Service Areas — New York
Architecture & Interior Design in New York, NY
LEAP is a New York City architecture practice headquartered on Seaman Avenue in Inwood, Manhattan. We serve clients across the five boroughs and the greater NY metro with residential, commercial, and mission-driven work — always led directly by Eric Davenport, AIA, NCARB.
Working in the five boroughs
New York City construction is its own discipline: DOB filings, landmark review where applicable, condo and co-op boards, tight sites, and staging that has to happen at 6am. We know these workflows and we design with them baked in from day one.
Project types we love in NYC
Brownstone and townhouse full renovations, apartment gut renovations and combinations, ground-up infill homes on odd lots, boutique retail and restaurant fit-outs, and small-office design for growing teams.
Why local matters
Zoning, energy code (NYCECC), Local Law 97 for larger buildings, and the quirks of every neighborhood's building stock all shape what's possible. We'll tell you what's doable before you spend on drawings.
Local knowledge that shapes the work
Building regulations in New York
New York City construction runs through the Department of Buildings, with filings in DOB NOW, plan examination, and inspections at defined milestones. Landmarked properties add LPC review; larger buildings face Local Law 97 carbon limits; and everything is measured against the NYC Energy Conservation Code. We file, respond to objections, and manage the process so approval timelines stay predictable.
Neighborhoods and building stock
Our studio sits on Seaman Avenue in Inwood, at Manhattan's green northern tip. From there we work across the five boroughs — prewar co-ops and lofts in Manhattan, brownstone blocks in Brooklyn, frame houses in Queens and the Bronx — each with a building stock, a board culture, and a permitting rhythm of its own.
Design considerations we bring
City projects live and die on logistics: staging on streets that never sleep, party walls shared with neighbors who have opinions, freight elevator reservations, and co-op alteration agreements with real teeth. We design with those constraints from day one, because a brilliant plan that can't get materials to the eighth floor is not a plan.
“Eric listened before he sketched. Our home finally feels like ours — every room got smarter without losing what we loved about the house.”
Questions we hear from New York clients
How long do NYC building permits take?
For typical residential alterations, plan on four to twelve weeks from filing to permit, depending on the filing type and whether objections are raised. Professionally certified filings can move faster; landmarked properties add LPC review time. We map the realistic approval path for your specific project during feasibility, so the schedule is built on facts rather than hope.
Do you handle co-op and condo board approvals?
Yes — board packages are a core part of our NYC practice. We prepare the drawings, alteration agreements, and insurance documentation managing agents require, and we respond to the building architect's review comments. A clean, complete first submission is the single biggest factor in a fast approval.
Can you work on landmarked NYC buildings?
We can. Landmarks Preservation Commission review adds a layer to the process, but staff-level approvals for sensitive work are very achievable with drawings that demonstrate respect for the historic fabric. We prepare LPC submissions and present the case for your project.
What does a gut renovation cost in New York City?
Most full-apartment gut renovations in the city currently land between $300 and $600 per square foot of construction cost, with kitchens, baths, and building logistics driving the spread. Townhouse work varies more widely. We give you a project-specific range during the free consultation — before you commit to anything.
Planning a project in New York, NY?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with Eric Davenport, AIA, NCARB. We'll listen first, ask the right questions, and show you exactly what's possible for your home, your budget, and your site.