Architects Max Worrell and Jejon Yeung’s verdict when they saw this loft in the landmarked Clocktower Building in Dumbo was that the existing layout didn’t do much to celebrate its privileged perch.

“You enter via a private elevator that opens into this amazing view back to Manhattan,” says Worrell. But the rest came across as “chopped-up,” segmenting the views in separate rooms. “Our initial idea was that we needed to reorganize space to help capture the dramatic views,” says Worrell. “It was kind of ‘wow,’ but also it needed some work.”

Before: Living Areas

After: Living Areas

The loft’s living areas were previously arranged in an L-shape with the kitchen shoehorned into a narrow galley space. Another corner with windows on both sides was occupied by the master bedroom suite, thus blocking sight lines from the main living zones.

The architects started by relocating the kitchen to the master bedroom’s spot, removing an awkward dividing wall in the process, and assembling all of the main living areas in one linear, open space with windows on three sides. Now, a cozy library occupies the former kitchen, creating a more private nook off of the main open plan.

Before: The Entry

After: The Entry

A central volume clad in white oak now houses the elevator, entry, powder room, guest bath, and utility space. A corresponding white oak wall defines the kitchen. “We came up with these analogies of the two wooden boxes and volumes, kind of like fraternal twins that occupy the center of the floor plate,” says Yeung. “It was more of a way to organize this space and anchor the programmatic elements of the project, and then create the perimeter to take advantage of the beautiful view.”

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Before: Master Bedroom

After: Kitchen

The oak volumes separate the public and private zones of the loft, while allowing for ease of circulation throughout. The loft is shared by two owners who “basically wanted it as a pied-à-terre,” says Yeung. “We developed this layout that had two master suites. The idea then was that they would not live in it simultaneously, but have their own territory and suite.”

“What's really cool about one of the volumes is that it's completely—at least in floor plan—independent,” says Worrell. “You can walk all the way around it, like a donut of circulation, and I think that's always nice, especially for apartments in New York City, to have that range of fluid circulation through a space. It seems like a luxury and a unique thing.”

After: Bedroom Suites

More Before & After:

A Muddled Midcentury Ranch in L.A. Gets a Suave Update

A Seattle Midcentury Shakes Off a Wacky Addition

An Abandoned Schoolhouse in New Orleans Now Holds Chic Apartments

Project Credits:

Architecture: Worrell Yeung / @worrellyeung

Builder: Metropolitan Innovations

Lighting Design: Lighting Workshop

Also Appears In

Before & After: A Disjointed Loft in Brooklyn Now Luxuriates in the View