A Romanesque Revival is the Best of Both Worlds

When attorneys Kenneth and Linda Eiges purchased their four-story, Victorian home on picturesque 11th Street in Park Slope's Historic District, little did they know that they were embarking on an adventure in home renovation and restoration that would span nearly three decades – and counting.   

One of six Romanesque Revival houses in a row between Eight Avenue and Prospect Park West, 629 11th Street was built in 1901 by prominent Brooklyn architect Thomas Bennett.  The home is set above a terrace with an L-shaped stoop, and like other homes on the street, has a Classical cornice and beautiful stained-glass round arches framing the front door and windows.  The house was constructed of rough-faced stonework on the first floor and warm-colored Roman brick on the upper. 

Kenneth and Linda Eiges, matrimonial and immigration attorneys respectively, met while practicing law in Manhattan, later married and went into business together forming Eiges & Eiges P.C.   In 1981, after living near Grand Army Plaza for a year, the couple began their search for a home and immediately fell in love with a four-story Victorian beauty just half-a-block from Prospect Park.

"I know it's a cliché but the home spoke to me," said Linda. "I grew up in a tract-housing community in Long Island where everything was non-descript.  I wanted something more.  This home was a work of art." 

Previously a boarding house, when the Eiges purchased the property in 1982 there were three rental units on the upper floors and the previous owner's apartment on the garden level.  While the upper floors had stunning original Victorian details, the previous owners had begun (and ultimately abandoned after divorcing) a kitchen renovation on the garden level causing extensive damage.  Instead of trying to replace what had already been removed, the Eiges decided to bring the garden level into the 21st century by creating a spacious, open and contemporary living space. 

Said Linda, "We thought, why not create a modern living area where we could take a breather from the rest of the house, which is entirely heavy Victorian." 

In renovating the garden level, the couple worked with designer and friend Elaine Beery to open the space.  The narrow, dark wood staircase leading to the parlour level was replaced with a modern, open-tread one.  The kitchen was updated with granite countertops and custom wood cabinetry.  Three large windows, overlooking a renovated backyard, were added in the dining area to bring much-needed light to the floor.    A luxurious and spacious bathroom was added, complete with a steam shower, stone shower floor and push-button "fogless" vanity mirror. 

The couple furnished the living area with a custom-made leather sofa from Ekornes, a "must-have" for Kenneth who spends the most time relaxing and watching television here, and other contemporary pieces from Room and Board and IKEA. 

In the garden area, the couple created an open and serene space perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining.  A slate floor was put in, as was a large fountain, built-in sprinkler system and modern gas grill.  A fence that had originally closed off the space to the surrounding neighbors was removed, giving the illusion of a larger area and allowing the natural beauty of the landscape to flow. 

"I am really proud of the downstairs renovation." said Linda.  "We brought it into the cotemporary and have a created a simplified, clutter-free living space."

From the garden level to the parlour level, one may feel as if they've traveled back in time to the grandeur of the Victorian era.  Like living in a piece of art, the couple is surrounded by elaborately-carved mantels, wood-burning fireplaces with ornate original tiles, grand period chandeliers, brilliant stained glass windows and original oak parquet floors throughout. 

In the elaborate parlour dining area, the family shares holiday meals at an impressively-large dining table, which also happens to be the place where Linda performs divorce mediation for couples living in South Brooklyn.  Details like a working dumbwaiter, which the couple uses when entertaining, and functioning pocket doors, make this home a rare find.

 In the future, the Eiges plan to restore and renovate several other areas of the home, including the parlour floor library/office, which has a working fireplace and a gorgeous skylight surrounded by a hand-painted mural with the family's initials. 

Restoring the 11th street home has been a labor of love and an exercise in patience.  As explained by Kenneth, "When you're putting together an old house, you can't just go out looking for a light fixture or piece of furniture and expect you'll find it right away.  In our case, we thought, if we are lucky enough to find it in the next five years, great." 

The couple searched nearly thirty years for the perfect period chandelier for the parlour sitting room and just recently found "the one" in their travels. "We felt a responsibility to preserve and maintain the home and wanted to do it the right way," said Linda. "We want the house to live beyond us."

Fueled by a deep appreciation for the home's history, as well as a unique vision to bring the home into the  21st Century, the Eiges have created a space that reflects the best of both worlds.  The beauty and craftsmanship of the Victorian age lives harmoniously with the modern conveniences of contemporary living in this 11th Street home.