.png)
.png)
Full Renovation Of Pre-War Co-Op In Manhattan | 1035 5th Avenue
About This Renovation
Our recent renovation at 1035 5th Avenue found us in the middle of quintessential Manhattan. Overlooking Central Park, this beautiful Italian Renaissance Palazzo co-op is located on Fifth and 85th street, just down the street from The Met. When our client purchased this 4,000 square foot pre-war property, the space hadn’t been updated in more than 50 years. The vision for this renovation called for a complete design overhaul of the extensive space, while incorporating many of the prior architectural elements and elegant marble accents, while also creating an additional bathroom and powder room. While the results speak for themselves, the client’s glowing praise for our full-service approach went a long way.
Project at a glace
Job Type
Ownership Type
Building
AddresS
Neighborhood
Year Built
Square Footage
Duration
SCOPE
SERVICES
DESIGN STYLE
DESIGNER
Full Renovation Without Gut Requires Fine Touch
Typically, when fully renovating a pre-war apartment in NYC, the job often welcomes a gut renovation, in order to fully customize and modernize the dated space as needed. However, in the case of this 4,000 square foot historic home, the architectural accents and original marble offer one-of-a-kind design opportunities that add and maintain value, so a full gut renovation was out of the question.
For us, the biggest challenge became protecting those distinguished details, while also blending into new additions so the final look was cohesive. That fine touch required an immense amount of customization and specific trims to match existing, along with floor restoration in the majority of the home that included stitching to large portions of the original parquet flooring to ensure proper blend. We also rewired 60% of the property, which required strategic openings to ensure nothing of pre-war significance was altered. To honor the marble accents throughout the space, we polished every surface and matched certain epoxies when required to get as close as possible to the original look and feel.
Immaculate Millwork Throughout
To match the foundational pre-war details, our transitional design plan called for accentuating the millwork throughout the space. The focal point of this immaculate woodwork is the library, which features wall to wall white oak shelving and paneled millwork throughout the entire space. Focal point features in the kitchen and family room exhibit extensive millwork upgrades as well, as do the bedrooms. The kids room features a custom white oak bunk-bed that is built floor-to-ceiling with steps on the side for easy and safe access.
Custom Indoor Outdoor HVAC Installation
Another significant challenge when renovating this pre-war co-op was creating central air in the space without having to drop ceilings that would impact the period aesthetics, or more importantly block any of the Central Park views. Our solution was a true split HVAC called a VRV system, which we placed in the back laundry room. This required us to turn the space into a formal indoor/outdoor room that allowed the condenser to have circulation of fresh air from outside while still being well-insulated by residing inside. To do this, we removed a window and created an automatic louver that opens and closes accordingly as the VRV system cycles on and off. The room is also equipped with a drainage system so any water managing to trickle inside immediately gets drained. Finally, we ran heat trace lines on all the plumbing pipes so they’ll never freeze, as a secondary measure beyond insulation.
Additional Highlights
- Restored Marble Fireplace
- Various Lighting & Moulding Updates
- Paint Throughout With Accent Wallpaper Installations
Considering a co-op renovation in NYC? View our portfolio of condo renovation before and afters, learn more about Gallery, or simply contact us today. If you’re planning a renovation at 1035 5th Ave, we’ve put together an insider’s guide - Renovating in 1035 5th Avenue: What to Know - based on firsthand experience working in the building. It’s a perspective that gets into the details most firms miss, and one you won’t really find anywhere else.
Gallery KBNY is 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 pre-war renovations, full home renovations, apartment combinations, and all that falls in between. Let Gallery bring your dream home to life.
BEFORE + PROGRESS
AFTER
NYC RENOVATION FAQS
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
Yes. Our project minimum is $400,000.
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:
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.
RELATED RENOVATIONS
MIN%2520(1).avif)
VIDEO REVEAL
Our success stories
View all reviewslet’s
Design-Build
together
RELATED POSTS
.webp)
.avif)