My husband and I have wanted to build a family home for years. The challenge was in finding an…read morearchitect who could understand our desire for a classically correct Stone Georgian. In a world of mcMansions, fake siding and faux details, we met dozens of "sham-itects" who wanted to create a Disney-esque version of our dream....we were frustrated and ready to hire a proper English architect who could understand our vision, when we met Ron Gushue. Ron is a true gentleman, and I can honestly say he is as good as his word. It's an unusual quality in the realm of home building. He was not only a master of his craft, he truly understands the difference between quality and sham design. Ron built a home not only for us, but for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. How many architects can say that today? It took a few years, but we have a home with architecturally correct detailing; a stairway inspired by the Petite Trianon, and the type of details not usually seen in this country. Ron created custom moldings throughout the house, found antique white oak floors from Belgium, and created a "man's world" for my husband with a walnut office paneled floor to ceiling and a Sapele Mahogany Library & Billiard room! For me, it's all about the understated elegance and old world charm. This house looks as if it's always been here; it's part of the landscape and I look out of my mahogany windows and see a future of Easter lawn parties with my (yet unborn) grandchildren. Ron did a fantastic job and I cannot recommend him highly enough!

Ron agreed to help me with my house's exterior makeover before selling, even though what he really…read morespecializes in is designing houses from scratch. He gave a wonderful, gentile touch to my drab contemporary colonial by designing a porch, a curved garage door, window moldings, a new roof and color palette. In addition to his design talent, experience and professionalism, he is truly a great listener, who works around the client's ideas and wishes, while infusing an incredible amount of enthusiasm, excitement, even, into his projects. He was also great as a liaison with the contractor, and was able to smooth over differences and misunderstandings when they arose. I hope he still has some time for us when we call him with our next project!

Jim consulted with me several times on my gut renovation project and provided expert advice. He…read morebrings expertise from two decades of experience to the table, and also his work is of impeccable quality. I saw a passive house he was gut renovating in Park Slope, and it was absolutely stunning! Jim knows how to preserve historic details while bringing the design into the modern era in a tasteful, classic way. He exudes calmness and wisdom and is a pleasure to be around. Full disclosure in that I ultimately had to choose a less experienced architect because Jim's fee, although completely reasonable given his level of skill and expertise, was a bit out of our price range.

Jim was great to work with. We did a semi-gut renovation in 3 bedroom/2 bathroom apt. The quality…read moreof his work and suggestions were exactly what we wanted based on my husband and my feedback. Jim is very detailed and each week during renovation, we had him manage the project with the contractor to ensure the final output was done properly. Most Manhattan apartments are not symmetrical, so the early stage on doing things a certain way goes a long way on the final look. He understands plumbing, and electrical well to communicate to our contractors. He referred us to a HVAC engineer. When it came to interior design, we had Sarah who provided feedback and suppliers information. She was also very helpful. Jim knows the DOB process well and helped us resolved many issues even during covid and DOB rule changed in 2020 and 2021. We also had him manage the project with the contractors. The contractors don't have the same design eyes and were a bit sloppy and forgetful so it was imperative to have Jim help us. Urban charges by the hour and provided an accurate estimate of the cost. Make sure what projects he's working on so he can allocate time properly. In the beginning with the design drawing schematic, it took a while cause he was on a couple of brownstone projects but overall still have a very positive experience with Jim. He was responsive.