New looks for Thomas Heatherwick’s quirky Lantern House condos on the High Line

New renderings were released this week of Thomas Heatherwick’s first residential project in the United States, providing a peek inside one of New York City’s most unique new buildings. Developed by Related Companies, Lantern House consists of two High Line-flanking towers, one at 10 stories and the other at 22 stories, both with glassy bubbled exteriors. Four new images reveal its freestanding glass lobby pavilion which connects the two buildings and is pierced by two beams from the elevated park above.

Heatherwick Studio, the team behind the Vessel at Hudson Yards and Pier 55, designed Lantern House as an “interpretation of the modern bay window.” The lantern-shaped glass walls allow for both light and views of the Hudson River. The lobby measures 1,900 square feet and features a stepped glass wall to reduce corners.

Lots of natural light and views of the outdoor courtyard gives off an indoor-outdoor vibe in the lobby. The space contains a metal seam roof, meant to “evoke the billowing edges of a traditional lantern with four elegant apexes pointing towards the sky,” as the press release describes.

A reception desk of cast glass and bronze metal will greet residents, with a sitting area furnished by Studio van den Akker. The dark chevron Eramosa marble floors are meant to contrast the soft-colored ceiling.

Heatherwick said the firm borrowed the “texture and character” of the High Line to design the lobby. “To not compete with the soulful materiality of this historic piece of infrastructure, we designed a lobby that barely touches it and is slung from the east building to the west, with a roof structure that gently drapes, like a piece of textile,” he said in a statement.

“With the legs of the High Line lacing through, we hope that the lobby will provide a special welcome for residents and importantly, create a sense of returning home to a place like no other.”

Located at 515 West 18th Street, Lantern House contains 181 residences, split between the east and west towers. Sales will launch next year for the one- to four-bedroom condos, many with setback terraces and 10-foot ceilings. Led by Related Sales LLC and Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, pricing will start at $1.7 million for the one-bedroom units.

RELATED: 

• Thomas Heatherwick’s pair of bubbled condos on the High Line gets rebranded as ‘Lantern House’
• Thomas Heatherwick designs two bubbled condo towers for Related’s High Line-straddling site
• First of Heatherwick’s bubbled condo buildings tops out on the High Line

Renderings courtesy of Related Companies