West Village Condo Gut Renovation | 17 Cornelia St

Vertical Integration & Staircase Redesign

To start the project, we replaced the existing spiral staircase with a wide, code-compliant stair designed for everyday usability and long-term family use. Beyond the UX update, we relocated the staircase to a more central position to better integrate the two levels, improving flow, accessibility, and design clarity throughout the home. 

Elevating The Primary Level

The first-floor renovation focused on redefining flow and functionality while elevating the apartment’s traditional character. We reconfigured the layout to introduce a more intentional entry area, enclosing previously open living space to add privacy and definition. The kitchen was fully renovated with custom millwork, richly detailed cabinetry interiors, complimentary brass feature and hot water faucets from Waterworks, integrated spice and oil niches, and a French-style range selected to complement the home’s English-inspired aesthetic. The primary bedroom and bathroom were also upgraded with carefully layered finishes, including a custom vanity color-matched to the wallpaper, Waterworks fixtures, marble flooring, plus a marble deck with repurposed cut-outs used for shower niches.

From A Cellar To A Functional Family Floor

When your family is growing, your home needs to be growing too. Thankfully, we were able to help turn our clients’ underutilized cellar into a fully reimagined functional extension of their home. By reframing the entire lower level, we transformed the space into a series of intentional, livable zones designed to support their family routine. The renovation introduced a traditionally styled powder room with terracotta flooring, alongside a flexible children’s area thoughtfully planned to accommodate two kids, complete with built-in nooks and dual closets. Additional zones were created for fitness, study or dance, and casual living, while new walk-in closets and concealed wall cavities significantly increased storage. Through cohesive finishes, layered lighting, and the strategic placement of the new staircase, the cellar now feels seamlessly connected to the main residence rather than an afterthought below.

Design Style & Craftsmanship

Beyond the structural reconfiguration, the renovation was defined by a deeply considered design vision rooted in a traditional English aesthetic. Working closely with a highly engaged client, we focused on craftsmanship and detail throughout the home. This meant refining millwork, door casings, hardware, and shaker detailing to create a layered, timeless interior. Rich Farrow & Ball paint colors and William Morris wallpapers introduced depth and character, while custom elements - such as concealed TV cabinetry with bifold doors, mesh-backed shelving, and integrated charging stations - balance beauty with function. By carrying this level of detail consistently across the kitchen, bathrooms, and built-ins, the renovation achieved a cohesive, design-rich transformation that feels both classic and distinctly personal.

Additional Highlights

• Integrated Lighting Strategy: To reinforce safety, warmth, and continuity throughout the home, we developed a layered lighting approach across both levels, including stair lighting, millwork-integrated fixtures, and ambient illumination.

• Added Laundry Room: To further improve everyday living on the main level, we introduced a dedicated laundry room, which relocated laundry from the kitchen to create a more functional home layout.

• LPC Coordination: We managed all Landmarks Preservation Commission coordination required for work within the Greenwich Village Historic District, ensuring all permitted scope complied with preservation guidelines while supporting the project’s architectural and functional goals.

Ready To Renovate?

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We are 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 Gallery bring your dream home to life.