Douglas Friedman

The residences at Henry Hall are part of the massive development at Hudson Yards in New York City. The $25 billion project was created by decking over rail lines to create over 26 acres of buildable space along the west side of Manhattan just north of the Meatpacking District and Chelsea.

The apartment community was formerly the address of the Legacy Recording Studios, and the décor of the lobby and public areas reflects its musical past. A complete karaoke system, a drum kit, various instruments, mics, musically inspired art, LPs, and a turntable add to the ambience. Building amenities include a work-from-home lounge, a chef’s kitchen, a fitness center, a dining room for private parties, a complimentary candy bar, and room service. There’s also a landscaped terrace with views of the Empire State Building and the Hudson River. The building and units were outfitted with young business professionals and millennials in mind.

Research on the target markets revealed a preference for an asset-light and amenity-rich lifestyle. The units were inspired by a modern take on traditional grand hotels. As such, the private lounges, jam room, rooftop deck, and gym were all created to mimic the experience of a stay in a posh hotel. All of the units are equipped with Alexa-compatible devices for plug-and-play flexibility. The beautiful yet homey feel allows for millennials to create their own ambience while having an Instagram-ready space.

The biggest design challenge on the project was working around an essentially square floor plate and central core. The design team was tasked with figuring out ways to provide each unit with access to air and natural light in a decidedly urban setting. The solution was reached by providing many of the studios and one-bedroom units with enlarged entry foyers that can also be used as home offices, dining rooms, and living rooms.

To provide a richer living experience for the residents, each unit offers high-style and custom finishes. The striking features include oversized black frame, steel-encased windows, stark white waterfall countertops of quartz, hexagonal-tiled floors in the baths, ash hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances, undermount sinks, pendant lighting, and brass faucets. All units are equipped with stacked washers/dryers. Henry Hall is leveraging its proximity to several trendy restaurants, retail, nightlife, and other desirable lifestyle components to offer an aesthetically pleasing space that is plugged in to today’s urban way of life.