Nestled atop The Lucida, the first LEED-certified luxury residential tower on the Upper East Side, sits an expansive duplex penthouse featuring dramatic double-height spaces and breathtaking panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. Designed for an active family, the layout is intelligently organized into four distinct zones: an opulent living and dining wing perfect for lavish entertaining; an ample family area with den, kitchen, and breakfast room suitable for casual gatherings; a luxurious master suite and home office; and finally, a lively color-blocked children’s wing with airy bedrooms, play area, TV lounge and an imaginative “study hall”, featuring bright, dedicated study carrels for each child.

At the core of the residence, around which all these spaces pivot, is the home’s centerpiece: a gleaming foyer, featuring a floating chrome and glass staircase, elegantly set against a framed vignette of an iconic New York City vista. This dynamic axis is complimented by a seductive, cascading custom Swarovski chandelier of shimmering crystals that reflect off the aural staircase. A Sam Samore triptych, of his famed work “Allegories of Beauty”, brings dynamism to the space.

Furnishings acutely articulate the home’s formal and informal spaces.  The living and dining rooms are subtle, glamorous, and refined, with dark wood, chrome accents and a muted palette of tan, yellow gold and soft touches of lavender complementing this gracious approach. Custom furniture and lighting, including a Lindsey Adelman “glass bubble” chandelier in an arresting sea foam blue with gold leaf accent, dramatize the dining area. An engrossing collection of contemporary art is punctuated by a plethora of balanced textures, including cotton, leather, mohair, silk, and cashmere. Inversely, the more informal areas reflect the practical demands of a young family, with colorful and casual spaces anchored by vibrant mid-century furniture, eclectic accessories and decorative lighting.

Prominently hovering above the high-lofted living room’s edge is a transparent, enclosed glass cube, which visually connects its envelope to the study on the upper floor. From there, the cube, comprised on two sides by the building’s exterior and on the others by the study itself, creates a unique “inside out” experience—conveying the grand, spatial feeling of soaring high above the clouds

The result is polished yet relaxed; tailor-made for a lively family with discriminating needs and a unique position for a prominent perspective.