Inspired Design

Abode2 takes a look at some of New York City's top luxury residential buildings that boast architectural and design features inspired by the city itself

Design inspiration can be found all over New York City thanks to the city's landmarked buildings and overall rich architectural history - not to mention its vibrant parks and green spaces. Now more than ever, architectural firms are looking at a building's environment to inspire its facade and overall exterior as a way of storytelling. With design steeped in New York City history, the new buildings listed below tell their own unique story of New York City's past and present.

150 East 78th Street

Located on the corner of 78th Street and Lexington Avenue, 150 East 78th Street - the condo development designed by award-winning architectural firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects - features an arched opening on 78th Street flanked by windows and metal detailing all painted a rich distinctive shade of green at the base of the building - a first for RAMSA and an ode to the metal conservatories that once existed in the surrounding Upper East Side neighbourhood. The metal detailing and conservatories in a rich green continue as the eye travels up the building's facade and play beautifully against the warm tones of the brick and limestone façade.

150 East 78th Street

(Images Credit: Hayes Davidson)

200 East 83rd Street

Rising approximately 500 feet above the corner of 83rd and Third Avenue, 200 East 83rd is its own celebration of the Upper East Side's architectural romance. The tower's traditional masonry façade of hand-laid Indiana limestone is embossed with wildflowers that were native to the area. Robert A.M Stern Architects wanted to pay homage to this historic location by memorializing these now extinct New York flowers in a way that would provoke people to want to learn more while bringing a little bit of the past to the present. These intricate and eye-catching details are carved around the building's elegant custom-brushed blackened nickel front door, allowing them to be admired at street level. Expanding on the classic Upper East Side tradition, the building also features sculpted railings that echo the street’s treelined greenery.

200 East 83rd

(Images Credit: DBOX)

Front & York

Designed inside and out by celebrated architect Morris Adjmi, Front & York is introducing the first opportunity to live in a full-service, luxury urban oasis in DUMBO. Inspired by DUMBO’s iconic Belgian-block streets and historic warehouse architecture, Front & York’s highly detailed, hand-laid brick façade is made of 1.2 million custom-made Glen-Gery bricks in a distinct hue that reflects the colour of the surrounding streets. The intricate façade of the two 21-story residential towers is topped with a scalloped, custom-moulded concrete super frame crafted in New York’s Hudson Valley, and the base of the building showcases signature arches inspired by the spandrels of the nearby and iconic Manhattan Bridge.

Front & York

(Images Credit: Will Femia)

Vandewater

Vandewater is the first luxury residential condominium of its kind on Manhattan’s West Side. Located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Morningside Heights, Vandewater offers 183 residences ranging from studios to four bedrooms. Designed by the celebrated INC Architecture & Design, the building is a fresh representation of the local classical neo-gothic architecture of the Manhattan neighbourhood of Morningside Heights. Additionally, the building's facade material and colour of weathered limestone pays homage to the nearby Riverside Church.

Vandewater

(Images Credit: Jonathan Morefield & Eric Petschek)