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Legendary Manhattan House converted to condominiums
With all the luxury residential development that has taken place in Manhattan over the course of the past few years, there are many options for the discerning buyer seeking the quintessential living experience in New York. But few equal the cache of Manhattan House, a mid-century modern masterpiece on Manhattans’ Upper East Side credited with giving Modernism a foot hold in the city. Designed in 1951 by Skidmore Owings & Merrill's Gordon Bunshaft of Lever House fame, the full block building based on Corbusian ideals, has been recently restored and converted to condominiums by real estate developer, O’ Connor Capital Partners.
With high regard for the building’s iconic stature, O’Connor turned to SOM to lead the building’s conversion. SOM spearheaded the building’s landmarking process and updated key elements including: introducing air conditioning to meet today’s living standards, replacing 5,000 casement windows, and restoring the original porte cochere entrances, balconies and lobby. MS Arch of New York was largely responsible for the interiors and BH & A of Boston contributed new ideas for combining units. Sasaki Associates, which originally designed the building’s gardens, consulted on landscape design. In addition to enhancing the beauty and functionality of the building, new amenities were added, including a 10,000 sq ft rooftop Manhattan Club and a children’s playroom designed by Roto Studio.
The visionary building, which once housed such legends as Grace Kelly, Benny Goodman, Florence Knoll and Bunshaft himself, is sure to attract a new generation of affirmed Modernists. Its 555 units are moving briskly attracting buyers from around the globe.
Sharon McHugh
US Correspondent
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