But there was something unpredictably lovely about a July 2005 profile of the apartment that architect David Mandl built for himself and his wife, Anita, at 280 Park Avenue South. The article ends with Ms. Mandl explaining that they watch a little TV, but prefer putting photographs from their three decades together up on those 15 screens.

A few months after that article was published, Mr. Mandl, who co-founded the much-lauded firm Meltzer/Mandl Architects, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died one year ago this month, at home in the apartment. He was 53.

“Frankly, the design and space was so important to him—and less so to me, so he really ruled the roost on that one,” Ms. Mandl said last week. “David was a fierce man and an elegant man. I thought the apartment really reflected that.”

“It was not simply a place to come home and be comfortable,” she said later, talking about their 8,000 slides (from 103 trips together) that went up on these screens. “So for that I am ever grateful.” Sometimes digitized Matisse portraits would go up, too, or homemade films: “I came home—he’s a very funny man, I’m not alone in thinking that—and he was showing a party he had had that somebody videoed. And he was saying, ‘I was just feeling I didn’t have any friends.’”

Mr. Mandl went to his office at Meltzer/Mandl up until three weeks before his death, and then when he was bedridden, the apartment’s enormous wireless remote came in handy. “He could control the entire house: the shades, the lights, the A/V system,” she said. “I can’t tell you—that was his pleasure. I was so glad he was able to live that out.”

Ms. Mandl, 66, began looking for a new apartment in January. “It was just too much to do; it’s not the way I want to spend my life, looking for light bulbs and getting programs restructured.”

Antonio Palagiano, a gastroenterologist who lives in the building, just bought the 2,300-square-foot apartment, with its seven or so miles of wiring intact, for $3.1 million, according to city records.

Meanwhile, Ms. Mandl is moving to a smaller condo in the building. The space is being redesigned with an architect who worked for her husband. “When she was designing,” Ms. Mandl explained, “she would say, ‘What about this cabinet? If it were David, he’d want white, but what about you?’”

mabelson@observer.com

Mr. Mandl made a name for himself in New York by being the first architect to transform a downtown office building into a luxury apartment building with 45 Wall Street. A New York native and Pratt Institute graduate, Mr. Mandl was a member of the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) and a former board member of the New York Society of Architects. He was also president of the firm Meltzer/Mandl Architects.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Anita, and by his parents and a sister.

- Max Abelson

Designing a Contemporary Building, Jewish Style: Nearly Complete, Meltzer/Mandl-Designed Arlington Suites.

Delivers Sensitive Aesthetics and Unique Amenities to Riverdale Community

Architects' Vision Ties Together Diverse Urban Landscape with Modern 13-Story Structure Using Setbacks, Glass and Masonry Facade and Jerusalem Stone Base

NEW YORK (November 27, 2006) - A much ballyhooed 13-story, 26-unit condominium project in the Riverdale section of the Bronx has secured the approval of the community as it nears completion. Located at 3220 Arlington Avenue, and situated between a prototypical six-story, 1950s-construction red brick apartment building on one side and a two-story parish on the other, the sand-colored masonry and glass structure uses gentle setbacks to quietly ascend to a height of 143 feet without disrupting the tranquility of the streetscape.

"This was a challenging site," says David Mandl, the design architect and a principal of Meltzer/Mandl Architects, P.C. "The neighborhood was wary of the project and understandably concerned it would not fit in with the scale and mood of this lower-scale residential area. But now that the curtain wall is up and we can see how well the colors of the brick and glass in the oversized windows work with the stone base, it melds seamlessly with the nearby buildings. Recently, we've received very positive feedback from residents who are pleased with how this new project adds energy to the neighborhood."

Arlington Suites stands at the site of developer Shmuel Jonas' family home on an irregular lot that borders Arlington and Netherland Avenues. His insight into the community helped shape the project, which includes many unique Jewish culture-oriented amenities. "I wanted 'Kosher-smart' apartments that would still appeal to a broad demographic," says Mr. Jonas. "We have added every convenience conceivable for observant Jewish families, but the apartments are so well-designed that our buying audience is potentially unlimited."

The layouts include two- through four-bedroom units, generously ranging in size from 1,872 square feet to 3,333 square feet. Each apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows displaying at least two exposures, some offering Hudson River views, Harlem River views and city views that extend to midtown Manhattan. Eight of the units feature terraces, sized from 239 square feet to 1,810 square feet, and there are 15 balconies ranging from 62- to 71 square feet.

Common amenities include a 107-space parking garage, large storage units, 12-seat screening room, roof deck with barbeque and sink and a designated Sabbath elevator that is programmed to continually stop on each floor from sundown Fridays through sundown on Saturdays. An on-site fitness center will feature state-of-the-art equipment, plus pool and sauna, and will be open at separate hours for men and women. Among the more unusual features are two large terraces that meet strict spatial criteria for the Jewish religious holiday, Sukkos. The 4,553-square-foot third floor terrace will be shared between four apartments. The 6,000-square-foot second floor Sukkos terraces will be available to the balance of the residents.

The individual units include many special features geared to observant Jews, such as kitchens with double sinks and 48-inch double drawer Viking ovens. In addition, the developer is offering buyers a choice of two separate refrigerators or two dishwashers. Standard in the units will be double-drawer dishwashers that can separately clean dishes used for Kosher dairy-based meals and those for meat-based meals.

Even the two-story base of the building, composed of golden Jerusalem Stone from Israel's Mount Scopus, relates symbolically to western religious cultures and provides a sense of the Jewish homeland. "In addition to its spiritual references, the Jerusalem Stone works well with the building's facade," adds Mr. Mandl. "The colors and textures harmonize with the glass and the way the sun reflects off the stone base. It all works together for a contemporary look that also fits in with the neighboring buildings."

The first two floors of Arlington Suites are being leased to a medical practice that includes dentistry and pediatrics. The fitness center is also located on the first floor.

It is anticipated that Arlington Suites will be ready for occupancy in early 2008.

About Meltzer/Mandl Architects, P.C.
Meltzer/Mandl Architects, founded in 1995 by Marvin H. Meltzer, AIA NCARB, and David Mandl, AIA, has won six major industry awards in the past few years and was honored as 2004 Firm of the Year by the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)

The ultra-modern, ultra-chic architects at Meltzer/Mandl are conquering Brooklyn, one warehouse- to- condo conversion at a time. First came the curvaceous Vanderbilt in Clinton Hill. Up next? A pair of "strikingly modern" apartment buildings, with 130 units, at 110 Green and 133-137 Huron Street.

The concrete and glass condos will be "contextual with the scale of the surrounding buildings"--Meltzer and Mandl sure know how to sweet talk--yet the firm promises to bring dynamism to the defunct Greenpoint manufacturing district.

As for that vibrancy, there will be a 360-foot window of colored spandrel glass, plus 16 new trees, a public roof terrace and pool. Spandrelific!

The full release, as always, is after the jump.

- Max Abelson

Meltzer/Mandl Energizes Greenpoint with Design of Twin
Six-Story Condos at 110 Green Street and 133-137 Huron Street

Award-winning Architects Help to Transform Industrial Area with Startling Modern Design of 130 Unit Condominium with Roof Terrace, Pool and Parking

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (August 14, 2006) - Award-winning Meltzer/Mandl Architects, PC, has designed two strikingly modern six-story condominium properties with an aggregate of 130 units at 110 Green Street and 133-137 Huron Street. The project is being built on the combined sites of two former warehouses, on contiguous blocks, in traditionally industrial Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The concrete and glass buildings will be contextual with the scale of the surrounding buildings, but will bring a much needed and dynamic presence to a semi-defunct manufacturing district.

Composed of glass with a colored spandrel glass window wall spanning 360 feet of frontage, the design integrates the street's front heights and setbacks, while creating a vibrant streetscape within the neighborhood. Located on a through-lot site, the architects have designed a covered glass parking area and pedestrian passageway on two levels, which will serve to connect the Green Street and Huron Street buildings. There will be 65 parking places for the residents and such other amenities as a public roof terrace and pool. The breakdown of the units comprises 71 one-bedroom apartments; 55 two-bedroom apartments; and 4 three-bedroom apartments. In addition, 16 new trees are being planted in front of the buildings.

"We are creating a totally different vocabulary for this neighborhood," points out David Mandl, a principal of the New York-based architecture firm. "These buildings will bring about a new energy and will undoubtedly serve as a proper benchmark for future building here."

The Developers Group has been retained as the exclusive sales and marketing agent for the property and the developer is 110 Green Development, LLC. Construction begins in September 2006, with completion anticipated for March 2008.

About Meltzer/Mandl Architects, P.C.
Meltzer/Mandl Architects was founded by Marvin H. Meltzer, AIA NCARB and David Mandl, AIA and have won six major industry awards for their work. The firm, totaling 35 people, combines the expertise of architects, urban planners, interior designers and construction managers, with individuals who have development and real estate finance backgrounds. Large enough to offer a full range of services, the firm's size also assures that every client and project receives the direct attention of the principals. In addition to its other areas of expertise, Meltzer/Mandl is one of the most active multi-family architects in the New York region, responsible for creating more than 10,000 units of housing.

Two lucky Clinton Hill warehouses are about to turn into two six-story condos (plus a 60-foot inner courtyard, plus a shiny pool.) The curvy Vanderbilt Apartments, designed by Meltzer/Mandl Architects, will be made of clear and "colored spandrel glass."

According to the designers, all this luxurious shine will set "the benchmark for future new construction in Clinton Hill." Enjoy!

Full release after the jump.

- Max Abelson

Meltzer/Mandl Uplifts Brooklyn's Clinton Hill with Vanderbilt Apartments, Two Six-Story Luxury Condos with Private Gardens

Prominent New York Architecture Firm Transforms Fringe Blocks
With Modern Twin Curved Glass Buildings Surrounding Landscaped Courtyard

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (August 1, 2006) - Meltzer/Mandl Architects, P.C. is bringing its distinctive style to Clinton Hill, Brooklyn by transforming two commercial warehouse blocks into oases of luxury with the design of Vanderbilt Apartments at 174 Vanderbilt Avenue. The complex is made up of two six-story condominium residences on contiguous blocks that share a private, 60-foot landscaped inner courtyard, complete with reflecting pool and outdoor furniture. Sheathed in a complement of clear glass, colored spandrel glass and metal panels, the curved-shaped, mirror image buildings are being built on an impressive 200-foot by 300-foot lot, combining lots at 174 Vanderbilt Avenue and 181 Clermont Avenue. The buildings will feature an aggregate of 73 condominium units, many with setback terraces and balconies, and 38 on-site parking spaces.

"Vanderbilt Apartments reflect an aesthetic rarely seen in emerging neighborhoods," points out Marvin Meltzer, principal of the New York-based architecture firm. "We have designed a high-end condominium complex that will attract people looking for uniquely modern residences. On a broader level, Vanderbilt Apartments will serve as a benchmark for future new construction in Clinton Hill, which will help upgrade and diversify the neighborhood."

Located on adjacent blocks, the project is under construction with completion tentatively scheduled for late 2007. The two site areas include 24,000 square feet at 181 Clermont Avenue and 26,400 square feet at 174 Vanderbilt Avenue, the original site of an abandoned one-story warehouse.

The Developers Group is responsible for the sales and marketing of the project and the developer is Vanderbilt Mansion, LLC.

About Meltzer/Mandl Architects, P.C.
Meltzer/Mandl Architects, P.C. was founded by Marvin H. Meltzer, AIA NCARB and David Mandl, AIA. The firm, totaling 35 people, combines the expertise of architects, urban planners, interior designers and construction managers, with individuals who have development and real estate finance backgrounds. Large enough to offer a full range of services, the firm's size also assures that every client and project receives the direct attention of the principals.