Carter's Review

This project has impressively recreated traditional brownstone townhouses in a single mid-block structure at 313 West 119th Street that is connected by a garden to a mid-rise apartment building on 120th Street.

The development is known as Brownstone Lane II and it contains 54 condominium apartments.

According to David Gross of GF55 Partners LLP, the architectural firm for the development, "the two residential buildings of six and eight stories are devised as separate architectural entities that are sympathetic to the design specifications of their respective streets."

"Although the structures are autonomous, they are intimately linked through a glass and brick solarium that opens onto a common courtyard at the center of the block to foster a sense of community and sanctuary. A future underground parking garage will serve as a further connection point between the two residential buildings," Mr. Gross told Cityrealty.com.

The brownstone building fronting on 119th street is expressed architecturally as individual townhouses although the site is actually a single building. The four-story frontage is designed with a fifth and sixth story set back "to capture the classic townhouse height and fit that is distinctive in the neighborhood," Mr. Gross maintained, adding that "the duplexes on the ground and second floor extend from the street to the rear yard, while the third and fourth floors are composed of flats.

The "brownstone" residents use pediments, cornices, entablatures and other architectural elements to recreate classic Harlem brownstones and complement those, also designed by GF55, on the south side of 119th Street.

The eight-story building fronting 120th street is has a very large and impressive entrance marquee flanked by wall lanterns, a two-stone limestone base, numerous balconies, and sidewalk landscaping.

The building has a 24-hour doorman, a fitness room, a children s play area, storage facilities, and a garage.

Brownstone Too Equities LLC, of which Eytan Benyman is a managing member, is the developer and the builder is Artimus Construction Inc.

Occupancy is expected by the end of the year.