Behind the Doors of Manhattan’s Wabi-Sabi Icon: TriBeCa Penthouse
BY ROYAUME
AUGUST 2026
An earth-toned gallery and hearth designed by Axel Vervoordt and Tatsuro Miki. Photo: Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
The TriBeCa Penthouse at The Greenwich Hotel—a masterwork of architectural design crowning the corner of Greenwich Street and North Moore Street in New York City—stands as the ultimate urban luxury retreat. Designed by legendary Belgian interior designer Axel Vervoordt and Japanese architect Tatsuro Miki, the 6,800 sq ft suite (featuring a 2,800 sq ft interior and a 4,000 sq ft exterior private terrace) draws inspiration from TriBeCa’s industrial heritage fused seamlessly with the ancient Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi.
Perched high above lower Manhattan, this sanctuary reimagines urban living by embracing imperfection, authenticity, and time-worn textures. Created in close collaboration with the partners of The Greenwich Hotel—including Robert De Niro—and master artisans from around the globe, the penthouse serves as a meditative haven where historic materials tell a profound story of craftsmanship.
Every element within the space honors the concept of Artempo, where time itself becomes art. From reclaimed timber joists sourced from historic New York structures to hand-plastered walls finished in warm earth tones, the residence balances raw industrial scale with an extraordinary, quiet intimacy rarely found in Manhattan real estate.
An Architectural Synthesis of Wabi-Sabi and Industrial Heritage
A sunlit living salon framed by steel atelier windows. Photo: Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
The architectural framework draws its soul directly from TriBeCa’s historic warehouse narrative while remaining rooted in ancient Japanese aesthetic principles. Axel Vervoordt and Tatsuro Miki deliberately avoided polished surfaces, choosing instead materials rich in spirit and history—such as local stone, aged steel, and centuries-old reclaimed timber.
Because the core architecture is executed with such purposeful simplicity, the penthouse belongs as much to the past as to the future. Double-height ceilings and expansive industrial-style steel windows flood the interior with natural light, establishing an effortless connection between the quiet indoors and the vast New York skyline outside.
Firelit Living Spaces and Custom Stonework
A monolithic stone hearth cast in soft firelight. Photo: Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
The penthouse features two expansive living areas anchored by massive, custom-carved stone fireplaces that act as the architectural anchors of the suite. Low-slung seating, Belgian linen upholstery, and tactile floor coverings encourage unhurried relaxation, stripping away unnecessary ornamentation to emphasize space and light.
"Beauty is found in authenticity and the subtle marks left by time," notes Vervoordt. The carefully chosen furnishings reflect this mindset—weathered wooden tables, understated iron accents, and ceramic vessels sit alongside modern architectural elements to create a deeply grounding domestic atmosphere.
Craftsmanship and Repurposed Structural Elements
Reclaimed 19th-century timber framing an intimate dining alcove by Axel Vervoordt and Tatsuro Miki. Photo: Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
Throughout the suite, sustainable design principles are seamlessly integrated through the thoughtful reuse and repurposing of architectural salvage. Structural beams reclaimed from 19th-century New York buildings frame the doorways, while original copper roofing from the building was skillfully transformed by an upstate New York artisan into handcrafted, gourd-shaped light fixtures.
Every tactile surface invites touch, from the soft, hand-applied clay plaster on the walls to the smooth, sun-bleached timber underfoot. This meticulous attention to material provenance guarantees that no two corners of the penthouse feel mass-produced or clinical.
Private Master Sanctuaries and Stone Baths
A carved stone bath reflecting the wabi-sabi ethos of Axel Vervoordt and Tatsuro Miki. Photo: Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
Configured with up to three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, the private quarters are designed as serene sanctuaries dedicated to total physical renewal. Soft natural textiles, custom timber platform beds, and quiet lighting establish an environment of absolute quietude high above the city streets.
The master bath features an extraordinary soaking tub carved directly out of a single block of stone, complemented by a walk-in rain shower enclosed in weathered timber and slate. Oversized windows allow soft morning light to filter across the natural stone surfaces, elevating daily rituals into a serene retreat.
The Multilevel Outdoor Garden Terrace
A vine-draped pergola framing the TriBeCa skyline. Photo: Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
Spanning 4,000 square feet across multiple outdoor levels, the private rooftop garden offers an unprecedented outdoor living experience in the heart of Manhattan. Lushly planted with native greenery, wisteria-wrapped wooden pergolas, and stone pathways, the terrace functions as an extension of the interior living quarters.
Dedicated outdoor lounge areas, a fully equipped exterior kitchen, and a private copper spa pool allow guests to take in panoramic views of downtown New York and the Hudson River in complete privacy, far removed from the city's frantic pace.
Culinary Experience and Gathering Spaces
A salon clad in textured render and reclaimed oak by Axel Vervoordt and Tatsuro Miki. Photo: Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
At the center of the interior layout rests a full chef’s kitchen, designed around a long reclaimed-wood island and custom copper fittings. Built for both quiet morning dining and private culinary events, the kitchen connects fluidly with the primary dining area, where a massive timber table comfortably accommodates intimate dinner parties.
Whether enjoying a meal prepared by a private chef or relaxing by the fire as dusk settles over Greenwich Street, the dining spaces provide a warm, welcoming center for gathering, reflecting the hotel's commitment to unpretentious luxury.
A Timeless Refuge Above Greenwich Street
A study alcove in hand-troweled render and aged timber by Axel Vervoordt and Tatsuro Miki. Photo: Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
Located at the quiet intersection of Greenwich and North Moore Street, The TriBeCa Penthouse remains one of the world's most sought-after hotel suites, available exclusively through direct private inquiry.
By merging Belgian design philosophy, Japanese spatial wisdom, and classic New York industrial architecture, Vervoordt and Miki created far more than a luxury hotel suite—they crafted an enduring, soulful retreat that redefines high-end hospitality in Manhattan.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
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