Battery Park Townhouse & Apartment Vertical Combination | 328 Albany St

Making Three Floors One Home

The focal point of this Lower Manhattan renovation is the new interior staircase, bridging all three levels and redefining the home’s flow. Offering more than connectivity, the staircase became a bold architectural feature, anchoring every level of interior with clean-lined railings and contemporary detail. 

To support the vertical combination, the Gallery team installed a steel beam on the second floor, seamlessly tied into the design with soffits and closets to preserve flow, while exposed in certain areas for an industrial touch. This behind-the-scenes reinforcement allowed the expanded structure to integrate appropriately without compromising aesthetics. For more information on our approach, view this explanatory video of the vertical combination process from our project manager Miguel via our IG account, along with more details on how Gallery masters the vertical combination process from our fearless leader, Avi.

More Bedrooms, More Breathing Room

Teenage boys are a lot to wrangle, almost always requiring more space than anticipated. Thankfully, our expansive renovation delivered just that, offering a new third floor that introduced two dedicated bedrooms, designed to give them privacy and independence, while still keeping them close enough to hear the call for dinner.

Their shared third-floor living area is equipped with built-ins and a dedicated hangout zone, while a barn door appropriately repurposes the former apartment entrance into a functional design feature. Together, these additions gave the family more breathing room without leaving their beloved Lower Manhattan home by the Hudson.

Reframing & Smart Space Use

To accommodate the new staircase, portions of the second floor near the primary suite had to be reframed. This necessity also opened the door for better circulation and layout efficiency. 

This structural layout adjustment also allowed to transform what was once a small bay window into a multi-purpose office/gym, enclosed with a custom iron-and-glass partition. This clever detail not only maximized square footage but also introduced a striking design that maintains natural light while still providing separation. Fitness and focus, what a combination.

Cohesive Finishes Across All Levels

Vertical combinations can easily feel disjointed, but Team Gallery approached every detail with cohesion top of mind. The newly installed white oak flooring from PID on the third floor was carefully matched to the second-floor finishes, creating a seamless look across all levels. Custom P-Tech covers were custom fabricated to mesh with existing trim and doors, while choice updates, including refreshed paint, upgraded lighting, and small refinements in the bathrooms, revitalized dated areas without the need for a full-scale interior renovation.

Rising To The Occasion

When a home grows upward, so does the potential. Thanks to the client’s vision, plus our seamless execution of the vertical combination, this Battery Park property gained immediate lifestyle benefits and long-term value. What was once a two story townhouse with built-in neighbors is now a seamless three-story home that includes two new bedrooms and a versatile office/gym - along with added contemporary visual appeal throughout. Beyond daily functionality, this rare three-level offering in Battery Park City enhances resale potential, blending practical living with thoughtful design.

Additional Highlights

Further highlights from our Battery Park townhouse and apartment vertical combination at East 79th Street include:

• Pointed Refresh: Strategic, selective updates brought a modern comfort to the home’s design, proving a full gut renovation wasn’t required to achieve their desired transformation

• DOB Approvals: Full oversight of Department of Buildings filings, structural review, and multi-round approval process. Learn more about Gallery’s board approval and permitting services - which are included within all of our full-service NYC renovations.
  
  

Considering a townhouse or vertical apartment combination in NYC? Explore our portfolio of townhouse renovations and apartment combinations, learn more about Gallery, or contact us today. We’re a New York Times-featured design-build firm in New York City with a full-service approach to residential renovations, from architecture services and interior design and to material selection/procurement and construction management. 

Whether you’re expanding up, down, or sideways, our integrated all-inclusive process delivers creative solutions, structural expertise, and timeless design that makes every square foot count.