This 2,000-square-foot apartment on Riverside Drive, boasting sweeping Hudson River views, was reimagined to suit the needs of a modern family: a professionally engaged couple and their two young daughters. The design embraced a contemporary aesthetic with a neutral color palette punctuated by subtle hints of color. An open-concept layout for the kitchen, dining, and living areas facilitates family gatherings.
2000 SF
The entire home is equipped with a cutting-edge Lutron smart system, including lighting, dimmers, and window shades, all controllable via an app. A hidden TV lift in the living room allows the TV to be concealed when not in use, eliminating the need to center entertainment around it.
High-end appliances and a dedicated wine storage area further enhance the modern living concept. Though the kitchen’s footprint is modest, it is designed to be open and welcoming, with ample daily storage and a walk-in pantry to streamline routines and reduce clutter.
These design updates bring this pre-war gem into contemporary times, catering to the needs of a family of four.
The clients sought an open cooking area that seamlessly integrated with the dining and living spaces. This was achieved through the use of matching custom cabinetry across these areas. They also desired a concealed TV for the open-concept living, dining, and kitchen area. To address this, a mechanical lift was installed to allow the TV to be hidden when not in use. A smart home system was essential for them, which was implemented with Lutron Caseta dimmers and Serena shades, all controllable via an app for customizable scenes and away schedules. Additionally, they wanted a modern kitchen that would complement the pre-war building. This was realized with classic Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, along with a full-size wine cellar.
Several project challenges were encountered. The ADA requirement for a 60” aisle in a U-shaped kitchen affected its dimensions, presenting an initial challenge for the clients. However, this configuration ultimately resulted in a more comfortable workspace for two. Incorporating a full-size wine refrigerator into the open concept also posed a challenge due to space constraints, which was resolved by creating a space from the nearby walk-in pantry to install the unit flush with the wall. Adding a washer and dryer was challenging because of the existing water and waste risers. The solution involved designing a compact closet with stackable units near a powder room to facilitate the necessary plumbing connections. Furthermore, working within NYC co-ops introduced additional difficulties, such as wet-over-dry conditions, elevator sizing, and restricted work hours. These challenges were managed through meticulous coordination on the design-build project.
