The TriBeCa Penthouse, a collaborative creation by Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt and Japanese architect Tatsuro Miki, is a luxurious 6,800 square foot suite inspired by the TriBeCa neighborhood’s industrial past and the ancient Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi. Working closely with hotel partners Ira Drukier and Robert De Niro, Vervoordt and Miki have crafted a space that embodies beauty in imperfection, authenticity, and the harmonious blend of old and new.
Design and Layout
The penthouse features an expansive open floor plan with multi-purpose living spaces, including:
- Living Room and Drawing Room: Separate areas for relaxation and entertainment, each with custom stone fireplaces.
- Chef’s Kitchen: A full-sized kitchen equipped for gourmet cooking.
- Bedrooms and Bathrooms: Three bedrooms, including a master suite, and two and a half bathrooms. The master suite boasts a king-sized bed, walk-in closet, and fireplace, with an en suite bathroom featuring intricate stone floors, a custom bathtub, and a double basin sink crafted from a 17th-century stone water trough.
- Multi-Leveled Terrace: A 4,000 square foot terrace with lush gardens, wisteria-wrapped pergolas, multiple seating and dining areas, a spa pool, a large gas grill, and an outdoor wood-burning fireplace.
Wabi-Sabi and Sustainable Design
The penthouse design incorporates the philosophical beliefs of Wabi-Sabi, emphasizing beauty in imperfection and the use of materials rich in spirit. Sustainable design elements are echoed throughout, with careful selection and thoughtful utilization of materials such as stone, steel, and reclaimed wood.
Living and Drawing Rooms
- Drawing Room: Features a comfortable seating area with glass doors leading to the lower terrace gardens. A natural stone slab fireplace and passage to exterior terraces add to the room’s charm.
- Living Room: Includes a custom stone fireplace, a seating area with oversized sliding doors to the lower terrace gardens, and a staircase to the upper terrace gardens. Artwork in the living room is an original piece by Vervoordt and Miki, and the iron fire grate is made from joist hangers used in the original structure of the Louvre Museum.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- Master Suite: The large master suite includes a king-sized bed, walk-in closet, fireplace, and glass doors to the lower terrace gardens. The en suite bathroom features intricate stone floors, a custom bathtub, and a separate shower, with the soaking tub and double basin sink framed by a 17th-century stone water trough.
- Second and Third Bedrooms: The second bedroom, with a king-sized bed, shares access to a large bathroom with a steam room and Japanese soaking tub with the third bedroom, which features custom twin day beds and glass doors to the lower terrace gardens.
Terrace and Outdoor Features
The 4,000 square foot multi-leveled terrace is a highlight of the penthouse, offering:
- Lush Gardens: Wisteria-wrapped pergolas and multiple seating and dining areas.
- Spa Pool and Large Gas Grill: Ideal for relaxation and entertaining.
- Outdoor Wood-Burning Fireplace: Adds warmth and ambiance.
- Copper Gourd Hanging Lanterns: Crafted from the building’s original roofing, these lanterns add a unique touch to the outdoor space.
Conclusion
The TriBeCa Penthouse by Axel Vervoordt and Tatsuro Miki is a masterpiece of design, blending the industrial history of TriBeCa with the serene aesthetics of Wabi-Sabi. The meticulous attention to detail, sustainable materials, and harmonious integration of modern and antique elements create a luxurious and timeless living space that reflects the beauty of imperfection and authenticity.
