Manhattan Condo Renovation At The Chelsea Mercantile | 252 Seventh Ave

Kitchen Relocation Allows Expanded Living Room

The original layout upon purchase essentially had two kitchens, so we removed a partition that originally divided the two apartments prior to being combined and completely eliminated one kitchen altogether, allowing us to add a spacious living room and create more of an overall open floor plan. We also dropped the ceiling in the main living area to remove exposed beams from the prior ownership and refine the room design.

FENIX Kitchen With Centerpiece Island & Specialty Downdraft

With a singular custom-fitted kitchen space to work with, the possibilities were endless when considering design and placement. Our clients like to cook and knew they wanted lots of space, so we provided them with a massive island as the centerpiece to the space, which we built up to three inches to create a thicker appearance for the elegant and calm gray Armani Silver marble countertop. 

The sleek, uniform kitchen cabinets are built from an innovative interior material called FENIX, which is not painted, fingerprint-resistant and won’t dull over time, offering a sleek yet durable environment that can withstand wear and tear for years to come.

The kitchen is also outfitted with various state of the art stainless steel Wolf appliances, including a 15-inch induction Teppanyaki cooktop on the island along with a really slick built-in recirculating downdraft vent that is retractable with the push of a button. 

To illuminate the reconfigured culinary sanctuary, we also added new lighting, including a stunning matte chrome Fairfax chandelier. Behind the scenes, we also installed new fixtures, fittings, branch pipe, shut-off valves, and waterproofing behind the floor and wall tiles.

Floor Leveling With 4,400 Square Feet Of New Flooring

Typically when tasked with replacing flooring, the request is fairly straightforward. However, because this pre-war condo was a combination of two units, removing the old flooring unveiled uneven heights between the spaces. This meant we had to properly level the concrete floor slabs below before installing new flooring above. Once completed, we implemented 4,400 square feet of new flooring to keep everything consistent. We chose Riva Floors White Pearl Engineered Flooring, which offer uniform seven-foot-long planks that significantly reduce the appearance of seams and create an illusion of like one large floating space.

Three Bathroom Renovations

We revamped three out of four bathrooms in the project. In the en suite bathroom, we replaced the regular dropping tub with a freestanding one, requiring a four-inch platform for plumbing accommodation, creating a unique visual appeal. The shower in the en suite was also reconfigured for additional space, responding to the client's specific request to enhance their shower experience.

The overall aesthetic aimed for modern minimalism, with a touch of elegance in the powder room, featuring a stunning cascade chandelier and textured tile. The en suite bathroom showcased a blend of two finishes, brass and black, complementing the brass inlay in the tile. Plumbing fixtures embraced an all-black theme, while light fixtures artfully combined black and brass. The clever use of iridescent tiles added a delightful touch to the childrens’ bath, repeating in the shade of wall lights, creating an atmosphere that's both clean and simple yet captivatingly stylish.

Additional Highlights 

• Because existing electrical service was not adequate for the proposed load, we replaced and enhanced the circuit breaker box 
• Redesigned and rebuilt laundry room
• All plumbing fixtures removed and relocated

Considering a condo or co-op renovation in NYC? For timely inspiration, consider our latest article, Condo Renovation Ideas 2026. View our portfolio of co-op & condo renovation before and afters, learn more about Gallery, or simply contact us today.

Gallery is an award-winning design-build firm in New York City with a full-service approach to residential renovations in Manhattan and Brooklyn that includes everything from interior design and architectural services to facilitating building management and board approval, to construction and construction management. We’re experts in renovating pre-war homes, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, sourcing custom pieces, building entirely new rooms (or even balconies), millwork, and all that falls in between. Let us bring your dream home to life.