Exploring a Vibrant Williamsburg Apartment - A $4,000 NYC Gem

In the bustling neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, known for its eclectic vibe and artistic flair, lies a hidden gem: a three-bedroom apartment that perfectly captures the essence of modern urban living. Elena Taber's latest video tour takes us inside this $4,000-per-month sanctuary, revealing a space that's not just a residence, but a canvas for creativity and communal living. The apartment, shared by Allison, Maddie, and Gabriella, is a vibrant testament to the youthful and creative spirit of Williamsburg, showcasing how city dwellers can transform their living spaces into personalized retreats.

A Fusion of Art, Comfort, and Community

The heart of this Williamsburg apartment is its living room, a vibrant space adorned with art and thrifted furniture, reflecting the residents' artistic sensibilities. The unique decor, including a vintage Formula 1 poster and repurposed street-found lockers, adds an urban chic touch. The kitchen, with its renter-friendly upgrades and collage of memories, serves as a cozy hub for culinary creativity and storytelling. Each bedroom in the apartment is a distinct expression of its occupant's personality, from Allison's gallery wall of personal artwork to Gabriella's rave flyer book collection, highlighting the individuality and diverse interests of the residents.

A Social Hub in the Heart of Williamsburg

Beyond being a living space, this apartment serves as a dynamic social hub, embodying the lively essence of Williamsburg. The residents frequently transform their home into an event space for gatherings, utilizing the high ceilings for decorations and creating an adaptable environment for various social events. This adaptability and the apartment's ability to cater to a vibrant social life make it an epitome of the Williamsburg lifestyle, where community, creativity, and urban living converge.

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Alice Chun: Where Design Meets Purpose in the Heart of Peter Cooper Village

In the bustling heart of Peter Cooper Village, Gramercy, lies a sanctuary of innovation and design, crafted by the visionary Alice Chun. As an inventor, social entrepreneur, and professor in architecture and interior design, Alice's home is more than just a living space; it's a testament to her belief that design should make the invisible visible. Her approach is not just about aesthetics but about infusing dignity into every corner and creation. This philosophy is vividly reflected in her living room, which doubles as a dining area and a laboratory of ideas. Here, modern simplicity meets natural materials, creating a space that's both functional and deeply personal. The room is divided by a bookshelf that's not just a partition but a canvas of family memories and global adventures, showcasing Alice's knack for blending storytelling with design.

The essence of Alice Chun's design philosophy shines through her fascination with light. Discovering the grim reality that many rely on toxic kerosene for lighting, she turned to origami, transforming a simple art form into a beacon of hope. Her collapsible, foldable solar light is a marvel of innovation, embodying her belief that good design should encompass beauty, wonder, and awe. This creation is not just a product; it's a statement that design can be a powerful tool for social change. Her living space, adorned with 3D sketches and prototypes, stands as a testament to her commitment to transforming simple materials into magnificent structures. It's a space where imagination meets reality, and where design transcends aesthetics to become a lifeline for communities worldwide.

Alice's journey of design and impact stretches far beyond the confines of her Peter Cooper Village home. Her work has illuminated lives in Makoko, Lagos, Haiti, Ukraine, and beyond, proving that light is a universal need that knows no borders. Her bedroom, a blend of simplicity and elegance, doubles as a living laboratory, where she continues to refine her designs, learning and evolving with each iteration. This approach underscores her belief that design is not just about creating beautiful spaces but about practicality, adaptability, and, most importantly, about making a difference. Alice Chun's home is a beacon of innovation, social impact, and sustainable design, reminding us that true design is about improving lives and making the world a brighter, more beautiful place.

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Warm and Welcoming Lobbies for Cold NYC Winters

With colder weather and shorter days, it's important in the Winter for owners of million-dollar apartments to be ushered into a warm and welcoming environment when they arrive home. These New York City lobbies eschew the typical sterile area to grab your mail in favor of elevated design elements that recall the architect and designers' larger vision for the building. 

130 William

Adjaye designed the exterior architecture and all the interiors, which is 800 feet tall and his first skyscraper in Manhattan. As you know, 130 William’s exterior is comprised of a custom, hand-cast façade and features a repeating pattern of large-scale arched windows that evoke the lofts that once populated the area. The lobby brings those design details inside, including a wall made up of arched-shaped hutches, that are curated with small design items. With 130 William, Adjaye wanted to celebrate NYC’s heritage of masonry architecture that was pervasive along the nearby streets. Adjaye’s overall design with 130 William was to highlight new possibilities of urban vertical living and the lobby sets the stage for this. 

photos by Michael Kleinberg

One Essex Crossing

One Essex Crossing, designed inside and out by CetraRuddy, is a 14-story condominium building that spans a full city block between Broome and Delancey Streets and features residences with skyline views, shared and private outdoor space, and a wealth of indoor/outdoor amenities. CetraRuddy designed the lobby as a series of emotional experiences that offers residents an oasis from the bustling city streets. Residents enter the building via Sky Bridge, an all-glass entry bridge that features direct sightlines and elevator access to the historic Essex Market and new Market Line retail below. A sleek marble ‘runway’ guides residents from the street, through the Sky Bridge, and into the tranquil lobby. Inside the lobby, large, woven-metal curtains separate the lobby’s lounge area from the main entrance and a selection of vibrant artwork, inspired by the artistic attitude of the neighborhood, hang in the space for residents and their guests to enjoy. 

photo credit to Evan Joseph Photography

111 West 57th Street

111 West 57th Street incorporates two notable structures. The first is a 1,428 foot SHoP designed new construction tower, which is the second tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. The second is the restoration of the historic Steinway Hall, former home of Steinway Pianos which was originally designed by Warren & Wetmore, the famed architects of Grand Central Station. For the lobby design Bill Sofield took inspiration from the original Warren & Wetmore architecture and collaborated with New York artisans to create interiors that were reminiscent of public spaces once featured in classic skyscrapers. Nancy Lorenz, an abstract painter created elevator doors inspired by the bronze detailing work found in many New York landmarks. Artist John Opella created a gold and silver leaf mural depicting elephants breaking out of the Central Park Zoo. The lobby features meticulously restored, end-grain wood flooring from the original Steinway Hall and fused glass urns by Lasvit with gold palm fronds, resting upon an Old Gold-finished vase that weighs 1,300 pounds and stands 14 ft tall. We also have photos of the private porte-cochère on 58th Street providing residents a quiet and private entry.

Photography by Adrian Gaut

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