Brooklyn couple turns brownstone renovation into design firm
Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum transformed their 2018 purchase of a Brooklyn brownstone into a successful interior design business. After renovating their home for $300,000, they launched The Brownstone Boys in 2020, completing over 32 renovations and employing four staff.
Key points
- Bordelon and Slocum bought a 2,400-square-foot brownstone in Bedford-Stuyvesant for $1.5 million in 2018.
- They spent eight months renovating the home for approximately $300,000, doing much of the work themselves to save money.
- The couple launched The Brownstone Boys LLC in January 2020 after taking on their third client.
- The company has completed more than 32 full renovations in New York City and employs four other designers.
- They rent out the garden-level apartment for $2,500 monthly, covering half of their $5,000 mortgage payment.
Background
This story highlights the trend of homeowners turning personal renovation projects into professional ventures, a strategy seen in other real estate contexts like the L.L.Bean flagship renovation. It also reflects the broader interest in historic preservation, similar to the Plaza Hotel's upcoming facade restoration, though on a residential scale.
Why it matters
The success of The Brownstone Boys demonstrates how niche expertise in historic home renovation can create a viable business model, offering an alternative to traditional real estate investments and highlighting the value of DIY skills in the housing market.
What to watch
The couple plans to continue taking on new clients and may expand their services, as they have not yet had time to look back on their rapid growth since launching the business in 2020.
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