This project restores the historic ground-floor maisonette at 998 Fifth Avenue, the iconic 1910–1912 McKim, Mead & White building that was the first luxury apartment house on Fifth Avenue. Long converted into a series of small medical offices, the residence had lost its grand rooms, 12-foot ceilings, and original architectural detail. The renovation reestablishes the maisonette’s elegance by referencing original drawings from the New York Historical Society and integrating historically inspired craftsmanship with modern family living.
The new plan echoes the original layout while accommodating a family of six, including five bedrooms, a study/guest room, and five-and-a-half baths. In the reception hall, original French walnut paneling was stripped and refinished to its warm golden tone, and the Tennessee marble floor was restored. Windows facing the courtyard received diamond-pattern glazing used elsewhere in the building for added privacy.
A new grand salon—located where the original living and dining rooms once were—features three large windows, restored MMW fireplaces, and historically appropriate new wood windows. The kitchen was recreated in its original location, with cabinetry inspired by McKim, Mead & White’s detailing. The master suite retains its traditional relationship to the reception hall, while two children’s bedrooms share a central bath. Former servant areas now serve as an additional bedroom, guest/study space, and support rooms.
The result is a refined and historically respectful restoration that returns the maisonette to its early-20th-century grandeur while supporting contemporary family life.
Project team includes
- Contractor: Uberto Limited
- Interior Design: Shaun Jackson
- Kitchen Design: Lorrian Frye
- Photography: © David Paler Photography; © John Gruen Photography
