Project Description
This landmarked building on Central Park West was founded as a cancer hospital in 1884. Its two 40-foot circular wards—meant to alleviate the germs and dirt that were thought to fester in corners—made this gut renovation one of the more singular projects in the city.
Almost no surface in the apartment is straight—every feature was meticulously built to follow the precise, graceful curves of the historic space. That required a bespoke approach to even basic construction materials and methods, such as framing, drywall, and HVAC vent slots. Of course, the finishes had to follow the same rule: The custom bronze work, for instance—including window panels, baseboard, sliding pocket doors, and fireplace—all gently flow to the same radius.
The silver-cerused African wenge flooring, decorative Venetian plaster, and wood veneer millwork all add subtle texture to floors and walls. The Boffi Soho Kitchen is equipped with radiant-heated floors, and an intricate custom lighting fixture by Ingo Maurer hangs above the custom Corian kitchen island.
The master suite incorporates a free-standing millwork walk-in closet with one wall behind the bed clad in leather. The closet—like the rest of the apartment—features Nanz custom-made brass hardware finished in polished nickel. In the bathroom, some creative thinking was required to meet the design goals as well as the historic building’s strict requirements: The tub and shower locations were achieved by “floating” them above pitched subfloors hidden underneath, thereby allowing water to drain to approved locations equipped with water sensors that automatically shut off the supply if overflow is detected.