Top glass: 1 Seaport is New York's latest residential high rise
With the revamping and careful restoration of the historical downtown district of South Street Seaport in Manhattan, the new is as important as the old. Among the area’s new architectural crop is Goldstein, Hill & West Architects' (GHWA) and designer Groves & Co 1 Seaport. This luxury residential development by Fortis, inspired by sunlight shining on water, has been designed for people who appreciate views of the East River and, of course, prime real estate.
'We pixelated the image of sunlight on water and then placed it on the façade,' says L Stephen Hill, co-founder of GHWA. 'We wanted to express a movement in this tower. Think of it as creating the crest of a wave especially on the eastern side of the building.'
The building, sat atop the South Street Seaport redevelopment, is at a distinct 45-degree angle with the East River and features a dream set of amenities: double-height floor-to-ceiling windows, where sculpted glass walls with horizontal mullions add to the effect, a pool and wet area with spa facilities and a handy car port.
The challenges of new hurricane laws, that have come into effect after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, were a major focus for the building. 'Because of Sandy we created this double lobby so that the elevators open up on the second floor into the lobby, in case of an emergency that the ground floor is not accessible,' says Ruso Panduro, business director and senior designer at Groves & Co. 'It’s all in the details for us: for the pool amenities, for instance, we wanted to do something special so we created these twinkling lights at the bottom and the wet area has a walk through wall of water – all magical elements to this project.'
But the beauty doesn’t end there. Bespoke detailing includes custom millwork and hardware designed by Groves. The kitchens (designed by Groves and Co, offering Gaggenau appliances) feature Calacatta Gold inlays, concealed pulls, and an illuminated Calacatta Gold marble backsplash; matching an impressive exterior with tailor made interiors.
Construction has already began and completion is currently planned for the end of 2017.
The state-of-the-art project includes a striking glass enclosed penthouse. All interiors have been designed by Groves & Co.
Corner residences have far-reaching views of the water and Manhattan, to be enjoyed through floor-to-ceiling openings and terraces
Hand-stained oak flooring, glass walls, bespoke millwork and up to 11ft ceilings are set to create a sense of spaciousness and luxury
The scheme will feature a range of amenities for residents, such as fitness areas, a drive-in carport and a communal sky terrace...
... as well as an impressive infinity pool that reaches up to the edge of the windows, offering 360-degree vistas
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Goldstein, Hill & West Architects website
ADDRESS
Seaport 1
161 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Daniel Scheffler is a storyteller for The New York Times and others. He has a travel podcast with iHeart Media called Everywhere and a Substack newsletter, Withoutmaps, where he shares all his wild ways. He lives in New York with his husband and their pup.
-
Europe’s auto industry regroups at the Brussels Motor Show: what’s new and notable for 20262026’s 102nd Brussels Motor Show played host to a number of new cars and concepts, catapulting this lesser-known expo into our sightlines
-
Wallpaper* Best Use of Material 2026: Beit Bin Nouh, Saudi Arabia, by Shahira FahmyBeit Bin Nouh by Shahira Fahmy is a captivating rebirth of a traditional mud brick home in AlUla, Saudi Arabia - which won it a place in our trio of Best Use of Material winners at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026
-
Wallpaper* Design Awards: Boghossian’s gem wizardry dazzles in high jewelleryBoghossian's unique mix of craftsmanship and modern design is behind the edgy elegance of its jewellery – a worthy Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026 winner
-
Wallpaper* Best Use of Material 2026: a New Mexico home that makes use of the region's volcanic soilNew Mexico house Sombra de Santa Fe, designed by Dust Architects, intrigues with dark, geometric volumes making use of the region's volcanic soil – winning it a spot in our trio of Best Use of Material winners at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026
-
More changes are coming to the White HouseFollowing the demolition of the East Wing and plans for a massive new ballroom, President Trump wants to create an ‘Upper West Wing’
-
A group of friends built this California coastal home, rooted in nature and modern designNestled in the Sea Ranch community, a new coastal home, The House of Four Ecologies, is designed to be shared between friends, with each room offering expansive, intricate vistas
-
Step inside this resilient, river-facing cabin for a life with ‘less stuff’A tough little cabin designed by architects Wittman Estes, with a big view of the Pacific Northwest's Wenatchee River, is the perfect cosy retreat
-
Remembering Robert A.M. Stern, an architect who discovered possibility in the pastIt's easy to dismiss the late architect as a traditionalist. But Stern was, in fact, a design rebel whose buildings were as distinctly grand and buttoned-up as his chalk-striped suits
-
Own an early John Lautner, perched in LA’s Echo Park hillsThe restored and updated Jules Salkin Residence by John Lautner is a unique piece of Californian design heritage, an early private house by the Frank Lloyd Wright acolyte that points to his future iconic status
-
The Architecture Edit: Wallpaper’s houses of the monthFrom wineries-turned-music studios to fire-resistant holiday homes, these are the properties that have most impressed the Wallpaper* editors this month
-
The Stahl House – an icon of mid-century modernism – is for sale in Los AngelesAfter 65 years in the hands of the same family, the home, also known as Case Study House #22, has been listed for $25 million