NEW YORK – The Upper West Side has long been a repository for New York City’s most storied architectural treasures, but the recent unveiling of a reimagined penthouse within the historic St. Urban building on Central Park West has set a new benchmark for the intersection of heritage and avant-garde luxury. The project, led by visionary architect and designer Crina Arghirescu Rogard, represents a radical departure from the traditional "period-correct" restorations typically found in the city’s landmark Beaux-Arts structures. Instead, Rogard has transformed the sprawling space into a stunning, palazzo-inspired sanctuary that acts as a living dialogue between the building’s 1906 origins and the bold, geometric experimentation of the 21st century.
At the core of the project is Rogard’s distinct design philosophy, which seeks to honor the building’s classical backdrop without being enslaved by it. Throughout the penthouse, there is a deliberate, meticulous balance between the ornate shells of the past and contemporary, custom-designed interventions. Rogard notes that a significant portion of her inspiration for the renovation was drawn from the work of Italian architect Carlo Scarpa. This influence is visible in the precise, almost surgical geometric lines and the layered material transitions that define the home’s new identity, ensuring that every modern addition feels like an intentional architectural statement rather than a mere decorative choice.
The structural reality of the penthouse provided Rogard with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Because the residence is situated within the building’s iconic mansard roof, the original structural bones—including heavy Gothic-inspired forms—remain exposed in several areas. Rather than concealing these elements behind drywall, the design embraces them, allowing the industrial strength of the original architecture to contrast sharply with the refined interior finishes. This visibility of the building's skeleton adds an unexpected "industrial-luxe" feel to the space, reminding inhabitants of the monumental engineering that allows such a residence to exist atop a New York landmark.
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Perhaps the most dramatic feature of the penthouse is the library, housed within one of the St. Urban’s signature turrets. This space, capped by a soaring cupola, was envisioned by Rogard as a scholarly retreat that feels entirely disconnected from the bustle of the city below. The library is a showcase for the designer’s commitment to collectible, limited-series pieces. At its center sits a custom resin-topped table, complemented by a Pistro chair designed by Howard Meister. These pieces are not merely furniture; they are sculptural entities that interact with the circular geometry of the turret, creating an environment that encourages deep contemplation and aesthetic appreciation.
The flow of the home transitions from these intimate retreats into grand living areas designed for both high-level entertainment and quiet relaxation. The dining room, in particular, serves as a masterclass in spatial connectivity, offering a direct visual and physical link to a private floating garden. Rogard meticulously planned the layout to maximize the flow of natural light, which reflects off a series of custom-made textures and materials. One of the room’s most notable features is a custom, diagonally placed credenza—a piece that exemplifies the designer’s willingness to disrupt traditional symmetrical layouts in favor of dynamic, Scarpa-esque angles that catch the light in different ways throughout the day.
Every detail within the palazzo-inspired space reflects a rejection of the mass-produced. From the specific pigments used on the walls to the intricate textures of the textiles, almost every element is a bespoke creation. Rogard’s preference for limited-series design over "off-the-shelf" luxury items gives the penthouse the feel of a private gallery. This commitment to the custom-made ensures that the residence is a true one-of-one, a space where the architecture and the interior design are so deeply intertwined that they cannot be separated.
As the St. Urban continues to stand as a sentinel over Central Park, this newly reimagined penthouse serves as a vibrant reminder of the building’s enduring relevance. Through her blend of Gothic structural honesty, Beaux-Arts grandeur, and modern geometric precision, Crina Arghirescu Rogard has done more than just renovate an apartment; she has created a manifesto for modern living within a historic context. The result is a home that feels both ancient and futuristic, a palazzo in the sky that proves that in the hands of a master designer, the past is not a static memory, but a fertile ground for the boldest of new ideas.
