthetic using a playful composition varied to create subtle and distinct differences between the individual homes. A respectful dialogue between old and new is the genesis for the design. Taking design cues from the historic houses adjacent and across the street, the townhouses’ facade planes, assembly details, openings, and entries produce a visually compelling procession along the street.
As a part of the project’s development, the 14 Townhouses served as the integral backdrop for an installation bringing together the work of 42 designers and 25 artists, all Brooklyn-based, under one domestic roof. Accessible to the design community and the neighborhood through open houses and public discussions, the installation engaged and introduced the 14 Townhouses to the neighborhood and Brooklyn.
The original site of these townhouses was used for surface parking. To the east, the site adjoins five Italianate townhouses that are listed on the National Register. To the south, across State Street, is a row of Greek revival town houses, many of which are also listed on the National Register. The entire southern side of State Street is part of a Landmark District. The 14 Towhouses site, however, is not governed by the district or any historic regulations. To the north and west, it is surrounded by a parking lot that will be developed at a later date.
The project is a participant in the NYSERDA program (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority). Energy modeling was used as a tool to direct the design of building assemblies. Key mechanical components exceed required efficiencies: furnace, condenser, and water heater. An energy recovery unit is installed as a part of the heating and cooling system. All windows are insulated with low-e coatings and argon-filled airspace.
Formal name of project: 14 Townhouses
Location: 267-287 State Street, Brooklyn, NY
Gross square footage: 59,000 SF total; 3,200 – 4,400 sq.ft each
Completion Date: Spring 2006
Total construction cost: $13.7million
Owner:
HS Development
1114 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 3400
New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212 719-4075
Abby Hamlin
President, Hamlin Ventures
Email: ahamlin@hamlinventures.com
Hamlin Ventures is Ms. Hamlin’s primary individual business. HS Development is a partnership with Time Equities for the State Street project.
Architect:
Rogers Marvel Architects
145 Hudson Street, Third Floor
New York, NY 10013
T 212.941.6718
F 212.941.7573
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