Franklin Report Report Card for John B. Murray Architect, LLC in New York City
★ Franklin Report Card
John B. Murray Architect, LLC
48 West 37th Street
10th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(212) 242-8600
www.jbmarchitect.com
jmurray@jbmarchitect.com
Main Contact: John B. Murray, AIA
Categories
Architects

Services & Specialties
Quintessentially classical residential architecture

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FR Review:
John Murray is among a small handful of exceptional New York residential architects who inherently understand the meaning of Park Avenue vernacular. Murray is an adamant traditionalist whose projects range from formal, classical Palladian to a more relaxed well-heeled look. Sources praise Murray for his architectural skill and experience and his dedication to historic design and form. Though "extremely busy," Murray reportedly makes himself very accessible with thorough follow-up.

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon, Murray was a founding partner of Ferguson, Murray and Shamamian before starting his own firm in 1997. While generally embarking on large-scale gut renovations, the firm will take on smaller projects with an interesting twist or an intriguing challenge. While some say Murray's taste for the highest form of design occasionally leads him to suggest more changes than are perhaps strictly necessary, he is known to be receptive to clients' suggestions and sympathetic to their design and budgetary interests.

The majority of Murray's work is in New York City and Connecticut, although he takes on projects across the country. The firm generally charges a slightly higher percentage of overall construction costs but will occasionally work on an hourly rate.

Representative Client Comments:
"A magnificent sense of classical design." "Carriage trade masterpieces." "The weekly meeting minutes ensure that the project remains on track." "Not only is John courteous, but he is eager to teach and discuss ideas." "Could be a bit more assertive, because he absolutely knows what is right for the space." "The team is the essence of quality, sensitivity, and obsessiveness. In short, the best." "Very good client skills--kept us calm throughout." "Wish there was more support staff, to leverage John's time." "He upholds the very top standards of quality, at all times." "If you want the best, be prepared to pay." "He isn't a bargain, but he's a great value." "Our job was on budget, on time, and perfect." "John Murray and his staff are all excellent, professional, knowledgeable, and organized. I cannot imagine ever working with another architect." "His additions were of the highest quality and in the exact architectural vernacular. His work enhanced the apartment while never overwhelming it. It is a joy to live in." "Our experience was excellent in every way. First rate ideas, best imaginable quality, very available, and very easy to work with." "The BEST architect in NYC for high-end residential projects."

5 Stars
 
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REGISTERED (9 reviews)
Posted 1/21/2014
Reviewed By:
frances gleason new york ,NY

Bottom Line:
John Murray and his staff are all excellent, professional, knowledgeable, and organized. I cannot imagine ever working with another architect.
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Project Description & Comments:
John is an absolute pleasure to work with. His taste is impeccable and he pays attention to every detail. He has fabulous experience and understands all parts of the project. He is punctual and attentive to the project, and attended meetings every week, along with the assistant architect, for several hours for a year without fail. I never once doubted that he was the right architect for the job.
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Posted 4/7/2014
Reviewed By:
Candice Bergen New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
Responsible, reliable, and accessible. A pure pleasure.
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Project Description & Comments:
John renovated a loft in a landmarked 1911 building and the result is beyond what we hoped. His additions were of the highest quality and in the exact architectural vernacular. His work enhanced the apartment while never overwhelming it. It is a joy to live in. Worth every penny – whatever it cost; I blocked it out.
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Posted 4/7/2014
Reviewed By:
David Lobel ,NY

Bottom Line:
John's work is exceptional. I would not hesitate to recommend him AND to use him again as my architect.
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Project Description & Comments:
On personal level, John Murray is an old-school gentleman. He is personable, reliable, and a man of his word. He is meticulous and committed to excellence. His entire firm reflects this. It's very easy to be a client.


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Posted 4/7/2014
Reviewed By:
Geoffrey Johnson New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
You can safely leave it all to John and his team. Including your checkbook!
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Project Description & Comments:
John Murray and his team led my complete gut renovation on Park Avenue. What could have gone wrong did go wrong; asbestos, NYC Building Department delays, difficult neighbors, co-op board issues. Thank goodness for John! Whatever the challenge and no matter how intractable it seemed, John and his team had a solution with John himself always prepared to show up on site at a moment's notice.

Not only was his architectural eye impeccable, we are still benefiting from the practicality and functionality of his designs. His help in choosing a first-class contractor with whom he had worked before and who was very complimentary about John and the detail of his drawings resulted in the very fine quality of the extensive custom millwork that is complimented by all our visitors.
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Posted 4/7/2014
Reviewed By:
William Birch New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
Could not have asked for a better experience.
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Project Description & Comments:
Our project was a complete makeover of a relatively small two bedroom apartment. Our experience was excellent in every way. First rate ideas, best imaginable quality, very available, and very easy to work with. Would certainly use John and his firm again.
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Posted 5/1/2014
Reviewed By:
Mei Gao New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
The BEST architect in NYC for high-end residential projects.
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Posted 2/18/2015
Reviewed By:
Harris Diamond ,NY

Bottom Line:
met + exceeded our expectations
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Posted 2/18/2015
Reviewed By:
Erin Friedland ,NY

Bottom Line:
It's almost worth buying a new apartment to get to work with John again.
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Project Description & Comments:
I am the third person in my family to hire John B. Murray and he was truly my first and only choice when it came to renovating my apartment. I think what sets him apart (other than his beautiful work) is that he tailors his work to your lifestyle needs with brilliant ideas you'd never think of yourself. Also, he stands behind his work and doesn't leave you stranded once the project is "finished". He will come back as many times as needed to make sure every item on your punch list is perfect.
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Posted 9/18/2019
Reviewed By:
Verified Review
James Dawson

Bottom Line:
A divine, inspired, and extraordinary experience
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Project Description & Comments:
John Murray Architects oversaw the complete renovation and redesign of the large waiting room at Professional Children's School. It would be impossible to convey the depth of their extraordinary work: they made phenomenal choices, had brilliant ideas, read the culture and the mood along with the needs of the institution while showing insight, patience, and expertise in their choices. Their work was thorough, contemplative, expansive; they showed a magical sense of style and left us with a stunning, beautiful, awe-inspiring design and execution. Their work in replacing the building's 93 windows was equally professional, adept, and superb. John Murray Architects is not just better than others but they are, in fact, the very best. Bravo!
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