Designing luxury

Real Estate Weekly, April 10, 2002

Shamir Shah belongs to that elite circle of designers who can make a luxury space legendary, and make natural materials do extraordinary things.

Employing a signature approach to Minimalism, characterized by rich materials and sparseness enhanced by a subtle application of warmth, Shah is embarking on his latest downtown project -- creating the interior architecture and design for 150 Nassau at City Hall Park, a spectacular landmark building being renovated to create 45 new luxury condominium homes.

With an eye to clean and livable design and employing the finest materials around, Shah has developed a space that is decidedly modem yet pays homage to the building's sturdy and elegant turn-of-the-century past.

"I call it a 'modem intervention' in an historic space," Shah says. "This is a 100-year-old building designed by a genius architect. Our goal is to update it and make it inviting without disturbing the original fruit of that genius."

The elegant residences (ranging from 1,300 to 2,365 SF) are designed to highlight the building's sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River and Mid-and Lower Manhattan. Bringing uptown luxury to a new downtown neighborhood, each condominium will feature a fireplace, 10-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, top amenities and fine materials from around the world. Many of these elements are displayed at 150 Nassau's on-site sales center, which Shah designed for The Marketing Directors to feature a replica of the master bathrooms, as well as kitchen and powder room vignettes.

150 Nassau's grand lobby will also blend classic architecture with modem elements -- highlighting many original details while incorporating a complementary theme of updated colors and textures. The entrance will feature the building's original four vaulted ceiling arches and a backlit onyx reception desk, providing an inviting gateway to the residents' private spaces. A sitting area with an ebonized-oak bench and a residents' reading alcove designed with bookshelves, okra-colored chairs and carpeting of Shah's original design will distinguish the lobby's large open space. Honed limestone aggregate floors and walls of foiled, translucent glass will contribute to the luxurious yet relaxed atmosphere.

Born and raised in a close-knit Indian community near his grandfather's coffee plantation in Kenya, Shah was schooled in the British educational system before moving to the United States to attend Yale University. After graduating with a degree in architecture in 1987, he joined Costas Kondylis and Associates, one of New York's leading residential design firms. There he spearheaded the development of a new high-end interior architecture division within the firm, leading several spectacular residential projects including: The Park Laurel at 15 West 63rd St. on behalf of Vornado; Trump International Hotel and Tower at 1 Central Park West and The Mayfair at 610 Park Ave. on behalf of The Trump Organization; 1049 Fifth Ave., the rebuild of the old Adams Hotel. at 86th St., on behalf of Heller Equities; and The Strathmore at 400 East 84th St. on behalf of The Related Companies, among others. He is also the lead interior designer for the luxury renovation of several private residences.

Since opening Shamir Shah Design in 1999, Shah has won high praise for his innovative design that speaks a humanist and livable architectural vernacular. In March 2000, Metropolitan Home Magazine named him one of the "Best of the Best...architects and designers with talent to spare who will shape our environments for the next 20 years."

Describing his work as "clean and transitional," Shamir Shah has already emerged as one of New York's top highend interior designers - not just by creating luxury residential masterpieces, but as the man whose design for several widely acclaimed loft renovations introduced elegance and value to the new SoHo.

In addition to his work on 150 Nassau, which is expected to open in the autumn of 2002, Shah recently completed the renovation of The Andrew, a 60-room boutique hotel in Great Neck, New York, developed by former Ian Schrager partner Philip Pilevsky, as well as the design of a SoHo store for renowned potter Jonathan Adler. He is also involved in several projects at private residences at 30 Crosby Street, 42 Wooster St. and 875 Park Ave., among others.