Just north of Manhattan’s Madison Square Park, above the hustle and bustle of Broadway, a graceful 16-story Beaux Arts office building has served as a long-standing home for many of New York’s brightest designers and builders.
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In fact, several of the St. James Building’s early tenants created some of the city’s most enduring architectural landmarks including Daniel Burnham, the architect of the nearby Flatiron Building, and Henry C. Pelton, who designed Riverside Church. Even the building’s own architect, the influential Bruce Price, wound up relocating his practice there from Baltimore to capitalize on the beginning of the city’s skyscraper boom in the late 1800s.
But the St. James Building (at 1123-1133 Broadway) also had wider appeal. Thanks to the addition in 1902 of a lavish palm-filled cigar shop designed by McKim, Mead & White (now occupied by the Italian eatery La Pecora Bianca), it became a popular gathering place for intellectuals and politicians of that era.
Now, 123 years after its completion, the St. James Building still teems with creative types, particularly interior designers, thanks to its Gilded Age charm and ideal location near furniture showrooms and subway lines. It’s become an informally formed community of seasoned and emerging professionals. We dropped by the studios of eight designers to get acquainted with this unique—and lasting—design hub.
Danielle Colding
Years in the building: 1
Firm size: 1
Key projects: Ronald McDonald house, residential and commercial projects in the U.S. and abroad
Design philosophy: I work on residential projects in the city. I tend to attract fun and creative clients who like doing things outside of the box. I don’t have one look. My interiors tend to look clean but also warm and inviting. My taste is pretty eclectic. I could see West African patterns mixed with European antiques, for instance.
Do you mind sharing a studio with two other designers [Young Huh and Alberto Villalobos]? They’re, like, my besties! After my maternity leave, I got a permanent desk here. The historical details of this place appeals to me. Frankly, I love being in a building that’s weird and quirky with odd-shaped rooms. I’m a New Yorker, born and raised. I’m down for all the weird quirks.
Emily Butler
Years in the building: 2.5
Firm size: 2
Key projects: Private residences in New York; Ziggy, a line of handcrafted furniture made with nontoxic materials
Your studio is lovely but on the small side. How do you manage?
My assistant and I are only here part-time. On those days, I’m hovering around doing things and she’s at the desk. We just kind of make it work. But it’s an ideal choice over all the coworking spaces with tons of amenities. WeWork, for instance, can be more expensive if you want storage—and all interior designers need a place for all their stuff. This small space also functions as a small showroom for Ziggy, a furniture line I developed with Ziggy and Tom Brodowski, carpenter brothers from Connecticut. We designed everything together and then it’s all made from nontoxic finishes and formaldehyde-free plywood. Our company is technically based in Connecticut, but I use this office whenever people in New York want to stop by and see it.
Favorite lunch spot: Maman for seasonal quiche (and a cookie)
Go-to spot for sourcing: In this neighborhood, I specifically love taking advantage of all the tile and kitchen-bath showrooms.
Proudest moment as a designer? I recently received a referral from a wonderful client after the potential new client saw their friend’s new apartment combination. While they liked the renovation and decorating, what they loved the most is that it reflected the personalities of their friends. What could be a higher compliment?
Trend you hope will die: I love color, so “safe” greige palettes.
The designer you’d most like to meet, living or dead: Sister Parish, the iconic designer with an Americana twist
Bachman Clem
Years in the building: 8
Firm size: 4
This is your second office in the building. What was your first like? It was more like a teeny-tiny box that we were in, but it was beautiful. I had only one assistant, and we worked back-to-back so we couldn’t get up at the same time because we would hit each other.
On your wall: My brother’s art, Chivas Clem. He shows at the Maccarone gallery.
Proudest moment as a designer: I could not have been prouder than when we had our 10-year anniversary just over a year ago. This industry can be quite the roller coaster, so making it a decade was a really important milestone for us.
Do you know your neighbors? Josh Greene is a friend of mine. Then there are other big interior designers in the building who have projects all over the world. I don’t feel competitive with them because I’m small potatoes compared to these guys. They make me try a little harder. When I see them in the lobby, I’m like, “Woo, I gotta hustle.”
Favorite lunch spot: Hanjan on 26th Street. So good.
Trend you hope will die: I think there’s something to learn from all trends. But if I never saw another Dale Chihuly sculpture, I wouldn’t be sad about it.
The designer you’d like to meet, living or dead: Charlotte Perriand or William Haines
Robert Stilin
Years in the building: 7
Firm size: 8–10
Biggest office splurge: Space. The beauty of this prewar building is that it was designed to expand. We started with one space and now have five and are looking to add another. It’s an enfilade of rooms—one opening onto the next, and it has a very residential feeling with all my vintage and antique furniture and objects and contemporary art mixed in. I always feel like I could live in this office. It’s so relaxed and comfortable—just like our projects.
What do you like most about your office? My personal office is in a corner space with lots of natural light and nice city views on the sixth floor. We’re high enough to have some distance and low enough to feel connected to the street and the city action. It’s very lively in a way but also peaceful and relaxed for working and meeting.
Happy hour spot in the neighborhood? Upland
Go-to spot for sourcing: The gallery at 200 Lexington powered by InCollect on the 10th floor and other vintage dealers in that building. ALT for Living on West 28th Street.
Proudest moment as a designer? The launch of my new and first book, Robert Stilin, Interiors
The designer you’d like to meet, living or dead: I have met or know most of the living designers I respect and admire, so I would have to go with the dead. It would be people like Jean Royère, Jean-Michel Frank, Eugène Printz, Michael Taylor, Kalef Alaton, and Geoffery Bennison.
