At the corner of Vanderbilt and Myrtle Avenues, on the site of a former gas station, a near-complete residential building is already making an impression in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighbourhood. Designed by SO-IL with developer Tankhouse, 144 Vanderbilt (already known colloquially as The Pink Building) is clad in a scalloped pre-cast concrete façade that stands out against the neighbouring brick townhouses yet somehow fits right into its context. The eight-storey building comprises 26 units — ranging from two to four bedrooms in 21 unique layouts — each conceived as its own “private oasis” with access to outdoor space. By staggering the units, not only do they retain a sense of privacy but 70 per cent of the homes also have at least three different exposures — both rarities in city living.

The facade of 144 Vanderbilt is made of pre-cast concrete in a pale pink hue.

Slated to be completed in early 2025, the project builds on SO-IL’s previous work with Tankhouse: two other multi-unit developments at 450 Warren and 9 Chapel Street in Brooklyn. 144 Vanderbilt employs similar design principles: the idea of fostering a sense of community and casual encounters between residents, facilitated by exterior circulation, a connection to nature and ample public amenities, plus ground-level retail.

The entryway features a Molina Console from Fern, accented by a Cooperage Mirror and Column Ottoman from Fort Standard.

Construction is still underway on the interiors, but the first completed unit is an intriguing proof-of-concept for what life at 144 Vanderbilt might look like. Designed by New York firm General Assembly, the nearly 190-square-metre duplex apartment is their take on a model suite. The twist? It also serves as a showroom for their design shop, Assembly Line, embracing a recent trend towards residential-inspired retail spaces cropping up across the city. Viewings are by appointment only which makes for a luxe shopping experience, and appropriately so for a building whose units start at $2.075 million USD. But it also offers an intimate experience, allowing visitors to completely immerse themselves in the domestic environment (dubbed The Residence). After all, isn’t that what a model suite is for?

With walls painted in Raw Cedar from General Assembly’s Ressource collection, the cozy den includes the Clois daybed from Fern and the Eden rug by Armadillo.

Designers Sarah Zames and Colin Stief employed the studio’s signature material-driven approach, curating the unit’s textures and furnishings around the building’s base finishes: exposed concrete ceilings and natural oak floors. Indeed, the suite had good bones, including expansive windows which let in ample natural light — and perfectly framed views of nature, which the studio incorporated into the design. In the den, for instance, the designers opted for a darker colour scheme and skipped the window treatments, allowing the tree in the window to take centre stage.

The secondary bedroom features an Ejer Bed from Rye, set against a backdrop of Field Stone Schiste Blue paint from Ressource.

The Hem Bed from Rye grounds the master suite.

The starting point for the apartment’s earthy palette was General Assembly’s collection of limewash paints for Ressource. Each room — including a kitchen and dining area, living room, den, office, primary and kids bedrooms — is assigned a distinct colour. Deeper tones delineate more private spaces like the bedrooms, imbuing them with a moody sense of drama, while lighter hues foster openness in the living spaces. Despite its varied tonality, the entire apartment retains a strong aesthetic unity. Original artworks, curated with New York and Paris-based gallery Amélie Maison d’art, also work to tie the spaces together.

The office is outfitted with the Peizi Desk and Feast Side Chair by Bowen Liu.

As for the furnishings and objects, the apartment showcases a roster of notable designers and brands that run the gamut from rugs by Armadillo to a desk and dining table by Bowen Liu and soft seating by Evam. The home is entirely shoppable, meaning everything on display can be purchased via Assembly Line.

The kitchen is outfitted with Oak Range counter stools from Fort Standard and a U3 Bar Cart by Bowen Liu.

With a focus on pieces that are handcrafted and made-to-order, The Residence signals a return to the age of heirloom-quality objects that are designed to become more beautiful with age. It’s all in service of General Assembly’s overarching design philosophy: that a home should evolve with the people living in it.

The Float Pendant by Ravenhill Studio complements the Helle Dining Table by Bowen Liu and Range Side chairs by Fort Standard.

The Residence is on view at 144 Vanderbilt until the end of 2024.