Gramercy Penthouse

GLS acted as prime architect for this home located across the street from Grace Cathedral at the top of Nob Hill. The project involved combining two 17th-floor units in the Gramercy Towers residential highrise, designed in the 1970s, into a new single family residence and guest suite.

The new program required a complete re-conception of 3600 square feet of interior space within the parameters of many existing structural and mechanical limitations. The new residence has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths for the family, 1 bedroom and 1 bath in the guest suite, a half-bath for guests, and an exterior deck overlooking the city. The design opportunity was in converting the space from a traditionally detailed residence in a fairly modern building into an uncompromisingly modern space. GLS focused on the use of horizontal lines to focus outward to the amazing 270-degree views, the use of concealed ethereal lighting to lift the ceiling, and sliding modern shoji screens to moderate the southern sun according to the time of day and the seasons. The dominant materials are walnut, marble, basalt, foamed aluminum, and Venetian plaster.