Dubbed “Brooklyn’s Champs-Élysées” by the New York Times, Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights is a grand thoroughfare that counts among its architectural gems Grand Army Plaza, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Brooklyn Museum—all within a half mile of each other. Nestled among these landmarks are elegant pre-war apartment buildings, like Turner Towers, Brooklyn’s first residential high-rise and where we discovered this impressive renovation by Frederick Tang Architecture.
Like many pre-war apartments, this one was larger (at 2,500 square feet) and airier (thanks to high ceilings) than most, but an awkward layout had its cramped galley kitchen shunted to one end next to small rooms that were originally intended to be servants’ quarters. The homeowners, a couple who work in the arts, hired Frederick and his team to rectify the outdated design by relocating the kitchen to the heart of the home.
“It was really important for the clients to move the kitchen and create a more open floor plan,” says Frederick, whose firm also collaborated on the interior design. “This would fulfill their love to cook and entertain. But working within the confines of the pre-war building is tricky. It was a balancing act to preserve some historic detailing while creating a more open modern home for a family.” As far as we can tell, it was a balancing act that he pulled off with finesse.
Join us for a tour. And be sure to scroll down for before shots and layouts.
Photography by Gieves Anderson, courtesy of Frederick Tang Architecture.
![a built in bookcase and peg rail make this gracious entry feel more casual and 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-entry-733x489.jpg)
![\2\20;the client had many pieces collected from family members, includin 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-entry2-733x916.jpg)
![tiny no more, the kitchen, inspired by california mid century design, is now ce 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-kitchen-733x489.jpg)
![\2\20;we love the custom cherry millwork, from the sliding panels to the 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-kitchen2-733x652.jpg)
![in the dining room, more vintage lighting in the form of a \1960s equator 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-dining-733x540.jpg)
![the firm designed the custom walnut closets. the floor lamp is a noguchi. (see& 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-bedroom-733x529.jpg)
![\2\20;the owners had a specific vision,\2\2\1; says barbara. & 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-bedroom2-733x909.jpg)
![a light filled kid\2\17;s bedroom. 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-kids-bedroom-733x871.jpg)
![\2\20;we knew we wanted this to be playful and cheerful, but not themati 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-bath-733x916.jpg)
![in lieu of the staff rooms, there\2\17;s now a guest room, office, and b 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-bedroom3-733x916.jpg)
![in the guest bath, the walnut millwork and mirror were custom designed by frede 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-bath2-733x955.jpg)
![the new, more modern layout, now with a centrally located kitchen and guest qua 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-layout-733x474.jpg)
Before
![the old layout. note the tiny galley kitchen all the way on the right side. 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-layout-before-733x489.jpg)
![the former tight galley kitchen. 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-before1-733x977.jpg)
![one of the staff rooms was used as a utility closet. 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-before3-733x977.jpg)
![the old dining room. 32](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frederick-tang-eastern-parkway-brooklyn-apartment-before2-733x977.jpg)
For more Brooklyn homes we love, see:
- It Takes Two: A Pair of Brooklyn Heights Apartments Reconfigured Into One, by Shapeless Studio
- Second Time’s the Charm: ‘A Renovation of a Renovation’ in a Brooklyn Duplex
- Brooklyn Makeover: A Homey Townhouse with a Modern Garret
Frequently asked questions
What is the Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment?
The Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment is a residential space located in Brooklyn that has been renovated by the Frederick Tang Architecture firm.
Who designed the Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment?
The Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment was designed by the Frederick Tang Architecture firm.
What was the purpose of the renovation?
The renovation aimed to transform a dark and cramped apartment into a bright, open, and functional living space.
What features were added during the renovation?
The renovation added several features such as glass sliding doors to separate the living spaces, a custom-built kitchen island, and built-in storage units.
Where can I find photos of the Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment?
You can find photos of the Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment on the Remodelista website in the article titled 'Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment by Frederick Tang Architecture'.
Is the Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment available for rent or purchase?
It is unclear whether the Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Apartment is available for rent or purchase as it is a private residential space.
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