Two Pre-War Apartments Join to Make One Sustainable Home With Sliding Walls

This article highlights a unique real estate opportunity in New York City: the simultaneous availability of two distinct apartments within a former Gilded Age mansion at 17 East 63rd Street. Built in 1901, the five-story limestone mansion initially housed prominent New York families before being converted into apartments after World War II. These units, characterized by their high, coffered ceilings, chandeliers, and French doors leading to Juliet balconies, rarely come onto the market. By an unusual coincidence, the second-floor apartment and a combined third-and-fourth-floor duplex were listed for sale within five days of each other, each with a different broker. The second-floor unit, apartment 2, has been owned for the past 35 years by Shirley Maytag King, widow of the grandson of the Maytag appliance company founder. This apartment boasts 15-foot ceilings, a remnant of its past as the mansion's ballroom, and is listed at $4.2 million. It includes 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a private elevator, a formal dining room, and two working fireplaces. Broker Paul Kolbusz notes that its price reflects the potential need for kitchen and bathroom updates, despite its historical significance and prime location near Central Park and the Frick Collection. The duplex, apartment 3/4, has been continuously owned for over 20 years and spans 4,200 square feet, significantly larger than the second-floor unit. Listed at $16.995 million, it features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, five fireplaces, and a primary bedroom that is 22 by 26 feet, larger than many living rooms, with two separate en suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, one with its own fireplace. The apartment, designed by Thomas Britt, also showcases an enormous great room with coffered ceilings and floor-to-ceiling French-door-style windows. Broker Elana Schoppmann emphasizes its 'grand scale' and 'royalty-like' living experience. The current owners combined the third and fourth floors in the early 1990s when the upstairs neighbors moved out. Both brokers involved are open to the idea of a buyer combining these two apartments into a single, three-story residence spanning approximately 6,300 square feet. Such a combination, however, would likely require board approval, as the building operates as a co-op. The mansion is also noted for being a rare 30-foot-wide limestone townhouse, sometimes referred to as the H. Bramhall Gilbert Mansion after its first owner. Neil Diamond is mentioned as the owner of the duplex penthouse on the fifth floor, a fact that dates back to a previous article from over 20 years ago. This simultaneous listing presents a unique opportunity for a buyer to acquire a significant portion of a historic Gilded Age mansion, offering expansive living spaces with original architectural details and the potential for a grand, custom-combined residence in a highly desirable New York City location. #GildedAge #LuxuryRealEstate #NewYorkCity #MansionApartments #RealEstateListing #UpperEastSide #HistoricHomes #CoOpLiving #ArchitecturalDesign

In response to Metsä Wood’s ‘The City Above the City’ (Plan B) competition, NYC architecture and design studio nooyoon developed the ‘flipped house’ concept, an innovative ‘add-on’ building typology. This proposal aims to address the global challenge of urban population growth and the resulting demand for high-density residential areas by vertically expanding existing urban structures. With over half of the world's population living in cities since 2008 and projections indicating urban populations will reach 6.4 billion by 2050, cities worldwide are grappling with the need for sustainable housing solutions that avoid horizontal sprawl. The competition specifically challenged participants to reimagine the use of wood in contemporary urban architecture by designing additional floor areas for existing buildings. Nooyoon selected a site in Mayfair, London, a district characterized by early 19th-century row houses and a desirable location near Hyde Park. This area, known for its high real estate value and a preservation ethos that favors renovation over new construction, presented an ideal context for demonstrating effective design solutions for vertical urban expansion. Row houses, or terrace houses, are prevalent in historical cities like London, Paris, and New York, and their historical significance makes their demolition or extensive redevelopment problematic. Therefore, adding floors to these existing structures offers a practical approach to mitigating urban sprawl while safeguarding the established urban fabric. The ‘flipped house’ concept is based on a modular system that integrates with the existing structure of a row house, leveraging its embedded building walls. The design utilizes laminated veneer lumber (LVL), a material chosen for its strength and lightweight properties, to extend the existing vertical timber structure beyond the roofline. Modular housing units are then positioned within these extended LVL frameworks. Each module is designed to accommodate two residential units and a central corridor, and multiple modules can be clustered to form a typical double-corridor residential floor. The flexibility of the system allows for the combination of adjacent segments to create larger housing units, catering to diverse residential needs. A key aspect of nooyoon’s proposal for the Mayfair site is the shared vertical circulation core. Instead of requiring extensive renovation for each building, only one of the seven existing row houses needs to be adapted to provide vertical access for the new flipped houses. This strategy not only minimizes disruption to the historical features of the buildings but also reduces overall construction costs. The project, sponsored by Metsä Wood and designed by Hyuntek Yoon, represents a thoughtful architectural response to urban densification, emphasizing the potential of wood construction and modular design to create sustainable and context-sensitive housing solutions in densely populated historical urban environments. #FlippedHouse #UrbanHousing #ModularArchitecture #MetsäWoodCompetition #LondonArchitecture #RowHouseExtension #SustainableDesign #LaminatedVeneerLumber

Radio host Ramona Holloway, known for “The Matt & Ramona Show” on 107.9 The Link, moved to Charlotte from Virginia Beach in 2001. In 2003, her mother, Louise “Wheezy” Glover, living in Columbus, Ohio, experienced what was initially thought to be a stroke. This turned out to be an injured disk in her neck, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. As an only child, Holloway managed her mother’s care remotely, coordinating home health services and senior taxi services, and spending her mornings on the phone with doctors and insurance companies. This arrangement involved weekly commutes, with Holloway flying to Columbus on Friday evenings after her show and returning to Charlotte on Monday mornings. This demanding routine continued for four to five months until Holloway persuaded her mother to move to Charlotte. In 2004, Holloway and Glover moved into a house in Indian Land, South Carolina. However, two subsequent back surgeries for Glover in 2008 and 2013 highlighted the unsuitability of the large home, which was difficult to navigate, especially when Glover needed a wheelchair or walker for several months post-surgery. In 2010, they relocated to a smaller house in Belmont with the intention of finding a permanent residence. They chose Belmont because its small-town atmosphere reminded them of Oberlin, Ohio, where Glover grew up and Holloway was born, offering a sense of community and familiarity. Holloway faced challenges in finding a home that met the needs of both herself and her mother, particularly concerning accessibility and comfort for Glover. Traditional floor plans often meant a master bedroom downstairs and less convenient arrangements upstairs. Consequently, Holloway decided to build a custom home rather than buy an existing one. She collaborated with Integrity of the Carolinas to design a house tailored to their specific requirements. The builders incorporated suggestions for enhanced mobility, such as installing hardwood floors throughout the entire downstairs, including closets, to facilitate wheelchair movement. They moved into their 2,700-square-foot, two-story brick home in Belmont Village in March 2014. The design prioritizes accessibility on the first floor, with all doorways, including those for smaller spaces like the laundry room, wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The main entrance features three steps, but the back door, used for daily entry from the detached garage, is equipped with an elegant, gradual ramp made of pavers, offering a practical and aesthetically pleasing alternative to bulky metal ramps. Holloway noted that she learned from observing friends who had to modify their homes with temporary ramps for family members. Glover’s bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are designed with a neutral color palette of beige, taupe, and moss green, offering ample space for maneuverability. The bathroom counter lowers to a seated height on one end, allowing Glover to comfortably groom herself from a chair or wheelchair. The tub has a low edge for easy access, and the toilet is elevated. Oil-rubbed bronze grab bars in the shower and by the toilet are integrated seamlessly with the decor. A bulletin board in her room stores medical information for easy access by caregivers. Upstairs, Holloway has her “grown-up” room with a garden tub in her bathroom and a walk-in closet. Her bedroom is decorated in modern red and black colors, with a photograph that serves as a source of perspective and inspiration. A third bedroom serves as a guest room, providing comfortable accommodation for visitors, especially when Holloway needs someone to stay with her mother. Holloway’s aunt created the textile art hanging above the guest bed. A Jack-and-Jill bathroom connects to Holloway’s office. The main living spaces, including Glover’s bedroom and the living room, are areas where they spend most of their leisure time. The large living room features a gas fireplace, built-in bookshelves, family photos, and matching black leather chairs. Notably, there is no television in the living room; Holloway prefers conversation and maintains the serenity of the space. An enlarged black-and-white photograph from 1961 shows Glover and her best friend touring Europe after college. Holloway and Glover share anecdotes and memories, reflecting their close bond. Glover is a dedicated listener of “The Matt & Ramona Show” and even had her own segment, “The World of Wheezy.” This home serves as a testament to their special relationship, providing a comfortable and accessible environment for both. #HomeDesign #AccessibleLiving #MultiGenerationalHome #CustomHomeBuild #AgingInPlace #BelmontNC #RadioPersonality #FamilyCare #MobilitySolutions

A Hong Kong couple, Rosanne Wong and Anthony Chu, transformed their living situation by acquiring the adjacent apartment in their Happy Valley building, effectively doubling their living space from 350 sq ft (33 sq m). Having purchased their original 17th-floor flat in 2012, the couple found themselves in need of more room but were reluctant to leave their established neighborhood and its conveniences. The opportunity arose when their neighbors moved out, allowing Wong and Chu to negotiate the purchase of the adjoining unit just before Christmas 2020. To seamlessly integrate the two one-bedroom flats into a single, cohesive unit, the graphic designer and architect couple enlisted the expertise of Lisa J. Lai, founder of TATI Studio, and independent interior designer Choy Siu-kwan. The primary design goal was to infuse the expanded home with a Zen aesthetic, which Lai drew inspiration from Japanese film director Yasujiro Ozu's cinematography, noting its visual symmetry and poetic portrayal of everyday life. This approach aligned with the clients' desire for a calm and simple living environment. Key functional requirements for the renovation included accommodating a king-size bed in the sole bedroom and integrating work-from-home capabilities. The design team addressed these needs by meticulously planning the layout. The original second bathroom was preserved for guest use and transformed into a laundry room. The remaining space was intelligently reallocated to create a spacious 221 sq ft main suite. This new main suite was designed to include separate 'his and hers' wardrobes, providing ample storage, and a well-appointed bathroom featuring a soaking tub, enhancing the luxurious and relaxing Zen ambiance the couple desired. The collaboration between the homeowners and the design professionals focused on creating an environment where every element was interconnected and contributed to a unified whole. The transformation from two small, separate units into a larger, integrated space not only met the couple's need for more room but also reflected their lifestyle and aesthetic preferences, proving that a creative approach to real estate can yield a personalized and serene urban sanctuary. #HongKongApartment #HomeRenovation #ZenDesign #InteriorDesign #SpaceExpansion #WorkFromHome #TATIStudio #HappyValley #ArchitectHome

The Noahs' residence in east Springfield, a 1970s foreclosure, underwent extensive renovation from 2011 to 2013, transforming a dilapidated property into a beautifully appointed home. The couple, Phil and Sharon Noah, were initially drawn to the property by its open ground-level floor plan and the captivating view from the top-floor balcony, even though the house was in a state of disarray. They embraced the challenge, seeking a project that would allow them to reimagine and personalize their living space. The renovation process was comprehensive, impacting every aspect of the house. The Noahs added new structures and dedicated countless hours over two years to the project, living in the home throughout the entire construction period. This commitment meant enduring dust and significant disruption, at one point even requiring a ladder to access their top-floor master bedroom. Their creativity was evident in their resourcefulness, as they repurposed materials from unconventional sources. For instance, terra cotta tiles, columns, and lighting fixtures from a former Macaroni Grill were integrated into a newly constructed gazebo and the kitchen design. The kitchen itself features Phenix marble countertops, unique for their embedded fossils, adding a distinctive natural element to the space. The lower level of the home was reconfigured to include modern entertainment amenities. Two existing bedrooms were converted into a dedicated home theater and a game room. The game room boasts a wet bar, ingeniously equipped with beer taps that Phil, a retired fire marshal, crafted from an antique fire extinguisher, reflecting a personal touch and a nod to his past profession. On the upper floor, the couple optimized their living space by transforming a former bedroom into a luxurious master bathroom and converting a loft area into a spacious walk-in closet, enhancing both functionality and comfort. For the interior decoration, the Noahs opted for a refined aesthetic, furnishing the entire house with European antiques, which contribute to a sense of timeless elegance and character. The extensive work and thoughtful design of their home will soon be showcased to the public as part of the 23rd Annual Cup O’Cheer Homes Tour. This event benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, offering attendees a glimpse into the Noahs' remarkable transformation project. Sharon Noah expressed her joy in decorating the house, particularly for Christmas, indicating her passion for creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere. The tour provides an opportunity for the community to appreciate the intricate details and the successful revitalization of the 1970s residence. #HomeRenovation #ForeclosureTransformation #OpenFloorPlan #InteriorDesign #DIYProjects #EuropeanAntiques #HomeTour #RonaldMcDonaldHouseCharities #SpringfieldHomes