A warmly lit building facade at night with large windows, two trees, two red flags, and people gathered near the entrance. Outdoor seating and greenery line the sidewalk. The image shows the warmly lit facade of a multi-story hotel or apartment building at night, with large windows, two red flags, and people entering through the main entrance. Trees and a blurred car are visible in front. Outdoor tables with white tablecloths and chairs line the sidewalk outside a restaurant. Pink flowers and green plants decorate the area. Cars are parked along a sunlit street with trees providing shade. A doorman stands under the entrance canopy of The Surrey hotel, which features decorative stonework. American and hotel flags hang above the doorway. Potted plants line the entrance. A spacious, elegant lobby with polished marble floors, mirrored columns, modern lighting, decorative plants in tall vases, neutral seating, and colorful abstract art on the walls. A cozy hotel room features a bed, a round table with two chairs by large windows, beige and wooden decor, soft lighting, and decorative wall sconces. Green trees are visible outside the windows. A bright hotel suite with a gray sectional sofa, round coffee table, armchair, TV, desk, and a large window. Through an open doorway, a bed is visible in the adjoining bedroom. Warm, neutral tones decorate the space. A well-lit hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables with lamps, two armchairs, a small round table, and a large window letting in natural light. The decor is modern and neutral-toned. A cozy sitting area with two tan armchairs, a small round white table with a flower vase and tea set, soft wall lighting, and a floral painting on the wall above. The room has a warm, neutral color palette. A warmly lit spa reception area with a wooden front desk, illuminated display shelves of beauty products, a marble-topped table, and a framed artwork of a woman in a red hat on the counter. A softly lit spa treatment room with a massage table covered in white linens, marble floors, and an adjacent bathroom with a marble sink and mirror visible through an open doorway. A modern sauna room with light wooden benches and illuminated salt block walls, creating a warm, relaxing atmosphere. A heater is placed in the corner, and the space is clean and inviting. A modern gym with stationary bikes, treadmills, a rowing machine, strength training equipment, and fitness bands, all set in a well-lit room with mirrors and beige walls. A modern home gym opens to a lush outdoor patio with a yoga mat, exercise ball, towels, and water bottle. The patio features green plants, a cozy seating area, and large trees in the background. A cozy, dimly lit lounge with modern armchairs and small round tables. Built-in bookshelves display books, art, and decorative items. Warm lighting and dark wooden walls create an elegant, inviting atmosphere. A stylish, modern restaurant interior with elegant dining tables, wicker chairs, and black-and-white portraits on the walls. Soft lighting creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Tables are set for dinner with glasses and cutlery. A black sign on a stone wall reads THE SURREY, A Corinthia Hotel, New York, with white hydrangea flowers in front of it. Surrey Hotel

The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel

Project Type

Adaptive ReuseHospitalityInteriorsPreservation

Completion

2024

Location

Upper East Side, NYC

Client

Surrey Propco, LLC

The Surrey Hotel is a 16-story building designed by Schwartz & Gross and completed in 1926. Located on East 76th Street just west of Madison Avenue within the Upper East Side Historic District, the hotel long served as a discreet refuge for New York City’s notable and unconventional public figures seeking privacy from public life.

BKSK led the comprehensive renovation and rebranding of the Surrey following a feasibility study that evaluated expansion strategies, including the integration of an adjacent historic townhouse. The study clarified both the constraints and opportunities involved in unifying the townhouse with the reimagined hospitality program.

The completed project encompassed the renovation of guest rooms on floors 3 through 10 and residential units on floors 11 through 17, along with the reconfiguration of the restaurant and amenity spaces. Second-floor amenities—including the spa and fitness center—were fully modernized, and the private members’ lounge was reconceived. A rooftop addition and selective façade modifications complemented the interior transformation. At the ground floor, a new entrance was introduced within existing window openings, accompanied by careful masonry restoration that reinforced the building’s historic character while establishing a renewed presence.

Press

“The Best Hotels in New York City, From Five-Star to Boutique,” Vogue, July 2025

“Hotel of the Week: A New Destination Opens In New York,” Galerie, January 2025

“A swanky hotel is opening on the Upper East Side this fall,” Time out New York, July 2024

COLLABORATORS

Martin Brudnizki Design Studio: Interior Design (Hotel); Michele Bönan: Interior Design (Casa Tua); Bradford Wellness & Spa: Spa Design; Cosentini Associates: MEP; Douglas Elliman: Real Estate; Fehringer Surveying: P.C. Land Surveying; Gardiner & Theobald Inc.: Owner’s Rep; MJM Associates Construction: Construction Manager; Silman Associates: Structural Engineering; Luciforma Architectural Lighting Design: Lighting Design;  Morgan Acoustics: Acoustics;  Steven Winter Associates, Inc.: ADA Consultant; William Vitacco Associates: Expeditor/Code; Construction Specification Inc.: Spec Writing; Grey Matter Tech: IT/AV/Security; Iros Elevator Design Services: Vertical Transportation

 

Photography: Jonathan Maloney / Inga Beckmann for What The Fox Studio / The Surrey Renderings: Noë & Associates

Related Projects

The Twenty Two New YorkThe Surrey Residences