A REWARDING EXPERIENCE!

We revitalized a long-forgotten building on a prominent corner and would do it again.

- Cian Hamill and Mian Ye

We were drawn to Newburgh, New York because it boasts block after block of historic architecture. The city describes itself as a virtual encyclopedia of eclectic 19th-century styles, from Federal and Greek Revival through Victorian Carpenter Gothic and Gothic Revival, Second Empire, Italianate, Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival, on through Shingle Style.

Newburgh has a strong sense of revival; there’s excitement around bringing buildings back to life. The City even has strict policies governing renovation work in the historic district.

Newburgh also has the simmering energy of certain pockets of Brooklyn, with young artists, makers, and cultural aficionados discovering this gritty little city nestled between a river and mountains.

There is a strong sense of revival here and excitement about bringing buildings back to use. Furthermore, Newburgh City has strict policies for rehabilitating architecture in the historic district.

With more than 10 years of experience in New York City— Cian is a real-estate developer and Mian is an architectural designer—we wanted a peaceful escape in the Hudson Valley and projects to work on together. (Yes, our first names do rhyme.) Our first project was the gut rehabilitation of an abandoned 1890s rowhouse with four units—which we bought at auction, sight unseen. Thanks in part to finding our excellent local contractor, A.J. Dederick, it went well. Next, we took on this long-abandoned Second Empire house.