Tucked along a quiet block in Jersey City’s Communipaw neighborhood, this remarkably narrow 12-foot-wide brownstone stands as a rare survivor from another era. Built in 1890, the home is distinguished by its intricately detailed tin façade—one of the last remaining examples of its kind in the city. Unlike many historic facades that have been repeatedly altered or obscured, the tin had remained largely unpainted, bearing the patina, imperfections, and quiet dignity of more than a century of exposure.
State of facade before restoration
The homeowners approached the restoration with deep respect for this legacy. Their goal was not to erase time, but to thoughtfully steward it—honoring the home’s historic character while giving it a renewed presence that felt confident, contemporary, and cared for.
LMNTL partnered with the owners during the critical aesthetic decision-making phase of the project. As the façade itself was carefully restored—holes in the tin repaired, brickwork repointed, and surfaces prepped for a new protective finish—we helped guide the evolution of the home’s color palette. Through a series of detailed mockup illustrations, we explored a range of options that balanced historical sensitivity with a fresh, modern sensibility, testing how color could amplify the ornate detailing without overwhelming it.
Once a direction was selected, our role continued on site. We worked closely with the owners to fine-tune hues and finishes in real time, making subtle adjustments as light, texture, and scale revealed themselves. This iterative process ensured the final result felt precise rather than prescribed—neither overly nostalgic nor overly bold.