The Chelsea Residence pays homage to Manhattan’s lost artists’ lofts

As glass and steel continue to pierce the sky, a growing number of homeowners are trading tower residences for humble old buildings in history—houses akin to the artists’ lofts that made New York City a cultural epicenter during the mid- second of the 20th century. One such case study is this post-industrial-style apartment housed in a 1920s pre-war co-op building in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood by the full-service interior design firm. The McGovern Project. Exposed wood columns with cast iron capitals, high ceilings and generous lighting evoke the memory of early industrial structures with daylight inside this newly renovated space, created for a couple deeply committed to urban living.

A key-locked elevator opens up to a gallery-like floor plan with 10-foot ceilings flooding the room with plenty of light from the north, south, and east—a prominent feature capitalized on to showcase the homeowners’ art collection and make homage to the artistic talent once prolific in the nearby neighborhoods. “The allure of presenting the blank canvas of a loft and the spacious living area captivated Mateo and Francesca. Their vision was to preserve the original architectural charm of the space while integrating modern conveniences and avoiding outdated features,” says interior designer Chris McGovern, who oversaw all aspects of the interior architecture.

Working together with the architect Eugene Khananov, McGovern was able to maximize programming within the narrowing unit to deliver a strong arrangement within the 2,400 square foot residence. It now includes three bedrooms, two full baths, office, an enviable suburban-sized laundry room, patio, and a large common space that includes entertaining, kitchen, and dining areas. The spatial plan also ensures that interior architectural details can be appreciated from any position within the great room. The European white oak floors and the complementary trim, crisp white in chantilly lace, are beautifully contrasted by the black interior doors. And many of the furnishings were upholstered in performance fabrics or rated for high traffic to accommodate regular play. Graphic wallpapers and ceiling prints also add to the fun.

The interior decor, not the artistic staging, drew inspiration from Francesca’s Manhattan upbringing, while also affirming Mateo’s South American roots. The works from painting to sculpture were arranged so that each has its moment to be appreciated with the assurance that no single piece draws focus. All elements are in dialogue including light fixtures, statement furniture and beloved personal objects. Other accents include light touches of olive green that evoke lush Peruvian valleys along with gold reminiscent of Andean treasures. “Our design journey began with a commitment to preserve the gallery-like appeal of this former artist’s loft, while infusing it with a contemporary twist that melded the diverse cultural heritage of its occupants,” says McGovern.

To see more of Chris McGovern’s work, visit mcgovernproject.com.

Photo by Trevor Parker.
Produced by Karine Monie.

With professional degrees in architecture and journalism, Joseph has a passion for making living beautifully accessible. His work seeks to enrich the lives of others with visual communication and storytelling through design. Previously a regular contributor to titles under the SANDOW Design Group, including Luxe and Metropolis, Joseph now serves the Design Milk team as their Managing Editor. When not practicing, he teaches visual communication, theory and design. The New York-based writer has also contributed to exhibitions organized by the Center for Architecture and AIA New York’s Architectural Digest, and recently published essays and collage illustrations with Proseterity, a literary publication.