Your facade is the first thing water attacks
Brownstone is a soft sandstone. A century of New York freeze-thaw cycles, patched-over repairs, and deferred maintenance leaves most facades with spalling faces, failing joints, cracked stoops, and water finding its way into the parlor floor. Cosmetic patches fail in a few winters. Proper restoration — cutting back to sound material, rebuilding with compatible mortar and tinted restoration mix, and addressing water at its source — lasts for decades.
Sorbonne Construction has restored brownstone and masonry facades across Brooklyn and Manhattan since 2008. We do the work with our own crews, not layers of subcontractors.
Facade and masonry services
- Brownstone resurfacing — removing failed stucco and patches, rebuilding profiles, and re-coating with tinted brownstone restoration mix that matches the original color and texture.
- Brick pointing and repointing — grinding out failed joints and repointing with mortar matched to the age and hardness of your brick.
- Stoop repair and rebuilding — treads, balustrades, newel posts, and complete stoop reconstruction.
- Cornice and lintel repair — window lintels, sills, and decorative elements restored or replaced.
- Waterproofing — parapets, rear walls, cellar walls, and below-grade waterproofing to stop infiltration where it starts.
- Stucco and plaster — exterior stucco systems and interior plaster repair.
- Roofing — flat roof replacement and repair coordinated with parapet and facade work, so flashing details are done once and done right.
Landmark district facades
Much of brownstone Brooklyn and upper Manhattan is landmarked, which means facade work needs Landmarks Preservation Commission sign-off on materials, color, and profiles. We handle the LPC process routinely — see our landmark renovation service — and our restoration work is done to match historic profiles, which is what gets approvals through quickly.
Facade work and Local Law 11
If your building is over six stories, Local Law 11 (FISP) requires periodic facade inspections and repairs. For row houses and small buildings there's no inspection mandate — but the physics are the same, and a facade repaired before water gets behind it costs a fraction of one repaired after. If you're seeing spalling stone, white efflorescence on brick, cracked joints, or damp interior walls, it's time for an assessment.
How we price facade work
After a site visit we provide a written, itemized estimate — scope by scope, so you can see exactly what the stoop, the pointing, and the resurfacing each cost, and phase the work if you prefer. Facade restoration also pairs naturally with a full brownstone renovation, where scaffolding and logistics are shared across the project.
Frequently asked questions
How much does brownstone facade restoration cost in NYC?
It depends on the condition of the stone and the size of the facade. Spot repairs and pointing can be a few thousand dollars; full facade resurfacing of a typical row house commonly runs into the tens of thousands. We provide an itemized written estimate after a free site visit, so you can phase the work if needed.
What's the difference between patching and resurfacing?
Patching fills individual damaged spots and is appropriate for limited, sound-substrate damage. Resurfacing rebuilds the entire face with restoration mortar after cutting back failed material. When more than a modest share of the facade is failing, resurfacing is more durable and usually more economical than repeated patching.
Do I need LPC approval for facade work?
If your building is in a designated historic district or is an individual landmark, yes — most exterior work requires an LPC permit. Like-for-like restoration with approved materials typically qualifies for expedited staff-level approval, and we manage that process for you.
When is the best season for facade work?
Masonry and restoration coatings need temperatures reliably above freezing to cure, so the main season runs roughly April through November. Winter is a good time to get an estimate and be first on the spring schedule.
Do you also do the roof and waterproofing?
Yes, and we recommend addressing them together. Most facade damage is caused by water entering at the roof, parapets, or window heads — restoring stone without fixing the water source means doing the job twice.
Get a free on-site estimate
Speak directly with the owners — no salespeople, no pressure. We visit your property, walk the scope with you, and follow up with a detailed written estimate.
Request a Free EstimateMarek (917) 658-2047 Sebastian (917) 562-1257