We go people watching at Annabelle Selldorf’s 42 Crosby

Annabelle Selldorf’s name is architectural shorthand for restrained elegance, where subtle spaces are brimming with life, textures and quality materials. The German-born, New York-based architect is as known for her art projects – such as the Frick Collection makeover and galleries for David Zwirner – as her residential, the latest of the latter is 42 Crosby Street, an ode in glass and steel that sits on a relatively quiet corner in the heart of SoHo.

The development, created for Atlas Capital Group, features just ten apartments; a boutique selection of residential interiors that focus on light, materials and generosity of space. The top unit is a striking duplex penthouse.

This sense of space is not confined to the living areas. The apartments have the option of a parking spot underneath the development, which adds an extra layer of ease and luxury for the residents. Meanwhile, retail options have been placed on the street front ground level.

The exterior shading system not only enhances the building’s sustainability credentials, by helping to reduce heating and cooling costs, but it also helps articulate the facade, underlining the design’s strong grid geometry and balanced proportions. Glass, stainless steel, aluminum frames and metal mesh come together in the translucent composition that uses pre-fabricated building techniques as part of its thoroughly contemporary approach; at the same time materials and design are also a nod to the area’s cast iron architectural heritage.

Common areas were designed with attention to detail too. The scheme features a bespoke terrarium art installation by Paula Hayes in the main entrance lobby, which leads the eye to the planted courtyard beyond, and the mature Norway Maple tree that greets the residents there.

Selldorf’s sophisticated approach and the building’s strategic location – a stone’s throw from Soho’s busiest streets, yet at a slightly calmer part of town – made it the perfect setting for our main July issue fashion story, ‘Double Take’, shot by renowned German artist and conceptual photographer Barbara Probst, expertly mixing streetlife scenes with chic animal prints.