Landmarked Upper West Side Townhouse Renovation
Project type: Landmarked townhouse renovation and additions
Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan
Architecture: Ogawa Depardon Architects
Queenie Tong's role: Project Architect and Project Manager Timeline: About one year of permitting and one year of construction. Completed while at Ogawa Depardon Architects.
A gutted townhouse became a single-family home with room to gather, daylight from above, and a connection to green space. Acquired by investors for renovation and resale, it was rebuilt through a rear extension, a setback penthouse, an elevator, and new interiors and building systems.
For how we approach townhouse projects today, see our NYC townhouse renovation architect page.
The brief
Create a single-family townhouse for sale from a gutted building, with a coherent home across several levels: more living space, clear vertical circulation, outdoor access, and new building systems.
Adding space in a landmark district
A rear extension and a penthouse expanded the house, which called for careful work in a landmark district. The project went through Landmarks Preservation Commission review, a mock-up, and public and community board hearings. The penthouse was set back from the front façade and designed as a gathering space for entertaining.
Planning a landmark-district townhouse of your own? See how we handle townhouse renovations.
Daylight for a dark staircase
The interior staircase was dark. Skylights brought daylight in from above, so light became part of the circulation, not only something that arrived through the front and rear windows.
Moving through the house
A new elevator connects every floor and was planned with the interior layout. A glass bridge links the basement level to a new bamboo garden at the rear, giving the lower floor direct access to green space.
Windows and building systems
New landmark-approved windows address performance while respecting the historic setting. A completely new HVAC system was coordinated with the redesigned interiors and the expanded building.
Timeline
About one year of permitting and one year of construction, roughly two years from inception to completion. For typical timing on townhouse and apartment projects, see our process page.
Queenie's role
Queenie Tong was project architect and project manager at Ogawa Depardon Architects. She was the primary contact for the client and contractor and attended all project site meetings, with additional construction administration support from the firm's principal.
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