Architect Redesigns A New York Apartment Originally Built in 1902 (House Tour)

East Village Apartment by GRT Architects is an extensive renovation of an existing New York apartment in a storied Manhattan building known as Onyx Court. The building’s heritage held great appeal, however, the clients engaged GRT Architects to conceive a series of interventions in the pursuit of improved programming and increased access to natural light.

Originally designed in 1902 by architects Harde & Short, the NYC building has a romantic history as the home of opera singers, Oscar-winning composers and other creatives. These accounts, alongside the building’s turn-of-the-century disposition, were a source of inspiration, and the architects’ response is grounded in a deep respect for the New York apartment’s heritage.

Given the apartment typology, there were no extensive changes to the built form, however, as the house tour illustrates, a series of clever edits and extrusions ultimately enhance the human experience of this compact house. GRT Architects straightened the corridor by reducing the size of the guest bedroom and adding built-in joinery along the southern elevation. The pleasing by-product of this change is a sense of fluidity and uninterrupted sightlines running the length of the New York apartment from the front door to the east-facing kitchen window. Forgoing some circulation space also allowed the architects to add a powder room and extra storage without compromising on the design – no small feat in a tight apartment condition, especially in NYC.

Secondly, relocating the kitchen from deep in the plan to the front and creating an open-plan living and dining area is a triumph in the New York apartment. Not only has it allowed for an intimate primary suite at the rear, but it’s resulted in a generous space for cooking, hosting and relaxing at the apartment’s eastern tip. Here, the decor and interior design come heavily into play, as the spaces are gently delineated by materials and architectural elements, resulting in an effortless flow depicted in the house tour. The decor is colourful yet easy on the eyes, and materials such as checkboard tiles, brass pendants and timber illustrate an intuitive response to interior design and a place for effortless living in the heart of the city.

The design of this New York apartment exudes an upbeat and colourful sensibility that is both fitting for its East Village locale and complementary to the building’s heritage. Punchy colours bring a playful edge to the home, and curved elements celebrate the building’s quirks. These materials and details converge in a house that is visually exciting but ultimately highly pragmatic, arguably the fundamentals of any great New York City abode.

00:00 - Introduction to the New York Apartment
00:40 - The History of the Building and Location
01:45 - Reinvigorating the Layout
02:26 - A Walkthrough of the Apartment
03:29 - Key Materials and Elements
04:39 - Proud Moments

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Photography by Nicole Franzen.
Architecture by GRT Architects.
Styling by Ridge House.
Engineering by Old Structures and ANZ Engineering.
Filmed and edited by O&Co. Homes.
Production by The Local Production.

East Village, New York, United States

The Local Project acknowledges the traditional territories and homelands of the Indigenous peoples in the United States. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.

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