The Grace Tower was built in 2008 and features a distinctive design that includes Italian inspired courtyards and stunning walk up townhouses. The building is characterized by its arched windows, rounded balconies, and gargoyles. Perhaps, one of the city’s most inspired buildings, its visual uniqueness in comparison to the city’s other buildings, adds to the appeal.

Each interior unveils decorating details that exude elegance and sophistication. As you step from one room to the next, the porcelain floors and rich Mozambique millwork ensure a smooth transition. The most spectacular part of the property is the en-suite bedroom on the last level with cathedral ceilings. It is currently listed for sale for $7,899,000. Have a look at the video for the virtual tour and let us know what you think!

There are two direct elevators opening into a private foyer, the Elysium Penthouse features porcelain floors, rich Mozambique millwork througout, and an insuite private elevator.

The penthouse also boasts of its fair share of technological features, which include – climate controlled wine storage area (crafted from glass), Gaggenau appliances, geothermal heating, smart air-conditioning, ethanol fire places and a security system (with bio-metric fingerprint recognition). Finally, these advanced albeit ritzy attributes are bolstered by host of utility zones like a concierge, indoor/outdoor pool and spa fitness facility. So, at the end of the day, the scope is not only about intangible opulence (for sake of opulence), but also encompasses the qualities of comfort and safety.

The master bath contains a large soaking tub, an enclosed showering room, and separate enclosed toilet as well as two vanity sink areas all done up in the same porcelain, wood, and grey marble of the rest of the house.

Sitting right in the middle of the war-swept Mediterranean coast of the Levant, with the scars of conflict and violence still visible in its urban tissue, the city of Beirut, despite all the difficulties it has faced, is now home to a flourishing design and architecture scene.

A perfect example of what the city’s design and crafts scene can indeed achieve is the N.B.K Residence 2 by architect Bernard Khoury and his firm, DW5. Literally perched atop a nine-storey building adjacent to the infamous Green Line (the dividing buffer zone that used to split the city into the West/Muslim and East/Christian parts), the residence is in fact the architect’s own home, and as such it reflects his continuous experimentations and accumulated experience in interior design techniques, all in close collaboration with local artisans and design specialists.

It is less a connected penthouse, and more of an independent home that happens to be perched atop a building — it almost appears detached, floating above the rest of the structure.

The first floor and a mezzanine comprise the main volume of the living areas (including a spectacular double-height lobby and living room with generous views to the city), while a guest house, maid’s room, swimming pool and roof-garden terrace are situated on the topmost level. Wooden panel cladding has been used to cover interior floors and walls, in a technique that comes from experimentations in previous projects and was executed in collaboration with carpenter Doumit Tannous. The strong presence of wood has been complemented with black-painted steelwork: the ribbon-like spiral staircase, the mezzanine structure, the bookshelves in the lobby and the signature antenna-lights on top of the building were all created by Beirut-based design studio Acid (especially the latter shine like beacons at night, making the residence stand out as a landmark in the surrounding area).

Expansive and unobstructed, the main living area makes a powerful impression through the mixed usage of wood cladding and black steelwork. In addition to a stunning private rooftop pool, the three levels of space include a kitchen and dining room, guest studio, additional bedrooms, a floor-to-ceiling library, and separate quarters for all your various live-in staff.

Enter financial and real estate professional Arran Patel. He bought this penthouse, one of three in the St. Pancras Chambers above the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, and commissioned a luxury renovation from Thomas Griem of TG-Studio. “It’s a fantastic space, set over three floors,” Griem says. “Arran briefed me to create an amazing loft space that would complement and enhance the heritage of the building. He gave me a lot of creative freedom to decide how. We literally stripped everything out and started from scratch.”

Because the building is listed as a Grade I structure on England’s National Heritage List, Griem had to obtain permission to do some of the renovation work, such as changing the staircase and extending the mezzanine. He also furnished the apartment. It was a lengthy process, but the result is a surprisingly warm and cozy home with a cutting-edge vibe. “Arran’s often away on business, but he was so impressed with the finished penthouse, he decided to move in permanently,” Griem says.

The layout of the three floors has remained largely unchanged due to significant planning restrictions associated with Grade I–listed buildings. “We were very limited, but we managed to increase the mezzanine slightly,” Griem says. “We also ripped out the cumbersome spiral staircases that connected the floors in favor of a more comfortable, contemporary design.”

The first floor of three contains a casual open kitchen plan with dining and tv/entertaining area.  The Arabescato stone acts as a vertical feature behind the TV.  The dining table and chairs are from Poliform, the sofa from Zanotti, and rug from The Rug Company.

Glorious views across the city can be enjoyed from the deep sofa in the formal sitting room on the middle floor. Griem opted for a neutral palette with touches of color and pattern to create a sophisticated feel. “I focused on providing quality finishes throughout the property, and this translates to the furnishing as well,” he says.

Two enormous chairs add drama to the spacious room, with a marble-topped coffee table at the center.

“The billiard table [seen at left] is the only piece of furniture Arran brought to the property,” Griem says. “It’s quite funky, so I introduced some fun elements, such as the classic Arco lamp, to play on this theme.”

For practical reasons Griem had the Roman blind on the tall window fitted with a motor. “The window is absolutely enormous,” he says.

Opposite the dining room, a new staircase proved to be quite a feat of engineering. “The staircase is actually supported by the cupboard behind it and cantilevers off it,” Griem says.

The bookcase with a reading area under the stairs is made from the same Schotten & Hansen wood as the floor and provides invaluable concealed storage. “Arran uses the reading area all the time. It’s a very cozy, calming space in which to read a newspaper and have a cup of coffee in the morning,” says Griem.

The mezzanine floor at the top of the apartment houses the glamorous master bedroom. The space oozes luxury, from the recessed silk carpet to the silk wallpaper. “The rest of the apartment is very voluminous,”Griem says, “so this space is designed to feel warm and cozy.”

Huge Portuguese travertine tiles lend a cave-like quality to the en suite bathroom. “I wanted to make this a masculine space, so as well as the TV recessed in the wall, we’ve introduced dark timber and lacquer to give it gravitas,” Griem says. Mirrors span one wall to create the impression of more space.

The his-and-her en suite bathrooms are a glamorous affair, despite their relatively small footprint. “These rooms are in the turret of the building, so they’re very tall but quite small, making them both difficult and interesting to decorate,” Griem says. Clad in Arabescato marble, each bathroom features a chandelier hung low from the ceiling as a play on the dimensions of the rooms.

Amazing sight, high ceilings, large windows and an exquisite selection of elements of décor adorn this place, giving to it a vibrant touch of elegance. A subtle choice of neutral colors and the smart mix of glass reflecting the outside view, elements of contemporary art and an imposing fireplace, now that’s something we call dream home! Besides the incredible precise care towards details, the central and the accurate furniture alignments, everything seems dramatically extended: from ceilings to the panoramic sight upon this magical city.

In case New York is an option, this duplex is an excellent choice for those who can afford it! We’re talking about a valuable residential space, offered for sale at 26.5 million dollars!

Under the shadow of the Empire State Building, the existing Penthouse had been cut up into recording studios in the 1980’s. Windows had been filled in with glass block, and the hot tub and sauna filled up the living room. The rooftop extension had been used as an apartment for sublet, and the rooms were dark and musty.

Interior demolition alone was not enough to transform the loft, its use had to be re-thought entirely. Rather than fill the loft with a typical residential program of bedrooms and a/v rooms, the only requirements were “a place to cook for my friends” and “a place for my books”.

The owner, an avid chef, was receptive to the idea of dedicating the second floor entirely to the kitchen. Surrounded by glass doors on both sides and skylights above, the kitchen and garden are the perfect escape from the noise of 5th avenue below. Unlike the New York City stereotype of food delivery, this kitchen is made for the pleasures of cooking. By reversing the direction of the existing staircase, the view is brought into sharp focus. The cantilevered wood stair treads further emphasize the view, and pull light down from the two-storied skylight.

On the living floor below, the entire perimeter of the loft was made free of any partitions. The windows framed by walnut cabinetry pull in the views of the city. A new interpretation of the 1950’s built-in “conversation pit” seating is apparent as the perimeter millwork transforms from sofa to fireplace to piano bench to library seating. The client’s extensive library of Chinese Political theory extends around the central core of the loft, and the master suite takes a secondary role to the books and food.

Description by Koko Architecture + Design

This open living space showcases unparalleled views of Manhattan with a 25′ ceiling height. The designer created a very modern clean line design using the philosophy of Feng Shui. From the open furniture layout to the simple color skim, a very harmonious and balanced space has been created.

French native Marie Burgos‘ ultimate talent is understanding her clients needs and creating homes and commercial interiors that are balanced, harmonious, sophisticated, and embracing her clients life style.

In 2008 Marie also held the coveted position of Stylist Director for the Home Décor department of World Bride Magazine. Marie was chosen by HGTV.com for her residential design work and is designing properties for HGTV episodes of the show “The Unsellables”.

Marie has also developed a design expertise for lofts penthouses and designs New York projects in Tribeca, Chelsea and Soho. She has been recognized by several magazines such as Luxury Quarterly magazine. She was chosen to appear in the book series “Designers NY” by the Group Panache, the 2012 publication.

On the entertainment/first level, the Living Room boasts 18 foot ceilings and features a floor-to-ceiling plain-sawn cherry wood hearth which contains a wood burning fireplace (one of three fireplaces in this residence.) The Kitchen features top of the line fixtures and appliances with custom white lacquer cabinets and bluestone counters. Museum-quality polished concrete flooring and teak flooring are featured throughout this level, extending seamlessly to the outside terraces.

Oversized glass sliding doors open from all rooms on this level to the incomparable terrace, with a state-of-the-art outdoor stainless steel kitchen located on the southwest corner and a hot tub and private outdoor shower located on the northwest corner. The entire north, east, and south terraces boast wide open spaces, including a dining area off the Kitchen and Dining Room. Restored parapets of the original historic building provide both refined style and privacy without interrupting the cinematic city skyline and Hudson River views.

A steel and glass elliptical staircase is one of two stairways that connect the entertaining floor to the very private bedroom suites on the second level. All Bedrooms have luxurious en-suite baths, large closets, and each highlight beautiful vistas of the city. The Master Bedroom features extraordinary views of the mighty Hudson, endless closets and a bathroom that features honey colored onyx bath and steam shower, Jacuzzi and sauna.

Other notable features include hand troweled plaster walls and ceilings featured throughout, Lutron self-adjusting light and shade systems, state-of-the- art security system, climate-control system, and walls that allow artwork to be hung without fear of damage from sunlight.  

This two-story penthouse apartment embodies many of PMK’s ideas about integration between space, architecture, urban living, and spirituality into everyday life. Designed for a young couple with a recent newborn daughter, this residence is centered on a common area on the lower floor that supports a wide range of activities, from cooking and dining, family entertainment and music, as well as coming together as a family by its visually seamless transitions from inside to outside to merge the house into its’ cityscape. The large two-story volume of the living area keeps the second floor connected containing a semi-private master bedroom, walk-in closet and master bath, plus a separate private study.

The integrity of the home’s materials was also an important factor in the design—solid woods, concrete, and raw metal were selected because they stand up to day to day needs of a family’s use yet look even better with age. Brick wall surfaces are carefully placed for the display of art and objects, so that these elements are integrated into the architectural fabric of the space.

You can buy it at Sotheby’s for 17,95 million dollars..