The Greenpoint home—which includes a third-level rental—combines warm woods and atmospheric lighting to reflect the cinematic moods of “Her” and “After Yang.”
After 15 years in Greenpoint, filmmaker Jennifer Suhr and Michael Curtes, a digital product designer, knew their family of four had outgrown their rental. They were seeking something rare in New York: more space, flexibility, and a layout that could evolve as their children grew. When they found a 3,000-square-foot, three-unit town house in their much-loved neighborhood, they saw the potential for a home that could shift and adapt alongside them.
Brooklyn creatives Jennifer Suhr and Michael Curtes turned a three-unit town house into their family home, with the top unit serving as a rental that could later house Jennifer’s parents. The main level features an open-plan living space.
Photo by Eva Zar
The couple partnered with Brooklyn architect Fabian Lorenz, drawn to his modular sensibility and clear, functional approach to space, and began planning a phased renovation. But that plan changed abruptly when a boiler malfunction triggered a flood, collapsing three floors. “There were fire alarms going off in the pitch black,” Michael recalls, entering the property to assess the damage. The setback made a full gut renovation unavoidable. “We had intended to renovate in stages,” Jennifer explains, “but it pushed us to do it all at once, which, ultimately, was great.”
Completed in May 2025, the redesign transformed the town house into a flexible two-unit residence: the lower two floors serve the family, while the top level is a rental that could eventually accommodate Jennifer’s parents.
A Marset Vetra pendant hangs above the kitchen island.
Photo by Eva Zar
The kitchen island is custom, combining glass fiber reinforced concrete on top of brushed-steel. The backsplash is from Bendheim.
Photo by Eva Zar
See the full story on Dwell.com: The Family That Redesigned a Brooklyn Town House to Feel Like Their Favorite Films
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