Inside Maison Espoir: A $1.2M Restored 1890s Jersey City Brownstone That Mixes Historic Millwork With Parisian-Inspired Rooms

# What this house is Maison Espoir is a four-story brownstone in Bergen Hill, Jersey City, rebuilt around an 1890s shell and listed at $1.2 million. The renovation was led by interior designer Hope Misterek and marketed by listing agent Judy Chin of RE/MAX Villa. The project kept much of the original millwork and most of the historic flooring, while adding contemporary amenities and curated decorative details.

# Layout and major spaces The house contains five bedrooms and about ten rooms across four stories. The main living area features restored millwork, French doors, custom feathered tile treatments, and a dining room with restored pocket doors and a custom tambour fireplace mantel. Double-arched doorways and a repaired original staircase remain focal points.

The gourmet kitchen was replaced during the renovation and includes high-end appliances, custom cabinetry, and a breakfast bar. From the kitchen a fully enclosed, UV-treated glass sunroom leads directly to the private backyard patio. The yard is fenced and set up for entertaining with a grill, stone counter, and an outdoor refrigerator.

A lower-level guest suite functions as a studio that can be used for multigenerational living or as a short-term rental, giving the property flexibility for different household needs or income strategies.

# Materials and design details

Upstairs, three "highly curated" rooms appear on the second level, including a guest room described as incorporating 27 colors. The primary suite occupies the entire top floor. It includes a refinished original fireplace mantel, built-in shelving, a walk-in closet, and a primary bathroom finished with a grid-glass shower, an original claw-foot tub, and radiant Arabescato Italian marble floors.

# How the renovation balanced old and new The seller preserved a significant amount of original millwork and flooring—most floors remained except in the kitchen. The project mixed reclaimed architectural elements with modern systems and luxury finishes, so the house reads as both historically grounded and intentionally designed for contemporary living. The sunroom extension, specifically noted as UV-treated, is an example of an inserted modern element that links the interior to outdoor living.

# Who the house may suit The listing positions the next buyer as someone who appreciates refined luxury combined with preserved historic detail. Practical buyer profiles include: a family needing flexible space, a household seeking multigenerational arrangements, or an owner-occupant who wants the option to rent the lower-level studio short term.

# Notable names and provenance Designer: Hope Misterek. Listing agent: Judy Chin, RE/MAX Villa. The house's name, Maison Espoir, means House of Hope.

# Quick facts

• Location: Bergen Hill, Jersey City, NJ
• Era: Circa 1890s
• Bedrooms: Five (plus lower-level studio)
• Price at time of listing: $1.2 million
• Standout features: Restored millwork, UV-treated sunroom, gourmet kitchen, radiant marble bathroom floors, salvaged architectural elements

# Bottom line Maison Espoir is a restored brownstone that combines original 19th-century details with targeted modern upgrades. The property offers flexible use with an income-capable lower-level suite and a sunroom that expands entertaining options into a private backyard.