Terraced Duplex off Madison Avenue
This duplex penthouse is perched atop a prewar building on the Upper East Side with magnificent views. An unsightly second story had been added postwar, and both levels required full gut renovation. The owner, well-known interior designer, Michael S. Smith, imagined the apartment as a classical pavilion with 18th century French detailing uniquely juxtaposed with this 20th century American city. While the main rooms and primary bedroom are on the first floor of the apartment, a previous service stair was transformed into a ribbon-like stair to a new private guest suite above.
Beams were exposed in order to maximize the ceiling heights and skylights were added to bring in light and heighten the contrast of fine details with utilitarian/industrial elements. Furthering the garden folly narrative, new custom steel doors and windows throughout allow access to the terrace that surrounds the apartment.
