This old building in New York has been transformed into modern apartments

November 9, 2016

Architectural design firm WORKac, have completed the renovation of a historical building with a cast-iron facade in New York City, and transformed it into modern apartments.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

 

Architectural design firm WORKac, have completed the renovation of a historical building with a cast-iron facade in New York City, and transformed it into modern apartments.

 

Architectural design firm WORKac, have completed the renovation of a historical building with a cast-iron facade in New York City, and transformed it into modern apartments.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

From the exterior, and only visible when looking down on it, is the rooftop addition, which New York City’s Landmarks Commission required to be invisible from the street level. However as the building is low compared to others around it, the designers had to get creative.


This historical apartment building in New York City received an ultra modern roof extension and updated interior.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

They utilized three rooftop projections to mask the bulk of an addition: the triangular pediment of the historic Carey Building next door, and the circular pediment and an abandoned elevator bulkhead at the top of the building itself. The “shadow” created by these three projections created a zone for the addition and the opportunity for a distinctive angled form for the new roof.


This historical apartment building in New York City received an ultra modern roof extension and updated interior.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

Inside the building, there are several apartments, with the top floor penthouse apartment having it’s own private outdoor deck.


This penthouse apartment in New York has a private deck.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

Here’s a look at the interior of the penthouse apartment. You can see the detail the exterior roof carries through to the interior with the lofty living area .


This historical apartment building in New York City received an ultra modern roof extension and updated interior with an angular ceiling.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

The living area extends to accommodate the dining area and then onto the kitchen.


The penthouse apartment in New York has a high ceiling and lofted bedroom.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

Steel stairs lead you up to the lofted bedroom and ensuite bathroom.


Steel stairs lead you up to the lofted bedroom and ensuite bathroom in this New York penthouse.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

Here’s a look at one of the bathrooms on the lower level of the penthouse apartment, where a standalone tub is surrounded by a tile mural.


This renovated bathroom has a standalone tub surrounded by tile mural.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

Before we have a look at another one of the apartments, it’s best to see a drawing of the layout of the kitchen, so it’s easier to understand.


This apartment has a unique 'third space' between the living and sleeping areas that houses the bathrooms and allows plants to grow on top.


In the three other apartments within the building, there’s a “third space” between bedrooms and living spaces that’s been created to house storage and bathrooms.


This apartment has a unique 'third space' between the living/kitchen and sleeping areas that houses the bathrooms and allows plants to grow on top.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

Above this ‘third space’ are seating areas, an herb garden, and a fern garden that’s connected to the master shower below.


Plants grow above this bathroom in a New York apartment.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

When you’re in the shower, the steam from the shower collects on the glass walls of the garden and waters the plants, which are partially visible from the shower below.


When you are in this shower, the steam from the shower collects on glass walls of a garden positioned directly above and waters the plants, which are partially visible from the shower below.

Photography by Bruce Damonte

Also hidden within the ‘third space’ is the guest bathroom, where it also has a tiled mural.


This blue and white guest bathroom has a tiled tree mural as an artistic touch.

Photography by Bruce Damonte