Full-Service Apartment
Renovations NYC |
Design-Build Experts

Transforming an apartment in New York City is an ambitious undertaking. You aren't just picking out countertops and tile — you are navigating landmark regulations, century-old infrastructure, and the tightest physical constraints in the world. At Mammoth, we specialize in high-end NYC apartment renovations that bridge the gap between your vision and the final walkthrough, turning the complexity of urban construction into a streamlined, professional experience. We are a NYC design-build studio that handles everything under one roof — architectural design, interior design, permitting, and construction. One team, accountable from concept to completion.

The Reality of Renovating in New York City

In most cities, a renovation involves a contractor, some lumber, and a permit from city hall. In New York, the rules of gravity—and bureaucracy—feel different. You have to contend with "quiet hours" that stall progress, freight elevators that require a reservation three weeks in advance, a maze of dob permits, and the watchful eyes of a Co-op board that treats your floor joists like national treasures.

Without a seasoned hand at the wheel, a three-month kitchen renovation can easily spiral into a year-long saga of red tape and budget overruns. The reality of the New York market is that technical skill is only half the battle; the other half is diplomatic, administrative, and logistical.

Why Your Project Needs a Design-Build Partner

Traditionally, homeowners hired an architect to produce architectural drawings and then shopped those plans to general contractors. This often led to a blame game — the builder claimed the drawings were impossible, the architect claimed the builder was incompetent, and the homeowner was stuck in the middle managing a dispute they never signed up for.

A design-build firm eliminates this friction by taking ownership of the project from conception to delivery. The people designing your home are the same people who know exactly what it costs to build it — which keeps your renovation timeline realistic and your budget in check from day one. If a measurement is off or a material is backordered, it's our problem to solve, not yours.

At Mammoth, we work with trusted Architects of Record to manage all facets of LPC approvals, DOB filings, and expediting. You have one point of contact throughout — not a rotating cast of vendors pointing fingers at each other.

The End-to-End Journey of Your Dream Home

We treat every NYC apartment renovation like a curated production, where every stage is choreographed to ensure your life isn't put on hold longer than necessary.

• Phase One:
  Design and Material Selection

  We begin by listening. Good interior design starts with understanding how you actually live — not just what looks good on a mood board. Our design team translates your aesthetic into a workable blueprint, guiding you through the tactile process of material selection: Calacatta marble or honed limestone, wide-plank hardwood floors or poured concrete, custom millwork that fits your lifestyle and the proportions of your space. We lock in the vision before walls come down so there are no what-ifs mid-construction.

• Phase Two:
  Permits and Board Approvals

  Nearly all apartment renovation projects in New York City require building approval. We handle DOB filings, prepare alteration agreement packages for co-op and condo boards, coordinate asbestos testing where required, and manage the full permitting process from submission to sign-off. We speak the language of building management, structural engineers, and HVAC consultants — ensuring your project gets the green light without the typical months of back-and-forth.

• Phase Three:
  Construction and Craftsmanship

  Once permits are in hand, our team takes over. From rewiring outdated electrical systems to precision-leveling uneven subfloors, from custom carpentry to bathroom remodeling and kitchen renovation, we treat the guts of your apartment with the same attention as the final coat of paint. We maintain clean job sites, communicate proactively with building management and neighbors, and hold our subcontractors to the same standards we hold ourselves.

West Village Pre-War Gut Renovation
Design-Build Renovation by Mammoth

Solving the Unique Challenges
of NYC Apartments

Every building in Manhattan and Brooklyn has its own personality — and its own set of problems. Our experience across New York City apartments allows us to anticipate these challenges before they become costly surprises.

Co-ops and Condos

Renovating in a co-op or condo means navigating board approval, alteration agreements, insurance requirements, approved contractor lists, and working hour restrictions before a single wall comes down. Mammoth has managed this process across buildings throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. We know what boards require, how to structure submissions, and how to keep your renovation timeline moving through the approval process without unnecessary delays.

Gut Renovations

A full gut renovation strips an apartment down to its structural elements and rebuilds from scratch — new layouts, new HVAC, new mechanical systems, new finishes throughout. It's the most complex residential scope in NYC and the one where the choice of renovation team matters most. We handle the full scope: schematic design, architectural drawings, DOB permit filing, demolition, construction, and final finishes. One contract, one team.

Apartment Combinations

Combining two apartments into one is one of the most significant NYC apartment renovations you can undertake. It involves structural changes, new egress planning, plumbing and electrical reconfiguration, and careful design attention to how the combined unit flows as a single home. A poorly combined apartment can feel incongruous and be difficult to sell. Mammoth approaches apartment combinations with the same design rigor as any full gut renovation — ensuring the result feels purpose-built rather than pieced together.

Historic Brownstones

In a classic brownstone, the challenge is honoring the 19th-century soul of the building while introducing 21st-century functionality. We specialize in uncovering original brickwork and restoring ornate moldings while integrating modern HVAC systems, custom millwork, soundproofing between floors, and lighting that doesn't feel out of place. The goal is a home that reads as always having been this way.

Mid-Century Co-ops and Condos

The white-box apartments of the 1950s and 60s offer incredible potential but often suffer from low ceilings and cramped galley kitchens. We look for opportunities to drop soffits, reposition plumbing stacks, introduce hardwood floors, and use reflective materials to pull light deeper into the floor plan — making a standard Upper East Side co-op feel considerably more generous than its square footage suggests.

Loft Conversions

In SoHo or DUMBO, it's all about scale. When you have twelve-foot ceilings and massive windows, the goal is to define rooms without losing the sense of grandeur. We use architectural design, custom millwork, and strategic floor level changes to create intimate living zones within vast open-concept spaces — maintaining the loft's character while making it function as a real home.

Our Portfolio: A Look at Recent NYC Transformations

From a meticulous restoration of an Upper East Side townhouse to a an apartment combination and gut renovation of Brooklyn Heights historic district apartment, our portfolio reflects the diversity of the city itself. We invite you to browse our gallery to see how we tackle different square footages and architectural styles with the same commitment to uncompromising quality.

Park Avenue Coop Gut Renovation
Design-Build Renovation by Mammoth

Apartment Renovation Costs in NYC

NYC apartment renovation costs vary significantly by scope. A full gut renovation of a one or two bedroom apartment starts around $300,000 and scales with size, finish level, and structural changes. Apartment combinations and larger units run considerably more. We provide detailed scoping and transparent pricing after the design phase — no lowball estimates made up in change orders later.

Our Approach to Project Management

A dedicated project manager is your single point of contact from day one through final walkthrough. You never chase down a subcontractor or wonder who is in your home. Your project manager provides regular updates, manages the renovation timeline, coordinates with building management, and ensures every detail — down to the countertop edge profile and the direction of the hardwood floors — meets our standards. We communicate proactively, not reactively. You hear about problems before they become emergencies.

Neighborhoods We Serve

We renovate apartments throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn — the West Village, Flatiron, SoHo, Tribeca, the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, DUMBO, and beyond.FAQs for New York Homeowners

FAQs

How long does a typical full-apartment renovation take?

A total gut renovation generally takes between 10 to 18 months, depending on the size of the unit and the complexity of the board approvals, inclusive of design and approvals. We provide a detailed timeline during the planning phase so you can plan your living arrangements accordingly.

How do you handle Department of Buildings (DOB) filings?

We work with licensed architects and expediters who specialize in NYC building code and regulations. We manage the entire filing process, from asbestos testing to final sign-offs, ensuring your renovation is 100% legal and compliant.

What is the difference between design-build and a traditional general contractor?

General contractors execute construction based on architectural drawings produced by someone else — you coordinate the relationship between them. A design-build firm handles architectural design, interior design, material selection, permits, and construction under one contract. For gut renovations and apartment combinations in NYC, where design and construction decisions are tightly intertwined, the design-build model consistently produces better outcomes and fewer surprises.

Can I live in the apartment during the renovation?

For a full gut renovation involving kitchen renovation, bathroom remodeling, and new hardwood floors, we strongly recommend moving out. Dust, noise, and the absence of essential utilities make living on-site difficult and can slow construction progress.What kind of projects do you specialize in?

What projects do you specialize in?
Mammoth works on full gut renovations, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, apartment combinations, and targeted renovations in co-ops, condos, brownstones, lofts, and townhouses across Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Do you offer soundproofing during renovation?
Yes. We incorporate soundproofing between floors and walls during gut renovations — a particularly important consideration in co-op and condo buildings where neighbor relations matter and building management often has specific requirements around noise transmission.

What does your warranty cover?
We provide a comprehensive warranty on our workmanship for 12 months after substantial completion. If a cabinet hinge needs adjusting or a grout line needs attention months after completion, we're a phone call away. We build for the long term.