Transitional Reno of Post War Co-op in Greenwich Village
70E 10th St, NYC
Transitional Reno of Post War Co-op in Greenwich Village
70E 10th St, NYC
Project Overview
TYPE: Transitional renovation of a large 1 BR, 1 Bath Apartment
LOCATION: Greenwich Village, NYC
CONSTRUCTION DURATION: about 4 months of planning & approvals for permits and four months of construction.
Transforming a Traditional Post War Apartment in Greenwich Village into a Transitional Gem with Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors
This post-war Co-op apartment, originally built in 1960 by Sylvan & Robert Bien Architects and known for designing “luxury” apartments with a modern white brick facade, brought its own unique challenges. The interiors had asbestos flooring, nothing was square, and we faced difficult building rules and management. We partially opened the walls and doorways, breathing new life and style into the space!
We secured permits for a gut renovation, including construction, plumbing, gas line extension, and electrical work, with the breaker panel location also being changed.
The Full Story Behind This Village Co-op Renovation:
Investing in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom residential NYC Co-op built in the 1960s often comes with unexpected twists. We knew this would be a large one-bedroom gut renovation, but surprises like asbestos glue under the wood in the closets and NYC’s new gas plumbing codes—designed to reduce gas usage in residential apartments—created hurdles. We had to remediate the asbestos, which shut down the project for two weeks, and we had to create a secondary gas valve accessible next to the stove. This required us to amend the plans and undergo separate gas inspections to complete the job, including pressure testing the gas line.
I also didn’t expect to find that the building sleeves already installed for the packaged heating and air units (PTACs) were below the existing finished floor height! You can’t remove the units if the floor is installed in front of them, so we faced another challenge: creating removable floor planks. Who knew?!
Adventures in Design Build – Before & After Videos
For those of you who love the ups and downs of challenging renovations, don’t miss this project’s highlights. I’ve included a before-and-after video of this post-war Co-op, along with a video walkthrough. Each video and photo showcases the transformation, from the initial challenges to the deeply satisfying reveals.
The Challenges of 60’s Co-op Buildings
This post-war Co-op, described as a luxury building by its architects back then, needed a fresh, modern touch. The inspection process revealed bathroom drainage pipes from the upstairs bathroom that had to remain accessible, which changed our design plans. My goal was to create a classic, transitional apartment—one that felt more open with clean lines, new white oak wide-plank floors, and colors that would create the illusion of higher ceilings and a larger space.
What Changed?
STRUCTURAL: Removed non-load-bearing walls between the kitchen and living room; installed new PTACs.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Added intercom locations, recessed LED lighting, tub-to-shower conversion, open kitchen through the wall to the living room, new lighting.
INTERIOR: Complete electrical rewiring and moved breaker panel, custom kitchen with under-cabinet LED lighting, new 36″ Blue Star gas range, wine refrigerator, custom pantry, Caesarstone Empire countertop and backsplash, recessed lighting, wall-mounted TV wiring, Rift & Quarter Sawn new wood flooring throughout, new PTACs.
Project Result:
This project was challenging for Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors. It included delays and demanding building inspections by the building’s architect. In the end, we transformed the space into a beautiful, transitional yet contemporary one-bedroom apartment, achieving a balance of function and aesthetics that the client loves!
Key Renovation Highlights
- Open custom kitchen gut renovation
- Tub-to-shower bath gut renovation
- New doors, door hardware, casings, and moldings
- All new solid, Rift and Quarter Sawn select white oak wide-plank floors with Bona Nordic White seal to preserve color
- Complete paint/plaster of apartment
- Custom Stark Carpet in the bedroom
Project Reflections:
“I thought this complete makeover would be nice, but in fact, it exceeded my expectations and is simply beautiful! And the bathroom, especially, reflects the bold character of the owner, along with the deep contrasting colors in the tile. It’s amazing!”
If you love this Greenwich Village transitional renovation as much as we do, and you’re ready to renovate, contact Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors today for your residential NYC restoration or construction needs!