There are few names in interior design more acclaimed than Jed Johnson Associates, started in 1982 by the celebrated designer and eponymous Andy Warhol partner. And there are few pre-war condominiums on the Upper East Side with a more distinguished pedigree than 737 Park Avenue condominiums, which is undergoing a complete transformation under Macklowe Properties’ meticulous watch.
Collaboration between the two visionary firms was a natural fit, and the outcome is a residence that is quintessentially New York. The first thing you notice when you walk into this gracious 5-bedroom condominium is that this is no ordinary Upper East Side residence.
While housed in an iconic, 1940 art deco building at 737 Park Avenue, the interior of this singular model residence has been transformed into a serene and artful arrangement by the award-winning interior design firm. Handpicked from an international pool of design talent, Jed Johnson Associates is known for collaborating with well-heeled art collectors as well as the fashion set. At 737 Park Avenue, the design firm was enlisted by Macklowe Properties to add warmth and a “sense of place” to the 4,382 square foot legacy residence while maintaining the modern aesthetic so valued by the Macklowe team.
“Collaborating with Macklowe Properties on 737 Park Avenue was a welcome departure from the sometimes hands-off approach of other development teams. Harry has a real vision when it comes to his buildings which made it feel more like designing a private residence rather than a model home” said Arthur Dunnam, principal at Jed Johnson Associates.
With the living room, dining room, and kitchen spanning 1,100 square feet of fluid living space, Dunnam’s focus was not to interrupt that flow, but to adhere to the “luxury of space” by creating easy transitions from one room to another. The overall atmosphere is less traditional than one would expect in a pre-war building on the Upper East Side, with a selection of furnishings that “create a dialogue” between pieces (which can easily stand alone as works art in their own right).
In addition to the custom furnishings, one of the hallmarks of Jed Johnson Associates is the ability to match inventive artists with timeless interior spaces. For 737 Park Avenue, Dunham curated a selection of modern and contemporary art to adorn the walls of the central living spaces. Works by artists Richmond Burton, Trey Speegle and Paul Himmel lend movement and texture to the gracious layouts, with a decorative fireplace adding a clever focal point and a modern twist on the traditional hearth.
Additional features of this legacy residence include a windowed kitchen designed by Varenna, and His and Her master bathrooms awash in Italian marble with a luxurious freestanding bathtub. Rarely has the essence of pre-war graciousness and modern design been distilled into a single living space to create something that is so distinctly New York.
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737 Park Avenue is located on the Northeast corner of 71st and Park Avenue, just steps from Central Park, Madison Avenue’s coveted shopping district, and Manhattan’s historic Museum Mile. Generous amenities included a fitness center with glass roof skylight, multi-purpose room with catering kitchen, and a private garden available for entertaining. For more information on 737 Park Avenue and Jed Johnson Associates, visit their websites at www.737ParkAvenueNYC.com and www.JedJohnson.com.
