A stylish apartment on 24th Street in Manhattan

George Ranalli Architect renovated and revitalized an apartment of ‘The Towers’, residential complex located on 24th Street in Manhattan. The revised layout transformed an old-fashioned floor plan into a coherent modern apartment.

 

A residential complex with a rich history

Harry Mandel purchased land for the London Terrace project and commissioned the architectural firm Victor Farrar & Richard Watmough to implement its design. The project was completed in 1931 and boasts of a city block footprint consisting of 1,700 apartments. Residing in West Chelsea, the complex is situated between 9^th and 10^th Avenues as well as 23^rd and 24^th Streets.

The design is Romanesque and stands twenty-two storeys tall. It is comprised of fourteen conterminous buildings and is faced with beautiful dark orange brick with impeccable detailing. The design concept was one of an ocean liner with luxuries such as a roof top playground, penthouse community room and restaurant.

At the time it was built, the lavish structure was the largest apartment complex in the world and was extremely popular because of its convenient closeness to the 8th Avenue IND Subway line. But in 1948, London Terrace was separated into two portions and bought by two different organizations.

 

A modern apartment

In 1986, the four corner buildings called the London Terrace Towers were transformed into a co-op. Today, the ten mid-block buildings called the London Terrace Gardens remain rental apartments. Although not as luxurious as in its youth, there remains a gym, a pool, saunas and steam rooms, retail at street level, attended lobbies throughout the day, and a beautifully landscaped and provisioned roof deck that provides its visitors with spectacular views of the city.

Recently, an owner living in a 70 m², one-bedroom apartment at ‘The Towers’ commissioned George Ranalli Architect to revitalize their almost ninety-year-old residence. First, Anne Valentino, a licensed psychologist and associate partner at George Ranalli Architect helped the client de-clutter the apartment. Then, the firm proceeded with a gut renovation which allowed for a stylish living space with a new kitchen plan, display areas for works of art and publications, home office, sleeping and bathing quarters as well as sophisticated storage solutions and updated amenities throughout. All of the revitalized spaces maximize functionality while establishing a sense of modern eloquence.

 

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