If, like me, you spent your teenage days devouring episodes of Gossip Girl, you probably dreamed of calling a New York penthouse your own. Welcome to SkyHouse, an apartment in Manhattan that looks like it was designed straight out of your favourite TV series.
Panoramic city views? Absolutely. Contemporary art by some of the world’s top artists? Check. And just when you thought the apartment couldn’t get any cooler, it throws in a fully functional climbing column. But the cherry on top is a 24m-long chrome slide that passes through all four levels, transforming the space into a modern playground.
Located in one of New York City’s earliest surviving skyscrapers
Image credit: ghislaine viñas
SkyHouse occupies the top 4 floors of the Park Place Tower, also known as the American Tract Society Building. This historic building was completed in 1896 and was originally designed as the headquarters for one of America’s largest publishers pre-Civil War. In fact, it’s one of New York’s first skyscrapers to use a steel skeletal frame and is a rare survivor of its era.
Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, SkyHouse offers views of iconic landmarks like St. Paul’s Chapel, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building,
A multi-level living space with a (literal) twist
Image credit: ghislaine viñas
Occupying the top few stories of a historic heritage building comes with sky-high expectations – and architect David Hotson certainly delivers. Known for treating his creations as works of art, Hotson has transformed this NY Town House into a living masterpiece.
Image credit: ghislaine viñas
The penthouse comes complete with a private elevator – because in Manhattan, anything less would be downright scandalous. At the heart of the home is a striking multi-level living space with soaring 15m-high ceilings, where a climbing column ingeniously stretches through several floors, seamlessly tying the space together.
Image credit: ghislaine viñas
Hotson collaborated with interior designer Ghislaine Viñas, who artfully sprinkled contemporary furnishings, plush sofas, and striking eclectic wallpaper throughout the space. A mural inspired by Michael Jackson’s Neverland adds an unexpected, whimsical nod to pop culture.
Image credit: ghislaine viñas
And then, there’s the pièce de résistance: a mirror-polished, stainless steel tubular slide. It looks futuristic, for sure. Tucked away at the south end of the attic, the slide’s entrance discreetly beckons the adventurous. It gracefully winds through the attic, coils around the climbing column, and zips past a guest bedroom. Then, it slips through a seamless glass window and glides over the stairs.
Image credit: ghislaine viñas
At the third level, riders can opt to pause or simply continue their exhilarating descent, eventually landing at the entrance gallery. Honestly, who needs a private elevator when zooming down the slide is so much more fun?
Seek inspiration from SkyHouse for your home
Image adapted from: ghislaine viñas
We’re absolutely drooling over the SkyHouse. And while replicating a 24m-long chrome slide in a typical HDB might seem like a far-off fantasy, there’s plenty to inspire you. Having unique features like a slide or rock wall in your home is possible – as seen in this custom-built slide in 1,572sqft executive maisonette, or even the Semi-D in Telok Kurau with its suspended ball pit and trampoline for the kids. All it takes is partnering with an interior designer you trust, and your wildest dreams might just turn into a reality.
See more home inspirations here:
Cover image adapted from: ghislaine viñas
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