SkyHouse: Ghislaine Viñas & David Hotson’s Playful Penthouse Above Manhattan

SkyHouse is an extraordinary private residence perched atop one of Lower Manhattan’s earliest surviving skyscrapers, transformed from a previously unused four‑story penthouse into a modern architectural marvel by architect David Hotson with interior design by Ghislaine Viñas. The project marries historic structure with contemporary creativity, occupying a raw shell once devoid of services and reshaping it into an immersive multi‑level urban home that celebrates vertical living and spatial drama high above New York City. Archinect

The design reorganizes the complex interior volume across four levels, threading interconnected pathways, glass bridges, and viewpoints that reveal artful vistas of the surrounding cityscape. Hotson’s architectural strategy preserves the original steel‑frame and arched windows while introducing bold modern gestures—creating a 50‑foot tall living space, suspended balconies, and a dynamic circulation that guides daily life in unexpected ways.