Design Build Contractor Upper East Side

Renovating on the Upper East Side requires a level of expertise most contractors simply cannot offer. Between the landmarked buildings, selective co-op boards, immaculate architectural pedigree, and a long-standing expectation for sophisticated craftsmanship, the UES demands a renovation partner who can manage every detail with precision.

Design-Build Contractors Trusted Across The Upper East Side

Winner of Houzz awards in service and design.

About Gallery KBNY

Gallery KBNY is an award-winning, full-service design-build firm specializing in the architecture, interior design, and renovation of apartments, co-ops, condominiums, townhomes, and lofts across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our integrated team of architects, designers, contractors, and project managers — with a founding partner involved in every project — manages every phase from board approvals and DOB permitting through design and construction. Because architecture, design, permitting, and construction are coordinated under one roof, the process remains streamlined, accountable, and transparent from start to finish. Our work has been recognized by Forbes, The New York Times, Architectural Digest, and Inc., and we have received Houzz Best of Design & Service seven consecutive years, along with 100+ five-star client reviews.

10 to 16 Months

Consultation to move-in

$450 to $650/sq ft

Upper mid-tier to luxury

100+ Five-Star Reviews

Across Manhattan & Northern Brooklyn

Featured In

The New York Times & Architectural Digest

At Gallery, we streamline the entire process. Our all-inclusive design build approach includes architecture, interior design, project management, approvals, and construction - all under one roof. Our clients include co-op residents in Carnegie Hill, condo owners throughout Lenox Hill, Park Avenue homeowners in the Upper East Side Historic District, and townhouse families across Yorkville who want renovations that honor the historic character of their heirloom homes while elevating with contemporary comfort. With deep experience throughout the neighborhood’s most storied buildings, we honor your classic Upper East Side aesthetic while elevating with refined design.

What Is Design Build And Why Do Upper East Side Projects Benefit Most From This Approach?

Design build is a renovation approach where a single team manages every phase of your project, from initial concept and architectural plans to permits, approvals, material selections, and full construction. Unlike the traditional design–bid–build model, which requires homeowners to independently manage designers, architects, contractors, engineers, and approvals, design build centralizes accountability and dramatically reduces delays.

Learn More: Design-Build vs Design-Bid-Build: What’s The Difference?

On the Upper East Side, co-op boards scrutinize every detail, buildings follow strict alteration rules, and many homes carry architectural significance. With those caveats in mind, design build becomes less of a convenience and more of a necessity.

Benefits Of Design Build For Upper East Side Renovations

For Upper East Side renovations, a design build contractor like Gallery delivers distinct advantages in accountability, coordination, quality, budgeting, and risk management.

Single Point of Accountability

With Gallery, one team is responsible for every detail, which is critical in navigating selective co-op boards, tight alteration agreements, and luxury expectations.

Streamlined Communication

With a dedicated team consisting of a designer, project manager, and logistics liaison, Gallery’s design build approach offers seamless coordination with building staff, management companies, concierges, collectively reducing headaches for our busy UES clientele.

Consistent Quality Oversight

With all specialists working under the same roof in our NoMad office, your project becomes immediately more streamlined. Design and construction working in sync means every detail meets the elevated standard expected in your UES home.

Early Budget Clarity

Unlike traditional general contractor models where full pricing can’t be wrangled until all additional parties are brought into the fold, design build allows for full pricing details from day one. This proactive pricing is essential when the bottom includes custom cabinetry, imported materials, premium stone, bespoke millwork, and high-end fixtures.

Advanced Risk Management

With pre-war infrastructure, aging mechanical systems, and landmark protections common across the UES, proactive risk planning is essential. Our integrated team identifies hidden conditions early, aligns designs with DOB and LPC requirements, and prevents costly surprises long before construction begins.

Dig Deeper: Common Surprises When Renovating A NYC Apartment

One Roof, One Number To Call The Team On Every UES Project Design-build means the specialists a traditional renovation scatters across five firms sit together in Gallery's NoMad office. This is who works on your Upper East Side renovation and what each person owns.

Your Interior Designer

What They OwnThe design vision: concepts, materials, renderings, and every selection from stone to hardware, shaped around how you live.

When You Hear From ThemHeavily through design and selections, at studio and showroom meetings, then at every milestone where the design meets the built work.

Your Project Manager

What They OwnThe build: trade scheduling, site quality, the production calendar, and keeping construction faithful to the approved plans.

When You Hear From ThemRegular progress updates through construction, walk-throughs at key phases, and the punch list through final sign-off.

Your Logistics Liaison

What They OwnThe building relationship: supers, concierges, managing agents, elevator bookings, COIs, and delivery coordination.

When You Hear From ThemMostly you will not, which is the point. The building side runs quietly in the background instead of through your inbox.

The In-House Architects

What They OwnPlans, structural coordination, and the DOB, LPC, and board filing sets, drawn by the same office that will build them.

When You Hear From ThemAt plan reviews and approvals during design, then behind the scenes as filings and revisions move through the agencies.

The Procurement Team

What They OwnOrdering, tracking, receiving, and inspecting every finish and fixture, from imported stone to artisan tile, before it reaches the site.

When You Hear From ThemThrough your designer at selection sign-offs; after that, lead times and logistics are their problem rather than yours.

A Founding Partner

What They OwnAccountability for the whole. A founding partner is involved on every Gallery project, from concept decisions to the standards the finished work is held to.

When You Hear From ThemFrom the first consultation onward, and whenever a decision deserves an owner's judgment rather than a manager's.

The same team stays with the project from concept through closeout, with your designer and project manager as the two voices you hear most. Clients who bring their own architect or designer plug into this structure the same way, with Gallery coordinating the collaboration.

Our Comprehensive Design Build Services On The Upper East Side

At Gallery, we tailor our design build services to the character, constraints, and prestige of Upper East Side homes. Whether historic or newly modernized, each UES property requires a thoughtful, detail-driven approach.

Luxury Pre-War Apartment Renovations

We have extensive experience working in some of the Upper East Side’s most iconic buildings along Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and East End Avenue buildings. We restore classic proportions, preserve original mouldings, elevate gallery-like layouts, and modernize infrastructure without compromising architectural heritage.

More To Consider: Don’t Overlook The Details: The Mundane Mistakes That Derail Pre-War Renovations In NYC

Townhouse Renovations

We manage full brownstone, limestone, and multi-story townhouse rebuilds, introducing new layouts, structural upgrades, rear extensions, and high-end finishes - all while respecting historic and LPC guidelines.

Full Scope: Everything To Know Before Renovating A Townhouse

Co-Op & Condominium Renovations

Renovating condos and co-ops on the Upper East Side are far from straightforward. Thankfully for our clients, Gallery prepares meticulous alteration packages, coordinates with managing agents, and navigates some of the city’s most selective co-op boards with precision and efficiency.

View Our Work: Our Favorite Co-Op Renovations In Manhattan

Penthouse Renovations

Penthouse living on the Upper East Side deserves a level of detail that matches the view. From integrating terraces and custom HVAC solutions to sourcing premium materials and crafting bespoke millwork, we tailor every element to elevate your home’s architecture, sightlines, and daily experience.

Consider All Angles: 6 Key Considerations When Planning A Penthouse Renovation In Manhattan

Historic Landmark Renovations

Renovating a landmarked property on the Upper East Side is equal parts art and compliance. For proper balance, our all-inclusive approach accommodates the full LPC process, restores irreplaceable architectural elements, and introduces modern upgrades with a light touch, all in effort for your home to retain historic character while becoming more suitable for everyday living.

More Info: Everything You Need to Know About Landmark Renovations In NYC

High-End Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels

From chef-level kitchens with integrated Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances to spa-caliber bathrooms with imported stone, custom vanities, and luxury fixtures, we deliver refined versions of the most priority spaces in your home - all tailored to UES living.

Expand Your Design: Kitchen Renovation Ideas for NYC Homes

The Estate-Sale Opportunity Renovating An Estate-Condition Apartment Estate-condition listings are how the Upper East Side's grandest pre-war apartments change hands: original layouts, decades of deferred updates, and prices that reflect the work ahead. Bought with clear eyes, they are the best value in the neighborhood. Our full renovation at 1035 Fifth Avenue, untouched for over 50 years at purchase, followed exactly this arc.

Know What Estate Condition Means Expect original kitchens and baths, systems at or past end of life, and finishes worn by decades of a single ownership. The discount prices in the renovation, so the honest question is the all-in number, purchase plus work, against a turnkey alternative. The UpsideUntouched apartments retain the original detail that renovated units often lost in earlier remodels: intact mouldings, original floors, and unaltered proportions.

Triage: Keep, Restore, Or Gut The first design decision walks every room and system sorting what stays as is, what gets restored by specialty craftspeople, and what comes out entirely. A practical budget depends on making this call early rather than romanticizing everything or demolishing indiscriminately. The UpsideRestoration budget concentrates where original detail carries the home, while systems and wet rooms, which almost always need full replacement, get done once and completely.

Expect The Building Behind The Walls Fifty untouched years usually means original wiring, corroded risers, and layers of old paint and plaster, which is why diagnostics and probes precede final pricing. The hidden costs of estate-condition pre-war apartments are predictable when someone looks for them before demolition. The UpsideEverything opens once. An estate renovation modernizes the entire apartment in a single project instead of patching around a previous owner's partial updates.

Reconfigure For How You Live Estate layouts reflect another era: separated kitchens, staff rooms, and bath counts below modern expectations. Within wet-over-dry and structural limits, the renovation adds baths, opens sightlines, and rebalances rooms, as at 1035 Fifth, where the redesign added a bathroom and powder room while preserving the Palazzo character. The UpsideYou are not paying a premium for someone else's renovation choices. The apartment becomes exactly yours, executed once, to your standard.

Estate purchases reward diligence before closing, and Gallery's assessment of condition, feasibility, and realistic scope can inform the offer itself. For the full breakdown, see our guide to the hidden costs of renovating an estate-condition NYC pre-war apartment.

Why Choose Our Upper East Side Design Build Team?

Here are the qualities that make our team uniquely equipped to execute luxury renovations throughout the Upper East Side:

Our White-Glove UES Approach

At Gallery, we maintain discretion, minimize disruption, coordinate with building staff, schedule work around resident needs, and protect common areas meticulously. That fine touch is the reason we’re viewed as a trusted renovation partner in Manhattan’s most prestigious buildings.

Distinguished Neighborhood Portfolio

We’ve completed extensive renovations across Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Carnegie Hill, Lenox Hill, and Yorkville—ranging from Classic Six layouts to grand pre-war homes and landmarked townhouses. View our Upper East Side portfolio.

Pre-War Luxury Specialists

From elaborate mouldings and plasterwork to herringbone floors and oversized windows, we preserve defining architectural elements while integrating modern infrastructure seamlessly. To see this balance in action, explore our 1035 5th Ave renovation, where we cleverly concealed essential mechanical elements to maximize space—a transformation Avi breaks down above.

Exclusive Co-Op Board Mastery

The Upper East Side is home to many of NYC’s most strict co-op boards. Rightfully so. Thankfully for our clients (and their timeline goals), we understand their stringent expectations, submission protocols, and review tendencies - and prepare design and alteration packages accordingly. For more insight into expectations from high-end co-op boards (along with specific examples of how we’ve had to clear tough approval hurdles), read our detailed blog, In-Depth Co-Op Board Approval Process For Complex NYC Renovations: What to Expect.

Landmark & Preservation Expertise

Our team has deep experience working within strict LPC guidelines, ensuring designs meet preservation standards while achieving modern comfort and functionality.

Luxury Material Sourcing

We partner with premium makers, artisan fabricators, custom cabinetry studios, and suppliers specializing in rare stone, imported tiles, bespoke hardware, and luxury finishes.

Learn More: Our Material Sourcing & Procurement Process

Established Local Relationships

We maintain strong ties with UES building managers, supers, managing agents, DOB inspectors, and neighborhood vendors, earning collective rapport that allows our projects to advance smoother than traditional methods.

Standards, Not Slogans What White-Glove Means On Site In a full-service Upper East Side building, a renovation is judged by everyone who never sets foot in the apartment: the neighbors, the doormen, the super, the board. These are the operating standards behind the phrase, and why building staff recommend Gallery to the next resident who renovates.

Common-Area Protection

Why It Matters HereMarble lobbies, paneled elevators, and carpeted corridors are the building's face, and one scratch outlives the entire renovation in board memory.

The Gallery StandardFull protection installed along the entire path of travel before the first delivery, inspected and maintained daily, and removed only at closeout.

Building-Staff Partnership

Why It Matters HereThe super and doormen see everything and brief the managing agent, so the crew's daily conduct becomes the project's reputation.

The Gallery StandardA dedicated logistics liaison keeps the super, concierge, and managing agent informed, with delivery windows and elevator bookings arranged in advance rather than requested at the door.

Scheduling Around Residents

Why It Matters HereWork hours typically run weekdays 9am to 4pm with no weekends or holidays, and the loudest work lands hardest on neighbors working from home.

The Gallery StandardDemolition and other high-noise phases scheduled within building rules and communicated ahead, so neighbors hear about the noise before they hear the noise.

Daily Site Condition

Why It Matters HereDust migrating under a door or debris in a service corridor is how a quiet project becomes a board complaint.

The Gallery StandardSealed containment at the unit entry, negative-air and HEPA practices during dusty phases, and a broom-clean site with cleared corridors at the end of every workday.

Consolidated Deliveries

Why It Matters HereA service elevator tied up by piecemeal deliveries inconveniences every resident and burns goodwill the project needs later.

The Gallery StandardMaterials received and inspected at our facilities first, then delivered in consolidated, scheduled loads that minimize elevator time and lobby traffic.

Discretion & Privacy

Why It Matters HereUES clients value privacy about their homes, their schedules, and their investment, inside a building where everyone knows everyone.

The Gallery StandardProfessional crew conduct in every shared space, no project details discussed in the building, and client approval before any project is photographed or published.

Protocols adapt to each building's alteration agreement and house rules, which often exceed these baselines. The measure of success is simple: the only evidence of the renovation the building ever sees is the finished home.

Upper East Side Client Testimonial

“We used Gallery KBNY to re-design our kitchen and other rooms. Avi Zikry's design was amazing. His vision enabled us to create a whole new look and a better functioning space. That was a year ago, and we are very happy with the results. I highly recommend him.” View our Manhattan Apartment Renovation at 91 Central Park West.

“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.” View our Full Renovation Of Pre-War Co-Op In Manhattan At 1035 5th Ave.

Upper East Side Design Build FAQs

Below are clear answers to the key questions anyone planning an Upper East Side renovation should ask when evaluating a full-service design build contractor like Gallery.

How Long Does Co-Op Board Approval Take On The Upper East Side?

Typically 2–4 weeks, though some buildings require additional rounds of review.

What Makes UES Co-Op Boards More Selective?

They prioritize architectural and historic integrity, peace of mind for their residents, and long-term building preservation. Submission packages must be meticulous.

Do I Need Landmarks Preservation Commission Approval?

Only if the building is LPC-designated or within a historic district. Many UES buildings fall under this jurisdiction.‍

What Are Typical Work Hours In UES Buildings?

Most allow weekday work between 9am–4pm, with no weekend or holiday work permitted.

How Do You Maintain Discretion During Renovations?

White-glove protocols, strict cleanliness, protected common areas, and coordinated scheduling with building staff.

Can You Source Rare Or Custom Materials?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRK-CyjkiQZ/
‍ Yes. We regularly procure imported stone, bespoke millwork, artisan tile, and custom furnishings. See above as our designers unpack a stunning batch of antique delft tiles headed for our pre-war co-op renovation on East 79th Street. These hand-painted pieces will bring historic character with a Dutch flair into this Lenox Hill home.

What’s The Typical Timeline For A Full UES Apartment Renovation?

Most complete in 8–12+ months, depending on scope, approvals, and building requirements.
‍

How Do You Preserve Original Architectural Details?

We restore, replicate, and refine mouldings, casings, plasterwork, flooring, and millwork using specialized craftspeople. For more insight into the nuanced process, read our blog aboutUnderstanding The Impact Of Home Architectural Styles On Renovation Choices.

Do You Work With Designers And Architects?

While we almost always keep designer and architectural services in-house, we do occasionally have clients who bring their own. Even with the outsourced partnership, our design build structure offers smooth collaboration for your renovation.

Begin Your Upper East Side Design Build Project

Ready to renovate your Upper East Side home with a partner who understands the neighborhood’s standards, architecture, and expectations? From pre-war apartment transformations to full townhouse renovations, we deliver a seamless, detail-driven design build experience that respects the character of the UES while elevating your home for modern living.
Schedule a consultation today to discuss your project and see why Upper East Side residents trust Gallery to bring their vision to life with care, precision, and unmatched expertise.

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Gallery KBNY is an award-winning, full-service design-build firm specializing in the architecture, design, and renovation of apartments, co-ops, condos, townhomes, and lofts across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our in-house team — with a founding partner involved in every project — manages every phase from board approvals through construction. No outsourcing, no handoffs, no gaps in accountability.

As seen in

Forbes | The New York Times | Architectural Digest | Inc. | Houzz

★★★★★ 100+ Five-Star Reviews Best of Design & Service · 7 Years Running

Pre-Purchase Assessment

We conduct pre-purchase renovation assessments for buyers during the contract period. Walk the apartment with us before you commit — understand the full scope, cost, and timeline before closing.

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