Brooklyn-based Excellent Contracting worked with Landmarks to restore a badly deteriorated Harlem brownstone to its original glory. The beginning: In the fall of 2016, Brooklyn-based Excellent Contracting got the call to do a facade restoration on a landmarked Harlem brownstone. “To begin with, brownstone is a porous stone,” said managing partner Jeff Haider. “It’s sandstone, so once […]
New ironwork gates and window guards with intricate details were also installed. When Jeff Haider from Excellent Contracting first saw 126 Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights, the facade was in poor condition. “It had been resurfaced many years ago with a mismatched color,” he said. The glaring difference was the stoop — the only one on […]
In the first half of the 19th century, a growing urban middle class was looking for something more distinguished than the usual brick facades. Marble, granite, and limestone were too expensive to ship to Brooklyn. Brownstone, a type of sandstone found in nearby New Jersey, was easy to transport and more affordable. Excellent Contracting LLC restores historical brownstones […]
Brooklyn may be known for brownstones, but it’s dominated by brick houses. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the brick in tip-top shape and water out. We spoke with Excellent Contracting LLC about what’s involved in keeping a brick facade looking its best. A brick house on Hicks Street before restoration Take a Good Look at […]