After a 15-Year Renovation, an Architect Couple List Their Brooklyn Townhouse

On the market for $3.75 million, the unique family residence features multiple levels connected by suspended stairs and bridges.
Text by

Property Details:  

Location: 17 Jackson Place, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Price: $3,750,000

Year Built: 1901 

Architects: Renovation by Fanny Mueller of Fanny Chevalier Mueller with Matthew Mueller of PBDW Architects

Footprint: 3,016 square feet (five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths)

From the agent: "Located on the middle of a quiet, one way, tree-lined street is 17 Jackson Place. A contemporary townhouse and modern masterpiece of light and form. Designed, built, and crafted by a French-American architect couple over a host of years in a modern European contemporary style, this three-story, five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath townhouse was built to maximize light and volume so that every space in the house feels airy, sculptural, and connected."

Franco-American architect couple Fanny and Matthew Mueller spent 15 years renovating this 1901 townhouse in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood for themselves and their three children. 

Franco-American architect couple Fanny and Matthew Mueller spent 15 years renovating this 1901 townhouse in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood for themselves and their three children. 

The family lived on the top floor of the residence while contractors demolished the existing main story and built a new structure with a split-level addition. "When it came time to stitch the existing and new together, we moved across the street to a one-bedroom apartment, keeping a close distance to allow us to follow the progress as well as contribute to the work— sometimes in the middle of the night while the children slept soundly," the architects say.

The family lived on the top floor of the residence while contractors demolished the existing main story and built a new structure with a split-level addition. "When it came time to stitch the existing and new together, we moved across the street to a one-bedroom apartment, keeping a close distance to allow us to follow the progress as well as contribute to the work— sometimes in the middle of the night while the children slept soundly," the architects say.

At the entrance, a custom maple staircase hides a plethora of storage.

At the entrance, a custom maple staircase hides a plethora of storage.

Natural light flows into the primary living areas via skylights, transoms, and glass doors and windows on the various levels. 

Natural light flows into the primary living areas via skylights, transoms, and glass doors and windows on the various levels. 

A few steps down from the living room, the open kitchen features a wall of built-in storage with ample counter space. Appliances include "a Bertazzoni oven and stovetop, Fisher Paykel refrigerator, hidden Broan vented hood, and Blomberg dishwasher," says the listing agent.

A few steps down from the living room, the open kitchen features a wall of built-in storage with ample counter space. Appliances include "a Bertazzoni oven and stovetop, Fisher Paykel refrigerator, hidden Broan vented hood, and Blomberg dishwasher," says the listing agent.

The architects/owners incorporated a number of clever, personalized designs into the home, including a steel-and-wood bridge that overlooks the main level and leads to the sleeping areas.

The architects/owners incorporated a number of clever, personalized designs into the home, including a steel-and-wood bridge that overlooks the main level and leads to the sleeping areas.

In the west-facing primary suite, tall windows "face the street and let in afternoon light, while the open transom and interior window allow eastern light to pour in from the skylight," says the listing agent.

In the west-facing primary suite, tall windows "face the street and let in afternoon light, while the open transom and interior window allow eastern light to pour in from the skylight," says the listing agent.

A translucent glass wall separates the primary bedroom from the bath.

A translucent glass wall separates the primary bedroom from the bath.

The vanity storage matches the cabinetry under the stairs and in the kitchen.

The vanity storage matches the cabinetry under the stairs and in the kitchen.

One of the kids’ bedrooms sits up a few more stairs, suspended above the main living area. 

One of the kids’ bedrooms sits up a few more stairs, suspended above the main living area. 

All of the kids’ rooms feature built-in raised platform beds. 

All of the kids’ rooms feature built-in raised platform beds. 

In total, the renovated residence includes five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths.

In total, the renovated residence includes five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths.

Wooden details are echoed throughout the second level, from the stairs to the built-in shelving.

Wooden details are echoed throughout the second level, from the stairs to the built-in shelving.

The basement level includes a guest suite with a kitchenette and half bath.

The basement level includes a guest suite with a kitchenette and half bath.

There is also an office, laundry room, storage, and den. 

There is also an office, laundry room, storage, and den. 

The transformed prewar residence spans 3,016 square feet and includes a sunny roof terrace.

The transformed prewar residence spans 3,016 square feet and includes a sunny roof terrace.

Sliding glass doors connect the kitchen/dining area to a bluestone patio and lush backyard. 

Sliding glass doors connect the kitchen/dining area to a bluestone patio and lush backyard. 

Dwell Staff
Questions? Pitches? Email edit@dwell.com

Published

Last Updated

Get the Real Estate Newsletter

From midcentury classics to the best contemporary spaces for sale, see the latest listings for modern homes on the market around the world.