152 was divided with a one-story wall, separating the forecourt that provides access to both buildings and screening the rear house and its front garden from the street.

152 included adding a rear wing with servants' rooms, deepening the cellar to provide additional storage space, and painting of the brick façade in an off-white color with gray details.

[3][11] Pettengill only stayed in the newly renovated complex for a couple of years before the house at 152 East 38th Street was sold to publisher Cass Canfield, the president of Harper & Brothers.

[12][13] The property was later acquired in 2000 by Harry V. Quadracci, the owner of Quad/Graphics, who removed the paint from the brick façade and added more landscaping to the front garden to provide additional privacy from the street.

[1] LPC had also considered including the adjacent building at 150 East 38th Street as part of the original landmark designation, but declined to take action at that time.

[15] The renovations made by Robertson Ward from 1934 to 1935 converted both structures from an Italianate design to the Regency Revival style and also architecturally harmonized the two buildings.

Ward added a loggia with columns and wall details including blind arches and paired pilasters supporting a frieze, cornice and pediment to the forecourt, which was separated from the street by a unique iron fence decorated with anchors and drafting tools that extended in front of No.