Rockefeller Apartments Transformation: Two Units Merge into Stunning Single Home!

The Rockefeller Apartments: A Modernist Marvel

The Rockefeller Apartments stand as a notable example in the annals of American architecture, being among the first residential structures in New York to embrace the International Style. Conceived in 1936 by architects Wallace Harrison and J. André Fouilheux, and initiated by the Rockefeller family, the building was intended to provide accommodation for those displaced by the development of Rockefeller Center. This project required a design approach that respected its modernist roots while avoiding a fall into nostalgic or dated reproductions. This was expertly achieved by Nicholas Potts Studio and Studio Armando Aguirre, who leveraged thorough archival research and allowed the building’s design to guide their enhancements.

The residence now spans 2,800 square feet, merging two previous apartments into one expansive unit. This redesign has reclaimed the clear, open feel that had been lost after years of modifications. The layout is organized around an oval-shaped entry gallery, which mirrors the curved features that are a hallmark of the building’s design.

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The iconic radiused projecting bays of the building shape the large, formal living and dining areas, restoring an elegant flow reminiscent of pre-war homes. The layout includes two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a versatile space that serves both as an office and guest area. The design was informed by original architectural plans, as well as references to William Lescaze’s prototype unit and interiors designed by Nelson Rockefeller in the 1930s.

Inside, heavy figured Khaya mahogany sweeps across the apartment, providing a unifying horizontal line that transforms into seating, cabinetry, and even an illuminated display base in different rooms. This repetition creates a subtle rhythm across various spaces, unifying them into a coherent whole. The inclusion of mirror-polished Portoro marble with its striking golden veins on a dark backdrop adds a touch of opulence and visual interest, enhancing the architectural quality of the spaces. The walls of the gallery are lined with cork, a nod to the original foyer design, and provide both acoustic benefits and a soft textural contrast to the more rigid surfaces elsewhere.

The apartment is furnished with a mix of bespoke pieces and items from the Bauhaus, International Style, and Art Deco periods, ensuring the space feels historically connected yet fresh and contemporary.

Blending Old and New in Bathrooms

The bathrooms exemplify the blend of restoration and modern reinterpretation. Wherever feasible, original fixtures are maintained, such as a historically significant toilet found in New York City. These are complemented by custom-made Heath Ceramics tiles and fittings that seamlessly integrate the old with the new.

Custom-designed elements like ebonized oak screens, a dining banquette, an office daybed and desk, and a specially crafted shelf in the living room emphasize the project’s dedication to a fluid integration of furniture and architectural elements.

The personal art collection of the owner, featuring pieces by notable artists like Robert Mangold, Candida Höfer, Ellsworth Kelly, Louise Lawler, Ed Ruscha, and Thomas Demand, influences color and material choices throughout the residence, fostering subtle interactions between the art and the architectural backdrop. The collaboration between Nicholas Potts Studio and Studio Armando Aguirre highlights the importance of viewing the architectural shell and interior decor as interconnected elements of a single design challenge, resulting in a living space where both the container and its contents resonate in harmony.