Robert AM Stern, the architect behind New York City's iconic 15 Central Park West, has died at the age of 86. Dubbed the 'King of Central Park West' by Vanity Fair, Stern was known for designing buildings that evoked pre-war grandeur while offering modern luxury.
Stern's most famous project, 15 Central Park West, became the most expensive new apartment building in New York history in 2008, with sales totalling roughly $2bn. The limestone-clad structure attracted hedge-fund managers, financial tycoons like Lloyd Blankfein, tech entrepreneurs including Steve Jobs, and celebrities such as Bono, Sting, and Denzel Washington.
Rejecting the trend for modernist glass towers, Stern championed a 'traditional modern' style. He drew everything by hand and did not use a computer. The Zeckendorf family, developers of Central Park West, recognised that 'nothing appeals to people, particularly rich people, like something new that doesn't look too new,' according to Vanity Fair.
Born in Brooklyn, Stern ran a 300-person firm, served as dean of the Yale School of Architecture, and wrote encyclopaedic volumes on New York's architecture. His other works included Disney World beach club resorts, the George W Bush Center in Dallas, and Philadelphia's Comcast Center.
Stern was known for his distinctive style, wearing pocket squares, suede loafers, and bespoke suits. He criticised modernist works as 'self-important objects' and insisted that buildings must 'engage with the larger whole'.
