Nestled throughout the historic neighborhood of Tribeca, a pre-war constructing held untapped potential. For one household, this wasn’t only a minimalist dwelling renovation; it was a chance to create a house that really mirrored their evolving wants. The journey started with a imaginative and prescient: to seamlessly mix the constructing’s authentic character with modern dwelling.
The centerpiece of this transformation? A hanging staircase that not solely related the 2 flooring but in addition served as a logo of the brand new chapter unfolding inside these historic partitions.
- The place: Tribeca, New York Metropolis
- Major renovation: Combining two flooring of a pre-war rental (1700 sq ft every) right into a single 3400 sq ft duplex.
- House owner’s quote: “The position and design of the steps took a while to engineer. Though the footprint is massive, we love the steps—they’re a purposeful artwork piece. We additionally respect that the situation of the steps opened up the pure gentle of the home windows between the 2 flooring.”
Submit your undertaking on Sweeten at no cost and make your dream renovation a actuality. Sweeten simplifies dwelling renovation by connecting householders with top-rated normal contractors, dealing with the vetting course of and undertaking administration. To be taught extra about how we may also help, take a look at our dwelling renovation providers.

From Tribeca duplex to dream dwelling: a minimalist marvel
A shocking rental minimalist renovation seamlessly blends trendy dwelling with the wealthy historical past of a Eighteen Nineties constructing. This household’s journey serves as an inspiring testomony to considerate design, perseverance, and the facility of making an area that displays their life’s journey.
The dwelling area showcases a modular wall system that effortlessly conceals a piano, TV, and books, maximizing area and sustaining a clear, minimalist aesthetic.
A rising household, a rising want for area
Having referred to as their fifth-floor condominium dwelling for years, this household with three rising children confronted a typical dilemma through the COVID-19 pandemic: keep within the metropolis they liked or search more room within the suburbs.
Their hearts had been tied to their Tribeca neighborhood, however their condominium felt more and more cramped. The reply got here within the type of a chance—an opportunity to buy the ground under and mix the 2 items.
This wasn’t the household’s first rodeo when it got here to renovations. Having realized priceless classes from their earlier undertaking, they knew the significance of meticulous planning. Their greatest concern this time round was the sheer scale of the endeavor. Combining two flooring right into a cohesive dwelling area, whereas managing the psychological and monetary calls for, was a frightening prospect.
Imaginative and prescient: mixing modernity and historical past
With a transparent imaginative and prescient in thoughts, the household started their renovation journey with Sweeten. They craved an area that supplied performance, flexibility, and ample storage.
However in addition they cherished the distinctive character of the historic constructing – the uncovered brick partitions, the excessive ceilings with their authentic beams, and even the classic refrigerated doorways. Their imaginative and prescient was to create a contemporary haven that paid homage to the constructing’s wealthy historical past.
The position and design of the staircase proved to be a masterpiece of engineering. The household knew they wished a press release piece, a sculptural aspect that will tie the 2 flooring collectively. The ultimate result’s a marvel of performance and aesthetics, permitting pure gentle to cascade by means of the home windows and bathe all the area in a heat glow.
“Though the footprint is massive, we love the steps—they’re a purposeful artwork piece. We additionally respect that the situation of the steps opened up the pure gentle of the home windows between the 2 flooring,” added by the house owner.

The householders additionally prioritized a well-equipped bar and ample storage options. However they didn’t need these parts to dominate the visible panorama. The ultimate design incorporates a discreet but extremely purposeful bar space and a storage wall that provides hidden compartments with out compromising the clear traces of the area.
Sweeten simplifies dwelling renovation. We join householders with top-rated normal contractors, dealing with the vetting course of and undertaking administration. To be taught extra about how we may also help, take a look at our information to dwelling renovation providers.

As with every renovation undertaking, particularly one involving a historic constructing, there have been surprises alongside the way in which. Unexpected delays on account of allowing, provide chain points, and development hiccups examined the householders’ endurance. The outdated constructing additionally offered its personal challenges, with hidden nooks and crannies that required inventive options. “Given the constructing is over a century outdated, it was arduous to plan round each crevice and nook.”
In a pleasant accident, the crew even found an outdated window tucked away behind a wall – a captivating reminder of the constructing’s wealthy previous.
The worth of planning a minimalist dwelling renovation
Regardless of the challenges, the household emerged victorious, with a house that completely mirrored their wants and aesthetic preferences. Their greatest takeaway for future renovators? Plan meticulously. “Plan for as a lot as you may take into consideration within the bid set – learn and take in the architect’s plans.”
Take up the architect’s plans, ask questions, and envision the ultimate product. Whereas modifications are inevitable, a powerful basis in planning may also help reduce surprises and guarantee a smoother renovation journey.
This rental renovation is a testomony to the transformative energy of considerate design. It’s a narrative of honoring the structure of the previous whereas creating an area that completely fits the current. With its clear traces, modular furnishings, and intelligent use of storage, this minimalist marvel presents a wealth of inspiration for anybody trying to create a purposeful and delightful dwelling.

Prepared to begin your individual renovation journey?
Submit your undertaking on Sweeten at no cost and make your dream dwelling a actuality. Sweeten places you in charge of your renovation, from discovering the proper contractor and gathering design inspiration, to utilizing price guides to plan your finances correctly.
Regularly requested questions
A modular wall system is a set of built-in panels and elements that may be configured to accommodate on a regular basis capabilities like media, shelving, and closed storage. It helps preserve a clear look by preserving objects like a TV, books, or perhaps a piano tucked away when not in use.
A pre-war constructing is a residential or mixed-use constructing constructed earlier than World Battle II, typically recognized for particulars like excessive ceilings, uncovered beams, and masonry parts. It will possibly provide distinctive character to design round when you replace the house for modern dwelling.
You must take into account how the brand new format will perform everyday, together with how you’ll join the flooring with stairs whereas preserving pure gentle shifting by means of the area. You also needs to take into account planning particulars early along with your architect and contractor so key parts like storage partitions or built-in options match the general minimalist imaginative and prescient.
built-in storage for a minimalist look is a full-height storage wall with discreet doorways and hidden compartments that preserve requirements out of sight. It helps clear traces and adaptability by making room for options like a bar space or hid media with out visually cluttering the area.
The publish A Minimalist Dwelling Renovation of a Century-Outdated Household Duplex appeared first on Sweeten.

