Beaux Arts movement inspires ThreeTen E53rd St.

Project designers count New York City's rich architectural history among the inspirations for the design of their new residence, ThreeTen East 53rd Street, a luxury condominium developed by Macklowe Properties that looks to "reflect the grandeur of the past and the forward-thinking, modernist aesthetic of today."

"Reflected in the design at ThreeTen East 53rd Street is the influence of New York's Beaux Arts Studio Building movement popular at the turn of the 20th century," project designers said. "That inspiration is particularly evident in the Townhouse residences--from the Alabama Shadow Vein limestone facade and double-story articulated windows on the outside to interiors featuring 20-foot ceilings and oversized rooms bathed in northern light--developers hope these homes leave their own imprint on today's architectural landscape."

The Artist Studio Building movement began when successful artists sought large, light-filled studios that served both living and working purposes. The four tall co-op buildings on West 67th Street named the Hotel des Artistes set the gold standard for the trend. At a cost of $1.2 million in 1917, it was the largest studio building in the world. The double-height studios were designed for working artists who needed space for large canvasses and sculptures, but in reality few real artists occupied these homes. In fact, the light, space, layout and building amenities appealed to a broad cross-section of New York's wealthy, from stockbrokers to actors to engineers.

By 1920, there were a dozen of these artist havens. Today, in addition to the Hotel des Artistes, these landmarks include Gainsborough Studios on Central Park South, The Beaufort Studios at 140 West 57th Street, and the all-limestone 322 East 57th Street. Photographer Edward Steichen, postimpressionist Childe Hassam, illustrators Howard Chandler Christy, who created the whimsical murals at Cafe des Artistes, and J.C. Lydendecker, the creator of the Arrow Collar Man, film director D.W. Griffith, and cartoonist Rube Goldberg, and later on singer Ray Charles, are just a handful of the famous residents of these buildings.

Like the artists' residences they reference, the two-story Townhouse homes at ThreeTen have a first floor illuminated by floor-to-ceiling, double-height north-facing windows, 20' ceilings and approximately 4,000 s/f of living space with three large bedrooms, each with bath, located on the second floor. This configuration allows for privacy by separating public and private spaces. There is also a formal dining room, library with pocket doors and wood-burning, limestone-faced fireplace.

Unlike the typical New York townhouse with a narrow (18-20 feet wide) and deep configuration, the ThreeTen Townhouses' mansion-size dimensions, double-width, 40 feet of frontage on a historic tree-lined street and 50-foot depth, flood the homes with light from both front and back. The two residences, Townhouse Two and Townhouse Four, are configured in a modern context, one on top of the other. Both have a private entrance accessed from the main ThreeTen lobby. Townhouse Four also features a private, 1,300 s/f terrace where landscaping needs are easily met with water and electricity sources conveniently available.

The lobby at ThreeTen East 53rd Street will feature a Beaux Arts-inspired sculptured glass concierge desk by glass artist Michael Davis, a specialist in, among other designs, historical recreations of 19th and early 20th century glass.

Known for their abundant space and light, New York s artist residences were also prized for their amenities. For example, in 1908, The Beaufort Studios included elevators, a vacuum cleaning plant, dumb-waiters and laundry rooms fitted with steam and gas dryers. At ThreeTen East 53rd Street, Townhouse residents enjoy the benefits of condominium ownership, plus central air conditioning, Cat-6 wiring, 24-hour doorman and concierge, fitness center, valet parking, private garden court, and auxiliary, large capacity laundry room.