Melani General Contractor delivers expert brownstone renovation services throughout Brooklyn and across all five boroughs. Our licensed team understands the unique structural, historical, and aesthetic considerations that brownstone properties demand — from preserving original architectural details to navigating Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) requirements. Whether you need a full gut renovation or targeted updates to your parlor floor kitchen and bathrooms, we manage every phase from permit filing through final inspection. Call (718) 283-4154 to schedule your free on-site estimate.
Dark, compartmentalized parlor floors reopened and restored — original moldings, medallions, and mantels preserved while kitchens, systems, and floors are rebuilt to current code.
Every scope below is performed by licensed trades under a single general contract, sequenced so structural and mechanical work is inspected before any restoration finishes go back in.
The parlor floor is the centerpiece of any Brooklyn brownstone — featuring the highest ceilings, largest windows, and most ornate original details. We restore and modernize parlor floors by opening up layouts between front and rear rooms, installing modern kitchens in former dining rooms, and refinishing original hardwood floors while preserving crown moldings, ceiling medallions, and fireplace mantels.
More on Kitchen RemodelingGarden-level spaces in Brooklyn brownstones offer significant potential for rental units, home offices, or expanded living areas. We handle structural waterproofing, egress window installation, ceiling height optimization (including underpinning when necessary), and full mechanical system installation — including plumbing for kitchenettes and bathrooms with proper backflow prevention for below-grade drains.
More on Plumbing ServicesBrownstones built in the 1800s and early 1900s frequently require structural attention — sagging floor joists, deteriorated bearing walls, cracked lintels, and settling foundations. We work with structural engineers to assess conditions and install steel beams, sister joists, or foundation underpinning as needed. All structural modifications receive proper DOB permits and engineering sign-offs.
More on Gut RenovationBrownstone kitchens and bathrooms often feature original layouts that don't serve modern living. We reconfigure plumbing and electrical systems to support contemporary fixtures, appliances, and layouts while working within the constraints of 19th-century construction — thick masonry walls, original cast iron stacks, and limited electrical capacity.
More on Bathroom RenovationMost brownstones require complete electrical system overhauls — replacing antiquated panels, knob-and-tube wiring, and insufficient circuits with modern 200-amp service, dedicated appliance circuits, and code-compliant protection throughout. Similarly, original galvanized water lines and cast iron drain stacks often need replacement with modern piping systems.
More on Electrical ServicesOriginal brownstone hardwood floors — often heart pine or white oak — can be restored through sanding, repair, and refinishing. Where original floors are beyond salvage, we install new hardwood, engineered wood, or tile that complements the building's historic character. We also address subfloor leveling issues common in settled brownstone structures.
More on Flooring InstallationBrownstone facades require periodic maintenance including repointing mortar joints, replacing damaged brownstone with matching material, restoring ornamental details, and rebuilding deteriorated stoops. In LPC-designated historic districts, all exterior work must meet preservation guidelines — we prepare and submit LPC applications when required.
More on Townhouse RenovationOrnamental plasterwork, pocket doors, wainscoting, and shutters are the details that make a brownstone worth restoring. We repair and reproduce period millwork, patch plaster cornices and medallions, and finish every surface with lead-safe preparation and painting appropriate to pre-1978 housing stock.
More on Painting ServicesBrownstone renovation costs vary significantly based on scope, condition, and historic district requirements. Here are general ranges based on our project history.
Kitchen, bathroom, flooring, paint
2–3 floors with systems upgrades
Structural work, all new systems, full finishes
We provide itemized estimates that separate structural work, mechanical systems, finish materials, and restoration elements so you understand exactly where your investment goes. When a brownstone project is phased, it is often more economical to bundle the kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, and flooring installation onto the same permit and delivery schedule.
Occupancy, certificate of occupancy changes, and historic district status each drive a different scope and permit path.
For owners living in their brownstone during renovation, we phase work floor-by-floor to maintain habitable space throughout construction. This approach requires careful scheduling of utility transitions and temporary accommodations but avoids the cost and disruption of temporary relocation.
Converting a multi-unit brownstone to a single-family home involves removing apartment divisions, reconfiguring stairs, upgrading mechanical systems for unified service, and creating cohesive interior design across all floors. These projects typically require DOB alteration permits and updated certificates of occupancy.
Brownstones in designated historic districts — including Park Slope, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Heights, Clinton Hill, and Prospect Heights — face additional requirements for any exterior modifications. We prepare LPC applications, source period-appropriate materials, and coordinate with preservation consultants to maintain compliance. Interior work generally does not require LPC review unless it affects exterior-visible elements.
Renovating a limestone rowhouse, a converted rental unit, or a full-floor apartment inside your brownstone? See our townhouse renovation, apartment renovation, and Brooklyn general contracting pages for building-specific detail.
Licensing, lead-safe certification, and landmark district experience are what separate a brownstone restoration that holds up from one that damages irreplaceable detail.
Our active license authorizes us to pull permits, supervise subcontractors, and maintain DOB compliance for residential construction across all five boroughs. Valid through December 2028.
Based in Park Slope, Brooklyn, we have completed brownstone renovations across the borough — from Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights to Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights — with documented references available upon request.
Essential for brownstone work, as virtually all pre-1900 brownstones contain lead-based paint requiring proper containment, removal, and disposal procedures.
Licensed by New York State to assess and remediate mold, so moisture damage found behind walls, ceilings, and old plumbing lines is corrected properly instead of covered up.
Comprehensive general liability and workers' compensation insurance protects property owners from financial exposure during construction.
Proven track record of navigating LPC requirements, sourcing period-appropriate materials, and completing exterior restoration work that satisfies preservation guidelines.
Five phases, in order, with DOB permits and LPC approvals cleared before demolition begins.
We visit your brownstone, assess structural conditions, review architectural details worth preserving, and discuss your renovation goals across all floors.
Based on the assessment, we prepare a detailed scope of work with itemized costs for structural, mechanical, and finish elements. We coordinate with structural engineers and architects as needed.
We file DOB applications, submit LPC applications for exterior work in historic districts, and obtain all required permits before construction begins.
Our crews handle demolition, structural remediation, rough-in (plumbing, electrical, HVAC), and all finish work — flooring, cabinetry, tile, millwork, painting, and hardware installation.
We coordinate DOB inspections, LPC sign-offs (if applicable), obtain certificates of completion, and conduct a detailed walkthrough with you before closeout.
Finish work includes flooring, cabinetry, tile, millwork, painting, and hardware installation. Call (718) 283-4154 and we will walk through every phase before work begins.
Melani General Contractor offers comprehensive construction services beyond brownstone-specific work. Our licensed team coordinates trades across renovation categories to maintain schedule efficiency and quality standards. These services complement brownstone renovation projects or stand as independent scopes of work.
Our crews travel to job sites throughout all five boroughs from our Park Slope, Brooklyn headquarters. We maintain familiarity with neighborhood building stock, historic district boundaries, and local permit requirements in each service area.
Brownstone work concentrated in Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Bed-Stuy, and Crown Heights.
Ready to renovate your brownstone? Melani General Contractor provides detailed project estimates following on-site assessments. We evaluate structural conditions, review preservation requirements, and discuss your vision before preparing formal proposals.
Call (718) 283-4154 to arrange your free on-site evaluation, or use the form below to request an estimate.
We handle DOB permits, LPC applications, structural engineering coordination, and every trade from demolition through final sign-off. Your estimate is itemized and based on an on-site walkthrough.
