

Our clients purchased this ideally-located West Village apartment with the intent to renovate its outdated appearance. The goal was to create a clean and simple aesthetic, bright yet not so monochromatic as to lose all character. The clients also had specific lighting needs which required a creative solution. With that in mind, Gallery took on this Manhattan apartment renovation to update the kitchen, bathroom, and floors, as well as achieve the lighting goals and build a custom closet.
The clients’ one major request was recessed lighting, born of a desire to not use floor lamps. New York City buildings, however, have restrictions against penetrating ceilings.
In that case, one common option is to drop the existing ceiling and install the recessed lighting in that manner. That wasn’t an option in this Manhattan apartment renovation because it would have caused the top of the window to press up against the ceiling.
Instead, Gallery built soffits along the back wall, above the couch. That way, we were able to install the recessed lighting without losing any ceiling height. A creative and attractive solution for any apartment, but especially so in a space designed for being able to put everything in its right place.


In the kitchen, gray Shaker-style cabinets are made more practical with undercabinet lighting and more aesthetically pleasing with modern pulls for the handles. A subway tile backsplash in a chevron pattern brings personality, while the peninsula island with waterfall edge contributes further to the clean, modern look.
The clean and simple theme continued to reign in the bathroom of this Manhattan apartment renovation. Classic subway tile contrasts against the larger tile in a sandstone color that matches the vanity wood. Another contribution to the overall cleanliness was a glass-paneled shower, removing the need for curtains. A niche in the shower adds both storage space and a touch of character.
One key feature in this Manhattan apartment renovation is the custom shared walk-in closet Gallery built, with individualized storage based on the needs and even specific clothes of the clients. Every type of item should have a designated storage area, rendering clutter impossible.
The clients chose this specific closet design in part for the open floor space to store shoes and the visual appeal of the floating cabinets, with open areas for hanging clothes. The cherry on top: the light is activated by whether or not the door is open, so it shuts off when the door is closed and vice versa. At Gallery, it really is all in the details.


Considering an apartment renovation in Manhattan? View our full portfolio of New York City renovation before and afters, learn more about Gallery KBNY, or simply contact us today. Find timely inspiration for your upcoming condo renovation via our latest piece, Condo Renovation Ideas 2026.
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.
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For a full apartment of about 1,700 square feet, construction typically runs five to six months. Design, board approval, and permitting come first and usually take four to six months, so most full renovations move from first consultation to move-in in 10 to 12 months. Scope, building rules, and how much infrastructure is being replaced set where a project falls in that range.
Read More: How Long To Renovate An Apartment In NYC?
The construction portion of a full kitchen renovation typically takes 7 to 11 weeks. Door to door, the timeline depends mostly on the building: about 10 to 14 weeks in a private townhouse, 14 to 20 weeks in a condo, 16 to 24 weeks in a post-war co-op, and 20 to 30 weeks in a pre-war co-op, where board and engineering review take longer. Gallery KBNY orders custom cabinetry, stone, and long-lead appliances during design and approvals, so materials arrive ready for the build.
Read More: How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation in NYC Take? A 2026 Timeline Breakdown
The construction portion of a bathroom renovation typically takes three to four weeks. Gallery KBNY renovates bathrooms as part of larger interior renovations, so bathroom work is sequenced alongside the rest of the apartment within the overall project schedule.
Learn More: Our NYC Bathroom Renovations
Board review and execution of the alteration agreement typically take 6 to 10 weeks in a post-war co-op and 8 to 14 weeks in a pre-war co-op, where asbestos filings, electrical load letters, and engineering review add steps. DOB permits usually run at the same time. A complete package with full technical drawings and specifications tends to clear the building's reviewing architect in one or two rounds, which keeps the approval phase on schedule.
Get Into The Specifics: In-Depth Co-Op Board Approval Process For Complex NYC Renovations: What to Expect
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