THIS 5000 SQUARE FOOT PENTHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN WAS RENOVATED FOR A YOUNG COUPLE WHOSE RELATIVES HAD PREVIOUSLY WORKED WITH MR ON VARIOUS PROJECTS. THE CLIENTS WERE DRAWN TO THE PROPERTY FOR ITS DESIRABLE LOCATION, RARE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES, INCLUDING SEVERAL EXPANSIVE TERRACES AND A DILAPIDATED BUT CHARMING GREENHOUSE WHICH HAD BEEN THE PAINTING STUDIO OF A RENOWNED MID-CENTURY NEW YORK SCHOOL ARTIST. CONSTRUCTED IN 1929, THE ORIGINAL DUPLEX CONSISTED OF BEAUTIFULLY PROPORTIONED SPACES AND CLASSIC PRE-WAR DETAILS. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THE PROPERTY WAS INTACT, BUT IN “ESTATE” CONDITION AND IN NEED OF A “GUT” RENOVATION. MR’S BRIEF WAS TO COMPLETELY OVERHAUL THE APARTMENT BOTH INSIDE AND OUT TO SUIT THE ANTICIPATED LIFESTYLE OF THE NEW OWNERS WITHOUT LOSING ANY OF ITS INHERENT QUALITIES.

ON THE LOWER LEVEL, THE FOYER AND LIVING AREA WERE COMPLETELY RE-BUILT WITHIN THE ORIGINAL PLAN, INCLUDING A NEW STAIR TO THE UPPER LEVEL. A POWDER ROOM, LAUNDRY ROOM AND STAFF QUARTERS WERE RE-IMAGINED AS WAS THE NEW OPEN-PLAN KITCHEN, DINING AND DEN AREAS OFF THE LOWER-LEVEL TERRACE. UPSTAIRS, A NEW PRIMARY SUITE WAS CONCEIVED, INCLUDING A SPACIOUS BEDROOM, THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDERED CLOSETS AND A LARGE PRIMARY BATH, PARTIALLY OCCUPYING SPACE UNDER THE NEWLY RE-BUILT GREENHOUSE. THE MAJORITY OF THE STRUCTURE WAS RE-CREATED AS A ROOMY FAMILY ROOM / ENTERTAINING SPACE ADJACENT TO A VERY EXPANSIVE TERRACE. ALSO ON THIS FLOOR ARE TWO ADDITIONAL BEDROOMS AND BATHS THAT WERE PROVIDED FOR THE CLIENT’S CHILDREN.

THE END RESULT IS A STYLISH RESTORATION OF A PERIOD HOME THAT BALANCES PERIOD SENSIBILITIES WITH CONTEMPORARY NEEDS FOR COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY.