hancock street
Brooklyn, NY.
Brownstone Facade Restoration.
Mayta + Sebastian Architecture (M+S) was enlisted by clients Patrick and Nicole in 2020 to restore the facade of a brownstone at Hancock Street in Brooklyn, a 3-story multi-family townhouse built in 1881. Part of the Bedford Historic District, the building is one of six row houses and holds landmark status. M+S faced challenges such as stop work orders and deteriorating brownstone elements upon taking on the project. Working with Riya Construction’s Bangladeshi crew, they began with the stoop, removing damaged sections and applying a scratch coat. The restoration included repairing cast-iron balustrades, window sills, entrance archways, pilasters, lintels, and spandrel panels. A cement-based scratch coat was applied before recreating historic details with a new finish coat, ensuring the desired texture and color. The wood cornice, archway to the basement entrance, and historic fence and gate were also restored. Despite pandemic challenges, M+S closely monitored the project’s completion, obtaining approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Department of Buildings. The team at M+S takes pleasure in working on diverse building typologies, expanding their knowledge database, and applying their expertise to future projects.