Inside David Adjaye’s first New York skyscraper

130 william by adjaye associates in new york
The design for 130 William by Adjaye Associates has just been revealed in full for the first time.
(Image credit: Binyan)

With the current boom of residential towers going up across New York City, the Big Apple is at the forefront of shaping what luxury living looks like today. The bar is being raised this week with today’s reveal of 130 William – a distinctive luxury building located in Lower Manhattan, designed by Sir David Adjaye. Rising up to approximately 800 feet tall and spanning 66 storeys, the residence is not only Adjaye’s first skyscraper, but his first tower in New York City as well.

Developed by the real estate company, Lightstone, 130 William will leave a striking mark on the already glittering downtown New York skyline. Instead of instituting a glass façade that typically accompanies buildings of this scale, Adjaye Associates looked to the city’s architectural past for inspiration. 130 William boasts a custom, hand-cast frontage – a contemporary spin on the classic stonework seen on historical buildings in Manhattan. A blend of textured surfaces and smooth, bronze detailing, the elegant façade is made all the more memorable thanks to a rhythm of large arched windows that also make a nod to industrial lofts that once filled the neighbourhood.

‘In defining the design for 130 William, I sought to celebrate New York City’s heritage of masonry architecture, referencing the historical architecture once pervasive upon one of the city’s earliest streets,’ says Adjaye, who also oversaw the interior design of the residences as well. ‘However, and more importantly, 130 William has been crafted to focus on the new possibilities of urban, vertical living.’

To this end, the tower’s 244 residences, which range from studios to four-bedroom apartments and include penthouses on its ten topmost residential floors, are accompanied by an unprecedented collection of lifestyle and wellness amenities that spreads over 20,000 square feet. The health club comes equipped with an infinity pool, cold and hot plunge pools, massage rooms, a fitness centre, a yoga studio and a basketball court. Meanwhile, other leisure pursuits are provided for by the IMAX movie theatre, golf simulator, resident’s club lounge and game room, the chef’s kitchen and private dining facilities, children’s activity centre, pet spa, and the private observatory roof deck located at the pinnacle of the building. Little it seems, has been left overlooked.

Inside the residences, fine materials such as wide planks of white oak flooring, burnished bronze fixtures and hardware, and a hand-selected range of textured Spanish and Italian marbles give a sophisticated, yet craft-inspired finish. Other notable features include Gaggeneau appliances and Pedini millwork cabinetry in the kitchens, and soaking tubs and custom Adjaye-designed medicine cabinets in the master bathrooms.

At the building’s base, a public plaza park, also designed by Adjaye, and extensive retail space will ensure the address becomes a nucleus of new activity in the neighbourhood. Realised in collaboration with local architects Hill West, the building is scheduled to complete in 2020.

130 william by david adjaye in new york

The project is the renowned architect's very first skyscraper in New York.

(Image credit: Binyan)

Design for 130 william by adjaye associates launches in new york

It is also David Adjaye's very first high rise design.

(Image credit: Binyan)

Design for 130 william by adjaye associates unveiled in new york

Arched windows hint at the development's highly sculptural facade from the inside.

(Image credit: Binyan)

Design for 130 william by adjaye associates revealed in new york

The imposing dark exterior is contrasted by bright and light-coloured interior spaces.

(Image credit: Binyan)

Design for 130 william by david adjaye launches in new york

Master bathrooms feature soaking tubs and custom, Adjaye-designed medicine cabinets.

(Image credit: Binyan)

Design for 130 william by david adjaye unveiled in new york

The tower's common areas have been just as meticulously designed as the residential interiors.

(Image credit: Binyan)

Design for 130 william by david adjaye revealed in new york

The scheme's rich list of amenities includes a lounge for the residents.

(Image credit: Binyan)

David adjaye revealed sculptural design for 130 william

A pool with an impressive vaulted ceiling is part of the development's health club.

(Image credit: Binyan)

INFORMATION

For more information visit the Adjaye Associates’ website

Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.