Our Story
Olivia and Bridget met five years ago while working at a high end design build firm in New York City. We quickly bonded over a shared belief: a renovation should be as good to live through as it is to look at.
That belief became Olive & Bridge, a woman owned design build firm bringing a fresh, highly personal approach to residential renovation in New York City.
Together, we’ve spent our careers renovating co ops, condos, and townhomes across the city, including residences in some of New York’s most prestigious buildings, such as 15 Central Park West, The Belnord, and 1185 Park Avenue. Our experience has shaped the way we work today: stay closely involved, communicate openly, sweat the details, and never lose sight of the fact that at the end of the project, someone has to live there.
Olivia Epstein
Olivia grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, with a father who could fix or build just about anything, and who put her to work right alongside him. That hands on start grew into a genuine fascination with homes and real estate. She spent her free time browsing Zillow, studying how architecture, design, and the way people live shift from city to city.
She studied communications at Tulane University, where the architecture of New Orleans left a lasting impression, before beginning her career in residential real estate at Douglas Elliman in New York City.
When COVID brought her home to New Jersey, just as her parents were remodeling their house, Olivia found herself wanting a seat at every design meeting. That pull ultimately led her back to school for a master’s degree in construction management from NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. From there, she spent more than four years managing high end residential renovations at an Upper East Side design build firm, where she met Bridget.
Today, Olivia brings an exacting eye and an unapologetically high standard to every project. She notices the details others miss, asks the questions others don’t, and believes that a beautiful design is only as good as its execution. Relentless about the details, she’s happiest walking a job site, solving problems before they become problems, and making sure the finished work lives up to what was promised. The punch list hates to see her coming.
When she’s not on a job site, Olivia is usually spending time with her fiancé, Nick, or trying one of New York City’s newest restaurants.
Bridget McGowan
Bridget is a born and raised New Yorker with a love for great design and a strong opinion on how to build things that last. She studied interior design before heading to NYU London for a master’s degree in historical and sustainable architecture.
After two years in London, she returned home with a deep respect for old buildings, an appreciation for thoughtful craftsmanship, and an eye for the details that make a space feel special. With more than a decade of experience in high end residential design and construction, Bridget has learned that the best homes aren’t simply beautiful. They work beautifully for the people who live in them, yes, even the ones with kids.
When she’s not working, Bridget is usually with her husband and two boys, spending time with family and friends.
Alyssa Manfredonia
Alyssa Manfredonia Architecture LLC (AMA) was founded in 2020 by Alyssa Manfredonia, a New York native with a lifelong passion for architecture. From a young age, growing up in the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of New York City, Alyssa knew she was destined to create. After earning her degree from the Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York (CCNY), she wasted no time in pursuing her licensure, becoming a registered architect in both New York and Texas. She is also a proud member of the American Institute of Architects.
Alyssa's professional journey began with immersive roles in a range of architectural settings—from large-scale corporate firms and boutique interior design studios to a family-owned practice—working with both residential and commercial clients. These formative experiences provided her with hands-on exposure to every facet of the design and construction process, including early-stage planning, permitting, on-site supervision, and project completion.
With over a decade of professional experience and a deep well of global design inspiration drawn from her extensive travels, Alyssa founded AMA with the goal of creating architecture that is thoughtful, distinctive, and personal. Her design philosophy blends architectural insight with a sincere understanding of each client's unique needs. The result is a collaborative and engaging design process that delivers spaces that feel authentic, purposeful, and truly lived-in.
At AMA, every project reflects not just architectural excellence, but crafts environments that align with the unique personalities, lifestyles, and needs of the client.
