To see this masterpiece, one will have to book an open house or buy in the building. (393 West End Avenue - Brown Harris Stevens)
New York City is home to many of the world's most prestigious museums and art galleries, but certain residential buildings offer what may be the most exclusive experience. When the West 67th Street Artists Colony was established in the early 1900s, works by the buildings' residents were on display in the common areas and are still admired as artistic treasures. Decades later, as part of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) redesign, Museum Tower presented an art collection that includes works by Picasso and Caro, not to mention views of the MoMA’s sculpture garden. Today, developers and architects are working with artists from all over the world to convey a sense of luxury and awe. This article looks at the best known pieces on display in new residential developments.
The entrance to Museum Tower, with its art collection on display (The Corcoran Group)
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One Wall Street (Compass)
In New York, developer Harry Macklowe is as well known for his appreciation for art as his residential portfolio. The two were combined to great effect at One Wall Street. As the onetime office was converted to residential use, the Red Room was restored to its original glory and will figure prominently in the first American outpost of French department store Printemps. In the residential component, a custom tapestry in the lobby was designed in collaboration with a collective of artisan weavers in Mexico, and draws inspiration from Parisian artist Sonia Delaunay.
56 Leonard Street (Compass)
Bean sculpture (6sqft)
From the first renderings, the “Jenga Tower” made an immediate impression on the Lower Manhattan skyline. These renderings also depicted a mirrored bean sculpture by Anish Kapoor at the base of the building, but construction difficulties and the pandemic delayed installation for years after the building welcomed its first residents. However, in February 2023, it was permanently installed in front of the building. The sculpture, which represents Mr. Kapoor’s first permanent public work in New York City, is highly reminiscent of a sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
“The relationship between building and sculpture is so closely cultivated that they appear to form a single unified object, exemplifying true synergy between art and architecture” – 56 Leonard website
The Cortland (Core Group Marketing)
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The Cortland took shape in a section of Chelsea best known for its gallery scene, and that mindset seems to have been applied to its interiors: The centerpiece of the lobby is “Stratus” by Markus Haase, a bronze and onyx light sculpture that is part of the artist's Cloud Series. Before it was installed in this residential building, it was on display at Design Miami Basel as part of Art Basel 2021.
35 Hudson Yards (The Corcoran Group)
Vessel (pictured in the rendering above) is the most famous piece of art in the Hudson Yards mega-development, and visitors from all over the world may access the ground-level base. However, only residents of 35 Hudson Yards enjoy access to a custom tapestry by Helena Hermarck, who has been described by Architectural Digest as “one of the last great tapestry artists working today.” The richly colored tapestry fills the wall and stretches to the ceiling.
Rendering of "Spirit of Achievement" on Park Avenue (Noe & Associates - The Boundary)
When the Waldorf-Astoria was under construction, the hotel announced a competition for the art above the entrance. Of the 400 entries submitted, they chose “Spirit of Achievement” by Nina Sæmundsson, the first Icelandic woman to make a living as a professional sculptor. It has been perched over the entrance since 1931; nearly 100 years later, the building is under construction and the statue has been relocated to the residential gallery for safekeeping. “Spirit of Achievement” is back in the news after an incredibly accurate replica was created with the help of 3D scanning technology and revealed near Ms. Sæmundsson’s Icelandic birthplace.
When the celebrated hotel opens to guests and residents alike (estimated for late 2024), “Spirit of Achievement” will be back in New York to greet them at the entrance. Inside, curator Simon de Pury is commissioning artists all over the world to create custom works for the amenity spaces and common areas.
When the celebrated hotel opens to guests and residents alike (estimated for late 2024), “Spirit of Achievement” will be back in New York to greet them at the entrance. Inside, curator Simon de Pury is commissioning artists all over the world to create custom works for the amenity spaces and common areas.
393 West End Avenue (Brown Harris Stevens)
In sourcing a piece for the lobby, the team at 393 West End Avenue sought something “both timeless and contemporary” for the beautifully restored prewar building with modern characteristics, finishes, and amenities. To that end, residents arrive to mental winds, a modern painting by Esther Kläs. The symmetry and saturated colors of the painting beautifully play off the Art Deco-inspired lobby.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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