For nearly two decades glass towers in all shapes and sizes have transformed the New York City skyline and exuded what luxury meant, but today developers are seeing a rebellion against them and reinventing their own definitions. Hand-crafted bricks from Belgium, limestone or concrete panels, and rustic metals like bronze with distinctive punched windows are making a comeback, shifting the once glossy towers in Manhattan and Brooklyn for a more ‘Old New York’ feel. Take a look at a few examples of developments that are bringing the past into the present and evoking a modern yet historic aesthetic.
Rose Hill, Rockefeller Group’s First Residential Tower in Manhattan
Developed by the original builders of Rockefeller Center and designed with a vintage Gotham-esque flair, Rose Hill is a new 45-story luxury condominium tower currently under construction at 30 East 29th Street in NoMad.
With architecture and interior design by CetraRuddy, the acclaimed global architecture firm known for successfully blending modern design with crafted detail, Rose Hill draws a direct connection back to Rockefeller Center with its heavy Art Deco influence of the 20th century. Rising over 600 feet in height, the building is eloquently clad in a bronze-tone façade, accented by intricate detailing that frames expansive glass windows. Taking its place among New York’s architectural icons and inspired by the Rockefeller Group’s landmark developments, decorative lighting will illuminate the tower’s base and crown to highlight the building’s unique articulation. The contemporary design, although rooted in the past, speaks to today’s modern New Yorker.