“Built in 1964, our building, the Kennedy House, a residential co-op of 400 units located in Forest Hills, NY, needed a total refreshing and renovation of the hallways. Last done about 25 years ago, that new look in the hallways really strayed from the original design concept, decor and color pallet of the building when new.The Board of Directors of the building spent about six months interviewing a number of qualified design firms. The goal was to update and modernize the hallways and at the same time maintain the original charm and allure of the building when first constructed. The renovation was going to be complete including new lighting, carpeting, wallpaper, repainting and refinishing of apartment doors with new hardware and all new door saddles as well as a special, striking decor piece and look for what we called the elevator vestibules on each floor.After much deliberation, the Board chose the Manhattan based design firm, Forbes-Ergas and the designer Karen Jack. The Forbes-Ergas proposal and final rendering of the hallways was spectacular. More than just a residential project, Karen’s creative design was thoroughly modern and at the same time reminiscent of times past. A luxurious eye-catching salute to the building’s 55 year history.The Board and building staff worked with Karen and the contractors throughout the process and her attention to detail and what we envisioned was extremely meticulous and professional. Thanks to Karen, the project was recently completed on time and within budget and beautifully executed. All of which brought smiles to the residents and continue to do so as we return home every day. Karen and Forbes Ergas – great job!”
— Bob Bruno
“Karen and her team are excellent, which is why we have engaged them for multiple projects. Always client centric, solution oriented, and pragmatic in their approach, they worked tirelessly to bring our clients visions to reality. As a Property Manager, it is imperative that we surround ourselves with team players who are flexible and understand the dynamic of working under a multiple family dwelling and the inherent obstacles this presents. If you want a firm that will continuously exceed your expectations while managing your project(s) from start to finish, look no further.”
— Adam Zerka
“Our building, in Riverdale, hired Forbes-Ergas to help us renovate our very outdated hallways and I have nothing but really nice things to say about them and the experience. As a member of the board and an interior designer myself, I was looking for a firm who would be able help us update our sad and tired hallways, lead us through the design process smoothly and who had relationships with good contractors. We also had several very vocal residents who had ideas of what they each individually wanted to see happen.
Kevin and Karen surveyed the building residents and determined what the overall direction for color and materials would be based upon the feedback that they received. They worked to ensure that our residents felt heard in the process, even if they didn’t get everything they wanted. We were set to start construction during covid and again, they were professional and proactive in their approach in an effort to limit everyone’s exposure and keep the project moving forward without delays.
I cannot recommend Forbes-Ergas enough. The result of all of their effort is a new updated hallway that everyone is able to enjoy. Even after the formal process was over, I have found that they still respond to random questions and needs as we go. They truly care that the building looks good and continues to look good over time.”
— Erin McCormick
“Our NYC building (a 15-floor condominium with over 200 apartments) had engaged with Forbes-Ergas Design for our hallway renovation project. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was initially halted just as it was about to commence, but Karen and Kevin were able to quickly restart it once NYS and NYC gave the go-ahead to resume. They revised project schedules and efficiently coordinated activity with contractors and building management. As a Board member, I was most impressed with their communications throughout the project and with their painstaking attention to detail in ensuring any and all outstanding items were remedied by the contractors. I have received many compliments from my fellow condo apartment owners in the building regarding the quality workmanship and design of the hallways. Karen and Kevin are accomplished professionals who make an outstanding team!”
— Vincent Gaudio
“Our Manhattan co-op used Forbes-Ergas Design to renovate and modernize all three of our lobbies. We formed a building lobby committee that spent over 6 months exhaustively filtering design firms to find the one that best suited our needs. In the end, Forbes-Ergas was chosen not just for their skill and ability but for their trustworthy approach to our project. They were upfront with their design proposal, showing us in detail their vision of our project. They lived up to their end of the bargain - Karen held weekly meetings to ensure that everyone on the project (management, contractors, staff and board) was on the same page and that things progressed smoothly. Needless to say, with this sort of attention, the end result was extremely gratifying – and also on time and on budget.
Now two years later, the lobbies still look brand new and we have buyers in our building who point to the new lobbies as a key reason for their decision.
I was so impressed with Forbes-Ergas that my wife and I used Karen and Kevin’s expertise to renovate our apartment. The attention to detail (even for our small project) was equally impressive. As others have mentioned, Karen and Kevin are great advocates for the client and treat every project as if it were their own home. If the final product was not up to their standards then it would be re-done until it was perfect.
Having used Forbes-Ergas for institutional and residential work I can strongly recommend them in either capacity. You will be dealing with highly skilled, trustworthy professionals who have your best interest at heart.”
— Warren Yeh
“After conducting an extensive search for an interior design firm that would best suit the needs for our coop building’s hallway renovation, Forbes-Ergas overwhelmingly stood out from our shortlist. We knew this would be a challenging project because it had been about 25-30 years since the hallways were last upgraded. Our plan called for a gut renovation to remove and replace every element - floor to ceiling to walls - with a stylish design treatment that re-established the look and feel of the interiors to our mid-century modern aesthetic.
Karen and Kevin, the firms leadership, are incredibly knowledgeable, creative and experienced with every element and phase associated with a major hallway project such as ours. They were on top of all details, and responsive to questions or issues that surfaced - and no matter what, there will be an unexpected issue under the old carpet or behind the old wallpaper. Most important, they quickly and efficiently came up with good solutions for the few instances of the unexpected. All in, our scope and few change orders came in close to our original budget - this is due to Kevin’s negotiating skills and positive relationships with vendors and our GC. So crucial!
We are very happy with the end result and so proud of our stylish new lobby and hallways at Highpoint on the Hudson. It might or might not be a coincidence that a number of apartments have sold since the project finished. Highly recommend… F-E is a fantastic interior design firm to work with!”
— Cindy Lindenbaum
“Karen and Kevin have been excellent partners from inception to completion in our hallway and lobby renovation. From the initial design phase to contractor selection through to execution and completion, they have been a consistent advocate for our building. Their attention to detail and design expertise has resulted in a successful project that has garnered numerous compliments from existing and prospective shareholders and will undoubtedly increase our shareholder value. As treasurer for our building, I am especially pleased that this project has come in within budget with no surprises and completely in line with the initial vendor pricing. If you own or are on the board, I urge you to meet with Karen and Kevin and take a look at some of the buildings, including our own, to get a taste for the finished product that is a direct result of the leadership of Forbes Ergas.”
— Scott Rifkin
“Forbes-Ergas was the team we hired for our lobby renovation. They stood out from the other options for their desire to collaborate with us on creating the perfect reflection of our building and shareholders. I can write here, “mission accomplished”. From the start Karen Jack and Kevin McGowan took an open approach to our project. Having recently completed our hallways with another firm, they walked through the building, took into consideration the building architecture, and our proximity to the water in approaching the job ahead. We formed a smaller committee of Board members to lessen the voices at the table and to streamline the conversation. All updates were shared during Board meetings. There was talk of the overall “big picture”, some logistical concerns and the intersection of form and function or aesthetics vs. practicality. They listened and responded with options. They never forced their ideas but merely presented them and if they felt it necessary they made a presentation with “pros and cons”. They provided us with diagrams, sketches and different materials and innovations of which we might not have been aware. Karen attended every meeting and interacted with the contractors we selected as well as the mason. She promised to be our advocate and she never dropped the ball once. That level of support is invaluable. The devil is in the detail and although the timeline may have been prolonged, the investment of time paid off. I highly recommend Forbes-Ergas. Our lobby is a testament to their ability and has added value to our community. FIVE stars!”
