We all know

that ebay sells everything a wild imagination can conjure up, but a Manhattan apartment block? Apparently so. When property developer Elias Kefalidis was searching for a new home-cum-development, a hunt on the people’s favourite auction site unearthed a gem. Slap-bang in the hip enclave of Tribeca, a well-worn warehouse, built in 1892, stood in need of a hefty amount of TLC. It was an opportunity Elias just couldn’t resist.

‘An artist was living with his family in the building,’ recalls Elias. ‘He’d been there for about 15 years and it was in a terrible state of disrepair. I was pretty shocked when I first saw it – it looked like a demolition site.’

But the potential was obvious and Elias was keen to restore the building to its former glory. Unfortunately, the interior was so dilapidated, there was little to be salvaged, but after a two-year wrangle with the NYC conservation bigwigs, the exterior looked set to take a step back in time to its impressive Romanesque-revival heyday.

Elias called in Eran Chen of ODA Architecture, as they had previously worked on a similar project and Elias had been impressed with Eran’s talent for sensitively tackling the revival of an aged building’s crumbling bare bones. Remarkably, the process of turning the ramshackle shell into to-die-for dwellings took just eight months.

The building was separated into four apartments, with Elias nabbing the upper levels as his own, and the renovations were meticulously planned. Eran, who founded ODA, says, ‘It was clearly a very special place, but it had been terribly neglected. When I discussed what needed to be done with Elias, we decided it should reflect contemporary living and be suitable for a New York lifestyle. We also had to make the right decisions on materials to unite the space with its remarkable history.’

Luckily, Elias and Eran were able to restore the building’s façade, incorporating the original mouldings, cornices, steel shutters and arched windows. Surprisingly, considering its history, they were still intact. When it came to Elias’s own apartment, the brief was to merge historical aesthetics with practical comfort. ‘I wanted it to feel in tune with its past,’ admits Elias, ‘but it still had to suit my lifestyle.’

The most striking feature is the double-height living area, with the mezzanine library floating above. It gives the space a sense of grandeur and quirkiness. ‘I love this,’ says Elias, smiling. ‘Hanging the catwalk from the new roof steel was an innovative idea and gives an added twist. Yet it’s never oppressive – the abundant steel casement windows and glass walkway allow light to flood in from every angle.’

As a discerning nod to bygone days, the exposed brickwork, wood beams (‘a fire regulation nightmare’), steel joinery and even the original shade of paint on the windows pay tribute to the building’s industrial legacy. ‘I wanted to respect the bones of the property.’ says Elias. ‘That felt crucial to me.’

The end result is a testament to design excellence, incorporating as it does the soul of the old and the heart of the new. ‘It’s a place where I feel relaxed and happy,’ says Elias. ‘Isn’t that what a home should be?’ See more of Eran Chen’s work at odaarchitecture.com

STAIRCASE

The dramatic floating stairway was custommade. As architect Eran Chen says, ‘With this home, we tried to combine inspiration with comfort, glamour with warmth and individuality with an abiding sense of history.’ Get the look This is the BB.09.09 chandelier by Lindsey Adelman.

DINING area

With its elegant, elongated dining table and classic Eames chairs, this is the perfect spot for entertaining friends.

Get the look Try Twentytwentyone for DCM chairs by Eames for Vitra.

KITCHEN/ DINING area

This snug kitchen, with its neutral colour, is tucked away neatly at one end of the space. The dining area seamlessly extends into the more sprawling landscape of the seating section. Get the look The bespoke cabinets were built by ODA Architecture. The Autoban sofa is from De La Espada.

KITCHEN

Glossy appliances, worktops and tiles give this practical corner of the living space a glam touch. Get the look The wall tiles are from Urban Archaeology. For a similar marble worktop, try Stone Age.

library detail

In addition to an impressive collection of books, the shelves house personal mementos, including starfish and animal ornaments, postcards and pictures. Get the look For similar bespoke library shelving, try Neville Johnson.

‘I just couldn’t resist the challenge of transforming a crumbling warehouse into a unique and personal home’

library

The reinforced-glass walkways of the mezzanine library seem to float above the living space and allow light to filter through. Get the look IQ Glass offers similar glass flooring.

‘Comfort is important to me – I not only wanted period detail, but all the mod cons to suit a New York lifestyle’

BATHROOM

The bold lines of the black steel shower cabin make a striking contrast to the gentle mottled greys of the marble walls. Get the look The shower enclosure is from Optimum Window. The fittings are from Lefroy Brooks.

For similar marble tiles, try Mandarin Stone.

POWDER ROOM

With its pale ceramics and fittings, this is a peaceful place for guests to wash and brush up. Get the look The Lenox wall cabinet, basin and light fittings are from Urban Archaeology.