Boutique Co-Op Renovation In Manhattan | 230 E 50th St

Extra Red Tape From Building Management

As part of our full-service design-build approach, we manage every aspect of the renovation process from our clients, including architectural filings, building approvals, and city permitting. One of the challenges in this build were onerous requirements from the building engineer and management firm. The firm stance required us to implement unexpected electrical upgrades, which posed additional challenges and held up the renovation even further. However, after diligent effort from our team and several exchanges with building management, we eventually secured the necessary approvals, allowing us to move forward with the renovation.

Traditional Design In Kitchen

Every client has their own style, which is one the best parts of working with so many unique homeowners on their NYC renovations. In this case, the client had a very clear and traditional design vision, favoring soft colors, especially blues and grays, along with natural materials like marble. 

In the kitchen, we accommodated by leaning into a combination of white and light blue shaker cabinets from Miralis, highlighted by a Compac Absolute Blanc countertop and backsplash featuring white Asian Statuary Beveled 2x4 Marble Polished Mosaic Tile with gray and gold veining. We also added uniquely designed cornices and crown moulding in priority areas of the kitchen for added elegance, while contrasting their stern standing with inviting floral-themed marble floor tiles.

Complimentary Bathroom Design

The high-end design carried into the bathrooms, where we continued the theme of soft colors and traditional style via natural stone and elegant flooring patterns in each space. In the master bath, the Balineum Hanbury Washstand provides additional elegance via a sleek and refined design, standing firm as the centerpiece of the room. 

Despite the compact size of the powder room, the design details, particularly the wildflower marble polished tile flooring from TileBar, add a refined and sophisticated touch to the space, complimenting the home’s overall charm.

‍Master Bathroom Request

When sourcing materials for our clients, our goal is always to meet their requests as closely as possible, ideally aiming for the exact material or fixture they projected in their mood boards. In the case of this Manhattan renovation, the client identified a specific custom sink sourced from the UK, which she had found on Pinterest and saved to show us. Though not extremely rare, the client had a specific vision for the space, so our assigned project liaison did some reconnaissance and found the exact Round Ceramic Undermount Bathroom Sink from WS Bath Collections. The added client consideration allowed us to execute exactly as she had hoped and is just one of the many ways we separate ourselves from standard general contractors who don’t always accommodate material sourcing or independent architects who drive the design with minimal client input.

Additional Highlights

Further points of interest from our co-op renovation In Manhattan at 230 E 50th St include:

• Flooring Refresh: We complimented the various warming design choices with a rich floor stain throughout that provided a refreshed, cohesive look that complements the rest of the renovation’s timeless look.

• Custom Range Hood In Kitchen: To accommodate the narrow space and ensure nothing protruded, we implemented a custom stainless steel range hood in the kitchen, complete with 600 CFM internal blower, code compliance control, 3 speed electronic controls, LED lights and baffle filters. 

• Additional Lighting: Being a lower level floor, the front of the apartment did not have a lot of natural light. To make up for the lack of light we dropped ceilings in between beams in order to accommodate recessed lighting without compromising on the pre-war ceiling details. 

Considering a condo or co-op renovation in NYC? For timely inspiration, consider our latest piece, Condo Renovation Ideas 2026. View our portfolio of co-op & condo renovation before and afters, learn more about Gallery, or simply contact us today.

We are a New York Times-featured 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.