A proposed rooftop addition to an iconic mid-century modern townhouse in Brooklyn Heights has sparked opposition from local residents who argue it would compromise the architectural integrity of the historic building. The property at 48 Willow Place, designed by architects Joseph and Mary Merz as their personal residence, is now owned by new buyers who want to add a visible rooftop terrace that would significantly alter the building's carefully composed facade geometry.
The application for the rooftop addition was scheduled for discussion at the November 5 meeting of Community Board 2, with a Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) hearing set for November 25. The proposed structure has generated controversy because it would be visible from the street level, disrupting what critics describe as the "carefully composed modern and abstract composition" of the building's facade.
The townhouse at 48 Willow Place is one of three distinctive mid-century modern homes in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District designed and developed by the husband-and-wife architectural team of Joseph and Mary Merz. After the couple's deaths, their former home changed ownership twice, most recently in 2024 following sympathetic renovations by prominent architect Ian Starling, who worked to update the house for contemporary living while preserving its original modernist character.
Each of the three Merz-designed townhouses features slightly different details but follows a similar architectural philosophy that references traditional townhouse elements while embracing modernist principles. The facades center and vertically stack three openings, with the architects' own residence featuring a front door with sidelights that echo Greek Revival entrances. The shapes of the openings and window panes are designed to recall the vertical proportions of traditional townhouse windows.
Opposition to the current proposal draws on historical precedent from more than 20 years ago, when the owner of another Merz-designed townhouse at 40 Willow Place applied for a similar visible rooftop addition. According to written testimony submitted to Community Board 2, the LPC rejected that earlier proposal, ruling that any addition must not be visible from the street. The Commission determined at that time that "the unique sculptural design of these buildings would be severely compromised by a visible pillbox roof addition."
A local resident opposing the current application argued that the same reasoning should apply to 48 Willow Place, calling on the LPC to "reject any visible rooftop addition that would alter the integrity of this unique modernist ensemble." The opponent emphasized that the three Merz-designed buildings should be viewed as a cohesive architectural group whose collective impact would be diminished by visible alterations to any individual structure.
Earlier this year, the new owner of 48 Willow Place received Department of Buildings permits and LPC permission for less controversial modifications, including reframing the roof and adding skylights to the upper story. These changes were deemed acceptable because they would not significantly impact the building's street-facing appearance or compromise its architectural character.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in historic neighborhoods between property owners' desires to modernize their homes and preservation advocates' efforts to maintain architectural integrity. The three Merz-designed townhouses represent a rare example of mid-century modern residential architecture within the predominantly 19th-century context of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District, making preservation arguments particularly compelling to critics of visible alterations.
The upcoming LPC hearing on November 25 will determine whether the proposed rooftop addition can proceed as planned or whether the owners will need to modify their design to meet preservation requirements. The decision will likely set an important precedent for future alteration requests involving the remaining Merz-designed buildings and other significant mid-century modern structures within the historic district.
