When a major fire destroyed this beloved Upper West Side apartment, our client was naturally devastated. The 2,600sqft 3-bedroom property was a luxury home on W 86th Street with stunning views of the Hudson River, but it has now been brought to its knees by extensive fire damage – damage which is particularly heart-breaking given the historical significance of the building in which it is situated: Riverside Drive, which was once the home of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.
However, with the unfortunate turn of events comes a new opportunity to remodel the apartment, replacing outdated structures and facilities, re-considering interior design choices through the lens of a 2020 design team, and building an even more incredible home from its ashes.
At VAKOTA, we have been appointed to do just that. We are designing and overseeing the rebuilding of this opulent Manhattan property, at once restoring its historical splendor and keeping its original charm, whilst also updating the interior design to match modern trends and finishes.
It is both a challenge and a privilege to work on a project such as this, using new materials and technologies on a historical work of architecture, and striking the perfect balance between the old and the new.
The apartment is in need of a full interior refurbishment and restructure, but first we need to treat the fire damage it sustained. New windows are being installed to match the existing historic character of the building. New fire-retardant gypsum board and wall insulation will aid in providing fire protection and added environmental protection for the apartment. As well as treating the fire damage, the restoration will involve installing a brand-new AC system, as well as replacing all of the apartment’s plumbing and electrical infrastructure.
As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home – and so we will be remodelling the apartment’s kitchen into a high-spec kitchen diner, complete with high-end appliances and a walk-in pantry. The kitchen will be a chef’s kitchen with a 6-burner range, extra-large refrigerator and filter water tap.
As well as this, we have followed the client’s brief and will be creating an enhanced grand foyer and main entrance area for the apartment, with a bespoke design which has been crafted to specifically to showcase favoured pieces of the owner’s private art collection. VAKOTA is further assisting the Owners with their interior design by selecting room colours, draperies, decorative light fixtures and furniture arrangements.
We have now nearly completed the design stage of the project; with the interior design set, we just need to select the perfect finishes for each room. We have applied for permits to proceed with the project and we expect construction to last around 6 months. We are in the process of recruiting the perfect contractor for the job, and we hope to commence construction in Summer 2020.
