Residential Architecture

Tailored Homes for Urban Life

William Leggio Architect LLC creates custom residential architecture that reflects the unique lifestyle of each homeowner while responding to the constraints and opportunities of the New York City landscape. From gut-renovated brownstones to newly built townhouses, every home is designed with care, context, and character in mind.



Living in New York requires smart spatial solutions, detailed coordination, and deep knowledge of building codes. The firm’s experience in multi-family conversions, apartment reconfigurations, and single-family home design ensures that each project enhances both everyday functionality and long-term property value.


The design process is grounded in open communication, rigorous planning, and respect for each home’s architectural identity—whether new or historic. Clients are involved in every phase, ensuring a final outcome that feels personal, functional, and timeless.

A Process Grounded in Client Collaboration

Residential design at William Leggio Architect LLC starts with understanding how you live. Do you entertain often? Do you work from home? Need room to grow? These questions shape everything—from spatial flow to material selections.

Clients are guided through:



  1. Vision and lifestyle alignment
  2. Concept planning and feasibility
  3. Material and system selection
  4. Drawings and permitting
  5. On-site review and construction coordination


With the principal architect involved throughout, clients receive personalized guidance and clear updates every step of the way. The goal is to build lasting relationships, not just completed projects.

Types of Residential Projects We Design

The firm has worked on a wide variety of residential projects, each one tailored to the site, the structure, and the family who will call it home.

Townhouse & Brownstone Renovations

Historic rowhouses in Brooklyn, Harlem, and the Upper West Side often require complete reconfiguration to meet modern standards. Services include:



  • Façade preservation and LPC compliance
  • Interior layout modernization
  • Vertical extensions and cellar conversions
  • Stair redesign and lightwell improvements


The firm balances spatial optimization with architectural integrity, delivering layouts that support modern family life while respecting the building’s historic fabric.

Single-Family Homes

Ground-up homes or full-house remodels are designed with efficiency, privacy, and lifestyle in mind. The studio delivers:



  • Zoning analysis and site planning
  • Custom layouts for modern family needs
  • Integration of outdoor living areas
  • Energy-efficient systems and envelope upgrades


Each home is planned to feel enduring and site-specific, with careful attention to orientation, light, and long-term flexibility.

Apartment Combinations & Reconfigurations

Space is at a premium in NYC. The firm creates functional, flexible apartment plans by:



  • Combining adjacent units
  • Maximizing daylight and circulation
  • Designing efficient kitchens and bathrooms
  • Ensuring code compliance and DOB filing


These projects often involve structural coordination, waterproofing upgrades, and systems realignment—areas where William Leggio’s technical knowledge adds significant value.

Smart Design That Respects History

For landmarked properties, the firm provides sensitive renovations that protect the architectural legacy of the home while updating interiors for contemporary living. William Leggio is experienced in working with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and local zoning boards to gain approvals for:



  • Window replacements
  • Rear yard extensions
  • Rooftop additions
  • Façade restoration


This combination of technical knowledge and design skill results in homes that feel both historic and fresh—honoring the past without compromising the future.

FAQs About Residential Architecture

  • Do you handle both new construction and renovations?

    Yes. We work on everything from ground-up homes to renovations of existing apartments and townhouses.

  • Are you familiar with landmark district approvals?

    Yes. We have completed numerous projects in LPC-controlled areas and handle all filings and presentations.

  • Can you help combine apartments?

    Yes. We’ve designed many apartment combinations, optimizing flow and function while ensuring DOB compliance.

  • Will you manage the project after design?

    Yes. We provide construction administration to ensure the design is followed during the build phase.

  • How early should we involve you?

    Ideally during or before purchase, especially for properties that need zoning or layout analysis.