Renovating on the Upper East Side of Manhattan requires a sophisticated touch and seasoned expertise. Whether you’re in a spacious apartment in Lenox Hill that needs a more personalized touch or a pre-war co-op in Carnegie Hill that requires a full gut renovation, the collage of residential buildings on the UES offers a unique set of challenges and opportunities that demand meticulous planning and execution upon renovation.
Thanks to our comprehensive, full-service approach, Gallery KBNY has become the leading renovation contractor on the Upper East Side, creating dream homes our on-the-go-clientele will be toasting to for years to come.
Read below to see why Upper East Side residents continue to choose The Gallery Way for added peace of mind during their full home renovation or luxury home remodel.
While searching ‘Upper East Side general contractors’ may be the first route that comes to mind when renovating in NYC, this age-old path to your dream home is not always the straightest. Hiring a traditional design-bid-build general contractor usually requires additional design support you must source and manage yourself, plus complicated permit and approval work most homeowners are unfamiliar with. At Gallery, our full-service design-build process includes every aspect of your renovation. Read more via What Type Of Contractor Do You Need For An Apartment Renovation In NYC?
At Gallery, we constantly aim to raise the bar for our clients, not only working towards their renovation goals - but exceeding them. For nearly two decades, we’ve delivered all-inclusive renovations that include everything from full condo renovations on East 83rd to multi-floor townhouse conversions on East 87th.
With the various regulations, neighborhood aesthetics, and strict building codes, Upper East Side renovations require a local contractor with all-encompassing design-build expertise and familiarity with the locale that can provide peace of mind amidst an already challenging endeavor.
Furthermore, Gallery’s specifically-customized approach allows clients to design a home that reflects their individual style and needs, opposed to a standard move-in ready new buy or over-the-top, over-priced renovation from an independent architect aiming to win awards. We’re client-first, always.
The reason Upper East Side residents prefer working with Gallery is simple - we do everything so you don’t have to. In more traditional renovation methods, such as hiring a design-bid-build general contractor or interior designer, the homeowner is often responsible for sourcing the additional parties required to complete the job. This also includes handling many of the permits and approvals, plus much of the material sourcing. That’s a lot of work. With a design-build renovation contractor, the renovation experience is much more hands off. That’s because a design-build firm includes all services required for your Upper East Side renovation under one roof.
Clients love to hear our design-build services include handling all the red tape involved in their Upper East Side renovation. This complicated process includes reviewing and satisfying the alteration agreement, filing all relevant architectural plans with the Department Of Buildings, and procuring all necessary permits. We also handle all LPC approvals and requirements. In addition, we fully manage the approval process with your building management company and co-op board. This is crucial in neighborhoods like Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, where strict building regulations and historic preservation guidelines often apply. Read more about our board approval and permitting services.
Choosing a design-build firm like Gallery over an individual interior designer offers several benefits. In our model, the interior design of your UES renovation is driven by your dedicated in-house interior designer. They handle initial planning and material selection while overseeing procurement and installation, working with our architect, liaisons, and construction managers throughout the process to ensure all design elements are cohesive and functional. This all-inclusive approach provides a smoother and more integrated renovation experience, which is vital when trying to meticulously meet the unique designs our clients require. Our designers also pride themselves on pre-war prowess, making sure historic Upper East Side homes can be restored to their former glory while also being integrated with modern amenities. Learn more about our interior design services.
Our in-house architects meticulously plan and draft detailed architectural drawings tailored to your project needs, unique building codes, and specific challenges posed during inspections. From spatial planning to construction documentation, we ensure your designs are not only beautiful but also feasible and code-compliant. Read more on our architectural services and see how our fully-integrated architecture services differentiate from independent architects, who often prioritize their own design, leading to hidden costs and unsettled timelines. For more information on how our full-service approach separates itself from traditional ways of renovating, read What Kind Of Architect Is Best For Your NYC Apartment Renovation?
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.
After materials have been sourced, we create life-like digital renderings of the renovated kitchen and bathrooms. This includes every aspect of the design, from flooring to fixtures, even showing how renovated rooms will look under different lighting settings. These high-end renderings provide a visual accompaniment to the blueprint that guides construction and helps clients tweak final design decisions like paint color or fixture height. The kitchen here is from our Manhattan condo renovation at The Chelsea Mercantile on 252 Seventh Ave. See the completed kitchen directly below.
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 East 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 UES renovation is executed to exceed expectations. This level of coordination is particularly beneficial in areas like Lenox Hill and Sutton Place, where logistical barriers and building regulations can be complex.
If you are looking to renovate, Gallery is TERRIFIC. Our pre-war, estate-sale purchase needed A LOT of work. Avi from Gallery was fantastic in every way, including: (1) providing a practical budget (what we could/should keep/restore vs. gut), (2) laying out options (we considered at least five vastly different kitchen layouts), (3) sticking to budget, (4) finding creative solutions to every problem (wet over dry, bath conversions to showers), (5) working closely with my building staff and even impressing them! (building has very high expectations and standards). Avi and his team get it done, take pride in their work and are honest and professional. Avi is an unusually special resource and person. He continued to work on our project until it was done right and we were happy. (Now that our project is complete, there are still decisions I waver on and I believe he will help me with those if I choose to pursue them, even after his team is gone). I am convinced that he can accomplish almost anything (he is one of the most creative thinkers around); if he can't, I would challenge you to find another who can....
...read moreI started this journey with 1 1970s bathroom that needed renovated and dreams of adding a second bathroom and a kitchen that did utilize all the space. I went through the process of interviewing companies that have a team of people who do design, architect, construction, and permitting. The first 2 companies gave me a quote of only "labor". That absolutely wasn't helpful because I wanted to know how much the entire project would cost. I just needed to wrap my head around the cost of renovating a bathroom, adding a bathroom, moving the laundry room, renovating the kitchen, making my office a proper office but also needing a bed for guests and then on top of all of that, making the closets that I had, useful. When I told Avi this, he told me a rough estimate. It was so REFRESHING to have an idea of what my dream would cost. It was honest and he was creative in solving my bathroom addition and the office/guest bedroom dilemma. His solution - add the bathroom, move the laundry room and create a Murphy bed/desk area that also included a closet. It's perfect and beautiful. So that was Avi, my first encounter with GKB. Then I met Kate. The super hero behind the project. She managed everything. She helped me with colors and faucets and cabinets and all the tiny decisions that come with designing new things. She also worked with the construction crews and plumbers and electricians. She scheduled everything, chased them if they didn't show up on time, gave them very clear instruction to make sure everything was completed to perfection. She hustled and worked extremely hard. Every email was responded to timely and very thoroughly. I met a lot of the people during this process and every, single person that I encountered with GKB was kind, respectful, ready to help out with anything. I absolutely made the right decision in hiring GKB. My project stayed on budget (except when I wanted more), my project stayed on time (minus one tiny shipping delay on cabinets), and my project turned out to be more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. My kitchen is stunning. My office is stunning. My bathrooms are perfect. The laundry room is functional. And every closet utilizes the space in the most efficient way. One last thing about GKB - they have an app. And EVERYTHING is on the app. You will know EXACTLY what you're paying for, you will see pictures of progress, you will sign off on every tiny detail and it is all aggregated on one platform. You don't need to gather receipts and check emails...it's all in the app and it's a game changer. This is my 4th renovation project and GKB is by far the best firm I have ever used. I'm so thankful that I found them! You will be too!
...read moreWhile we have a variety of Upper East Side renovations in our portfolio, below are a few of our favorites.
We’re getting rave reviews of this co-op renovation on the Upper East Side. Located at Riverview South, a few blocks from Gracie Mansion, this two bedroom, two bathroom was a dated post-war home that hadn't been renovated for years. That’s when the client, a facial surgeon living with his dog, brought Gallery into the equation. Our full-service approach allowed us to hone in on his design objectives, execute the architectural plans accordingly and then work together to materialize the construction of his dream home. View the full Manhattan renovation before and after.
Our recent renovation at 1035 5th Avenue placed us in the heart of Manhattan. This stunning Italian Renaissance Palazzo co-op, located on Fifth and 85th street near The Met, overlooks Central Park. When our client purchased this 4,000 square foot pre-war property, it hadn't been updated in over 50 years. The renovation involved a complete design overhaul, incorporating prior architectural elements and elegant marble accents, while also creating an additional bathroom and powder room. The results speak for themselves, and the client's glowing praise for our full-service approach was especially gratifying. View the full Upper East Side renovation before and after and view the testimonial from our client Jennifer, below.
If you’re someone who knows what they want design-wise and has a large renovation on the Upper East Side that requires structural changes, a design-build renovation contractor like Gallery is the ideal partner.
We are an award-winning design-build firm in New York City with a full-service approach to renovations throughout the UES that includes everything from interior design and architecture services to filing permits and construction management. We’re experts in pre-war apartment renovations, apartment combinations, room creations, full gut renovations and all that falls in between. Let us bring your dream home to life.
Considering an apartment renovation in New York City? View our portfolio of NYC apartment renovation before and afters, learn more about Gallery, or contact us for an initial consultation and to schedule a walk-through of the space you’d like renovated.