Tour SoHo’s Most Eligible Penthouse

The Penthouse at 52 Wooster is continuing to get the press it so deserves! Check out highlights from the article below, courtesy of the House Method.

THE BUILDING

Architect Arpad Baksa and interior outfitter GRADE are the design team behind the boutique condominium, which opened in 2015. The luxury that begins in the six levels of lofts extends down Wooster’s cobblestone street, where designer storefronts like Celine and Buscemi sprawl. But the tastes of the affluent aren’t totally sweeping the neighborhood. A quirkier piece of property, an experimental theater called The Wooster Group, stands its ground on the same street.

LIVING SPACE

No need for LED fixtures here. The rift-sawn flooring, already bright from its white oak finish, dazzles even more when the sunlight spills in from the floor-to-ceiling windows that perimeter the living room. The marble fireplace, which completely spans the base of one wall, adds to the glow. Unlike the windows, the furnishings lie low in height and in ornamentation to allow the natural light to expand the loft.

KITCHEN

An eight-foot open entryway brings the visceral experience of the living space into the kitchen. Taking a cue from the flooring’s light wash, the marble of the Fior Di Bosco countertops and backsplash isn’t over-saturated. But the pattern is still hard to miss, so it manages to soften the custom lacquer cabinets overhead. In an all-white kitchen the cabinets could come off as stark, proving the importance of every touch from the rougher-sawn bar stools to the golden mineral stone bowl sitting to the side.

DINING ROOM

Dark, cushioned chairs offer a comfortable dining experience for those seated around the expansive dining room table. An eccentric overhead light fixture complements the modern artwork and gold accents in the room.

DINING CORNER

The bygone home installment of the breakfast alcove improves on its 1920s predecessor’s claustrophobic features, getting rid of the “nook in the wall” look and instead melting the benches into the wall using a saturation of white. This camouflages the alcove from the rest of the kitchen and makes the unassuming breakfast corner even more of a secret retreat.

THE STAIRCASE

Steel rails and glass panels pay tribute to the industrial architecture beyond the walls, but the oak flooring continues upstairs to bring the design innovation back to earth. After all, the emphasis is on the natural. The goal for lofts like these is to create space, not a cavern.

THE STUDY

The work station looks more like an extension of the shelves than it does a desk, which is ideal for this penthouse’s design scheme. The more the furnishings flow into one another, the more space unfolds. The ebony finish on the desk introduces a bookish mood into the room, which this room needs; the lighter rooms in contrast encourage lounging and creative reflection.

THE KIDS’ BEDROOM

A contemporary children’s room—don’t mind the oxymoron. Yes, it’s possible to create a sophisticated space shared with stuffed animals. A clean slate rug makes the oak flooring more playful, but brings a classic minimalism piece into the bedroom. Extra warmth is needed for a youthful room, and the two-toned walls introduce color without being too whimsical. It’s the sensible color palette that allows features like a bunk bed—every child’s dream—to stand as a respectable furnishing.

MASTER SUITE

The reigning bedroom doesn’t take great leaps in interior design, and for good reason. The suite opens onto a private terrace, should you be so enticed to kick off the sheets. But one feature must be pointed out: the headboard, which is too underwhelming a name for the room’s best accent. Just like the doors and windows in the penthouse, the upholstered wall panel reaches for the stars. Appropriate, considering the successful residents of SoHo. This one piece transforms the room from unimaginative to conceptual.

MASTER BATHROOM

This room is a good example of experimenting with modern materials the right way. The White Wooden marble slab stretches from wall to floor, encompassing oneself in a material so foreign that it transports you into a clean (and considerably polished) sanctum. The rain shower enhances the otherworldly effect.

LOWER MANHATTAN VIEWS

Your thumbs can basically pinch the Empire State Building with outdoor views that face the north, south, and west. An outdoor kitchen, hot tub, and fireplace enhance the viewing party.