455 East 51st Street, 5-F

As the first commissioned private residence in the US by the distinguished British architect, John Pawson; there is an unexpected softness in this precisely reconfigured, oversized two bedroom, two bathroom home. Animated by a daily narrative of natural light, there is an intimate connection to the East River and the surrounding city views. Throughout this architecturally remarkable space is the purity of the Pawson aesthetic: rigorous simplicity mixed with function, the juxtaposition of repurposed hard pine flooring against seamless poured concrete, floating walls with no baseboards or cornices, glass walls to define living areas, floor-to-ceiling storage behind hidden built-ins, enormous undressed windows, and luxuriously pure bathrooms. The entire apartment was designed for the way the current owner wished to live. The main living area has exquisite proportions and integrated (open) gourmet kitchen, the primary bedroom invites the outside in with its glass wall and sky-lighted bath, and the additional bedroom functions as a home office. This architecturally significant home is the perfect balance of the elements that define Pawson's work: light, space, proportion, surface and scale.

Designed by James E. R. Carpenter in the 1920's, 455 East 51st Street is a full-service prewar building. With its own gatehouse and private planted courtyard, the Beekman Terrace amenities include a full-time doorman, resident manager, gym, private storage, and roof deck with spectacular East River views. The building permits pets and pied-a-terre ownership. Located within the historic Beekman Place neighborhood, Detmold Park is at your doorstep as well as numerous restaurants, cafes, and gourmet shops nearby. 455 East 51st Street is conveniently located to public transportation.