One of the shortest streets in the New York is home to three amazing developments that are embracing the need for luxury living in NoHo
By Stephanie Wilson  Photography by Stephen Ladner
Bond Street was, at one time, the epitome of New York elegance. Its origins date back to the late 1800’s, a time when the current grid system of New York was non-existent. The result is the charming area of NoHo, a neighborhood filled with slightly curving streets, block-front panoramas, and cast-iron buildings that are the perfect example of a Second Empire Baroque style that still pervades the area today. The city became so enthralled with the area’s architecture and character that it designated it a historic district in 1999, a district that includes part of Bond Street, which is the widest cobblestone street in New York City.
While it has been said that the heart of NoHo is Broadway, the soul can be found on Bond Street. The short street, which runs only two blocks from Bowery to Broadway, is alive with history and diversity, with art, culture, and fine cuisine.
Bond Street has major historic significance in New York. At one time, the street was the center of all things chic-it has been said the first sign of the street’s downfall was the opening of a Brooks Brothers in 1874- but as time went on, the street’s illustrious lineage began to decline. But with the resurgence of NoHo comes the revival of Bond Street, thanks in part to the über trendy sushi bistro that bears the same name. As Albert Price, managing director for Goldman Properties says, “Bond Street has the name-recognition, making for an ideal development location.” Don Capoccia of Gold Development echoes Price’s sentiments, “Bond Street is a short street that doesn’t really go anywhere, and because of the cobblestone, it is not ideal to travel on. Bond Street is isolated, offering an oasis of quiet in an increasingly active area.” Due to these unique traits, haute developments have caught onto what was New York’s best-kept secret… until now.
Price explains, “There are three new developments going up on the street as a reaction to nearby SoHo’s craziness. Bond Street is the ideal location for people who want to be near, but not in, the frenzy of NoHo and SoHo. The street, which is part of the historical district, has not had any real development in the past 100 years. And as a result, there are beautiful, historic buildings, with gaps in between, that were parking lots and garages. There are three new, wonderful buildings filling these gaps.”
 “[25 Bond] is an opportunity to design dream spaces for high net-worth individuals who wished to have special spaces, but did not find those spaces on the current marketplace.”
The first of these developments is Ian Schrager’s much talked about 40 Bond, collaboration between Schrager and Aby Rosen. The 11-story building is being developed from the ground up. As his catchy slogan states, “It should be the art of living, not the job of living.” The building, designed by renowned architects Herzog de Meuron, is literally a work of art, with its structural columns wrapped in hand-blown glass from Barcelona. “Aby [Rosen] has the same love and appreciation for architecture and design as I do, so it’s been great to share all this with him.” Rosen is equally excited about the project. “Here we not only have well-designed, light-filled homes but also, exclusive resident services and amenities.”
The building features 27 unique apartments, five townhouses, and the city’s most extraordinary penthouse, which is an all-glass house triplex with landscaped gardens. The residence’s layouts have embraced loft-style living, with 11-foot ceilings and open floor plans taking advantage of the great light of the neighborhood. The idea behind 40 Bond is simple: to provide any and every service and amenity possible, many of them available through yet another of Schrager’s projects, Grammercy Park Hotel.
Just down the block, yet another development is making waves, although in a more discreet manor. 48 Bond, designed by architect Deborah Berke and developed by Gold Development, is leaning in the opposite direction, providing the neighborhood with intimate residences that capture the historic feel of Bond Street. “Our design, in terms of the façade, is a rhythmic rift on the old-style loft building,” Berke explains. “I believe that all of the new buildings are complimenting those that are already on Bond Street.” The space is filled with luxurious materials that are not pretentious, as was the goal of developer Donald Capoccia. “Bond Street offers an oasis of quiet in an increasingly active area,” Cappoccia states. “We designed the building for ‘True New Yorkers;’ the type of people who already spent too much time in 5-star hotels.” The result is a building that will cater to your every whim, but only if you ask them to. “Our doorman won’t be stationed at the front door, but rather in the back of the lobby. You will only have to interact with him if you want to.” The building has oversized windows, 10-foot ceilings, walnut floors, walk-in closets and the most sophisticated home audio built-in throughout, including in the full-size salt-filtered pool, which has an iPod docking station.
Across the street, yet another development is adding to the area’s character. 25 Bond Street, which used to house a parking garage, is being developed by the illustrious Goldman Properties, known for their ability to breathe new life into historic neighborhoods in New York City and beyond. “Bond Street provided a fresh canvas of New York real estate for [Goldman Properties] to embellish the neighborhood to a whole new quality level,” says Tony Goldman, CEO of Goldman Properties.
Goldman is constructing the building in a way that is reflective of old-style co-ops of Fifth Avenue, albeit with a downtown twist. “We put a unique group of investor occupants together, which is a different approach,” explains Goldman. “[25 Bond] is an opportunity to design dream spaces for high net-worth individuals who wished to have special spaces, but did not find those spaces on the current marketplace. So we put together kindred spirits.” Uniqueness and high-sense of luxury abounds in the building, which is to contain only nine units in an extraordinary 70,000 square feet. All residences start at a base of 4,000 square feet (at least half of a floor), with some triplexes stretching over 11,000 square feet. Only two of the units are still available, each offering more than 4,000 square feet.
The building was designed to not have a distinct “front” and “rear,” instead, 25 Bond has three facades on Bond Street, and two facades from the rear, adding to the unique character of the neighborhood.
Goldman sums up the new construction beautifully when he asserts: “The new additions [to Bond Street] are like new family members; they are different, but they contribute to each other’s aesthetic level.” The new developments are adding to the neighborhood in untold ways, bringing a new sense of life to Bond Street while still respecting the architectural integrity of the area’s rich past.