WUNDERGROUND architecture + design

I do not usually write reviews but I make an exception here as WunderGround was personally and professionally outstanding! Background The property on Strivers Row was a typical Harlem transformation of a landmark mansion, during the neighborhood's gentrification of the early 2000s. A once in a lifetime opportunity for any homeowner. The property was/is a 5000 sq ft; 22 ft wide XIXth century historical mansion which had, at the time over a dozen owners/heirs across the country, it had been converted into a multi-apartment rental in the early 20th century and had been abandoned since the mid-80s, Challenges I have included some before and after photos as they speak 1000 words. From the background description, you can imagine the immense task that we were confronted with, such as abandonment and lack of maintenance, severe water and weather damages. Just finding the owners took a year and remarkably, WunderGround and their associates were able to gather all the necessary permits including landmarks in a record 12 months! No small task. We then started the transformation... The project The challenge was to design a living space on the upper 3 floors with an access to the cellar and a 900sq ft basement rental with street and garden access. The architect, Nancy Nienberg and developers were able to do this within a pre-defined budget. Something I have never been able to achieve before and since. The excesses were OUR choices, not the builder's, the architect's or miscalculations. This was done through a combination of generous and at times high end investments in the visible (e.g. soaking bathtub in a 2 floor lightwell and original XIXth century marble bathroom) and choices on cost containment on the invisible (e.g. simplified stucco renovation- which had been severely deteriorated or original oak flooring and staircase restoration). A unique skill which WunderGround showed through a combination of big picture vision and budgeting minutia. The Renovation/Transformation. It is rare to find an architect with modern creative design combined with rigor in execution and attention to detail all in one company let alone in one person. The passion and professionalism of budget and timelines of our architect, Nancy Nienberg, even permeated to the builders! We opted for simplicity and a purist design with high tech behind the scenes, given the already rich nature of the existing structure. We wished to restore as much as possible, given the damage of 20y of abandonment. Such details as stucco, elevated ceilings, solid and hand carved master staircase, 9 chimneys, marble bathroom had to be preserved. My favorite project and my biggest heartbreak when I had to sell to move to Europe! No need to tell you who I will turn to, on my next major commercial or private project :)

Wunderground architecture and design were a great help to us when we were remodeling our bathroom. We fell in love with a custom vanity design by Wunderground, but since we live in Los Angeles, they agreed to work with us remotely to bring our dream bathroom come to life. What a wonderful team--both hardworking and talented at the same time. We are so happy we decided to work with Wunderground and love, love our new bathroom design!

We are nearing the end of a renovation project with Wunderground as the architect and we are thrilled with the results. First, I would note the incredible design aesthetic and architectural precision. Our renovation is a combination of two apartment and now that the entire space has been revealed, it appears that the apartment was always meant to be this way. There is no evidence that the new apartment is a combination. The flow of space is beautiful and so well thought out and Nancy, the lead architect, managed to deal with some very difficult structural issues (piping, ceilings drops) and not only make them work but make them gorgeous. In addition Nancy and her team spent a great of time with us figuring out how our family lives to ensure the space would be most suited to our family and how we wanted to occupy the space. Beyond architecture, Wunderground has also brought an incredible sense of design to the project, helping us select stunning finishes throughout the apartment (tile, marble, floors, millwork, etc.) that are all in our price range. In terms of process, Nancy and her team managed all of the filings and approvals, ran the bidding process and conduct all of the contractor meetings, while keeping us posted on key decisions. We were expecting a very stressful renovation process but Wunderground’s attention to detail and phenomenal job managing the bidding process and all of the contractors work has made the process much easier than we anticipated. I recommend Wunderground with incredible enthusiasm and zero hesitation!!