The 1960s splendor of this apartment had been nearly obliterated. Located in an iconic Harrison and Abramovitz building, the original fabric of the tower was amazing, yet the found conditions of the apartment less so. A heavy-handed 1980s renovation masked every surface, replete with angled walls, dated finishes, and antiquated lighting and av systems. And a prime view to the United Nations and East River had been covered, hidden behind sheet rock in a closet! We stripped away the layers, rectified the apartment’s geometry, and opened the layout to meet our clients’ needs.
We demolished dropped ceilings and lighting coves and removed large can lights in favor of shallow profile fixtures, hidden LEDs, and custom art lights. Our clients’ extensive collections are on display throughout the apartment, and a view from the foyer gallery to the window makes for a welcoming entry. A new vestibule provides a private alcove to the powder room, and lighted shelving adds more room for display, framing a view to an Elaine de Kooning portrait.
The living and dining room wrap the corner for an open, loft-like space, ideal for the frequent large gatherings and events. We reconfigured an awkward library and screened it from the living room with a new partition of bamboo shelving wrapped in recycled leather with an integrated picture rail: a special wall for the display of special art on the living room side, and a place to hide the tv on the library side, that allows for an easy flow between the two rooms. The library’s wet bar serves both the intimate sitting room and larger living space.
The new material palette is restrained with cohesive intentionality: the kitchen, wet bar and gallery cabinetry all boast a quartzite counter. Throughout the public zones, we installed new oak flooring. Pops of color and specialty finishes orient the user, and crisp, modern details serve as a backdrop to the clients’ robust and personal art collection and the spectacular views to the UN and East River. We managed the flood of daylight with systems to protect the art and keep the apartment comfortable: window film, and solar and blackout shades which can be deployed as the day progresses. Behind the scenes, we coordinated with building management and specialists to maintain the historic mechanical systems and support new upgrades for temperature control.
The light-filled kitchen’s primary wall is a nod to mid-century design, covered in bold ceramic tiles that provide a focal point and backdrop to the work area. Here, indestructible quartzite countertops and durable lower cabinets make this cook’s kitchen functional and easy to clean. The new breakfast bar in the open kitchen looks out over the UN Plaza, its bamboo surface warm and welcoming. On the dining side, ribbed bamboo panels frame the seating area and open to reveal storage for tabletop items and hide the mess for more formal entertaining.
A full-height pivot door closes seamlessly and separates the service entry from the gallery during catered events. We opted for coplanar sliding doors and pivot-hinged doors along corridors to maximize their space. With this, the bedroom wing can be closed off from public rooms, and further, the primary suite with two bathrooms and walk in closets becomes fully ensuite with the closing of a pivot-hinge full-height door.
One home office with a water view is tucked off the kitchen, and another off the primary bedroom, echoes the bold colors of the kitchen in its custom cabinetry. The primary bathroom’s materials reflect the serenity of the river: blue glass tiles, large format porcelain for the floor, and a white-washed oak vanity create a spa-like calm.
The result: a refreshed apartment with considered design that embraces the building’s history and supports modern living with gentle sophistication.
