The Garden Sanctuary: Stripping back a developer shell to reveal a bespoke home.

This renovation seizes on the rare potential of a ground-floor garden condo. While the unit was originally a "developer special"—characterized by basic finishes that were already failing—it possessed two distinct advantages: private outdoor space and direct cellar access. We stripped the interior down to the studs, erasing the generic original shell. The cellar access proved critical, allowing us to reroute plumbing and relocate the bathrooms entirely—a level of layout flexibility almost unheard of in standard condo renovations. The bathrooms were fit with Porcelanosa tiles and fixtures, while the kitchen was fully custom fabricated.

The new plan is designed for gathering. We introduced a fully custom kitchen and a generous dining area anchored by a built-in banquette. The living room is defined by a massive built-in flueless fireplace from Hearth Cabinet, creating a warm architectural focal point where there was once a blank wall.

The transformation extends outward into the private backyard—a true New York City luxury. We replaced the standard pavers with a landscaped field of large river stones and floating stone pads. A custom built-in cedar bench and dining table anchor the space, creating a seamless outdoor lounge that feels miles away from the city grid.