The Victorian-style building on Madison Avenue, was originally designed as a single-family home,and subsequently adapted to commercial use. The building was renovated in 1994 by Duccio Grassi Architects. This included a redesign if the Madison Avenue facade and a restoration of the 68th Street facade. A jury, led by I.M.Pei, recognized the effort by awarding the project “Best Renovation of the Year” for Manhattan's Upper east Side. For the 2017 renovation an emphasis is placed on the building’s historical aspects as the original walls, bricks and windows are no longer convered or obscured. Light during the day penetrates the space from the many windows of the building, but it is emphasized by a diffused chandelier in tubular brass, designed specifically by architect Grassi for the Max Mara flagship stores. Original bricks in white create with brass panels a luminous and unexpected contrast. At the entrance the flooring is in ceppo stone, material used in Milanese palaces during the past centuries. Smoked oak and grey pearl marble in geometric patterns cover the remaining floors reproducing the geometries of the rooms of the initial destination. On the wall the rough plaster alternates with stone and brass, which compares on large slabs with the original bricks of the building. Clean hanging structures are made of wood, natural iron and brass lingots. Accents include custom Smoked Oak tables, dark iron fixtures and Giallo Siena marble for the walls.
max mara flagship madison NY
duccio grassi architects

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Designer
duccio grassi architects
Client
max mara fashion group
Floor area
611.00 ㎡
Completion
2017