On a prominent street corner in the Upper East Side, a property manager sought to reposition a ground floor space to attract new commercial and retail tenants. The project scope included a complete gut renovation and re-design of the 9,100 sq. ft. space, including the basement and entire retail storefront. EDG provided structural analysis, spatial studies, tenant-specific layouts, and full architectural and structural design services.
The existing building was extremely fortified, enclosing invaluable real estate and separating the interior from the street. EDG analyzed the load-bearing structures, discovering opportunities to reduce walls and open the floor up to the outside. Working within tight structural constraints, EDG enhanced customer experience by relocating stairs, introducing expansive windows, and optimizing floor layouts. The team supported the owner’s ongoing search for tenants, providing several renderings on quick turnaround, customized to individual commercial and retail prospects.
The re-imagined space at the intersection of Madison Avenue and East 80th Street draws pedestrians into an immersive environment that blends retail sales with a lifestyle embodying its products. With a distinct sensitivity to material design, brass and brown fiber cement finishes respond to the surrounding residential context. A new basement skylight and warm wood finishes create an airy, contemporary ambiance. Making the most of the existing configuration, the new commercial space breaks down barriers between interior and exterior, passerby and customer.
Construction Cost: $1.5 Million