Manhattan, NY · Co-ops, Condos, Townhouses & Lofts

Your Trusted General Contractor in Manhattan

Melani General Contractor delivers professional renovation services for Manhattan's demanding residential properties. The borough's dense concentration of pre-war co-ops, postwar condominiums, historic townhouses, and converted lofts requires contractors who understand alteration agreement processes, strict building management protocols, and buildings ranging from 1850s rowhouses to 1960s high-rises. Call (718) 283-4154 for your free on-site estimate.

Serving All of Manhattan
NYC License #626219
EPA Lead-Safe NAT-F277952-1
Manhattan Services

Comprehensive Renovation Services Across Manhattan

Manhattan's housing stock is dominated by managed buildings with strict renovation protocols. Every project requires navigating board approvals, building management coordination, and compliance with both DOB and building-specific requirements. Our experience with Manhattan's regulatory environment ensures smooth project execution.

Apartments

Apartment Renovation

Manhattan apartment renovations range from cosmetic refreshes to complete gut renovations in pre-war co-ops and postwar condos. We handle open floor plan conversions, bedroom reconfigurations, and full mechanical system upgrades — all within the constraints of building-mandated work hours, freight elevator schedules, and neighbor notification requirements.

  • Open floor plan conversions and bedroom reconfigurations
  • Full plumbing, electrical, and HVAC system replacement
  • Work sequenced around building hours and freight elevator windows
  • Neighbor notifications and common area protection handled for you
Explore Apartment Renovation
General contractor in Manhattan — Melani General Contractor apartment renovation with new framing and copper rough-in
Kitchens

Kitchen Remodeling

Manhattan kitchen renovations maximize limited square footage with space-efficient layouts, custom cabinetry designed for compact footprints, and premium finishes. Pre-war kitchens frequently require complete plumbing and electrical system upgrades, gas line modifications, and structural work for layout changes.

  • Space-efficient galley, L-shape, and open-plan layouts
  • Custom cabinetry built for compact pre-war footprints
  • Gas line modifications and dedicated appliance circuits
  • Structural work where walls open into living space
Explore Kitchen Remodeling
Manhattan kitchen remodel by Melani General Contractor with custom cabinetry and quartz countertops
Townhouses

Townhouse Renovation

Manhattan's townhouses — including limestone, brownstone, and Federal-style rowhouses on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, West Village, and Harlem — require multi-floor renovation planning, structural engineering for modifications, and often Landmarks Preservation Commission approval for exterior work.

  • Multi-floor renovation planning and phased occupancy
  • Structural engineering for stair, floor, and rear wall changes
  • LPC applications for facade, window, and stoop work
  • Limestone and brownstone repointing with matched mortar
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Manhattan townhouse renovation by Melani General Contractor — limestone facade restoration on the Upper East Side
Lofts

Loft Renovation

SoHo, Tribeca, Chelsea, and the Flatiron District feature converted industrial lofts with open floor plans, high ceilings, and exposed structural elements. We design and build custom partitions, mezzanines, kitchens, and bathrooms within these distinctive spaces, often working with concrete slab construction that requires core-drilling for plumbing.

  • Custom partitions and mezzanine construction
  • Core-drilled plumbing runs through concrete slabs
  • Mechanical design that preserves original ceiling height
  • Kitchen and bathroom builds in raw industrial space
Explore Loft Renovation
Manhattan loft renovation by Melani General Contractor with cast iron columns and new framed partitions in Tribeca
Building Stock

The Manhattan Building and Renovation Landscape

Manhattan's residential stock consists primarily of pre-war elevator buildings constructed between 1900 and 1940, postwar high-rises from the 1950s through 1970s, and rowhouse townhouses dating to the mid-1800s. These structures feature load-bearing masonry walls, cast iron plumbing stacks, and knob-and-tube or early BX electrical systems in older properties. The Upper West Side and Upper East Side contain the highest concentration of pre-war co-ops, while SoHo and Tribeca feature converted industrial lofts. The West Village, Greenwich Village, and East Village mix townhouses with walk-up apartment buildings, each with their own renovation characteristics.

Renovation work in Manhattan must address original steam heating infrastructure, outdated vertical plumbing risers, and inadequate electrical panels — all while working within the strict logistical constraints of dense urban construction.

Manhattan kitchen remodel by Melani General Contractor in a pre-war apartment
What We Plan For

Common Renovation Challenges in Manhattan

Our experience with Manhattan's managed buildings lets us anticipate the constraints that most often affect timelines and budgets.

Building Management Coordination

Manhattan's managed buildings enforce strict renovation protocols including designated work hours (typically 8am–5pm weekdays), freight elevator reservations, floor protection requirements, and construction insurance minimums that often exceed standard coverage.

Pre-War Building Systems

Cast iron plumbing stacks, knob-and-tube wiring, and original steam heating systems require specialized replacement approaches. Plumbing stack tie-ins must be coordinated with building management and neighboring units for water shutdowns.

Material Delivery Logistics

Manhattan's lack of staging areas, loading dock limitations, and parking restrictions require precise delivery scheduling. Materials must be moved through freight elevators during assigned time windows, adding coordination complexity to every project.

Sound Attenuation

Co-op and condo boards require minimum STC/IIC sound ratings for new flooring installations. We install approved underlayment systems and can provide acoustic test reports for board review.

Lead Paint and Asbestos

Pre-war Manhattan apartments commonly contain lead paint and asbestos materials. Our EPA certification (NAT-F277952-1) ensures compliant handling during demolition and renovation.

Dense Vertical Construction

Work in occupied elevator buildings means protected corridors, negative air containment, daily cleanup, and crews that keep noise and dust inside the unit from the first day of demolition.

Investment

Renovation Costs in Manhattan

Manhattan renovation costs are the highest in NYC due to building logistics, material delivery challenges, and the premium finishes clients typically select. Here are general ranges.

Cosmetic Update (paint, fixtures, hardware)$15,000 – $40,000
Kitchen Remodel$35,000 – $100,000+
Bathroom Renovation$20,000 – $60,000+
Apartment Gut Renovation$200 – $450+ / sq ft
Townhouse Renovation (single floor)$100,000 – $250,000
Townhouse Full Gut$400 – $600+ / sq ft

Manhattan-specific cost factors include higher material delivery costs due to logistics, building insurance and deposit requirements, mandatory union labor in some buildings, restricted work hours extending project timelines, and the prevalence of pre-war construction requiring hazardous material abatement.

Permits & Regulations

Permits and Regulations in Manhattan

DOB permits are required for structural modifications, plumbing alterations, electrical upgrades, and mechanical system work. Co-op and condo boards require alteration agreements, insurance certificates, architectural plans, and neighbor notifications before approving renovations. Properties in designated historic districts — including Greenwich Village, SoHo-Cast Iron, Upper East Side, and others — require Landmarks Preservation Commission approval for exterior modifications.

Our team manages the complete permit and approval process, including DOB filings, board package preparation, LPC applications, and inspection coordination throughout construction. Active general contractor license #626219 lets us file directly and track every open permit through final sign-off.

DOB Work Permits

Required for structural modifications, plumbing alterations, electrical upgrades, and mechanical system work, filed under our license.

Alteration Agreement

Co-op and condo boards require signed agreements, architectural plans, and construction schedules before work can begin.

Insurance Certificates

Coverage naming the corporation, managing agent, and board as additional insured, at the limits your building specifies.

LPC Approval

Greenwich Village, SoHo-Cast Iron, Upper East Side, and other historic districts require LPC review before DOB filing.

Neighborhood Highlights

Manhattan Neighborhoods We Serve

From Battery Park City to Washington Heights, our crews work across every Manhattan neighborhood — each with its own building stock, board culture, and permitting requirements.

Upper East Side

Pre-war co-ops along Park, Madison, and Fifth Avenues with demanding boards, plus limestone townhouses in the Upper East Side Historic District where exterior work requires LPC review.

Upper West Side

Classic six and classic seven pre-war apartments with original moldings, cast iron risers, and 60-amp electrical service — renovations here usually combine restoration with full mechanical replacement.

SoHo

Cast iron loft buildings in a designated historic district. Partition builds, core-drilled plumbing, and any storefront or window work must satisfy both LPC and DOB review.

Tribeca

Converted warehouse lofts with high ceilings, timber and concrete structure, and freight-only access. We coordinate delivery windows and mezzanine framing with building staff.

West Village

Federal and Greek Revival rowhouses on narrow landmarked blocks. Multi-floor renovations here require careful staging, LPC applications, and structural work on 180-year-old framing.

Greenwich Village

A mix of townhouses and pre-war walk-ups inside one of the city's largest historic districts, where facade, window, and stoop changes all go through Landmarks first.

East Village

Tenement-era walk-ups with tight stairwells and shared stacks. We handle gut apartment renovations, riser replacement, and violation correction in older buildings.

Chelsea

Loft conversions, postwar condos, and rowhouses near the Historic District. Projects often combine open-plan buildouts with board-required sound attenuation.

Gramercy Park

Pre-war co-ops with long-standing alteration agreements and strict work-hour rules. We prepare complete board packages before any demolition is scheduled.

Murray Hill

Postwar high-rises and brownstone conversions where kitchen and bathroom renovations depend on stack coordination and building-managed water shutdowns.

Midtown

Condo towers and mixed-use buildings with 24/7 staff, loading dock scheduling, and commercial tenants below — a scheduling problem as much as a construction one.

Hell's Kitchen

Walk-up tenements alongside new glass condos. Work ranges from full gut apartment renovations to compact kitchen and bath upgrades in narrow layouts.

Lower East Side

Older tenement stock with lead paint, aging risers, and limited access. EPA Lead-Safe protocols apply to virtually every demolition here.

Financial District

Office-to-residential conversions and postwar condos where after-hours work rules and freight elevator sharing shape the construction schedule.

Battery Park City

Newer condo and rental towers with detailed alteration policies, sound attenuation requirements, and strict protection of finished common areas.

Harlem

Brownstone and limestone rowhouses, many in landmarked districts, with full gut renovations, parlor floor restoration, and garden-level conversions.

Washington Heights

Large pre-war elevator buildings with generous layouts, original plaster, and steam heat — renovations focus on mechanical upgrades and kitchen and bath reconfiguration.

Why Melani

Why Choose Melani General Contractor in Manhattan

Twenty-two years of New York work, an active DOB license, and the documentation Manhattan boards and managing agents expect.

NYC Licensed General Contractor (#626219)

Active DOB license valid through December 2028, authorizing us to pull permits and supervise all trades for residential construction.

22+ Years of Verified Experience

Extensive track record with Manhattan co-ops, condos, townhouses, and lofts across every neighborhood in the borough.

Co-op and Condo Expertise

Deep experience navigating alteration agreements, board requirements, and building management protocols in Manhattan's most demanding managed buildings.

EPA Lead-Safe Certified (NAT-F277952-1)

Qualified for renovation work in pre-1978 buildings, which includes the vast majority of Manhattan's residential inventory.

NYS Licensed Mold Remediation Contractor (#25-64SK4-SHMO)

Licensed by New York State to assess and remediate mold, so moisture damage found behind walls, ceilings, and old plumbing lines is corrected properly instead of covered up.

Fully Insured

Insurance coverage meeting the stringent requirements of Manhattan co-op and condo boards, including additional insured endorsements.

Process

Our Renovation Process

Five steps, in order — from the first Manhattan site visit through DOB sign-off and final walkthrough.

  1. 1

    On-Site Consultation

    We visit your Manhattan property, assess conditions, review building-specific requirements, and discuss your renovation goals.

  2. 2

    Design and Estimate

    We prepare a detailed scope of work with itemized costs, coordinating with architects and engineers as needed.

  3. 3

    Permits and Approvals

    We file DOB applications, prepare board packages, submit LPC applications when required, and obtain all permits.

  4. 4

    Construction

    Our crews handle demolition, structural work, mechanical rough-in, and finish work — flooring, cabinetry, tile, painting, and hardware.

  5. 5

    Inspection and Walkthrough

    We coordinate DOB inspections, restore common areas, and conduct a detailed walkthrough before closeout.

Complete Range of Services

Every Service We Provide in Manhattan

Renovation, structural work, and licensed trades under one contract, coordinated by a single point of contact.

Apartment RenovationSingle room updates through full gut renovations that reconfigure layouts and replace mechanical systems.Bathroom RenovationWalk-in showers, heated flooring and waterproofing in pre-war and postwar buildings.Brownstone RenovationFacade restoration, parlor floor remodels, staircase rebuilds and garden-level conversions.Commercial RenovationBuildouts and refits coordinated around building management and DOB inspection schedules.Condo & Co-op RenovationAlteration agreements, board packages and shared infrastructure coordination handled end to end.Electrical ServicesKnob-and-tube and early BX wiring upgraded to modern 200-amp panels.Flooring InstallationHardwood refinishing and engineered flooring with STC-rated underlayment for managed buildings.General ContractingAll trades coordinated, permits filed, inspections managed from demolition to closeout.Gut RenovationComplete multi-floor renovations addressing structure, plumbing risers and electrical service.Home RenovationRoom additions, basement finishing and exterior work on detached and semi-detached homes.Kitchen RemodelingOpen-concept layouts, custom cabinetry and stone countertops with full appliance rough-in.Loft RenovationMezzanine construction and core-drilled plumbing on concrete slabs in converted industrial buildings.Painting ServicesInterior painting with EPA Lead-Safe surface preparation for pre-1978 housing stock.Plumbing ServicesGalvanized pipe and cast iron waste stack replacement in pre-war buildings.Townhouse RenovationMulti-floor limestone and rowhouse renovations, including landmark district properties.
Other Boroughs We Serve

Beyond Manhattan

The same licensed crews that work Manhattan's co-ops and townhouses take assignments across the rest of New York City.

Free · No Obligation

Schedule Your Manhattan Renovation Consultation

Melani General Contractor provides detailed project estimates following on-site assessments at your Manhattan property. We evaluate existing conditions, review building requirements, and discuss your renovation goals before preparing formal proposals. Call (718) 283-4154 to arrange your free on-site evaluation, or use the form to request an estimate.

Free · No Obligation

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Renovation in Manhattan

Timelines vary by scope: cosmetic updates take 2–4 weeks, kitchen or bathroom renovations 6–12 weeks, and full gut renovations 3–6+ months. Board approval processes and building-mandated work hour restrictions often extend Manhattan project timelines compared to other boroughs.
Licensed Manhattan General Contractor

Start Your Manhattan Renovation

Co-ops, condos, townhouses, and lofts — permitted, insured, and managed from board package to final walkthrough.