Yesterday, we listened to our inner voyeuristic tendencies, and headed to historic Rutherford Place to find out firsthand what’s on the inside of the beautiful limestone building. There are many buildings on our “dream home” list – and as you may recall, we’ve written about our desire to inhabit Rutherford Place someday. The grand lobby of Rutherford Place, which, in case you weren’t aware, was originally built in 1902 as a maternity hospital, is absolutely spectacular.
It’s been recently restored, and features a grand staircase and the most gorgeous ceiling we’ve ever seen. The homes at Rutherford Place, which are split between privately owned condominiums and rentable units, are entirely unique – no two units in the building are the same. This is partially due to architectural creativity, but moreso due to the fact that when you retrofit an old building, especially one with insanely high ceilings (we’re talking 14 feet), and turn what was once a place where women gave birth to screaming children sans modern day drugs into 120 duplex and triplex homes, things are going to be unique.
Built by funds donated by JP Morgan, Rutherford Place is a U-shaped building that features a rooftop sun deck, newly renovated elevators, newly renovated windowed and climate controlled public halls (a rarity in New York!), a 24 hour doorman, intercom communication systems and alarm systems in each home, and top of the line finishes. A bike room is coming soon. In short, it’s got everything that most modern buildings in New York have. However, not all buildings in New York are just a few steps from Peter Stuyvesant’s original farm; nor are they listed on the city’s National Register of Historic Places.
Of course, there are also the interior finishes. All the kitchens at Rutherford Place were renovated about a year ago; counters are black granite with a matte finish, stoves are from Viking and microwaves from Dacor. Refrigerators are from Sub-Zero, and are coated with Poggenpohl European cherry wood to match the cabinets. While the color is pretty, the combination of the cherry wood with the black counters make the kitchens feel just a bit dark. Many of the units at Rutherford Place feature 10′ high windows – so you’d think darkness wouldn’t be an issue. We suppose this is an issue of preference, and that the color combination would appeal to many. Hardwood window frames and sills are historically correct, but the window panes are double-glazed for energy and sound efficiency (a necessity given that the building sits on Second Avenue).
Bathrooms are equipped with soaking tubs, and the walls are covered in oversized white subway tiles. The bathroom floors feature 18″ x 18″ Italian porcelain tiles in black. Easy to keep clean, and no chance of mold – we like it! We’re also big fans of the glass encased shower – anything glass makes the space feel bigger, and the showers/tubs inside the units in Rutherford Place do just that.
We toured three units – and true to form, no two were alike. The first unit we toured was a two bedroom. It featured a downstairs living level with a bedroom upstairs (where we entered) and another downstairs. On the lower level, there was the kitchen, bathroom, large living area and the second bedroom, complete with a 14′ ceiling and a walk-in closet.
The second unit was a one bedroom that boasted 820 square feet of sun drenched space. It featured an upstairs loft bedroom with double closets, and 10′ high windows – this unit goes for $4250/month, with heat, water and gas included. Residents at Rutherford Place pay their own utilities (electric, cable, internet, etc.). We also viewed a larger one bedroom; this one was approximately 1400 square feet with what felt like an eternity of living space. It was an apartment in which a young New Yorker (or a New Yorker of any age, of course) could throw quite the dinner party – provided no one tried anything too crazy on the stairs. This through-floor unit was a triplex; the third floor of the apartment featured a gigantic loft space that while not tall enough to stand up in, would make a great storage space, a great children’s playroom, or even, a great place for guests to spend the night.
Though to some, the choppy layouts of Rutherford Place might seem less than optimal, our take on them is that they’re about as unique as they come – and with all the cookie cutter buildings popping up around the city, the idea of a place where no two homes are alike is utterly appealing. Those looking for an interior challenge will be dazzled by the spaces at Rutherford Place, which allow for open concept living in the best of ways. If you’re looking for character, Rutherford Place has it, and within a stone’s throw of multiple trains, Union Square, and Gramercy. The downtown location is unbeatable, and the layouts can’t be found anywhere else. In essence, our dream home met our expectations – and then some. Rutherford Place is currently about 40% owner occupied, the other 60% is comprised of sponsor units occupied by rental tenants. There are only a few rental units left, so if you think Rutherford Place is the place for you, don’t wait long!
For more information about Rutherford Place, click here.
To view Rutherford Place’s official website, click here.
