For two months, high atop a new, almost completely vacant high-rise, on a block not typically frequented by event-goers, sat Esquire’s ultimate bachelor pad, dubbed “Esquire North: the New View.” With an opening gala on Thursday, September 27, this was the third year the magazine brought its “Signature Space” concept to New York, creating a temporary home for hosting events and showcasing advertisers.
Last year the magazine took over a private home in California. This time around, the show home was a three-story, 5,700-square-foot penthouse in Harlem (111 Central Park North) with striking views of Central Park, 22-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, two 750-square-foot terraces, and a high-tech glass kitchen.
In the two months Esquire North was open, the site hosted 10 events and served as the setting for a Jay-Z music video. "We try to make the Signature Space a living version of the magazine,” said Esquire’s marketing services director, Scott Lehmann. “We represent our advertisers in every room, but you don't see any logos. The brands are showcased through their style.”Pulling it all together took almost a year of planning and the combined efforts of the Esquire team—led by associate publisher of marketing Stephen Jacoby—as well as developers the Athena Group and the City Investment Fund, architecture firms RMJM Hillier and SLCE Architects, and construction manager Bovis Lend Lease. In addition, Esquire brought in 10 interior designers to fabricate distinct environments within the apartment for brands such as Louis Vuitton and Lufthansa. These included Barclay Butera, who designed a library for Bally; Robin Wilson, who created the look for Rockport’s lower terrace space; and Kristin McGinnis, who outfitted the home gym for Asics.
Each room also incorporated plenty of technology, including KEF’s massive aluminum Muon speakers (one of only 100 pairs in the world) and flat-screen TVs from Pioneer. (An interactive Web site extended the reach of the apartment with photos and videos from the red carpet, as well as a virtual tour of the space.)
As in previous years, each event at the apartment had a charity tie-in, supporting nonprofits—many of them Harlem-based—such as CARE, Oxfam America, and the New York City Police Foundation. And to feed guests at these events, Esquire enlisted Taste Caterers. Though minor alterations were made for each host, a panini station and a bachelor’s selection of passed hors d’oeuvres such as pigs in a blanket and vegetable dumplings served as the foundation of each menu.
The last event at Esquire North took place on Wednesday, November 21; scouting for the location of the 2008 space has already begun.
Last year the magazine took over a private home in California. This time around, the show home was a three-story, 5,700-square-foot penthouse in Harlem (111 Central Park North) with striking views of Central Park, 22-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, two 750-square-foot terraces, and a high-tech glass kitchen.
In the two months Esquire North was open, the site hosted 10 events and served as the setting for a Jay-Z music video. "We try to make the Signature Space a living version of the magazine,” said Esquire’s marketing services director, Scott Lehmann. “We represent our advertisers in every room, but you don't see any logos. The brands are showcased through their style.”Pulling it all together took almost a year of planning and the combined efforts of the Esquire team—led by associate publisher of marketing Stephen Jacoby—as well as developers the Athena Group and the City Investment Fund, architecture firms RMJM Hillier and SLCE Architects, and construction manager Bovis Lend Lease. In addition, Esquire brought in 10 interior designers to fabricate distinct environments within the apartment for brands such as Louis Vuitton and Lufthansa. These included Barclay Butera, who designed a library for Bally; Robin Wilson, who created the look for Rockport’s lower terrace space; and Kristin McGinnis, who outfitted the home gym for Asics.
Each room also incorporated plenty of technology, including KEF’s massive aluminum Muon speakers (one of only 100 pairs in the world) and flat-screen TVs from Pioneer. (An interactive Web site extended the reach of the apartment with photos and videos from the red carpet, as well as a virtual tour of the space.)
As in previous years, each event at the apartment had a charity tie-in, supporting nonprofits—many of them Harlem-based—such as CARE, Oxfam America, and the New York City Police Foundation. And to feed guests at these events, Esquire enlisted Taste Caterers. Though minor alterations were made for each host, a panini station and a bachelor’s selection of passed hors d’oeuvres such as pigs in a blanket and vegetable dumplings served as the foundation of each menu.
The last event at Esquire North took place on Wednesday, November 21; scouting for the location of the 2008 space has already begun.
Esquire's ultimate bachelor pad.
Photo: Robert Trachtenberg
Campion Platt designed Versace's living room, featuring the Björn Schülke's sculpture "Drone #4," which hovered over the crowd, taking photos and videos with its spiderlike legs and playing them back on its small displays.
Photo: Robert Trachtenberg
Christopher Maya produced the look of Louis Vuitton's master bedroom, which was accented with eclectic details and custom furniture.
Photo: Robert Trachtenberg
Barclay Butera's library for Bally was accented with a $30,000 fox-fur rug from Duraloy, a Pioneer Kuro flat-panel TV, and wood furnishings.
Photo: Robert Trachtenberg
Clodagh created a Zen-like space for Westin on one of the apartment's 750-square-foot terraces. With rosemary and lavender bushes lining the perimeter, the outdoor area had low seating, a wood-burning fireplace, and a canopy.
Photo: Robert Trachtenberg
