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Exquisite SoHo TriBeCa loft features must-see details
This luxurious apartment is situated in a 6-year old boutique building that offers a modern European design sensibility in the heart of Hudson Square, just steps away from the vibrancy of Soho and Tribeca, New York. Residents and guests enter through iron gates into a zen-inspired private courtyard. This loft-like apartment boasts 1,863 square feet of living space on the 8th floor with three bedrooms and two full baths and an over-sized storage/laundry room.
The spacious living/dining room contains floor-to-ceiling glass windows and high ceilings, and features a stunning, hand-applied floor-to-ceiling, edge-to-edge wall of silver leaf and an extraordinary bronze surround for the elevator entrance. Solid walnut wide-planking flooring has been ebonized for a modern counterpoint to the luxurious finishes. Custom linear diffusers replace standard air conditioning vents with a sleek architectural detail.
The kitchen features high gloss cabinets, state of the art appliances and brushed stainless steel countertops. The intelligent layout affords a whole western wing to the master bedroom, accessible through a hidden door of silver leaf. The en-suite master bathroom is light-filled with a Duravit soaking tub enclosed in Pietra Sienna stone and a separate walk-in, glass enclosed shower with a river rock floor. There are two bedrooms on the eastern wing. Adjacent to the second bedroom is the oversized laundry/storage room. A second full bath with walk-in shower is located on the eastern corridor.
This incredible apartment is listed for sale at $3,450,000, from here.
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Manhattan Microloft on the Upper West Side
A compact four-level apartment was purchased in 1994 by Huxley Somerville on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York. At the time that he found this fixer upper that was purchased for $95,000, he was doing property inspections. He is now a managing director at Fitch Ratings, a commercial mortgage-backed securities division. Mr. Somerville once considered studying architecture, so he saw the potential in this small 425 square foot brownstone apartment, with a kitchen and dining area packing in the vestibule, a small living area up a few steps and a bedroom and bathroom on the top floor.
He thought the space was more intriguing than just the normal four walls, yet the drawbacks were evident, particularly the minuscule sleeping area. The space was very oddly shaped to fit a proper bed and the apartment was a walk-up on the fourth and fifth floors. On the plus side, there was a roof terrace up another flight of stairs off the bedroom and there was nobody above inhabiting space above the apartment. The best aspect of the apartment was the high ceilings, which were just over 11 feet in the living room and just over 12 feet in the bedroom.
After marrying his wife in 1997, they sublet the apartment and moved out of the country. In 2009 the apartment’s longtime tenant was moving out so Mr. Somerville’s impulse was to sell the property. The couple and their teenage daughter were making plans to move into an 18th-century farmhouse in Armonk, New York, yet he had pondered over the years on how to make the nearly 25-foot vertically dimensioned small apartment more livable. He thought the place had a lot of potential and decided to renovate it and use it as a pied-à-terre. Enlisting the help of architecture firm Specht Harpman, whom he had collaborated with in the past, they came up with a solution to create four separate living platforms that would provide enough room for all the essentials and allow the apartment to feel open and light-filled, with no barriers. Via
The living room is furnished with a Gus* Modern Jane Bi-Sectional sofa (about $3,200 at Bobby Berk Home) and a Ligne Roset Pagnon & Pelhaître Crescendo table ($2,270). The baby alpaca throw is from Jonathan Adler ($295), and the Fillsta pendant lamp is from Ikea (about $30).
The bathroom is in the space formerly occupied by the kitchen. The walls are covered in Savoy Ricepaper and Crystal Glass Dew tiles from Ann Sacks.
The sunken kitchen is in what was once the dining area. The backsplash is painted with Benjamin Moore’s Harbor Fog and covered in glass. The Julien UrbanEdge 3647 undermounted stainless steel sink is from AF Supply (about $700). The blue glass candleholders are from C. Wonder.
The new kitchen, as elegantly compact as a ship’s cabin, has two burners and a convection oven, crisp glass backsplashes and a combination countertop-and-breakfast bar. (For formal meals, the coffee table can be elevated to dining height.)
The architect Scott Specht describes the apartment’s principal design element, the queen-size bed platform that cantilevers out over the living room, as the “object around which everything revolves.”
In the living room, the architects demolished the imposing, drywall-enclosed stairway on the eastern wall; the stair they substituted on the west side is lightly screened by vertical cables and resembles a Japanese tansu cabinet with multiple drawers and closets. The exposed brick throughout the apartment was painted a light-reflecting white.
On the third level, the enlarged bedroom contains a queen-size cantilevered bed platform that projects out over the living room. By leaving the space above the bed open to the living area, the architects were able to preserve views and bring in daylight from the windows facing the rooftop terrace.
The bedroom space once felt toxic and is now very soothing and comforting for the owners.
A second tansu-style stair leads to the terrace, on the apartment’s fourth level.
The owner’s of this Manhattan apartment, Rosanne and Huxley Sommerville, stated, “two people could live here full time quite comfortably — almost.”
The renovation cost about $400,000, but a good part of that cost was from being on the top floor and hauling things up, taking things down.
The 3-D model depicts alternating solids and voids, and artfully layered horizontal and vertical planes.
Pictures prior to the renovation:
The living room, before renovation.
The living room, before renovation.
The entry hall, before renovation.
The second flight of stairs, leading up to the apartment’s terrace.
Another view of the living area, before renovation.
Photos: Trevor Tondro & Taggart Sorensen
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Small Manhattan studio displaying a clever layout
Economy, functionality and privacy were the primary drivers in the design of this sixth floor East Village studio in Manhattan, New York. Designed by Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture, the meticulously detailed millwork provides ample storage and reduces clutter, making this small 500 square foot home-office apartment extremely efficient. A bedroom loft creates space for a roomy walk-in closet below, while stair risers conceal a series of built-in drawers. Every inch of the space has been effectively exploited. The architects worked closely with the client and a demanding co-op board through every stage of the design process. The result is modern, clean, and concise, providing both the warmth of a home and all the functional requirements of an office.
What do you think of this efficient small studio, could you enjoy living here?
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Ultimate bachelor penthouse loft in Manhattan
Gramercy Penthouse sits atop a five floor apartment building in midtown Manhattan, New York. The loft was designed by studio Narofsky Architecture in collaboration with interior design firm ways2design. The client is a self-proclaimed part bachelor, musician, pilot and investment banker, whose requirements for the project was to infuse black, white and ugly with no maintenance into the design. The floor of the 4,000 square foot penthouse is a floating level which is isolated from the rest of the structure, as are the walls. The client did not wish to entertain overnight guests, so only one bedroom was implemented into the design. A guest bath was added, which was done in a pure white, adding a stark contrast to the mostly black loft. Sound proofing was added to the design as well as a stage and professional lighting for the part-time musician. The project also included a bar and lounge area and a unique living space on the rooftop, which is comprised of a hot tub, sauna, barbecue and a full garden with illuminated LED’s.
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Bohemian loft turned into a playhouse for kids
This colorful Bohemian apartment loft is located in a Battery Park building of Manhattan, New York designed by Incorporated, an architecture and design studio. This 4,700 square foot apartment appears like the children of the home had taken over the decorating, but it was actually the homeowner herself who felt inspired to create this whimsical look. Combining three apartments and turning a second kitchen into an arts and crafts room, and swapping out a spare bedroom for a full-size playhouse. This children’s dream home is for five kids, all of which are under the age of ten. The creative vision for this home was taken from inspirational images and boldly patterned wallpaper that had been collected for years. The renovation took ten months to complete, while trying to recreate a suburban experience in a very urban environment. Indoor-outdoor elements were applied to the design, integrating a tree house and other various other dimensions to create a playful atmosphere.
Dining room with birch screen and Adelman chandelier.
Fun study area with colored niches and open shelving.
The fabric backsplash was laminated behind glass.
Bedroom with Thai Temple Doors as head board.
A plywood playhouse structure that doubles as beds complete with climbing wall and chalkboard, custom made by S. Donadic Inc.
For this bedroom a park is created, the flooring is Pirelli rubber.
A closet was renovated into a playhouse for two sisters.
Homework area.
The bathroom features Moroccan tiles.
Custom Bronze sink and vanity at powder room. The faucet is Brooklyn by Watermark Designs.
A little walnut bench at the entryway.
Photos: Annie Schlechter
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Awe-inspiring Manhattan artist’s loft
This bold and inspiring home, located in the prestigious Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York, affords luxurious entertaining, intimate family gatherings, and gallery-style art showcases. The rich history of this truly unique space is written in the inimitable details of its architecture and design. Initially constructed as an oversized, luxury artist’s loft, the three bedroom residence features an awe-inspiring double-height living room that originally served as a massive sculpting studio, and is simply unparalleled by any other space in the world, with its baronial proportions and magnificent floor-to-ceiling window overlooking The Museum of Natural History.
A series of renovations and installations have transformed the home into a livable work of art, punctuated by unexpected details and design elements that include hand-painted ceilings, ornate crown moldings, floor-to-ceiling Corinthian columns, and a massive 17th-Century stone fireplace imported from the Iberian Peninsula. The precise architectural dimensions of the residence’s grand, open, light-infused spaces set the ideal stage for any avid art collector to showcase pieces ranging from Picasso and Dalí to Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst.
This absolutely stunning loft space is listed for sale at $20,000,000, from here.
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West SoHo duplex displaying original details
This rare gem is located in an historic loft building in the West Village of Manhattan, New York. The spacious duplex apartment offers 3,500 square feet of living space with the additional flexibility of an open, wooden beamed and columned, beautifully scaled loft studio, showplace/office for possible interior combination. The total square footage of the duplex is 5,700 feet. The 3rd floor is comprised of a gallery vestibule giving on to the salon measuring 38×25 feet with 18 foot high ceilings and a double row of new double paned south facing windows. This is a very beautiful and accommodating entertaining space. The also offers a warm and inviting eat-in kitchen, a guest bedroom/bath suite, pantry and more, complete this floor. The 4th floor is accessed by an interior wonderful original wooden staircase leading up from the foyer to the gallery area, the master bedroom suite, full bath and the home office. The laundry room is also on this floor. The magic is also in the 2,215 square foot 2nd floor, with the exposed wooden beams and wooden columns which have rarely been preserved in West Soho. This floor has two offices and bathroom, small kitchen/pantry and a very large open space for studio/showroom/office, or to be swiftly combined with 3 and 4 for a 5,700 square foot very rare home.
This fabulous piece of real estate is listed for sale at $10,900,000 from here.
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Striking TriBeCa Loft with intriguing details
With a unique display of stylish furnishings and finishes, this incredible TriBeCa Loft in New York features 3,428 square feet of living space. The home is situated in a residential building on Hubert Street occupying the entire fourth floor with a state of the art security system via private key locked elevator. Hit one button for your programmable lighting system and let the experience begin. Step inside this fascinating loft with Brazilian Walnut hardwood floors and high arched windows that wrap the eastern and southern corner of the 4th floor providing unrivaled vistas of TriBeCa. The open entertaining kitchen, complete with top-of-the-line appliances, storage for 700+ wine bottles along with two spacious coolers is a connoisseur’s delight. An exquisite master bath boasts a 10 foot shower that will delight the most discriminating eye. This loft space is equipped with screening facilities, an elaborate sound system, electric blinds and many other enchanting features. Step into a world of comfort and elegance that few are privileged to know.
Offered at $7,600,000 from here, the 4th floor at 408 Greenwich promises to deliver and features some inspiring design details, enjoy!
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Spectacular $25 million Manhattan penthouse
We discovered this incredible Park Avenue penthouse in New York on the real estate site Sotheby’s. This very spacious pad features five bedrooms with wraparound terraces which showcases iconic views of Manhattan from every direction. The home has just undergone a dramatic renovation, featuring a prewar layout, top-of-the-line finishes and technology. An impressive marble gallery leads to a large living room with fireplace, a dining room with bar/butler’s pantry, a fully equipped media room, full bath and office/guestroom. The large entertaining/dining terrace can be accessed from every room. There is a large solarium style gourmet eat-in kitchen with staffroom/bath and laundry rooms. The family room leads to a master suite with luxurious bath, fireplace, and private terrace. There is also a separate bedroom wing comprised of three large bedrooms with terraces and two baths. Other impressive features includes a Creston system for automated climate control, humidification, shades, lighting and audio visual equipment, three private elevator landings, custom Euro-windows/doors and skylights, wide plank white oak floors, Venetian plaster walls, large closets and 10 foot ceilings.
This spectacular penthouse is listed for sale at $25,000,000 from here.
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Historical SoHo loft gets a brilliant makeover
This fabulous SoHo loft located in Lower Manhattan, New York has been featured in numerous international ad campaigns and used by professional celebrity chefs for its spectacular red-accented gourmet kitchen sponsored by Wolf Appliance, Inc. The home has been remodeled with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, comprising 3,013 square feet (280 square meters). The home was purchased in 2003 for about $1.7 million and was in desperate need of a complete renovation to fit two bedrooms and two baths in an open, loft-like interior.
The home features 11.5-foot ceilings, antique Ming Dynasty doors purchased from Bangkok, original cast-iron columns and beautiful wooden beams overhead. The spacious loft features two wood/gas burning fireplaces and twelve over-sized windows that wrap around the corner of the building; enabling natural light to reflect off the extra-wide, custom-cut, Brazilian teak floors throughout. The kitchen is outfitted with Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances, custom Magestri Italian cabinets and a two-level temperature-controlled wine cooler. The master bathroom has antique-grade, extra-large, limestone tiles and the second bathroom features Bisazza tiles. The home has been listed here for $3.995 million.