Carter's Review

In Aldous Huxley's great novel, "Brave New World," citizens are given "soma," a potion that pacifies them.

To some, Orwell s world was a little frightening.

1984, of course, came and went and the world survived so much so that now a new, modest, modern building in the Ladies' Mile neighborhood is called "Soma."

The website of the handsome new residential, mid-block building proclaims that it was "conceived as a sanctuary for body and soul," adding that it "offers a serene environment that reconciles urban life and private living."

The building, which contains 11 floors and 10 condominium units, was designed by Cetra/Ruddy. It is located between Seventh Avenue and the Avenue of the Americas and is convenient therefore to the Chelsea and Flatiron districts and there is very good public transportation and many boutiques and restaurants in this neighborhood.

The building originally was a four-story industrial property and its lot extends through the block to 21st Street.

The façade is mostly glass with floor-to-ceiling windows and the lobby is highlighted by an handsome slate wall, a reflecting pool and a bamboo grove.

All apartments have central air-conditioning, washer/dryers, 9-foot-three-inch ceilings and private storage and there is a private fitness area. Kitchens have slate floors and countertops and the masterbaths have travertine marble walls and separate showers.

The penthouses have gas fireplaces. In early 2005, one of the penthouses with 1,801 square feet, two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths had an asking price of $2,700,000 while other two-bedroom units in the building ranging in sie from 1,567 to 1746 square feet of space have prices of about $1,630,000 to $1,795,000.