Chat With a Client: Riverside Drive Apartment Renovation
At Katz Architecture, we have over 20 years of experience working with clients to inject vibrancy into old and worn living spaces. Earlier this year, we undertook a renovation of an apartment on Riverside Drive and 72nd street. The client, Mary Jo Kaplan, came to us with a vision for a modern apartment whose interiors matched the beautiful views of the Hudson. We immediately began to work alongside set designer Paul de Pass to bring to life a newly imagined kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and more.
Recently, we sat down to chat with Mary Jo about her new digs and what working with Paul, our firm, and the rest of the team involved in the renovation process was like. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
How did you hear about Katz Architecture?
A neighbor of mine heard about David through friends and recommended him. I interviewed David and another architect and the difference was night and day. One was snobby and annoying. David and his team spoke in a direct, accessible manner.
How long have you lived in the building?
Since 1998, but I started in a different apartment. I moved to this apartment in 2015.
What was your motivation to renovate?
It was an old apartment. The woman who lived here previously passed at 91 and had never done any renovations. The wiring wasn’t up to code, the kitchen didn’t have a dishwasher or a microwave. Everything was sort of a mess, but it also had these really spectacular views that weren’t being used to their full potential. It was time for a change.
Were you looking for a certain design or style aesthetic for the apartment?
It’s an Art Deco building, built in 1935, so I wanted to stay true to the bones. Paul de Pass is a set designer and a friend of mine. He came up with a design that is eclectic, whimsical, and fun with some clean and contemporary architecture. David also contributed great input and eventually, once design was finalized, made it come to life.
What was renovation process like? Were there any challenges?
I really loved demolition, I thought it was so fun. I loved being able to see the apartment completely torn apart. The most frustrating part was that some of the old windows were not able to be replaced because of the building’s rules. Also, it took forever for some of the furniture to arrive, like this handwoven rug from Tibet that took nine months.
It was a learning experience for sure, but the entire renovation ended up much better than I thought it would. It’s absolutely stunning.
What’s your favorite part of the new apartment?
I love the bathroom. The original bathroom had old, peach subway tiles. Now it has a wonderful walk-in shower with tiles made of compressed scraps of limestone. I also love the four-mirrored wall closet doors in the bedroom. We stole that idea from the Katz Architecture website, actually.
But best of all is the view. There are seven windows and they all face Riverside Park and the Hudson River. It’s always been an amazing view, but now that the rest of the apartment is up to date, I love it even more. I imagine myself living here when I’m a little, old lady and watching the boats, kayaks, and day to day sights of the river. It’s such a soothing and elegant space.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
No. I loved working with David and his team. He runs a tight ship, but is also very accessible. A lot of architects are very arrogant. Working with Katz Architecture was a dream.
For more information about Katz Architecture and our work and services, please visit our website.
