MANHATTAN TOWNHOUSES

 

From 1994 to 2002, as New Yorkers rediscovered the joys of gracious city living, Imagine Design renovated eight Manhattan townhouses, converting derelict multi-family properties into gracious family homes. Combining a vision of modern elegance with a passion for architectural history, we uncovered, beneath multiple kitchens, entrances, and stairways, the elegant details of a bygone era.  Often, it required a great deal of vision, not to mention imagination and hours with the heat gun, to transform five or six apartments into a single family home after more than a century of abuse and neglect.

 

To do this, craftsmen from all over the world were brought in, including a man who had worked in a staircase factory in Poland!  He was able to build a curved staircase on site which echoed the original.  Turn of the century columns, moldings and cornices were restored, and recreated when necessary.  Beautiful new floors were laid, mantelpieces carved, stained glass doors and windows rescued.

 

Spa bathrooms and wine cellars were added, enhancing old world charms with modern comforts.  Large eat in kitchen/family rooms leading into backyard gardens were built, completing the transformation of tarnished townhouses into glorious gems--the perfect homes for today’s busy families.