Hospitality design firm Stonehill Taylor transformed the rooftop of Arlo NoMad into a colorful, laid-back space, channeling the energy of European café culture through a distinctly New York lens. Following the success of the ground-floor diner space, the design team brought that same spirit upstairs, blending the charm of a Parisian wine bar with influences from NoMad’s streetwear scene.
The design draws guests into a layered, relaxed environment, intended for lingering conversation and cocktails. The seating plan was completely reimagined, with groupings anchored by back-to-back banquettes and framed with lush greenery to foster an intimate atmosphere against the expansive city views. Pillars and planters trace the perimeter of the rooftop, helping to bring down the scale and create a soft boundary between the seating and skyline.
Color was used intentionally throughout the space, from painted pavers that nod to the building’s New York materiality to playful custom furnishings that lend visual warmth and personality. Key standout pieces include sculptural blue table bases with terrazzo tops by Concrete Collaborative, warm-glow Schoolhouse fixtures, and chairs sourced from Beam. Lighting was a focal point in the redesign, the new scheme introduced a soft, glowing effect that transitions beautifully from day to night, replacing outdated sconces with fixtures that both elevate and define the space.
That layered mix of color, material, and mood nods subtly to the bistro culture that first inspired the space, where design often emerges through quiet interventions rather than full transformations. Here, the team leaned into that approach, treating the rooftop as a kind of urban terrace, dialing in warmth and informality through texture, planting, and tone. The furnishings being low-slung and sculptural really invite guests to linger and converse, and the casual greenery softens the skyline, creating a sense of privacy even with the city on full display. Above, a new hand-painted mural by a local artist adds character to the once-blank rooftop walls. The abstract, slightly surrealist work reinforces the neighborhood's eclectic energy.
Stonehill Taylor’s design infuses the rooftop with a sense of place, making it feel both immersive and distinctly Arlo, tailored, colorful, and convivial, with an effortlessly cool vibe that fully reflects New York City.
