Alexander Butler | Design Services, LLC

Alex and Pamela were truly amazing to work with from the very beginning consult to the very last in home styling visit. They both worked very hard to make our design dreams come true, especially working within such a small space. They were able to maximize every square foot to ensure our office and laundry room were functional yet gorgeous, and also child / dog friendly! They were very responsive to requests or questions / concerns, and always made sure to respond quickly (or even real time) with a solution. We loved working with ABDS and can't recommend them enough! They exceeded our expectations and we are so happy with the finished result. Thank you for making our home perfect!

Right from the start, working with Alex felt like having a pro on the team. His skills and dedication were top-notch, which was a big deal, especially with all the curveballs thrown our way thanks to the ongoing Covid situation. But you know what? Alex stayed cool, stayed adaptable, and made sure our project progressed as best as it could considering the situations we had to overcome as all renovations will. It's not every day you find someone so professional yet easygoing, and that made a world of difference for us. What initially caught my eye about Alex and his firm wasn't just the fantastic aesthetic they're known for, though that was definitely a major draw. It was something refreshingly different – his payment structure. I mean, I never understood why the brand of my fridge and faucets would have anything to do with an architect's fee? Alex's approach resonated with me; he aligns the cost with the size of the space he is working on, not the amount spent on fancy appliances and finishes. It's this kind of innovative thinking that made me confident in choosing him for our project. What truly stood out was how Alex handled unexpected changes – like when life or conditions behind the walls threw us a surprise, and we had to tweak our plans. It wasn't some overly polished process; Alex just made it work. He adjusted things seamlessly, as if he'd seen it all before. What I really appreciated was that, unlike some architects who can be rigid in their vision, Alex understood the need for function over aesthetics. When plans needed to change to fit our family's specific needs, he was flexible, realizing that a home should not just look good but also work well for those living in it. His willingness to prioritize functionality added a whole new layer of satisfaction to our project. Alex's attention to detail is seriously impressive. His drawings are like works of art, meticulously crafted and, I must say, invaluable during the chaos of the bidding process and construction phase. It's like he had a blueprint for success (no pun intended). What really blew me away was his experience with NYC co-ops shining through. Alex didn't just wait for issues to pop up; he anticipated potential objections like a seasoned chess player making strategic moves. The result? Plans that were not just aesthetically pleasing but ready for the nod of approval. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Alex Butler to anyone in search of a skilled, detail-oriented, and adaptable architect. Working with Alex was a pleasure, and I'm sincerely grateful for the remarkable transformation he brought to my family's apartment. Choosing him was one of the best decisions I made for my home.

We discovered Alex Butler through his impressive portfolio, which showcased his remarkable attention to design and detail. Required to work closely with our local contractor, Alex, typically selective about project locations, made an exception for our project, situated two hours from his base. Initial Impression: Alex's thoroughness was evident from the start. His structured approach encompassed everything from layout planning to interiors, and even billing. His transparent and fair process was a refreshing deviation from market norms (which are often a winding/confusing path). Professionalism: Trained in prestigious firms (Sensitive Information Hidden) and Yale's architecture school (UVA undergrad), Alex's background justifies his premium. His professionalism and meticulousness were apparent in every aspect – from minor meetings to the project as a whole. He did this while being consistently approachable, always working to make time for us. We were consistently impressed. Project Management: Throughout our intensive project, which involved a complete overhaul (including the removal of all interior walls and a centrally located fireplace), Alex managed to keep everyone on budget and on schedule, and never lost cite of the client goals. He efficiently handled surprises (personally helping bridge communication and ordering gaps), thoughtfully incorporated various re-design options while returning reviewed documents promptly. Conclusion: Detail-oriented yet deeply understanding of our project's essence, Alex combined professionalism with a friendly demeanor. His resilience through the project's ups and downs was remarkable. We would eagerly collaborate with him again and recommend him without reservation.

Alex and his team did an amazing job in designing and delivering on a gut renovation of a 2000 sqft Madison Ave apartment. He managed the project from inception to completion and was extremely detail oriented. He also handled all procurement. We actually found him thru Houzz and are happy we did. NYC is not our primary residence so we needed someone who could be onsite and be our eyes and ears. He was always available for a call or onsite visit and was onsite regularly. Also, extremely patient and has continued to follow-up after project completion.

We worked with Alex on a gut renovation in NYC. He was a wonderful partner throughout the entire process. Before we had officially engaged Alex, he accompanied us on numerous visits to decide which apartment to purchase for our project. He was instrumental in helping us find the 'shell' for our future home. Alex was extremely quick in understanding our vision, and he was also great in pushing our boundaries a bit so we ended up with something design-forward and beautiful. He understood our lifestyle, and specifically our needs related to having a young and growing family. He was conscious of our budget, and very willing to help us understand tradeoffs we had to make to stay within our limits. He was also extremely creative when it comes to achieving a look we wanted for less money. We were extremely happy that our project did not go over budget. Alex managed our general contractor, and was our key point person across the entire process which made it feel seamless. Our super loved working with him, which made the entire process of working with our coop easier, too. Alex is incredibly responsive and also helpful when you run into any issues - he is an advocate for you as the client. We are so appreciative to Alex for helping us create our dream first home!

While my wife was in charge of 99.9% of the project, in my interactions with Alex, I found him to have impeccable manners. He was thoughtful, engaging and caring of our hopes and dreams for our apartment. He was trustworthy and honest. He was so passionate about this project and his enthusiasm was palpable. He miraculously stuck to budget during a global pandemic. There were just so many setbacks and delays that were out of his control and yet he saw this through. We are incredibly proud and happy with our home. The project exceeded our expectations.

I worked with Alex for the design of my classic 8 apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He was extremely thoughtful about the design and potential for the apartment. I highly recommend Alex!

We had a phenomenal experience working with Alex throughout our design phase. He was knowledgeable, patient, and creative! As we worked out different options for our layout, Alex not only was able to think outside the box, but incorporated our suggestions and preferences. Although our project remains ongoing (due to Covid-related delays), Alex continues to come to each meeting as both a sounding board and a person who offers objective, practical ideas. We feel so lucky to have worked with Alex throughout this process and will be reaching out to him again, for future projects!

We worked with Alex for the renovation of a 2-bedroom apartment in the Soho during the pandemic. He was a joy to work with and helped make the very complicated process of plan approvals with a coop & the city feel easy and less stressful. He has great taste/vision and transformed the space from a closed in, oddly configured 1960s apartment to a bright, open and airy space. The biggest improvement was in the master bath where he recommended reconfiguring the space to enlarge the bathroom and add double doors and a double vanity - you’d hardly believe the bathroom is in NYC! My favorite part of the experience was working with Alex on finishes and materials for the space - he was so detail oriented and always had great recommendations - from big choices like the flooring to little ones like knobs and door handles - we really enjoyed seeing how he’d designed the space and how the details came together creating a cohesive look. We’re so pleased with how the apartment turned out and encourage anyone considering Alex to work with him on their project.

Alex helped me with some early scoping for a large project in my home. In addition to being impeccably responsive and professional from the beginning, he was warm and human with me throughout. He walked me through what to expect in the process, and provided some very valuable frameworks for approaching the work. While we didn't end up going with him (as the timing didn't work out), he added immense value to our thinking for this project, which we'll certainly be carrying forward.

We found ABDS here on Houzz in early 2020 when looking for an architect for our gut renovation. Our project with Alex completed a few weeks ago, and we have been looking forward to sharing our positive experience here again. Alex impressed my wife and I from the beginning, and we selected him from a pool of ~5 architect options. His design vision as well as project management style was a great fit for us. Ultimately, the apartment came out amazing and we could not be happier with the final product! That's clearly the most important thing, but also we felt like he made the project easier for us to manage (which during COVID with an NYC co-op is no small feat). Alex also suggested an excellent GC who was able to fit our budget and deliver great quality work. This isn't to say that the project went off totally without a hitch (I don't think that's possible) - but Alex was fair and helpful along the whole process. (again even when COVID slowed us down)

We recently completed a full gut renovation of a Soho loft with Alex Butler / ABDS. This is the third time we have worked with him in New York, but this one was by far and away the biggest project. The total timeframe of the renovation was supposed to be 15 months, but took almost two years, none of which was Alex's fault, and mainly a result of delays by the Co-Op and New York DoB. However, we could not have been more pleased with the end result. Our vision for a modern, clean apartment was met perfectly with Alex's engagement throughout. We worked very closely together, and he was open to input and changes throughout the design part of the project. During construction, he took ownership of the process of managing the GC, and elevated key issues (not the minutiae) to me quickly and as appropriate. He was clear and forthright in communicating change orders and delays, and all-in, we were extremely satisfied with his design, professionalism, and of course the final product.

We were referred to Alex by a friend who renovated their apartment in NYC. We own a home in San Francisco and were doing a full renovation of our kitchen and adding a mudroom + laundry room. Alex was very thorough in his proposal including highlighting for us the pros/cons of being remote. He gave us a number of different paths to consider including different numbers of onsite visits to check on the project status. We are thrilled with how the kitchen came out. It was a gut renovation including removing a wall to make an open living space. Alex attention to detail was very valuable throughout the project. Alex coordinated with our local Contractor to make sure things were moving along smoothly onsite. He was very responsive to our questions and always had quick recommendations for the details that can take hours to make final decisions. He very quickly got a good sense for what we were looking for and was able to make recommendations that were consistent with what we wanted.

My husband and I were looking to do some renovations on a newly purchased apartment. Impressed by his work, we contacted Alex with our scope of work. From the start, it was clear how much time and thoughtfulness Alex had put into reviewing our scope. He gave us helpful advice about our timeline and budget. He met with us at the apartment and shared design ideas. And he was very transparent with us about costs. Above all, we could tell that he valued design and aesthetics. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts we were unable to hire Alex, but if the timing was on our side, we would have loved to have the opportunity to work with him. We were impressed by how genuinely sincere he is and the level of commitment he demonstrated even at the consultation stage.

I’m a professional architectural & interior photographer and worked with ABDS documenting finished projects for the last couple of years. Apartments designed by ABDS have well organized functional spaces and balanced proportions of elements. Materials and textures are arranged nicely, emphasizing focal points and complimenting architectural elements in interiors. With documenting every new finished project I learn about new innovative solutions and materials. Alexander Butler pays a lot of attention to details, making some critical moments look very simple and elegant. When photographing, these things are easy to notice in a camera frame. It is always a pleasure to work with ABDS and learn about architecture & interior design from his beautiful projects.

Alex came highly recommended by our board president, which immediately gave him the upper hand amongst other architects. He did not disappoint. Our project was a large gut reno in a prewar building. We endured lots of unforeseen challenges, to say the least. Alex always worked respectfully within our budget and was a pleasure to work with when the process got tough. As a designer myself. his greatest attribute was understanding how to make my vision come to life. No matter the size of your project, Alex will leave you with exactly what your hoped for and more.

Alex has been a trusted advisor for us through the process of selecting an apartment to buy. We are looking to undertake a renovation project, and he has been instrumental in helping us evaluate various options to ensure that what we ultimately purchase will meet our needs once a renovation is complete. Alex has been incredibly generous with his time, energy, and knowledge throughout a grueling NYC apartment hunt. He has gone with us on countless visits, prepared lengthy lists of questions for building supers, mocked up plans for the apartments we think have potential, and consulted with us on budgets to help us evaluate what we can afford to bid. We feel confident with Alex's help we'll be making a smart investment and finding a place where we can create our dream home. I would also note that Alex is incredibly patient and fair. Our hunt has not been easy, and he has stuck by us through many challenges including being in contract on a place for 6 months only to get rejected by the co-op board. Alex had spent a substantial amount of his time getting us to that point, including multiple site visits, drawing up plans for the apartment, etc. - only to have it all rendered useless after we got rejected. His positive energy about the situation helped us soldier through, and he was immediately ready to hit the pavement to find a new option. Alex is a true pleasure to work with. He is friendly, funny, articulate, and importantly honest. He will never tell you 'what you want to hear' - he will tell you the truth. He is great about managing expectations, offering an honest opinion without being pushy, and counseling you on ways to save time and/or money that are realistic. Even though we haven't started our project with him, he has been an extremely important part of the pre-contract process and we are so grateful!

I met with Alex re: a gut renovation on my new home in Brooklyn. I wasn’t able to hire Alex due to various timing related issue -but I would have if the stars had aligned for us. Alex is very clear in his communication, very upfront about the good the bad and the ugly. I felt like I was getting all of the information and all cards on the table. I would highly recommend working with Alex.

We recently purchased a 4 bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan that needed a gut renovation. Alex Bulter came highly recommended by several friends as an experienced architect who could handle this type of project. He did a walk-thru of the space just two days after I contacted him and was extremely knowledgeable about the costs, timing and design layouts. We ultimately didn't hire Alex Bulter for the job due to budget restrictions but we were very impressed with him and would recommend him to anyone looking to do an extensive renovation.

Had a great experience with ABDS for renovation of my master bedroom, master bathroom. Alex stands out for his ability to lead a team. This was my second renovation, first time with ABDS. Having had prior experience allowed me to appreciate Alex's skill for getting things done through others with grace. He identified contractors who worked well together (under direction from Alex) in order to create an efficient project plan with clearly measurable milestones. Project was completed on time and on budget.

We have worked with Alex Butler on countless projects over the years in NYC, and he's always been a loyal colleague to us at HG Stones. Alex's knowledge and expertise of interior design and planning are always tailored to his client's needs, and it's a reason why we love working with him! We at HG Stones highly recommend Mr. Butler to anyone in need of a top-notch designer, and are proud to continue our relationship with his firm!

I spoke to Alex to get his thoughts on a renovation project. From the start Alex was very professional and thorough with his responses. He was very upfront about the project costs and provided multiple comps which enabled me to take an informed decision about my project and really nail down the scope of work. He was very accommodative of my schedule and worked to arrange meetings / calls to my convenience.

I met Alex through our daughters and he was a key source of information when I decided to buy and renovate in NYC. Unfortunately, Alex was too busy to take on our renovation but he was instrumental in me coming to terms with renovations in NYC. He gave me a dose of reality at the start of the process with regards to both cost and timing which I stupidly dismissed and thought there was no way that could be the case. He also assisted me through to current day with advise and a second opinion. Now well through the process, it is clear that Alex's guidance from the start was the reality of my situation. I did not realise the intricacies of the design and approvals process, such as having to get building approval prior to submitting for DOB and Landmarks and the interations that each of these steps involves. A lot of this depends on the proactiveness of the Coop/Condo Board and quality of the submission to DOB and Landmarks. Can easily be up to 2 months for each of those approvals making 4 months total. Alex is an experienced architect with a realistic and proactive approach. He will not give you false promises, and I am speaking from experience when I can say disregard his advise at your own risk. Make sure you ask the right questions of your architect as there are many out there that give false promises only to give you bad news down the track. This is not Alex. He will give you the truth and the real picture from the start. Renovating can be a great experience but without the ability to trust what your architect tells you it can become a nightmare. You need to have trust that your schedule and budget are protected. Alex will give you the real advise, even if it means he may lose the job.

Alex is a consummate professional and a pleasure to deal with. He is a true craftsman with an attention to detail that is extremely rare. My wife focused on the design side and associated collaboration so I won't speak to that, but in terms of helping interface with contractors, vendors and the various other stakeholders that determine a renovation project, he was exactly what we needed. Alex is devoted to his clients and a true advocate, while also being honest and upfront about risks and potential issues. I also love the end-product and it was exactly what we wanted. To balance this review, I would say that the only area of improvement would be to better estimate costs in the design phase to understand trade-offs better. There is certainly an element of guesswork there and nobody is great at it, but it was a high priority for me and something we could've done better. I am a very hard client to please, and I give Alex my highest recommendation. I would use him again for my next project in a heartbeat, and that's something I can only say about a tiny handful of people across multiple renovations and projects.

I was referred to Alex by a mutual friend. While our schedules did not align for him to take on my project, he generously met with me to provide a second opinion. I went into the meeting distraught by NYC renovation and left feeling well-informed on how best to move forward with my plans. Alex is incredibly organized, thoughtful, responsive, and detailed. It's obvious he takes pride in his work and wants his clients to be happy -- and will calmly fight through the NYC craziness to get the job done. Worth a call!

West Village GC It's very excited to be working with a talented designer so committed to collaboration with the general contractor! Alex has continued to run his ideas by us for pricing and engineering practicality, allowing him to clearly set client expectations for cost and timeline as the project progresses. James Mansfield CEO West Village GC LLC New York

My husband and I purchased a one-bedroom pre-war apartment that not only needed to be updated, but that needed to be reconfigured to accommodate a second bedroom. Alex helped us envision the space in a way we never could have seen it. He was also easy to work with. He spent time learning about our ideas and aesthetic and then transformed our piecemeal vision into a very clear plan. He was also open to our feedback and worked through various iterations of our plan, providing not only drawings, but 3-D models, a detailed scope of work and product/material specifications.

My husband and I bought a pied a terre in New York City on Park and 66th St. It is in a pre war building and beautiful space with windows north, south, east and west. We thought we would make some minor updates and as often happens, it ended up being a "gut renovation". We don't live in NY, and could not be here to over see the project. We could not have done it without Alex. Not only did he have great vision and ideas, but executed the entire project. He managed all aspects of construction. We completely changed the heat/AC system to "central air". This was a major undertaking and required much technical expertise and input. Alex coordinated all of this and figured out the best solution for the apartment. It now works seamlessly and is quiet, cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The apartment was completely renovated. I was shocked on one visit when the floors in the bathroom were nothing but dirt. We also added a half bathroom or "powder room" and full size washer and dryer. Getting approval for this in NYC is not an easy feat. Between the coop board and city there are many hoops to jump through. Alex over saw the entire process and was able to get all approvals we needed to get this done. We are beyond happy with the results of the renovation. Our apartment is beautiful, comfortable, and quiet. Alex helped us select all finishes and they all look fabulous in the space. He is an expert with lighting. We are in the process of buying art for the apartment. Alex planned for the art and has wonderful speciality lighting for the walls where art will be installed. He also had incredible lighting in all areas of the apartment. Overall, Alex was great to work with and we would highly recommend him.

Alex conceived of, designed, and oversaw a complete renovation of my family room and kitchen. He was incredibly responsive to my financial, space, and timeline considerations and a genuine pleasure to work with. He worked well with the general contractor and was always available to me by email and on the phone with no delays. He was organized, thorough, and creative. His attention to detail and to the use of the highest quality materials was of particular note. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone for any project, no matter how large or complex.

I enjoyed working with Alex on this project. His insight, knowledge and experience was evident in the thoughtfully planned design and specification of this major kitchen renovation. The plans were thorough and the designer's attention to detail, both in planning, and in the field, were very helpful and contributed to a fantastic finished product. I would look forward to working with Alex again on any project. Job well done!

Recommend Alex very highly. He is very smart, very creative, and is extremely customer service oriented. Also, he is just a complete pleasure to work with.

I hired Alexander Butler to help design and manage a full gut renovation of my condo at 1 Irving Place. He transformed an apartment built in the 80s with several preexisting conditions to a modern, aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable home. He emphasized the use of straight lines and subtle contrasting colors to create a more open and inviting space. Alex always went above and beyond to incorporate my ideas into his designs and managed my expectations throughout a very aggressive schedule. He was very transparent with the entire renovation process and went the extra mile to get me the best possible deal for both labor and materials. I highly recommend Alexander Butler to help you turn your vision into reality.

We hired Alexander Butler | Design Services to redesign the master bedroom in our New York City apartment. We had several issues we needed to a design a fix for: unified look, more storage, and improved lighting (we have a slab ceiling so ceiling lights are not an option). Alex took the time to understand our design aesthetics and created a concept that solved all of our issues. We found Alex very collaborative and easy to work with. Alex was willing to have several back-and-forths to make sure all of the details met our needs. In the end, he designed an incredible space that exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend Alex!

I worked with Alexander Butler on a residential remodeling project which included custom designed, and built-in, shelving, desk space and storage. The project also included some electrical, plumbing, plaster and painting. Alexander came up with a design that was both complimentary of the existing architecture while finding ways to improve and even delight with details like a stone desk and countertop and shelves with integrated lighting. Alex was extremely respectful, competent, friendly and above all aware of the clients needs and schedule. The project was finished on time and budget.

We had the pleasure of working with Alex Butler Design Services on a full gut renovation at 1 Irving Place, NY. The job required the architect to produce a full set of construction documents on a really tight schedule. Alex Butler really exceeded our expectation by producing an amazing construction set and most importantly producing a great design to meet the clients expectation. The construction documents were organized, informative and to the point. To us as contractors it was very important to have a well organized construction set on a fast track project. Without Alex we would not have been able to keep a fast track schedule. We look forward to working with Alex on further projects as we think we make a great team. Thank you Alex for your dedication.

Alex and I formerly worked together as colleagues at an architecture & design firm and have since left to develop our own individual firms. I have turned to Alex numerous time for his input and expertise when working with new clients. He always brings a fresh perspective to my projects and I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with him. Alex has a keen eye for creating well thought out floor plans and designs, always utilizing spaces to their maximum capabilities and providing creative solutions for his clients. His many years of experience have enabled him to become an expert in dealing with contractors and vendors, creating a seamless process for his clients. I would highly recommend Alex's services to anyone looking for a hard-working, trustworthy and talented designer.

We have worked with Alexander Butler many times photographing his projects and his work is absolutely stunning. He brings the highest level of professionalism to all his work infused with his high level of talent and expertise. He is incredibly creative, smart, well organized and a wonderful collaborator.

I worked with Alex on a Soho, NYC loft project in mid-2011. We had purchased a historic loft that needed work on the layout, lighting, and a number of other issues. Alex was a complete professional throughout. At the beginning, he proposed a number of varying proposals as there were a lot of creative options to consider with the space. When it came time for the contractor/construction, he made that a seamless interaction and kept everything on schedule. I also found him to be very forthright and honest, and I got the sense he was really working for the client on all fronts, and importantly with the budget in mind. Our end result was amazing, and we will definitely be using him again for our next project.