UES Pre-War Co-Op Renovation | 308 East 79th Street

Layout Reconfiguration For Ideal Flow 

With an expanded layout to maximize, we worked with the client to reimagine his home's footprint by converting the original two-bedroom into a true three-bedroom, reducing the dining room footprint and opening the kitchen to the main living area. The new third bedroom now serves as a flexible office/guest space. The result is a more functional, fluid layout that better fits the client’s needs. 

Art Deco Design Style

Although the estate-conditioned apartment hadn’t been preserved upon purchase, our goal was to recreate the timeless appeal of a pre-war Upper East Side home, paying homage to the building’s Art Deco heritage. Originally designed by decorated NYC-centric architect Jacob Felson and opened in 1928, 308 East 79th remains one of the Lenox Hill neighborhood’s classic addresses, so we had to honor appropriately. Every interior detail—from shaker cabinetry and subway tile to reeded glass uppers and custom millwork—was selected to illuminate the early 20th-century roots. Radiator covers, concealed cabling, and refined transitions throughout help the home feel cohesive, intentional, and quietly luxe.

Classic Craftsmanship, Modern Kitchen Flow

In the kitchen, our goal was to rebuild entirely, then blend modern functionality with  period-inspired design. Classic, chantilly-lace-colored shaker cabinets from Miralis and reeded glass uppers nod to the building’s original architectural craftsmanship, while custom millwork and concealed wiring keep the space tight. The swan-necked Armstrong faucet is from Perrin & Rowe, while all hardware is polished nickel from Classic Brass. By opening the kitchen to the main living space, the layout feels brighter, more connected, and better suited for contemporary living—all without compromising the home’s pre-war character.

Timeless Charm In The Bathrooms

While the original bathrooms were beyond salvageable, our design approach aimed to reintroduce classic pre-war character with thoughtful, high-quality updates. In the primary bath, we created a custom mocha vanity, which we paired with white subway tile on the walls and custom basketweave tiles for the flooring, then accented with a black marble Nero Marquina chair rail tile. All fixtures are period-appropriate, from the Signature Hardware undermount porcelain sink to the Phylrich Hex Traditional widespread faucet with satin black lever handles.

In the guest bathroom, we went for a very similar look to the primary, to honor the design cohesion the original pre-war space offered. We maintained white subway tile on the wall, but swapped in a Bardiglio Gray basketweave mosaic for the flooring, then anchored the period-centric design with a DXV Fitzgerald 24” rectangular fireclay pedestal sink.

Every detail—from custom millwork vanities to polished nickel hardware—was chosen to feel era-consistent, without compromising comfort or functionality. Behind the walls, however, the updates were entirely modern. Plumbing lines were rerouted, aging branch lines were replaced, and full waterproofing was installed to meet modern standards.

Flooring Fit For A Pre-War Aesthetic

Throughout the apartment, flooring played a crucial role in reinforcing the home’s pre-war charm. We installed traditional white oak planks that complemented the apartment’s 1920s architecture, purposely using only long boards in order to carefully align with other period-specific design elements. Where needed, transitions were finessed to accommodate the newly configured layout and address subtle elevation changes between rooms.

Unanticipated Infrastructure Requirements

One key perk of enlisting a full-service design-build firm like Gallery is we legitimately handle everything so you don’t have to. This comes especially in handy during projects like this, where midway through construction, the building imposed significant infrastructure upgrades beyond the original scope—including replacement of compromised plumbing risers and buried heating lines, asbestos remediation, and additional fireproofing. These late-stage requirements extended the timeline and added complexity, but Gallery worked directly with the board’s architect, managing agent, and building staff to accommodate their unexpected pivot while minimizing disruption. Whatever it takes. 

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Additional Highlights

Further highlights from our UES pre-war co-op renovation at East 79th Street include:

• Closet & Storage Upgrades: Smart storage solutions, including expanded closets and tailored built-ins, added livability without compromising aesthetics.
• Custom Through-Wall A/C Covers: Three wall units were seamlessly integrated into the design with built-in cabinetry and trim, helping them settle into the design and not feel like an afterthought.
  
• Concealed Cable Management: Modern essentials like low-voltage and internet cabling were routed behind the walls to preserve sightlines and keep things clean

Considering a co-op renovation in NYC? View our portfolio of condo & co-op renovation before and afters, learn more about Gallery, or simply contact us today.We are a New York Times-featured design-build firm in New York City with a full-service approach to residential renovations 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 Gallery bring your dream home to life.

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