Metropolis magazine has turned its discerning eye to the Greenwich Village building, highlighting its quietly transformative presence in one of New York’s most historic neighborhoods.
KPF’s 11-story residential building has drawn praise from the design publication for the project’s subtle yet powerful reinterpretation of the classic brick arch, a ubiquitous presence in Manhattan’s revival-style architecture. “Instead of treating the arch as a decorative flourish or superficial homage, KPF made it the building’s main design motif, showing up as a grid of jumbo arched windows on the façade and as a framing element for the living rooms,” writes Akiva Blander for Metropolis magazine.
Describing the 28-unit building as “luxury albeit humble,” the article notes how its deep, oversized window bays and finely crafted brickwork set it apart from its neighbors while maintaining a sense of belonging on University Place. Additionally, “by smoothing out the height differences on either end of the block, the building coheres the street wall, filling a void so naturally and inconspicuously that it’s easy to miss how new the project is.”
The design’s innovation extends beyond aesthetics. The façade’s pressed-in archway modules, crafted of custom brick sourced from Pennsylvania, are mounted on a steel bracket system (developed with Fero) that creates a full thermal break between structural wall and cladding, supporting increased energy efficiency. Interiors by SPACE Copenhagen, Juliet balconies, and thoughtfully designed terraces further enhance the living experience.
KPF President and Design Principal James von Klemperer reflects on the project’s ambition: “With the arch, we could make this form that looked both heroic—because the arch dignifies the dimension—but also very welcoming, because an arch is a softer form.” He adds, “This project was more of a jewel,” underscoring the collaborative craftsmanship and attention to detail that define 64 University Place. Metropolis’s piece affirms KPF’s commitment to context-driven, sustainable design and positions 64 University Place as a new benchmark for residential architecture in New York City.
Read the full article here.
