It’s no secret that spending time in nature results in a clearer, calmer state of mind and improved well-being. Being outdoors and in green spaces has been proven to aid in everything from improved short-term memory to better vision to noticeable stress relief. For New Yorkers, coming to terms with having to spend the majority of time indoors is just part of life in the Big Apple. And, while it’s possible to escape to green space in the City during the warmer months, most have virtually no access to nature on a regular basis. With the well-documented benefits of nature on human health in mind, a few luxury real estate developers are leading the charge to fuse art with nature for residents to enjoy year-round.
Green walls are so yesterday. Now, developers are distinguishing their spaces by carefully selecting botany based on their beauty, medicinal qualities, and ancient associations. These buildings are some of the first to spearhead the trend in NYC for green spaces.
One Manhattan Square
Photo: Courtesy of Wordsearch
At One Manhattan Square, a modern glass luxury tower by Extell Development on the Lower East Side, in addition to the acre of seasonally-tended private outdoor gardens and green spaces, a gorgeous witch hazel tree will grow from the lower level and top out in the center of the building’s private motorcade. Witch hazel flowers in the late fall and its leaves are golden. Extell selected the tree for its medicinal qualities — witch hazel is known to soothe skin conditions, burns, and insect bites. The result is a sunken tranquility garden in the spa where residents can lounge with incredible sunlight before using the building’s infrared sauna, 75’ ft swimming pool, hammam with a cold plunge pool or treatment rooms. In total this 815-unit tower has over 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities — making it a true waterfront vertical village.
570 Broome
Photo: Courtesy of Builtd/SOM
We continue our discussion on green spaces at 570 Broome in West SoHo, a brand new 54-unit luxury boutique luxury condominim, was designed to the promote wellness among residents upon arrival. Greeting residents at the center of the private entry green space garden stand a beautiful Japanese maple tree serving not only as a natural, visual centerpiece but also as a means to promote serenity and peace within this communal space. Considered a symbol of grace for hundreds of years, Japanese maple trees represent balance and practicality. The breathtaking foliage, a brilliant combination of crimson, orange and gold leaves, inspire awe and reverence, and its pure elegance invites residents to connect with the outdoors. Designed by Tahir Demircioglu, the founder of the architectural firm Builtd, 570 Broome has been meticulously designed to evoke the character and architectural features of the former historic Printing District. At the helm of interiors is world-renowned design firm SOM who crafted a captivating custom light installation within the building’s fully attended lobby.
Jardim
Photo: Courtesy of VUW Studio
Meanwhile, in West Chelsea, the developers of Jardim — the Portuguese word for the garden — took the garden concept to the next level. Here, Isay Weinfeld, the world-renowned Brazilian architect and interior designer known for hotels and high-end homes, including the Fasano Hotels and the forthcoming reincarnation of New York’s iconic Four Seasons restaurant, decided to create a wild oasis of native evergreens and flowering trees for an ultra-private urban park that envelops the two 11-story towers that comprise the development. Centaur Properties and Greyscale Development Group are developing the project and it is the first by Isay Weinfeld in the United States. At Jardim, a brick-vaulted private tunnel connects West 27th and 28th streets, leading to views of the green space dense greenery through a latticed wall in the lobby. Here they probably used some of this equipment to create this beautiful look and feel. Broad floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious terraces are integrated with indoor living areas in the 36 one-to-four bedroom residences.
Sometimes you do not have to leave our glorious city to see and walk through stunning green spaces!
