Karen L. Jacobson Architects Studio

Columbus Avenue

The owner purchased two adjacent apartments and the rights to build on the roof. Additions on the roof are restricted by the Building Department’s code limiting square footage; and since the corner property was highly visible from parks and avenues, strict Landmark regulations also controlled the design. The penthouse which houses a family room, office, bathroom and bar, is a simple structure with much of the liveliness coming from the landscaping and furnishings, which are not regulated by the Landmarks Commission. The interior style was abstracted traditional, and the cherry detailing of the new stair connects the woodwork of the dining room below and the office above. The penthouse was highlighted in an article on penthouses in the AIA’s magazine Oculus.