The public spaces of Boak and Paris’ 1925 Apartment building were severely dilapidated and the main lobby and connecting through-block corridor required extensive renovation. Existing original pieces of the various spaces that could be saved were refurbished, but more than half of the area required redesign, and this was done so as to match the original.

The Art Deco style of the original building was recreated in new terrazzo flooring, fireplaces, front desk, railings, stairs and lighting. Completely new stainless style front doors were made and several period low relief plaster wall panels were restored and silver leafed. Spaces have been created principally for circulation, but also for rest and relaxation, incorporating furniture from the 1920s, such as Emile Ruhlman’s marvelous “elephant chairs”. In addition, necessary items such as package room and security are tactfully fitted in.

The overall effect of the project is to create a grand procession through the public lobby areas from the front to the back of the building connecting the two elevator banks and allowing the mid block garden to illuminate the transition.