Upper East Side Townhouse

This project involves the comprehensive reconstruction of a townhouse located within a prestigious landmark district on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The scope of work is substantial, as the original structure was almost entirely demolished, preserving only the existing side party walls.

The entire residence is undergoing a complete gut renovation and rebuild, highlighted by the installation of a new, bespoke limestone facade.

Our design objective was to create an elegant and sophisticated facade that achieves a delicate balance: it not only harmonizes seamlessly with the rich architectural context of the historic Upper East Side streetscape but also represents an updated, contemporary interpretation of a classic design, meeting modern aesthetic and functional standards.

We are utilizing limestone as the primary material for this façade due to its rich history in New York City’s pre-war buildings and Gilded Age homes. This choice serves as a direct reference to the highest level of luxury home construction established throughout the city’s architectural legacy.

In addition to the limestone, we are incorporating bronze details and paneling into the façade. The extensive use of bronze, which includes the windows, doors, and spandrel panels, extends to miscellaneous architectural details such as hardware and lighting fixtures.

Bronze was specifically chosen as a complementary material for its inherent richness and subtle tone. This metal blends harmoniously with the natural limestone, collectively elevating the luxurious nature of the building’s façade and ensuring a cohesive, high-end design aesthetic.

Vinculum Architecture, an architecture firm owned by Jorge Fontan, AIA, focuses specifically on new construction, development, multifamily residential, and commercial projects. This particular project leveraged expertise from a collaboration with Fontan Architecture—Jorge’s second firm—which is known for its specialization in luxury residential homes and interiors.

If you are interested in Luxury Residential home design please see our sister company Fontan Architecture.