West 79th Street

This 1,800-square-foot apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side artfully combines three separate units into a flexible and cohesive space. The existing apartment, previously home to renowned novelist Philip Roth, comprised two of the building’s original units. The new owners engaged PJCArchitecture to incorporate a third unit to house their family of four with spaces for entertaining including an open kitchen, dining room, and family room. Alongside Tiago & Sons, Rodney Gibble Engineers, and Dane Pressner Design, PJCA elegantly navigated varied spatial configurations to create a clean-lined, flexible home with touches of eclectic, French bistro-inspired charm.

Connecting the third unit into the existing space proved a challenge for the team due to its narrow layout and separate entrances. PJCA configured the home to mask two of the original entrances while creating functional space around them, incorporating one into a new pantry and one into the main closet. The design team also combined two of the three existing balconies into a larger outdoor space for taking in the city’s stunning views.

Custom millwork and detailing elevates every inch of the home from the first step across the threshold. In a corridor off of the foyer, a delicate niche of Sahara Blanc marble carved into the wall adds visual interest and space to display decorative objects. Following this hall leads to the entrance of the primary bedroom, where mirrored closet doors of smoked glass provide ample storage while pulling in the client’s desired French flair. Heading the opposite direction leads to the kitchen, where a cubic structure of cladded veneer wraps around a cozy banquette, crafted to match the client’s vision of a quaint French bistro. On the other side of the cubic structure is a hidden bar area, also lined with Sahara Blanc marble. The elegant kitchen completes the French aesthetic with black and white square tiled floors, deep black cabinetry, a marbled Arabascato stone that visually connects the island and backsplash, and a Lachance French range.

Cove lighting elevates the design aesthetic of the open-plan dining area and creates the illusion of higher ceilings. The dining room leads into a family room used primarily by the family’s two daughters, featuring slidable glass door partitions that provide visibility and privacy as desired. The home’s three bathrooms feature stunning stone sinks, expertly cut to ensure a continuous wrap of the natural veining. A cubic sink of Calacatta Viola stone bedecks the powder room while a Pink Onyx backsplash and countertop brings a playful touch to the children’s bathroom. In the master bathroom, the team installed a luxurious steam shower, Statuarietto marble sink, and French-inspired mosaic floor.

For this converted Upper West Side apartment, PJCA integrated custom design details of opulent stone, wood, mosaic floors, and venetian plaster, all woven together by a thread of eclectic French flair. Prioritizing a commitment to the environment, PJCA selected Low-VOC materials and devised a passive solar design throughout the home.