Designer Duplex Crowning the Arbuckle Mansion

Set on the top two floors of the landmarked John Arbuckle Mansion, Residence 7 at 315 Clinton Avenue is a 1,737-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath duplex on one of Brooklyn’s most storied streets. The celebrated Brooklyn architect Montrose Morris designed the mansion in 1888 for John Arbuckle, and it stands on the stretch of Clinton Avenue lined with grand 19th-century mansions, now converted to some of Brooklyn’s most coveted condominiums and co-ops. The owners of this residence recently reimagined the home with designer Kelsey Sundberg, formerly of Studio Shamshiri, and commissioned custom built-ins and upholstery from Los Angeles–based Valley Studio. The result pairs the mansion’s original bones with a lighter, quietly modern sensibility.

You enter directly into a great room of rare and grand proportion, with 11.5-foot ceilings and light from both southern and eastern exposures. Rough-hewn timber beams run overhead, juxtaposed with light, wide-plank oak floors by Madera. On this level, the walls are hand-finished in a limewash, shade Eastwood by Portola. Long, uninterrupted walls are perfect for displaying art, and an incredible original wood mantel inlaid with soapstone and housing a wood-burning fireplace anchors the living area; a wet bar recently finished to match the kitchen serves the dining space. Ductless mini-splits cool this level, set behind custom vents so they all but disappear into the space.

The kitchen faces east over the building’s shared yard and rear carriage house. It was upgraded by the current owners with custom wood cabinetry, a long soapstone island, and appliances by Miele, Sub-Zero, and Wolf. Off the main level is a private terrace, the only private outdoor space in the building. A powder room for guests is also available on this level.

Upstairs, a generous landing opens onto two bedrooms, a laundry closet, and a renovated full bath. The primary bedroom has three large windows and two large closets. A second staircase climbs to a half-height private attic, which offers a rare amount of storage by any standard. Central air cools this level.

Few blocks in the borough carry the architectural presence of this one. Set where Clinton Hill meets Fort Greene, the residence enjoys the best of two of Brooklyn’s most sought-after neighborhoods, with new arrivals and long-loved institutions from both close at hand, among them Place des Fêtes, La Bicyclette Bakery, Roman’s, Sailor, Miss Ada, Saraghina Caffè, Walter’s, Bittersweet, Bar Heretic, Million Goods, and Evelina. Fort Greene Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, is just a few blocks away. The building is pet-friendly. Residents share a courtyard and bike storage, and each apartment has its own basement storage.