Upper East Side Co-Op Renovation | 55 East End Ave

Gallery KBNY's six-month design-build renovation of a 2,100-square-foot pre-war co-op at 55 East End in Manhattan's Upper East Side

About This Renovation

We’re beaming about our recent co-op renovation on the Upper East Side. Located at Riverview South, a few blocks from Gracie Mansion, this two bedroom, two bath was a dated post-war home that hadn't been renovated for years. That’s when the client 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. 

Project at a glace

Job Type
Luxury Co-Op Renovation
Ownership Type
Co-Op
Building
55 East End
AddresS
55 East End, New York, NY 10023
Neighborhood
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Year Built
Square Footage
2,100 sq ft
Duration
6 Months
SCOPE
Partial Renovation
SERVICES
Design-Build (Interior Design, Architectural, Board Approvals, Construction Management)
DESIGN STYLE
Transitional pre-war
DESIGNER
Design By Gallery

Mid-Century Modern Makeover Requires Altering Space

Upon purchase, the client’s goal was to renovate his outdated Manhattan co-op and make the property his own via a polished style and mid-century modern design. After meeting with Gallery’s design team and in-house architect, we realized that to meet the client's vision, we would need to integrate the kitchen with the apartment by opening the space up. This required us to tear down a main wall in the home, as the previously narrow kitchen space was enclosed in a separate room.

Stunning Mid-Century Modern Kitchen & More

Once we opened up the space, we were able to execute our design plan without issue. Leading with a focal point kitchen, we created a walnut-centric design with painted touches to lighten up the aesthetic and create a warmer environment, including lighter grays in the adjoined dining room. All cabinetry was custom designed to fit the space. We then juxtaposed the light tones by placing darker accents throughout, noticeably the black marble countertops in the kitchen. We also mingled in navy blues and greens in the bedroom, office and other priority areas.

En-Suite Bathroom Masterpiece 

The primary en-suite bathroom required an especially custom touch and came out eloquent as ever. Beyond the custom floating marble bench in the shower that was specifically designed for client (find out why here), we wanted the space to really drive home the mid-century modern design. To accomplish this, we added emerald green tile up top, then paired that with Calcutta penny tile and brass finishes from Kohler, plus an extremely rich West Elm Mid Century Walnut vanity to add earthy tones to the space and ground the design.

Powder Room Pop  

The tile work in the powder room also delivers extremely choice MCM flavor, thanks to marble mosaic patterns and fluted marble accent tile. The Clarence Apothecary vanity beautifully combines steel and marble for a sleek, modern look that offers an airy but elegant touch to this personal prep room.

Woodgrain MCM Details Throughout 

To add to the mid-century modern design scheme, clean white oak engineered floors were installed throughout the apartment, giving the flooring a rich look with a welcomed durability. From there, custom millwork was added in the office as well, offering shelving, a desk, and custom closets to accommodate the client's peloton bike.

Additional Highlights

  • New Doors Throughout
  • Heated Flooring In Master Bathroom
  • Recessed Lighting Throughout 
  • Base-Moulding & Closet Casings Throughout 
  • Paint Throughout 
  • Updated Plumbing

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 an award-winning 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.

BEFORE + PROGRESS

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NYC RENOVATION FAQS

Does Gallery Handle The Entire Renovation?

Yes. We handle the entire process start to finish, from architectural services, permits, and board approval to interior design, material procurement, project management and construction.

Consider The Details: Benefits Of Combined Design & Architecture Planning For Your Apartment Renovation

Does Gallery Have A Project Minimum?

Yes. Our project minimum is $400,000.

What Can I Expect In Regard To My Project's Final Cost?

Renovation costs vary significantly based on apartment size, scope, finish level, existing conditions, and building type. As a general benchmark in Manhattan:

  • Full gut renovation, pre-war apartment (~1,800 sq ft), upper-mid-level finishes: $500 to $650 per sq ft, or approximately $850,000 to $1,000,000+
  • Same scope with luxury finishes, elaborate millwork, and extensive HVAC or window work: $600 to $850 per sq ft, or $1,000,000 to $1,500,000+
  • Newer building in good condition, primarily cosmetic renovation: $375 to $500 per sq ft, or approximately $650,000 to $900,000

Pre-war buildings typically cost more due to older infrastructure and additional labor requirements.

To better understand renovation pricing in 2026, start with our cost-per-square-foot analysis, then review our planning guide for budgeting insights and strategic considerations:

What Makes Gallery KBNY Different From Other NYC Design-Build Firms?

Gallery KBNY focuses exclusively on co-ops, condos, and pre-war apartments in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The firm's differentiators are rigorous pre-construction due diligence, a fully integrated design-build model, and deep experience navigating the board, DOB, and building-specific complexities that define NYC renovation. Architecture, interior design, project management, and construction operate under one coordinated team, reducing risk and keeping accountability clear from concept through completion.

Learn more about what separates us from other general contractors and so-called design-build firms.

Our success stories

Forget about any horror story you have heard about contractors. Stop right here. This is the design-build contractor you want to HIRE. It was a breeze working with Gallery on our apartment combination project. We looked at quiet a few design-build companies and chose Gallery because of the great communication and the fact that they were able to manage material purchasing and product selection for us. They were honest, took responsibility and pride in their work.”
Zoe C
Upper West Side, Manhattan, NY.
Gallery KBNY has been absolutely amazing with my renovation. As a complete newbie, I was expecting a stressful process, but they made everything incredibly smooth—and I learned so much along the way. They’re truly a concierge-level service that genuinely cares about both their clients and the quality of their work. I know I couldn’t have chosen a better team. Colin, Morgan, and Leo were fantastic with logistics; Kate is a brilliant designer; and Alex was, hands down, one of the most responsive and professional contacts I’ve ever worked with. The entire experience was marked by ease, efficiency, quality, and grace. 10/10 recommend!
Irene G.
Manhattan, NY.
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 full renovation: https://www.gallerykbny.com/our-work/manhattan-apartment-renovation-91-central-park-west
Shivraj B.
Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY.
We loved working with Avi and the whole team at Gallery Kitchen and Bath. From our very first meeting, we felt like we were in great hands. Avi is so responsive—always available, quick to come up with solutions, and he and his team helped us pivot whenever needed without losing momentum. Renovating in NYC is complicated, but they handled all the logistics seamlessly and made the process so much less stressful. They do everything—design, architectural work, and managing every detail and skilled trade needed for a full gut renovation of our loft apartment —so we never had to worry. They are in full control of their workers, which allows them to stay on track and adapt quickly. They were creative and helpful when we needed to pivot on design unexpectedly. We felt like we had true partners that genuinely cared about our project and our well being! The finished space truly exceeds our expectations—we are so proud of our beautiful new home. It’s hard to put into words how positive our experience was overall. We would not hesitate for a moment to recommend Avi and the entire team at Gallery. They will be our very first call if we ever need to renovate again in the future… and you should call right now if you’re considering a renovation! View The Renovation: https://www.gallerykbny.com/our-work/chelsea-co-op-renovation-107-w-25th-st
Jason C
Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, NY.
I enthusiastically recommend Gallery, who did a superb job renovating our once decrepit 2-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn Heights. The project involved a full kitchen and bathroom renovation, as well as new electrical, refinished floors, new doors, new baseboards, and some rearranged bedroom closets. What is more, when I have them the wrong paint color for my daughter’s bedroom, and the team started to paint that color, they got the paint I wanted and corrected the “mistake” (which has actually been my mistake) and didn’t charge me for that either. I’d choose them again 100 times over and definitely recommend them to anyone considering a similar project.
Jane M
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY.
We interviewed about 8 different companies before hiring a contractor for our apartment renovations. Although Gallery was not the cheapest option, we chose them based on their upfront billing format, high client reviews, and depth of knowledge. We loved how it was a “one stop shop” and were paying one bill, up front. Everything was very transparent and we could not be happier with the results! Our apartment looks exactly how we imagined. Thank you!!
Fiki K.
Gramercy Park, Manhattan, NY.
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Chief Revenue Officer

Alex Ushyarovhttps://www.gallerykbny.com/authors/alex-u

Alex Ushyarov is the Chief Revenue Officer of Gallery KBNY, a full service design-build firm specializing in the design and interior renovation of apartments, townhomes, and lofts in NYC. Recognizing the importance of differentiation in a competitive industry, Alex has developed a clear and compelling brand identity for the company. Through meticulous market analysis and a deep understanding of customer needs, he has honed the firm's unique value proposition, highlighting its ability to deliver innovative, sustainable, and high-quality design-build solutions.