10 Questions with… CetraRuddy

With sky-high towers such as the 50-story One Madison, with its cantilevered white-glass cubes, and the recently completed 62-story ARO at 242 West 53rd Street, distinguished by its nesting glass rectangles, Interior Design Hall of Fame members John Cetra and Nancy J. Ruddy have made an indelible mark on the face of Manhattan. Since founding CetraRuddy in 1987, the husband-and-wife team have built their New York-based architecture, planning, and interior design practice up to a staff of over 100—winning numerous awards in the process. In New York alone, the firm has stamped its signature expression on more than 80 buildings, with clients ranging from the city’s largest real estate firms to the Statue of Liberty, the Bronx Zoo, and New York University. The duo sat down with Interior Design to share the design influences of their youth, how they tackle a project that has a profound impact on a city’s skyline, and the simple trick that helps them function as a team._

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ARO Residential Tower Gives the Former Roseland Ballroom a New Look

In a sea of iconic skyscrapers, it’s a challenge to stand out in midtown Manhattan. One firm’s strategy? Toss aside the rulebook completely. For its new luxury Midtown West tower, architecture and interior design studio CetraRuddy—helmed by John Cetra, FAIA, and Nancy J. Ruddy—eschewed architectural norms of the area in favor of a slick, curved high-rise clad in a web-like white steel and glass exterior.

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Next Act for Roseland Ballroom Site

Where the Roseland Ballroom once stood on West 52nd Street now rises ARO, a collection of Midtown West rentals from renowned architectural firm CetraRuddy. When complete, ARO will rise over 60 stories into the air and contain 426 luxury apartments for rent, ranging in size from studios to a sprawling duplex penthouse. The building has a modern style, complete with a web of composite-metal panels wrapping around the glass facade to produce a stark geometry that includes balconies rippling out from the corners, an introduction of contemporary architectural drama to Midtown West. And the site’s entertainment history will be recognized, with artist James Greco working on a sculpture for the lobby that incorporates the “A,” “R,” and “O” from the old Roseland marquee, along with photographs taken during famous performances at Roseland, including the Rolling Stones and Metallica, that will adorn the building.

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What’s it like to live in New York City’s most buzz-worthy neighborhood? Residents will tell you all about living in and amidst innovative architecture, access to world-class dining and entertainment, and the ability to go nearly anywhere in the 5 boroughs in under an hour.

But if you’re seeking your first no-fee Midtown West rental, you may be wondering more about the day-to-day of actually living here. Living at ARO, you’ll find a classic New York neighborhood that checks every box for food and fun. Read on to have some of your most important questions about Midtown West answered.

Coffee

Every New Yorker needs a go-to for caffeine. Residents of ARO will have to make some tough choices in picking their favorites. Explore the contemporary craft vibe at St. Kilda, the upscale espresso experience at Knave, or for those who seek no-frills rocket fuel, New York City’s legendary coffee carts (which make the strongest coffee around) are on nearly every corner.

Fitness

While New Yorkers enjoy health benefits from walking everywhere, we’re also a pretty competitive and motivated bunch. As such, it’s important to have an outlet for that energy, and Midtown West offers dozens of ways to work out. Residents of ARO will appreciate the health and wellness-oriented amenities that make it easier than ever to keep fit – both physically and mentally.

If that weren’t enough, ARO is just minutes from gyms offering every type of exercise class imaginable, including TMPL by David Barton, and a few blocks from De Witt Clinton Park, where there are recreational leagues for every sport you can think of.

Pizza

Of course, keeping yourself in shape is one of the best ways to enjoy amazing food without guilt. Whether you have friends and family visiting from out of town, or it’s Friday and you just want to take it easy at home, a reliably great pizza place is a New York neighborhood essential. If you live at ARO, you’ll have to check out Merilu Pizza, whose Instagram-worthy pies and slices taste even better than they look. For something a bit more traditional, try Don Antonio’s Neapolitan pies, featuring the perfect balance of chewy, fresh dough and brick-over char.

Nightlife

While those who work Midtown are often nowhere to be found on nights and weekends, locals such as those who live at ARO enjoy a social scene that has something for everyone.

Check out one of the neighborhood’s classic Irish bars, like The Three Monkeys, which has an outdoor deck and is the perfect place to catch a major sporting event. For something a bit more laid-back, hang out at Casellula, which has a fantastic wine selection and inventive platters to share. If you keep up with the craft beer scene, As Is has a curated (and constantly-rotating) selection of artisanal and local brews on tap.

Funny people tend to congregate in New York – see it for yourself and drop in at Carolines on Broadway, which has hosted legends like Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Mitch Hedberg, Dave Chappelle, Bill Hicks, and Patrice O’Neal (to name a few). Today, you can catch stars like Leslie Jones and Iliza Shlesinger honing their craft at Carolines, so keep their schedule bookmarked in case you need to laugh a little.

When you want to catch live music, check out Terminal 5, you can catch the hottest musical acts in an edgy warehouse setting, without a hundred-dollar Uber fare to and from Brooklyn. Or, you can stop by Iridium for jaw-dropping jazz performances, and skip a subway ride downtown to the West Village or uptown to Harlem.

Every New Yorker has their own set of standards for what makes a neighborhood great. Midtown West can satisfy them all. What do you love most about living here? Tell us on Facebook or Instagram @aro.nyc!

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It’s August in Midtown West: locals are flocking to parks; pool covers are packed away; shorts, skirts, and tank tops are back in rotation; and alfresco dining is all the rage. With the neighborhood fully immersed in summer fun, residents of ARO’s Midtown West luxury apartments will find a bevy of places to be and be seen during this time of year, even though ARO has every amenity you need to beat the heat. There is something magical about exploring New York City in the summer, and so we’ve rounded up our favorite local hotspots for cooling off.

Kayaking at Pier 96

New York’s energy is utterly unique and part of what makes the city such an inspiring place to live and work. Even so, it’s nice to take a breather, and fortunately for our residents, there’s no need to take a 2-hour train to get some space. Instead, take a quick walk west to Pier 96. Hudson River Park offers free kayak rentals and classes, so you can be out on the water in no time! When the temperature rises, take to the sea (well, river) and enjoy stunning skyline views, as well as the relaxing sensation of sitting on the water.

Gelato at Grom

As New Yorkers, we enjoy the best food in the world. Even so, for elite gelato, one could make the claim that Italy is the epicenter. Your counter-argument? While gelato was born in Italy, its most beloved gelateria is also stateside, with a location just five blocks from ARO. Grom’s gelato is a year-round delight, but on a particularly hot summer day, it’s simply transcendent. For a decidedly Mediterranean take on the slushie, order a granita – you can choose from pink grapefruit, almond, lemon, and strawberry flavors. It might be the perfect summer treat.

Summer Cocktails at Ascent Lounge

Another category in which New York City is world-class? Cocktail bars with amazing views. Take a 2-minute Uber to Ascent Lounge in Columbus Circle for a refined, elegant experience that offers inventive drinks and fabulous views of Central Park and 59^th Street. If you can dream it, you can drink it – their menu includes a ginger mint mojito, a mango Bellini, and even a lavender Sazerac. Set high above Midtown West, residents of ARO will feel right at home.

What’s your favorite summer spot in Midtown? Tell us on Facebook or Instagram @aro.nyc and be sure to check out our map for more ideas!

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New York’s best new buildings: ARO

ARO features prominently in the New York Post’s roundup of the best new buildings in New York City. Renters looking for that perfect perch in the sky will love ARO, the newest collection of no-fee Midtown West apartments from developer Algin Management and architecture firm CetraRuddy. The tower, rising over 60 stories, will be home to 426 luxury apartments, each with 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that take full advantage of the spectacular skyline views. The facade features a mesh of composite-metal panels wrapping around each level, and private terraces populate the building’s corners to give the whole tower a flowing aspect. Residents will enjoy over 40,000 square feet of luxury amenities both indoors and out, including a rooftop pool.

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New NYC apartments hitting the market: Spring 2018

The Roseland Ballroom on West 52nd Street is no more. In its place rises ARO, the tower from developer Algin Management and design firm CetraRuddy that is bringing a touch of modern style to the otherwise architecturally conservative neighborhood. ARO, which will be home to 426 Midtown West no-fee apartments, has a curvy facade complete with private terraces belling out from the corners and bands of composite-metal wrapping around each floor. And the Roseland Ballroom may be gone, but it won’t be forgotten, thanks to a sculpture in the ARO lobby by artist James Greco that will incorporate some of the letters from the Ballroom’s iconic marquee.

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Roseland Ballroom’s Futuristic Replacement “ARO” Nears Completion At 242 West 53rd Street, Midtown Manhattan

New photos from New York YIMBY show that the composite-metal panels have nearly reached the top of Algin Management’s ARO, the 62-story residential tower on West 52nd Street. When complete, ARO will be home to 426 Midtown West rentals ranging in size from studios to a spacious duplex penthouse. These no-fee rentals are bathed in light, thanks to 10-foot ceilings, and feature eat-in kitchens, master baths clad in Carrara marble, and unbeatable Manhattan views. The building’s striking facade, which uses the residences’ floor-to-ceiling windows and white composite-metal panels to create a mesh of light and dark, is a departure from the normally staid architecture found in Midtown West._

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Roseland Ballroom-replacing Midtown skyscraper now looks like its renderings

Curbed checks in with construction at ARO, the sleek tower that looks more like its renderings every day. The 62-story tower, which rises from the former site of the Roseland Ballroom on West 52nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, features a glass facade wrapped in a white composite-metal lattice with private terraces curving out from the corners. Inside, the no-fee Midtown West apartments range in size from studios to a duplex penthouse and feature 10-foot-high ceilings that bathe the interiors in natural light. Residents will love the oak floors, spa-inspired master baths with walk-in showers, and washer/dryers in each home._

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PROJECT HORIZON

As the folks at w42st.com will tell you, Hell’s Kitchen is undergoing massive changes. For example, after Lady Gaga gave the Roseland Ballroom a proper send-off in 2014, the site on West 52nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, where the megaclub had stood for 95 years, was quiet. Then, last year, Algin Management began construction on ARO, a 62-story tower that will be home to 426 Midtown West luxury rental apartments. Architecture firm CetraRuddy handled the design, producing a curvy building with a modern facade that features a geometric grid of white composite-metal panels that wrap around each floor. Inside, residents will enjoy 10-foot ceilings, high-end finishes and appliances, and a suite of indoor and outdoor amenities that spans over 40,000 square feet._

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