CHICLET MANSION-PARK SLOPE
CHICLET MANSION
This 10,000-square-foot Romanesque Revival residence, designed by noted architect C.P.H. Gilbert in the 1890s, stands as one of New York City's most significant and intact examples of the style. Originally built as a grand single-family home, the building was subdivided into ten apartments in the 1950s and, over the course of five decades, fell into severe disrepair. Its current owners—a young family of seven—engaged Horrigan O’Malley Architects to undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation, restoring the home’s architectural character while reimagining its interiors as a refined, light-filled environment suited to contemporary family life.
The project commenced with a rigorous process of documentation, structural assessment, and ongoing coordination with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Though the interior required complete reframing due to prolonged neglect, numerous historic features were carefully preserved, including the original main stair, extensive wood paneling, decorative trim, and several early plumbing fixtures. Modern mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and sprinkler systems were discreetly integrated into the historic framework.
The exterior envelope was fully restored. A new terra cotta roof was installed, and extensive brownstone and brick repairs were carried out with careful attention to material integrity and detail. Lost or damaged elements—including gargoyles, stone moldings, and the original bas-relief pediment—were reconstructed based on archival research and onsite fragments. More than seventy windows were either restored or replaced with historically accurate assemblies, many featuring stained and leaded glass, preserving the building’s expressive fenestration while enhancing energy performance.
A key architectural feature of the house is its corner-lot condition, which allowed for the reinstatement of the main entrance along the long elevation. This orientation, coupled with the preserved central stair, reestablishes the formal hierarchy of rooms and optimizes access to natural light. The traditional sequence of spaces was retained, while subtle modern interventions introduced clarity, functionality, and comfort. Throughout, new hydronic radiant flooring in a combination of parquet, herringbone, and straight-lay patterns lends continuity and material richness to the interior.
The parlor floor kitchen—located on the north side of the home—was reoriented and expanded to improve natural light and spatial flow. A skylight, enlarged window, and full-height glass door were introduced in the adjacent rear extension. Natural light reflects off white lacquer cabinetry and spills into a richly wood-paneled dining room featuring a custom built-in seating nook. The kitchen connects seamlessly to a newly constructed rear deck and garden stair, creating a fluid relationship between interior living spaces and the bluestone-paved garden below.
The second floor is devoted to informal living and entertaining. A restored billiards room, complete with coffered leather-paneled ceiling, original fireplace, and custom bar, anchors the floor. A study with bespoke cabinetry and a generously scaled children’s playroom—with integrated bookshelves and an adjacent art space—round out the program on this level.
Private quarters occupy the third and fourth floors. The master suite includes a terrace, custom dressing rooms, and an expansive en suite bathroom. Children’s bedrooms are tucked beneath the newly exposed hipped and turreted roof structure, where soaring ceiling heights and expressive geometry evoke both drama and intimacy.
The basement was excavated to allow for increased ceiling height and was fully finished to include a secondary kitchen, exercise room, and wine cellar—transforming previously unusable space into a fully functional lower level that supports contemporary family life.
Recognized with the Ortner Award for Historic Preservation and featured in the Wall Street Journal's Mansion section, this project represents a rigorous and sensitive integration of preservation and innovation. It demonstrates how the architectural legacy of a landmarked home can be meaningfully reinterpreted to meet the needs of modern living—ensuring its relevance, utility, and beauty for generations to come.
The project commenced with a rigorous process of documentation, structural assessment, and ongoing coordination with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Though the interior required complete reframing due to prolonged neglect, numerous historic features were carefully preserved, including the original main stair, extensive wood paneling, decorative trim, and several early plumbing fixtures. Modern mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and sprinkler systems were discreetly integrated into the historic framework.
The exterior envelope was fully restored. A new terra cotta roof was installed, and extensive brownstone and brick repairs were carried out with careful attention to material integrity and detail. Lost or damaged elements—including gargoyles, stone moldings, and the original bas-relief pediment—were reconstructed based on archival research and onsite fragments. More than seventy windows were either restored or replaced with historically accurate assemblies, many featuring stained and leaded glass, preserving the building’s expressive fenestration while enhancing energy performance.
A key architectural feature of the house is its corner-lot condition, which allowed for the reinstatement of the main entrance along the long elevation. This orientation, coupled with the preserved central stair, reestablishes the formal hierarchy of rooms and optimizes access to natural light. The traditional sequence of spaces was retained, while subtle modern interventions introduced clarity, functionality, and comfort. Throughout, new hydronic radiant flooring in a combination of parquet, herringbone, and straight-lay patterns lends continuity and material richness to the interior.
The parlor floor kitchen—located on the north side of the home—was reoriented and expanded to improve natural light and spatial flow. A skylight, enlarged window, and full-height glass door were introduced in the adjacent rear extension. Natural light reflects off white lacquer cabinetry and spills into a richly wood-paneled dining room featuring a custom built-in seating nook. The kitchen connects seamlessly to a newly constructed rear deck and garden stair, creating a fluid relationship between interior living spaces and the bluestone-paved garden below.
The second floor is devoted to informal living and entertaining. A restored billiards room, complete with coffered leather-paneled ceiling, original fireplace, and custom bar, anchors the floor. A study with bespoke cabinetry and a generously scaled children’s playroom—with integrated bookshelves and an adjacent art space—round out the program on this level.
Private quarters occupy the third and fourth floors. The master suite includes a terrace, custom dressing rooms, and an expansive en suite bathroom. Children’s bedrooms are tucked beneath the newly exposed hipped and turreted roof structure, where soaring ceiling heights and expressive geometry evoke both drama and intimacy.
The basement was excavated to allow for increased ceiling height and was fully finished to include a secondary kitchen, exercise room, and wine cellar—transforming previously unusable space into a fully functional lower level that supports contemporary family life.
Recognized with the Ortner Award for Historic Preservation and featured in the Wall Street Journal's Mansion section, this project represents a rigorous and sensitive integration of preservation and innovation. It demonstrates how the architectural legacy of a landmarked home can be meaningfully reinterpreted to meet the needs of modern living—ensuring its relevance, utility, and beauty for generations to come.