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. Elegant foyer with marble floors and trim, a wooden staircase with a white curved balustrade, a round table with a large vase of flowers, and warm wood-paneled walls. A modern, elegant living space with marble floors and walls, wood paneling, a decorative chandelier, a hallway, a round mirror, and a bright living room with sofas and art. Modern living room with curved beige sofas, glass coffee table, patterned rug, and large windows. Decor includes green plants, abstract art above the fireplace, and orange and animal-print throw pillows. A luxurious dining room with a long wooden table, yellow chairs, modern gold chandelier, and patterned rug. Marble accents and built-in shelves with glassware are visible in the foreground. Large windows let in natural light. Modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, marble countertops and floor, large island with seating, pendant lights, and decorative terracotta pots. Sunlight streams through windows, adding warmth to the elegant space. Modern bedroom with a large bed, white linens, a brown bench, mirrored wall, flat-screen TV, beige curtains, wooden dressers, and artwork above the dressers. Sunlight streams through large windows. A bright home office with wood floors, built-in desk, large window, and a small wet bar with a wine fridge, lamp, and glassware on a marble countertop. A vase with flowers sits on the desk. Modern bathroom with a bathtub and glass door on the left, a lit vanity with mirror in the center, wall shelves, a toilet on the right, and abstract art on the wall. Neutral beige tones throughout. Elegant hallway with star-patterned tile floor, beige striped wallpaper, gold light fixtures, a round mirror, and an open glass door leading to a sunny outdoor patio with greenery and lounge chairs. A stylish rooftop patio with wicker and metal furniture, potted plants, and city skyline views under a blue sky with light clouds.

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

“Surrey Penthouse Tops Manhattan Sales Ahead of the Met Gala,” CityRealty, May 2026

“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