1910 Brooklyn Heights Federal Townhouse in New York Featuring a Sculptural Walnut Staircase and Verdant Private Garden (With Home Plan)

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Mathew Abraham, editor of Century Homes America, brings his passion for architectural history to explore the stories behind America’s most iconic homes.

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Built in the 1850s, this grand federal-style townhouse in Brooklyn Heights is a historic gem, recently renovated in 2010 to highlight its rare 22′ x 60′ dimensions across four floors. It spans 5,280 sq ft with 7 bedrooms, 4 full baths, and 2 powder rooms. Architecturally inspired by mid-century modern design, the home features oversized blackened steel casement windows, a Henry-Built kitchen, radiant heated floors, and custom millwork. Located on the coveted tree-lined Sidney Place, it offers proximity to prime Brooklyn amenities and a stunning roof deck with Manhattan views. Listed at $9.9 million, this home blends timeless elegance with modern comfort on a picturesque, quiet block.

Home Plan

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

The layout includes six levels: cellar, entry floor, second, third, fourth floors, and roof, designed for a historic American home. The cellar features storage and a boiler room. The entry floor has a front patio leading to a foyer, dining area, kitchen, and sunken living room connected to a backyard. The second floor contains the primary bedroom and an additional bedroom with en-suite bathrooms. The third floor holds three bedrooms and a laundry area. The fourth floor presents a gallery and more bedrooms. The roof includes a spacious deck with greenery, providing outdoor leisure space. Each level balances functionality and elegance within classic design boundaries.

Private Garden Seating

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Rectangular backyard garden with lush green artificial turf centered between wide, stone-paved walkways. Matte green metal benches with simple, linear designs line each side, providing seating focused on the symmetrical layout. Cream-colored stucco walls with warm wooden trim enclose the space, adding texture and warmth. The far end wall features a raised planter with an array of ornamental plants in muted greens, reds, and whites, offering a splash of color and softness against the urban backdrop. Surrounding brick buildings and bare winter trees frame a cozy outdoor retreat blending modern minimalism with subtle natural elements.

Patio Seating Area

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A compact walled patio with light gray stone tile flooring extends from the house’s white brick exterior walls, complemented by large black-framed windows and door panels that add a modern industrial contrast. A modest outdoor dining setup includes a green metal table with four matching wireframe chairs in muted earth tones. Various potted plants, including a tall leafy plant in a textured basket pot and a decorative bowl planter with flowers, bring greenery and color to the otherwise minimalist setting. The adjacent raised planter area and lattice fencing enhance privacy, while natural light brightens the intimate outdoor space.

Rooftop Patio Seating

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Open-air rooftop patio enclosed by horizontal wooden slat fencing in a warm, weathered tone that creates a private, cozy atmosphere. The flooring comprises large square cream tiles arranged in a grid pattern, enhancing the clean and modern aesthetic. Seating includes minimalist, metal-framed outdoor furniture with light beige cushions: a three-seater sofa, two armchairs, and a chaise lounge paired with a small matching side table. The city skyline is visible beyond the fence, adding an urban backdrop. A single potted plant adds a touch of greenery to the contemporary, relaxed outdoor space.

Living Room Seating

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A spacious living area with a sleek, modern aesthetic centered around a recessed linear fireplace set in a polished stone wall. The floor is smooth polished concrete, contributing to a clean, minimalist feel. A large curved beige sectional sofa with patterned throw pillows complements a single upholstered raspberry armchair, both arranged on a textured circular coral-toned rug. A glass-topped coffee table with wooden legs and two matching wooden side tables add warmth. The far wall features large black-framed windows and a door paired with neutral curtains. A large forest landscape painting decorates the textured warm-toned wall, beneath a sparkling crystal chandelier.

Living Room and Bar Area

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A cozy living room flows seamlessly into a bar with rich wood cabinetry and shelving. The curved beige sofa with mid-century modern styling faces a round glass coffee table atop a large circular, muted coral rug. Adjacent, a burgundy armchair with wooden armrests adds a splash of contrasting color. The back wall is warm with textured, natural tones, highlighted by a landscape painting of snow-covered trees. Two slim floor lamps frame the sofa, providing balanced illumination. The space is brightened by large black-framed windows with light cream curtains, while the ceiling features an elegant recessed design and a circular chandelier. Concrete floors add a modern touch.

Modern Kitchen Island

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

The kitchen is designed with a prominent large island featuring a white marble countertop with fine gray veining, incorporating a sleek sink and modern faucet. Surrounding cabinetry and built-ins are crafted from warm, rich wood with a smooth, flat finish and minimal hardware, creating a clean and cohesive appearance. The backsplash behind the stovetop is a matching white marble slab, continuing the elegant and understated aesthetic. Two large, spherical pendant lights hang symmetrically over the island, providing soft ambient lighting. Open shelving niches on both ends display a curated selection of books and decorative items, enhancing the personalized and modern vibe.

Modern Kitchen Island

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Long kitchen island with a sleek white countertop extends along the space, accompanied by a smaller breakfast bar area with three minimalist beige bar stools. The cabinetry is wood-paneled in a warm mid-tone finish, creating a cohesive and natural look against the cork-textured wall. Stainless steel ovens are integrated into the cabinetry, emphasizing a clean, modern aesthetic. Three round pendant lights hang above the island, softly lighting the space. To the right, an open wooden staircase with metal supports leads upstairs, while large windows bring in natural light from the far end, brightening the wide and open floor plan.

Living Room Fireplace

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Centered around a sleek, rectangular gas fireplace set in a large polished stone wall with natural beige and cream tones, the space radiates modern warmth. The fireplace wall is flanked by rich walnut wood paneling that supports two floating cabinets with glass fronts featuring a subtle geometric pattern. On the left, a patterned mid-century modern armchair stands beside minimalist pottery, while a coral-colored loveseat with wood arms sits on the right near a set of books and sculptural ceramic pieces. Natural light flows in through black metal-framed windows, complemented by neutral walls and a large curved salmon-pink rug grounding the area.

Dining Room Area

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A round white pedestal dining table anchors the center of the room, surrounded by four dining chairs in warm, burnt-orange upholstery, with two armchairs by the foreground and two side chairs opposite. A neutral-toned area rug with a coarse weave adds texture beneath. Large windows with black grid frames line one wall, flooding the space with natural light while offering views of brick and greenery outside. Cream-colored curtains frame the windows, softening the edges. The walls are painted off-white and adorned with a curated arrangement of framed artwork. Above, a cylindrical pendant light with a wood-textured shade provides gentle illumination. Transom windows near the ceiling enhance the airy feel, and a wooden sideboard is partially visible near the door, contributing to the room’s clean, modern mid-century aesthetic.

Entryway Staircase

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A spacious entryway with a striking modern staircase composed of warm wood steps and sleek metal railings. The stairs ascend from a polished concrete floor into an open upper landing bordered by horizontal metal railings with wood trims. A mid-century style starburst clock with sharp wooden points hangs on the off-white wall above a floating wooden cabinet displaying white dishes and silverware behind glass. Natural light floods the area from large windows and glass doors in the adjacent living space, highlighting the minimalist and clean-lined architectural design that balances wood warmth with industrial materials.

Bedroom Window Wall

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A large, multi-pane window with black framing reveals a view of an urban neighborhood, bringing natural light into the spacious bedroom. The window seat with a wooden ledge adds a cozy and inviting touch. The bed, dressed in crisp white linens, faces the window, with a light gray upholstered bench at its foot. One wall is covered in a warm cork material, contrasting with the otherwise neutral tones of soft beige carpets, white ceiling, and light-gray curtains that frame the window on either side. A minimalistic brass swing-arm bedside lamp and a single abstract painting add subtle character to the room.

Bedroom Main View

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A spacious bedroom characterized by a neutral, calming color palette featuring beige carpeting and walls accented with a textured cork panel behind the bed. The bed is dressed with multiple white pillows dotted with a subtle pattern and flanked by matching bedside lamps attached to the cork wall, creating balanced symmetry. A sleek, mid-century modern style tufted sofa in a pale beige stands at the foot of the bed. To the left, sliding wooden doors with frosted glass panels add warmth and privacy, while a large grid-style black-framed window on the right invites ample natural light, offering a view of the outside landscape.

Modern Bathroom Design

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A sleek, elongated bathroom space with a minimalist aesthetic accentuates natural wood and crisp white surfaces. A floating vanity with rich, dark wood extends along one wall, topped with two rectangular ceramic sinks and wall-mounted chrome faucets. Above the vanity, a wide rectangular mirror framed in matching wood adds warmth. The bathtub is encased in white with wooden trim that complements the vanity. Three horizontal windows near the ceiling introduce soft natural light, contrasting with the pale tile walls and dark flooring. The walk-in shower area at the end maintains an open, airy feel with modern fixtures and a wood-trimmed ceiling vent. Clean lines and natural materials emphasize understated elegance and functionality.

Bathroom Vanity Detail

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A double sink vanity with a modern rectangular white basin sits atop a natural wood countertop featuring a live edge, highlighting the wood’s organic texture and grain. The cabinetry below matches the warm wood tone, providing a cohesive look. Above the sinks, a horizontal rectangular mirror framed in rich wood complements the countertop and cabinetry elements. The wall behind is tiled in large, soft cream tiles, adding subtle texture and brightness to the space. Contemporary metal faucets and cross handles enhance the minimalist yet warm aesthetic of this bathroom section.

Home Office Sitting Area

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Two patterned armchairs with matching ottoman surround a uniquely shaped glass-top coffee table in the center. Behind them, a built-in wooden desk extends along an exposed brick wall adorned with a series of black-and-white framed photographs, adding a vintage charm. The opposite wall houses large wooden cabinetry in a warm wood tone, balancing the rustic feel of the brick. Neutral beige walls and carpeting soften the room’s industrial windows that provide a view of classic brick townhouses. A small side table with a ceramic lamp and framed artwork completes the calm, mid-century inspired aesthetic.

Modern Staircase Landing

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A bright and spacious landing connects multiple levels of the home with a sleek staircase design. The stairs have floating wooden treads paired with horizontal metal railings, creating a modern, open feel. Natural wood trim frames the stairwell and windows, adding warmth against the clean white walls. A rust-colored carpet runner adds a subtle accent along the landing floor, enhancing the neutral palette. Artwork with earthy tones hangs on the wall opposite the stairway, complementing the natural materials. The adjacent room visible through the open doorway hints at a workspace with large windows allowing ample daylight.

Upper Landing and Staircase

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Warm wood flooring extends across the upper landing, contrasting with crisp white walls that enhance the space’s brightness. A modern skylight overhead floods the area with natural light, emphasizing the clean lines and contemporary aesthetic. The striking staircase is a focal point with its dark metal frame and wood steps connecting the levels. Simple, geometric artwork on the walls complements the minimalistic décor, which includes a sleek, rounded beige chair and a small wooden side table. Plants add subtle greenery, while recessed lights dotted in the ceiling provide balanced illumination. The open doorway reveals a glimpse into an adjacent room, continuing the home’s cohesive, modern style.

Bedroom with Work Nook

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A bright bedroom combining modern and vintage aesthetics with a calming color palette. The ceiling is painted a soft, pastel blue, enhancing an airy feel. One wall features large retro-style floral wallpaper in muted greens, blues, and yellows. Opposite, a black chalkboard wall filled with handwritten notes adds a creative, personal touch. A notable mid-century wooden headboard stretches the width of the bed, contrasting with fresh white bedding and patterned quilt. A minimalist wooden desk and matching floating shelves occupy the corner by a large black-framed window, inviting natural light and providing a cozy workspace. A round, paper lantern light fixture completed the space.

Study Room with Vintage Furniture

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Muted beige walls and matching light carpet create a warm neutral backdrop. Two striking mid-century modern blue armchairs rest beside a small wooden side table under two large, black-framed windows that allow ample natural light, highlighting the simplicity of the space. A long, polished wooden desk dominates the foreground with a single black chair tucked neatly beside it. On the right, wooden shelving units with clean lines and open compartments add functional storage without cluttering the minimalist room. The balance of natural materials and subtle colors produces a calm, airy atmosphere blending vintage charm with modern minimalism.

Bedroom Window View

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

Natural light fills this serene bedroom, dominated by a large bed with crisp white linens and a patterned coverlet. The warm wooden flooring complements the minimalist wooden furniture including a low dresser and matching nightstand. A tall mirror framed in wood adds depth near the window, which features black grid panes contrasting the white walls. Floating wooden shelves and a built-in desk inset into an alcove offer functional elegance. A small potted plant on the dresser introduces a touch of greenery, while the rounded pendant light hanging from the ceiling adds a soft, modern touch.

Living Room Details

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A narrow rectangular living area with a minimalist, modern aesthetic. Crisp white walls and ceiling create a bright, clean backdrop, while a single pendant light fixture adds understated elegance. A wall-mounted flat-screen TV faces a muted gray, mid-century modern sofa with simple lines and button tufting. Beneath, a colorful, geometric-patterned carpet introduces vibrant stripes in red, blue, green, and cream, infusing the space with playful energy. A long floating wooden cabinet beneath the TV provides warmth and storage, balanced by a black desk lamp. A large window framed with black grid panes offers natural light and an urban view, while a framed artwork on the wall adds subtle visual interest.

Bathroom Vanity Area

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A compact, well-organized bathroom with beige, lightly patterned tiled walls creates a warm, neutral backdrop. A large mirror framed with textured metallic tiles adds a sense of depth and sophistication while reflecting the light. The floating vanity is made of rich, striped wood, featuring a smooth top that holds a modern, white rectangular vessel sink and a minimalist faucet. The floor is covered in large, smooth marble tiles with subtle gray veining. A wall-mounted white toilet complements the streamlined design. Two framed artworks with warm hues intensify the inviting and balanced atmosphere, while crown molding in a dark wood tone accents the ceiling edges.

Utility Room Window

Deborah Rieders of Corcoran

A spacious utility or laundry area with a large industrial-style stainless steel sink positioned on the left. The faucet has an extendable, flexible coil spout, suited for heavy-duty cleaning. Dark wood cabinets with sleek metal handles and glossy white countertops line the right side. Opposite the sink, a wide window with black framing delivers natural light and offers a view of trees and neighboring brick buildings. Several potted green plants rest on the white window ledge, adding freshness to the monochromatic setting. Black and pale yellow checkered tiles provide a classic yet bold design element on the floor. Exposed wooden drying racks hang from the ceiling, combining function and vintage style in the otherwise clean, minimalist space.

Listing Agent: Deborah Rieders of Corcoran via Zillow 

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