Design Build Firm Upper West Side

Our Comprehensive Design-Build Services for Upper West Side Homes

What sets Gallery apart is our full-service approach to your UWS renovation. We are a fully-integrated design-build firm, which means our process includes every facet of your project under one roof. Our comprehensive suite of services includes:

Architectural Services and Expediting

Our in-house architects meticulously create detailed architectural drawings tailored to your renovation needs, addressing complex Upper West Side building codes and specific inspection challenges. From spatial planning to construction documentation, we ensure your designs are both beautiful and code-compliant. In neighborhoods like Morningside Heights and Lincoln Square, maintaining architectural aesthetics is essential. That’s why close collaboration between our architects and your renovation team provides peace of mind throughout the process. Discover how our integrated architectural services stand apart from independent architects, who may prioritize their own designs, leading to hidden costs and delayed timelines. For more insights on our full-service approach, read What Kind Of Architect Is Best For Your NYC Apartment Renovation?

Interior Design Services

As architectural services get underway, our talented interior designer team collaborate closely with clients to bring their vision to life. Once design direction is agreed upon, the designers finalize floor plans, imagining everything from kitchen cabinetry, millwork, bathroom tile, and plumbing fixtures to furniture placement, direction of door swings, and electrical outlet placement. They curate every aesthetic detail of your UWS residence, creating a cohesive and stylish living space that reflects your unique taste and provides the most practical layout possible for your needs. Learn more about our NYC interior design services. 

Material Selection/Procurement Services

Our interior design team curates all finishes and fixtures your project requires – everything from tiles in the bathroom to chandeliers for the foyer and the whole world of finishes and fixtures in between. Our project coordinators then procure every selection, while also handling the logistics of material inspection and delivery. We are not limited in material choices, as we are brand agnostic and able to purchase any item from any vendor, anywhere, on your behalf as our client. Learn more about our material selection and procurement services.

Permit & Board Approval Services

As a full-service design-build firm in NYC, we understand that navigating the complexities of Upper West Side building codes and co-op or condo board requirements can be daunting, particularly in historic buildings like The Dakota and The Ormonde, where preserving unique architectural features is essential. Many residences in Lincoln Square and the surrounding areas are landmarked, requiring careful approvals from the Landmarks Preservation Committee for any renovations. To streamline your renovation experience, our expert team manages all necessary approvals, permits, and LPC filings, ensuring that your project remains compliant and progresses smoothly. See our full-scope of board approval and permit services. 

Construction & Site Management Services

The lynchpin of Gallery’s design-build process is our project managers, who handle all construction and renovation site management services. By working together with our architects and designers, they create customized project plans tailored to clients' unique needs and requirements while also addressing the many logistical and regulatory hurdles that arise renovating older, prestigious buildings on the Upper West Side. Between initial site review, detailed project plans, risk assessments associated with blending properties, compliance checks, and consistent management of the workforce, our PMs ensure your UWS renovation is executed to exceed expectations. This level of coordination is particularly beneficial in areas like Riverside Drive and Central Park West, where logistical barriers and building regulations can be complex. Read more about our construction and site management services. 

Our Process: Planning & SOW

Renovating an apartment in NYC requires a strategic approach from the beginning, achieved by understanding the client's unique vision and financial parameters. This foundational understanding sets the stage for a comprehensive collaboration, where we work closely with clients to explore the practical possibilities of their renovation project, aiming for a mutually beneficial partnership.

• Phase 1 - Introductory Phone Call: Before signing any contracts, our team will discuss your renovation goals and budget for your NYC apartment.
  
• Phase 2 - Site Meeting: Following the initial consultation, we visit the site to evaluate the potential project with you.
  
• Phase 3 - Concept Design And Project Budget: If the project is feasible, our design team and architect will provide an initial concept design, which will guide the projected budget and timeline in our formal proposal.
  

If the design strategy and proposal are approved, we proceed with the pre-construction and interior design process.

Our Process: Pre-Construction & Formal Design

Before any work begins, our project managers survey the property and develop timelines for the renovation according to your goals, while all structural changes are reviewed by the architect and incorporated into an updated blueprint.

As the plans are developed and awaiting approval, our designers work with you to bring your design vision to life, coordinating material selections with our procurement team.

• Phase 1 - Inspections, Diagnostic Testing & Risk Management: Even though many potential issues can be identified during initial walkthroughs, a more thorough inspection phase is necessary to ensure all internal elements are ready for renovation. This includes probing walls and consulting with specialized contractors.
  
• Phase 2 - Interior Design Planning: The most hands-on aspect of any interior renovation is finding the right materials for the chosen design style. That entails paint color, accent walls, flooring style, mouldings, fixtures, countertops, and more. As a full-service design-build firm in NYC, we take on the design, sourcing, and procurement of every permanent fixture needed for your UWS renovation.
  

That overarching expertise also allows us to accommodate every architectural and interior design adjustment required, whether that’s tearing down a wall to open up your footprint or extending the back of your townhome for more square footage. We handle all architectural planning plus filings on your behalf via our award winning in-house design team and architects.

• Phase 3 - Material Selection & Procurement
  Once we have identified all site conditions, we finalize all details of the floor plan and present material selection options to choose from. This phase typically includes:
  
  • Design meetings at our design studio and outside showrooms
  • Receiving and inspection of all ordered finishes and fixtures
  • Procurement of all selected finishes and fixtures

• Phase 4 - Lifelike Renders Of Interior Design: Review of 2D and 3D lifelike renderings, plus review and approval of all material options and design plans. The kitchen render below is from our luxury condo renovation in Manhattan on Riverside Boulevard. The following image is the completed kitchen.
  
  Learn more about how our lifelike design renderings help clients visualize the interior design for their UWS apartment renovation.
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• Phase 5 - Building Submission, DOB Submission, Approval & Permits: We must formally submit plans to ensure compliance with building codes and energy codes. Plus, renovations in NYC often require complicated approvals and permits. For co-op renovations in buildings like Lincoln Towers or The Prasada, obtaining a tentative tax lot number from the Department of Finance is also necessary.
  
• Phase 6 - Production Calendar & Logistics: Once all plans are approved and designs finalized, we establish the production calendar and begin the renovation process.
  

Our Process: Production

Renovating on the Upper West Side involves a detailed and complex production process. However, with proper planning and the proper type of design build firm, the execution can be smooth and efficient. Here are the components of our production process:

• Demolition Of Existing Structures
  
• Initial Inspections
  
• Framing & Rough Carpentry
  
• Electrical & Plumbing Work
  
• Delivery Of Finishes And Fixtures
  
• Finish Carpentry & Installation Of Finish Fixtures
  
• Final Inspections & Walk-Throughs
  
• Close Out Of Permits, Completion Letter, And Sign-Offs