Modern Luxury Cooperatives
Elegance Elevated
Experience luxury in a whole new way at Apogee Perched high on the Palisades in Cliffside Park, this spectacular 30-story cooperative residence is now reinvented to reflect new expectations in lifestyle, aesthetics, and taste. With amazing unobstructed views, a perfect location, and a friendly community, Apogee has captured a new position among the most unique and coveted residences along the Gold Coast. From its inspired, upscale new entrance to resort-style amenities, Apogee blends sophisticated design with the unique, accessible comforts of suburban life. In so many ways, it’s the best of all worlds.
Architect's Story
About The Architect
Steve Kratchman Architect, P.C., located in New York City. Mr. Kratchman has multiple specialties including residential real estate development. He has created architectural designs for multiple hi-rise apartments in NYC and the tri-state area. His projects include work on renovations of existing buildings as well as “ground up” hi-rises. As an architect of commercial real estate and urban design he was involved with the master planning of Chelsea Piers, five attached buildings along four piers on the west side of Manhattan. For Apogee he was the master planner, architect and designer of the project.
Vision For Apogee
To create a modern, upscale hi-rise along the New Jersey “Gold Coast”, with an environment and the amenities equal to residences in NYC.
The Project
The master plan was to make the main, three-story lobby the centerpiece of the project and expand to include the entire frontage and yard, the amenities and the specific site features of igneous rock cliff and sloping contours. Once the lobby was placed in this general context, the designs were created for the specific entry, lobby, and amenities.
The major changes include:
The Main Lobby
- Brought the tradition of front yard seasonal plantings inside in the form of a four sided, double height living wall that has sculptural qualities. That feeling can be experienced as one walks around each side and sees the plantings change to reflect each exposure and light condition
- Glazed the three story elevator floor lobbies in order to see three sets of doors, creating a glass wall and to make them visible from the lobby floor using electric lighting and new stone cladding
- Integrated the lobby’s terrazzo floor into the new scheme.
- Created a new management office.
- Renovated the space for the in-house dry cleaners.
- Relocated and redesigned the lobby desk to be an interactive centerpiece and increase concierge visibility for service and security.
- Dedicated the other side of the lobby to visitors and guests by inserting a large open fireplace as a divider with seating and gathering arrangements with warm and vibrant color materials.
- Extra large revolving entrance door, allowing ease of use for residents carrying packages or luggage.
- A lighting scheme to prominently accentuate all areas of the lobby.
Outside
- A modernized façade including a canopy made with glass, metal and wood marquis.
- A new driveway with modern pavers and designed to be practical for arriving vehicles.
- Seasonal landscaping featuring plants, grass and trees to capture the time of year feeling.
- Created modernized and easily seen signage to emote the feeling of elegance as one approaches the building.
Mezzanine and Upper Levels
- Relocated and expanded the fitness amenity to the underused mezzanine level and expanded both sides to meet up with the central elevator core to make it visible from the Lobby
- Fine-tuned the acoustic control of other existing amenities including the community room and created a children’s play room.
The architect remained completely involved from the initial design to completion of the project. He made modifications along the way that enhanced the overall look and feel resulting in the achievement of the vision.
Living Rooms
Kitchens
Personal Resort
Swim in the outdoor pool, lounge on the sun deck, hit the courts for tennis, or host a BBQ on the terrace. An innovative, custom playroom keeps kids happy, while you work out in the updated gym, take class in the yoga studio, or just escape to the library for a good read. There is a laundry room on each floor, garage parking for residents, and for your convenience, professional on-site management.
Upgrades
- New main entrance facade and canopy
- Newly-redesigned main lobby entrance
- Fully renovated upper and middle level lobbies
- New fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment
- Children's indoor playroom
- Emergency backup generator
- New boilers: upgraded electrical systems and new
- Water distribution and treatment systems
- New heating and cooling HVAC units for the common area
- State-of-the-art fire and smoke alarm systems
- New landscaping with seasonal plantings
Amenities
- Convenience to NYC: Just a quick trip by car, bus or ferry (Express bus directly across the street)
- Laundry room, compactor and recycling bins on every floor
- Fitness room
- Yoga & Pilates Studio
- Children's playroom
- Community room
- Full service concierge and package receiving area
- On-site dry cleaner
- Full size heated swimming pool, kiddie pool and hot tub
- Library
- BBQ Grill area
- Secure Wi-Fi in all common areas
- Bulk rate cable/internet service through Time Warner
- On-site management with professional 24 hour video surveillance
of all building entrances, parking and common areas