It may be counterintuitive, but my firm has seen a large increase in lobby renovation proposal requests during the pandemic.
Why now?
Well, if you’re a New Yorker you’ve probably been stuck at home for months in your apartment, coop, or condo. You’re working at home. Or you just hardly ever leave your unit.
Consequently, you’re no longer rushing in and out of your building with barely a passing glance at the lobby. You’re noticing it more. And, you may be seeing it with more critical eyes.
Ugh…those ugly plastic bottles of hand sanitizer are everywhere.
The entryway, elevator foyer and seating area seem more cramped than ever before. It’s impossible to social distance.
And that enormous pile of Amazon boxes is growing larger every day.
To add to the misery, so many families have fled New York for the “safer” environs of the Hamptons, Jersey Shore and suburbs, you now have to worry about the future value of one of your largest investments – your home.
With more available units than buyers to purchase them, boards and management companies are coming to us under tremendous pressure to find ways to preserve property values. They know that a shabby, outdated lobby is the first thing buyers see.
So, when you add it all up, it’s not a big surprise that we’re busy!
In normal times, our clients’ are mostly concerned with aesthetics. But today they have more on their minds.
First, your lobby must be a safe space. Safeguards need to be in place that protect residents, staff, and guest from germs and viruses.
And second, storage. Our clients ask us to create more storage even during normal times because very few coops and condo lobbies have enough. Today, due to the huge increase in online shopping more storage is critical.
Sygrove has built our reputation as the experts in coop and condo lobby renovations in New York and New Jersey by being ahead of the curve in creativity and innovation. Today is no exception.
Here are just a few of the ways we are meeting today’s unique challenges for our coop and condo lobby renovation clients:
Custom Doorman Desks That Double As Sanitation Stations
All lobby design schemes that come out of our office include custom doorman desks that double as sanitation stations. These desks contain space for all the necessary equipment that door staff needs at their fingertips in order to keep their area germ free. And keeps all of it out of sight to reduce clutter.
Protective Plexiglass Panels
Another feature of our custom doorman desk/sanitation stations are slidable plexiglass panels for protection. And they can be used later on for signage (whenever that time comes!).
Custom Sanitizer Dispensers (That Don’t Stand Out)
Our custom-designed touchless hand sanitizer dispensers blend seamlessly into lobby decor. No more ugly plastic bottles in the lobby.
Open Floorplans & Traffic Areas
Every person who enters a building should be able to maintain social distancing. We reconfigure floorplans and open up narrow entryways. When we can, we also enlarge larger elevator foyers, so people can keep six feet apart as much as possible.
Well-Thought-Out Seating Zones
Many of our clients ask us to design lobby seating zones in a way that discourages people from spending more time than necessary there. Fewer pieces of furniture and more space between them (without feeling sparse) is how we solve this problem.
Antimicrobial Materials & Finishes
We source antimicrobial materials that are easy to keep clean and long-lasting for most of our clients today. Fortunately, we have a large selection to choose from today we integrate into even the most luxurious design schemes.
Storage, Storage, Storage...And More Storage
While no one could have anticipated the massive increase in package deliveries as a result of pandemic online shopping, most coop or condo lobbies lack enough storage even for a normal holiday season. We are adept at finding places to carve out large, functional storage rooms in unused or under-used areas. Sometimes they are so well-integrated into the interior design that they’re practically invisible.
While the challenges of living with pandemic live on and a depressed real estate market is looming on the horizon, savvy coop and condo boards and management companies have experienced downturns before. New York City always bounces back.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise we are renovating a lot of lobbies! Even now.
Sygrove Interior Design Services
Sygrove Associates Design Group is an NYC interior design company. Our company’s founder Marilyn Sygrove is the lead interior designer on all projects. And she’s as tough as you are when it comes to quality, aesthetics, and coming in on time and on budget.
It all starts with a design consultation with Marilyn. She takes the time to thoroughly understand your design needs then personally directs all interior design, planning, and installation activities. Her work has been delighting clients, co-op and condo boards, and homeowners for over 30 years.
You can reach Marilyn by email at hello@sygrove.com or call her directly at 212.757.0631.