FOR SELECT RESIDENCES IN THE NEW 7 DEKALB TOWER, A VETERAN DESIGNER COMBINED CUSTOM FURNITURE MAKING WITH AN EYE TO THE FOUR ESSENTIALS OF LIVING

BY EVAN MONROE

7 DeKalb, a rent stabilized, no-fee building in the heart of the mixed-use City Point project, was designed by COOKFOX Architects to be part of what that company termed, a range of “distinct residential towers that independently connect with the street,” and with elements “influenced by the hard-edged, gritty character of Brooklyn’s waterfront, the nearby historic buildings, and forms found in nature.”

A fascinating element of the structure its award-winning custom zinc-clad façade. While built to age in a way that will soften its modernistic aesthetics over time, both it and the whole structure more broadly are without question born of a new age, but with a deft touch that converses with rather than shouts at the directly adjacent Willoughby Square Park, Albee Square, and the historic 1908 Dime Savings Bank.

Interior-designing units within such a residential building, likewise, requires something of a past-meets-present, natural-meets-modern sensibility, so developers BFC Partners enlisted the help of Sung Yoo of Hucbek, Inc., who offers interior design and custom design/build services out of her
New York office, and has more than a decade of experience designing both residential and commercial interiors. Formally an art director, Sung graduated from the Visual Arts Center in Maryland and earned a BFA from Parsons School of Design. With an approach that is, as she puts it, “driven by the passion of creating luxury with comfort and effortlessness,” she focuses on practicality, feng shui principles, and incorporating the four essentials of living into even small spaces.

“Eat, sleep, work, and play. I begin with those whenever I think about designing a space,” Sung explained. “With the two home interiors I designed at 7 DeKalb, that was a bit of a challenge because particularly the larger home (seen here, a 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom two-bathroom residence) had some irregular angles.”

One of the reasons BFC selected Sung for the task is because she isn’t afraid to conjure furniture solutions around problems like unconventional angles. In this case, she simply designed custom pieces that looked as if they belonged there all along.

“The window area, as soon as you walk into the living room, that was a little odd,” Sung said, “and I didn’t want to create a solution that would cover any windows. I needed to fill that space without things feeling forced, so what I did was design a custom banquette that fits right in there; it can function as either a dining area or general-purpose table, or take it away and you have regular sitting area.”

INVESTORS SPREAD

In fact, with the exception of the counters and the barstools, all the furniture in the living areas was custom designed by Sung. A considerable effort, but pivotal to achieve spaces in which, as she explained, “functionality is key—but I also incorporate feng shui practices as much as possible. The goal when placing any objects is to have them in ‘commanding positions;’ this is what directs a positive energy flow.”

A number of homes are available in the building, ranging from $2,750 for one-bedroom, one-bath units (hovering in the 650-750 square foot range) to $4,470 for two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes (averaging 1,000 square feet). 7 Dekalb unit amenities include private terraces for select residences, walnut hardwood flooring, Caesarstone countertops, GE appliance packages, and polished white quartz terrazzo bath tiles, with common amenities highlighted by a 24-hour attended lobby, fully-equipped gym, kids playroom, two resident lounges, and a media screening room.

7 DeKalb
7dekalb.com
Hucbek, Inc.
110 East 25th Street, Manhattan / hucbek.com