A modern living room with a round marble coffee table, abstract sculptures, a lit fireplace, and a large contemporary portrait above the mantel. A large chandelier and green plant add to the neutral, stylish decor. Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, a large marble island, marble countertops and backsplash, built-in appliances, under-cabinet lighting, and chevron-pattern wood floors. The space is well-lit with recessed ceiling lights. A modern kitchen with wood paneling, marble countertops, and an island; a person in motion places a bowl on the island. Recessed lighting and under-cabinet lights create a warm ambiance. Modern kitchen with sleek wood cabinets and extensive marble surfaces, including backsplash and island. Warm under-cabinet lighting highlights the marble patterns. A wooden bowl sits on the counter. Modern bathroom with beige marble walls and floors, a double vanity with two mirrors, a large glass-enclosed shower, a built-in bathtub, and tall windows letting in natural light. A modern bathroom with a large mirror, two wall-mounted light fixtures, and a unique marble sink and countertop featuring intricate natural patterns. The space is softly lit and has a minimalist design. A spacious, modern walk-in shower with glass doors, beige marble walls and floor, a rainfall showerhead, wall-mounted controls, a handheld shower, and a built-in bench on the left side. Natural light enters from the right. A modern bathroom with beige marble surfaces, a built-in bathtub under large windows, a wooden vanity with dual sinks and mirrors, and a bright cityscape visible outside. Close-up view of a corner where two beige marble-textured walls and ceiling meet, showing detailed trim and molding at the junction. A partially open beige door with a black handle reveals a hallway with light wood flooring and marble walls; the walls have a patterned wallpaper and there is a room number sign 11A next to the door. A spacious, sunlit living room with large windows, beige sofas and armchairs, a round marble coffee table with decor, and neutral-toned furnishings on a patterned rug. Modern art and plants accent the elegant, airy space. A modern, neutral-toned bedroom with a large bed, bedside tables, soft lighting, cozy fireplace, armchair, large windows, and abstract wall art, featuring elegant, minimalist décor and natural light. Elegant dining room with a long table and twelve modern chairs, unique chandeliers, large windows showing a cityscape at dusk, and a bold orange painting of a rider on horseback on the far wall. A stylish rooftop lounge with white cushioned seating, potted plants, and a central fountain overlooks a city skyline with tall skyscrapers under a clear sky. 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 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 sunlit sidewalk café with tables and chairs set near flowering plants, next to a tree-lined street with parked cars. Elegant metal fences and awnings create a cozy, inviting outdoor dining atmosphere. 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. 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. Surrey Hotel

The Surrey Residences

Project Type

Multi-FamilyInteriorsPreservation

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.

Awards

PID Floors, Design Inspiration Award, 2025

Press

“Saving the Best (and Most Expensive) for Last at The Surrey Residences,” Elite Traveler, November 2024

“Renovation Work Nears Completion on The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel at 20 East 76th Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side,” YIMBY, June 2024

COLLABORATORS

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: Evan Joseph; Jonathan Maloney; Renderings by Noë & Associates

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The Twenty Two New YorkThe Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel