A mid-rise brick apartment building with evenly spaced windows, arched entrances, and greenery on the rooftop, set on a quiet, tree-lined street at sunset with people walking nearby. A large, rectangular, red-brick building with six floors and evenly spaced windows, surrounded by trees and other city buildings, with a blue sky and clouds overhead. A symmetrical view of a modern glass elevator shaft set between two tall, light-gray brick buildings with rows of rectangular windows on each side. Three large arched windows with white frames are set in a red brick wall. The middle window is open, and all windows have multiple panes. Some greenery is visible in the lower left corner. Three large arched windows in a white wall, each with black frames, provide a view of brick apartment buildings outside. The scene is evenly lit, and there are no curtains or decorations on the windows. A hallway with black-and-white checkered floor, beige walls, a decorative console table with a lamp and mirror, an upholstered chair, and a framed picture. The hallway leads to a well-lit room in the background. Spacious living room with large windows, beige armchairs, a deep purple sofa, modern coffee tables, floor lamps, and contemporary decor. Natural light fills the room, highlighting a minimalist, elegant design. Bright, modern kitchen with white cabinets, a marble island, black chairs, a built-in sofa, pendant lights, and large windows with Roman shades; a portrait and decorative items accent the airy space. Bright, modern kitchen with white cabinets, marble countertops, a large stove with a range hood, a light wood island with a sink, and light wood flooring. A portrait and woven tray sit on the counter to the left. A bright hallway with white walls and wooden floors leads to a cozy living room with neutral furnishings, a tall lamp, and floor-to-ceiling curtains. A small shelf with flowers and a round mirror decorates the wall. Luxurious bathroom with marble floors and walls, a large vanity with two mirrors, a glass-enclosed shower, a bathtub with a gold-framed mirror above, and neutral, elegant decor. Towels and a small table are near the tub. A close-up view of a modern building facade with large, gridded glass windows framed by black metal, reflecting and showing the brick exterior and windows of another building across the way.

The Katharine | 118 West 13th Street

Project Type

Multi-FamilyPreservation

Completion

2025

Location

Greenwich Village, NYC

Client

Slate Property Group

BKSK transformed a seven-story West Village dormitory building into luxury condominiums. Originally built in 1930, the building required significant upgrades; the design introduced strategic alterations to the rear façade to enhance both the architecture and the quality of the living spaces. Improvements included new building cores, a modern variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, and new elevators. With one residence per floor, a redistribution of bulk from the deep first floor to the upper levels allowed for increased light, air, and separation at the rear of the building.

At the ground level, modifications improved ceiling heights, while enlarged arched windows at the second and top floors enhanced daylight and reinforced the building’s character. Private gardens were added to the lower-level residences. Within the courtyard, an existing bay window was extended to create a distinctive architectural feature that framed garden views and maximized daylight within each unit.

A communal rooftop terrace reinterpreted a trellis from the original building — one of several details that evoked the gracious character of West Village living. Additional amenities included a full-time reception desk and a state-of-the-art fitness room. The project was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).

COLLABORATORS

Avenue Realty Capital – Owner’s Rep; Nate Berkus Associates – Interior Design; OSD Landscaping – Landscape Architect; Silman, A TYLin Company; Structural Engineering; EP Engineering  – MEP Engineering; GEO Design Inc. – Geotech Engineering; Clinard Design Studio – Lighting Design; DeSimone Consulting Engineers – Curtain Wall/Facade; Construction Specification Inc. – Spec Writing; Lewis S. Goodfriend & Associates – Acoustics; Iros Elevator Design Services – Vertical Transportation; Montrose Surveying Company – Land Surveying; VISUALHOUSE – Branding/Creative

Photos by Evan Joseph