In a neighborhood dominated by traditional brownstones, a Brooklyn couple chose to invest in a distinctive home that reflects their preference for light-filled, modern living spaces. Chiwoniso Kaitano, executive director of the MacDowell artist residency program, and Andrew Sabl, a political theorist and professor at the University of Toronto, purchased a century-old converted carriage house in Park Slope in December 2019, paying $3.3 million for the 2,350-square-foot property.
Seeking an alternative to the often dim and compartmentalized interiors typical of brownstones, the couple were drawn to the carriage house’s central courtyard enclosed by glass sliders, which floods the home with natural light. The previous owners, an architect couple, had already opened up the interior with white walls and minimalist trim, creating a loftlike atmosphere that appealed strongly to Kaitano and Sabl. Their time living in sunlit spaces—from Los Angeles homes to a Greenwich Village apartment—shaped their desire for a residence with ample daylight and a sense of connection to the outdoors, reminiscent of midcentury modern architecture by designers such as Richard Neutra.
After moving in temporarily with Kaitano’s teenage son, the couple commissioned the Park Slope–based firm Harper Design+Build to carry out a significant but selective renovation. The project, which began in summer 2020 and concluded in 2021 at an approximate cost of $1.1 million, retained key original elements including the flooring, staircase, and glass sliders. Upgrades included remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms, reinforcing structural components, and adding a new 1,000-square-foot third floor. This addition introduced a primary suite and a home office featuring large windows and skylights intended to maximize daylight throughout the three-story home. The architects faced the challenge of preserving the integrity of the existing structure while constructing the upper level.
The couple also enlisted garden design firm Huntergreen to revitalize the courtyard, replacing aging plants with a new arrangement that includes hydrangeas, viburnum, anemones, a Japanese maple, and a wood-slatted wall, creating an inviting outdoor space centered around a gravel seating area.
In 2024, Kaitano and Sabl further enhanced their home’s sustainability by replacing a gas boiler with electric heat pumps, supported by Kaitano’s brother, Itai Kaitano, who runs BK Climate Solutions. While solar panels have yet to be installed, the couple aims for full energy self-sufficiency in the near future. These environmental upgrades, along with landscaping improvements, added approximately $400,000 to their investment.
The finished residence offers the couple a blend of Brooklyn charm and a California-inspired ambiance that suits their lifestyle, which includes frequent entertaining and hosting gatherings for friends, artists, and academics. “It’s a house that is really amenable to a life of gathering and bringing people together,” Kaitano noted, highlighting the home’s role as a welcoming hub in their professional and personal lives.