Live-in landmarks: homes hidden inside iconic buildings
These famous facades have a secret
From iconic skyscrapers to historic stations, these famous buildings from around the world are more than just tourist hotspots. Thanks to the daring designs of ambitious architects, an array of unique residences have sprung up in some of the most celebrated structures. Let's take a look at the stunning contemporary homes hiding behind these familiar facades...
Trump Tower, New York, USA
Located on New York's prestigious Fifth Avenue, Trump Tower's mirrored facade is a unique part of the Manhattan skyline. Construction began on the building in 1979, with Donald Trump purchasing the air rights around Tiffany's famous flagship department store next door for the ambitious project.
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Trump Tower, New York, USA
Home of the Trump Organisation's offices, the public spaces are clad in 240 tones of pink white-veined marble. Four gold-hued elevators take visitors from the lobby to the higher floors, with a private elevator reserved for members of the Trump family.
Trump Tower, New York, USA
No stranger to the cameras, the tower served as both the headquarters for Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and the filming location for The Apprentice. However, the skyscraper is also home to an array of private residences too. On the market last year for £18.7 million ($24.5m), this duplex condo sits directly below Donald Trump's penthouse.
Trump Tower, New York, USA
Once the tallest glass structure in New York City, the tower's glitzy residences offer panoramic views across Central Park and Downtown Manhattan. The building contains 238 apartments across 58 floors, with amenities including a concierge, valet and fitness centre available to deep-pocketed homeowners.
Battersea Power Station, London, UK
It was only a matter of time after the Bankside Power Station on the Thames was transformed into the Tate Modern that property developers caught on to the idea of redeveloping one of London’s most iconic riverfront structures, the Battersea Power Station.
Battersea Power Station, London, UK
Designed in the early 1930s by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the iconic structure was built to meet the industrial demands of the City of London. A temple to the age of Modernism, the power station continued to pump energy well into the 1980s, at which point it was decommissioned and abandoned.
Battersea Power Station, London, UK
Since its closure, numerous plans have been put forward for its redevelopment. However, it was 2012 before Ernst & Young gained planning consent from the local council to turn the derelict structure into a public space.
Battersea Power Station, London, UK
Battersea Power Station's first residential apartments went on sale back in 2013 and since then a number of residences have been put on the market with asking prices as high as £8 million ($10.4m). As well as featuring a number of swanky homes, restaurants and shops, the iconic power station is set to become home to Apple’s UK headquarters.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
Towering over the Dubai skyline, the Burj Khalifa takes the crown as the tallest building in the world. The stand-out landmark stretches a whopping 160 floors, housing lavish accommodation, as well as offices and the world's highest outdoor observation deck.
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Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
From studios to four-bedroom suites, this striking structure has 900 luxurious apartments for those who can afford the tower's jaw-dropping price tags. The most coveted apartments in the skyscraper, however, are the exclusive Armani Residences, with interiors designed by Giorgio Armani, featuring opulent decor and furnishings from the world-renowned fashion house.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
Fancy soaking up breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline and the rolling desert? A slice of the high life doesn't come cheap. In 2016, this four-bedroom, five-bathroom residence hit the market with Knight Frank for a cool £14.5m ($19m).
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
Residents of this elite landmark can also enjoy a four-storey health and wellness centre, numerous swimming pools and the world's highest restaurant – perched on level 122.
Straw Hat Factory, Stockholm, Sweden
When it comes to innovative attitudes towards contemporary design, no one does it better than the Swedes, who converted this 19th-century straw hat factory in Stockholm into 39 luxury apartments. With a Gothic Revival facade that pays homage to the public buildings of Venice, the ornate structure was considered the epitome of modern design during the late 1800s.
Straw Hat Factory, Stockholm, Sweden
In 2011, Oscar Properties took on the challenge of incorporating contemporary design into this historical space. Architect Andreas Martin-Lof chose to leave the factory’s iconic Venetian facade intact, restoring its arched windows and intricate brickwork.
Straw Hat Factory, Stockholm, Sweden
Inside, the building has taken on a new lease on life while retaining original factory features such as its cast iron pillars, which continue to support the structure to this day. Minimalist whitewash walls and studio lights have been harmoniously combined with cosier design features to soften the building’s heavy setting.
Straw Hat Factory, Stockholm, Sweden
The highlight of the project has to be the factory owner’s home, which has been wonderfully preserved and updated. The ceiling's intricate plasterwork has been restored to its former glory, while the addition of modern furnishings creates a quirky space for contemporary living.
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St Pancras International Station, London, UK
The grand redbrick facade of St Pancras International is a famous fixture of the London cityscape. With railway services running from the station since 1868, it's a renowned thoroughfare for commuters and tourists and considered a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture.
St Pancras International Station, London, UK
For those wanting a headstart on the morning commute, the majestic Grade I-listed structure also houses some pretty breathtaking apartments in its lofty upper levels. Designed by George Gilbert Scott and completed in 1876, the former station accommodation has been given a modern facelift in recent years.
St Pancras International Station, London, UK
With 67 residences, the luxurious landmark offers state-of-the-art accommodation in a structure steeped in history. This particular triplex penthouse is on the market for £4.5 million ($5.9m) with Knight Frank, and features spectacular ceiling heights of up to 44 feet in the living room.
St Pancras International Station, London, UK
The apartment is one of a few elite properties in St Pancras which is serviced by the five-star Marriot Renaissance Hotel, so homeowners in this regal residence will want for nothing. This must be what the lap of luxury looks like...
Gasometer, Vienna, Austria
Who would have thought that a series of former chemical containers could be turned into luxury living spaces? The Austrians clearly did when they converted these 19th-century gas tanks in Vienna into a swanky housing complex.
Gasometer, Vienna, Austria
The four cylindrical containers were built as part of the city’s municipal gas works between 1896 and 1899. Used as gas storage units until their eventual closure in 1984, the structures were left vacant until 1995 when plans were put forward to turn the containers into luxury apartments.
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Gasometer, Vienna, Austria
Today the Gasometers function as a micro-city within a city, with each cylinder featuring apartments at the top, offices in the middle and commercial buildings on the ground floor. Each building is interconnected with sky bridges, for a lofty take on communal living.
Gasometer, Vienna, Austria
Containing around 800 apartments, along with 70 students apartments, the stylish residences feature whitewash walls, floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary decor. The complex even contains a cinema and music hall too.
Grain Silo, Copenhagen, Denmark
Danish architectural firm COBE had a clear vision in mind when they took on the challenge of turning a dark and dreary Copenhagen-based silo into 38 luxury living units. Located in what was once the city’s industrial district, designers aimed to transform the landmark structure into a bright and spacious living space, while retaining the spirit of the original building.
Grain Silo, Copenhagen, Denmark
Transforming the structure to create a contemporary design was the first challenge faced by its designers. Draped in a facade of galvanised steel, the faceted exterior now features wraparound balconies, which provide residents with stunning views across Copenhagen.
Grain Silo, Copenhagen, Denmark
The building's industrial past has been retained inside, with many of its original features still preserved, such as its 23-foot-high ceilings. A minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic is further enhanced by full-length windows and exposed concrete walls.
Grain Silo, Copenhagen, Denmark
Once the largest industrial building in the area, this monumental structure now houses public spaces too, with a rooftop restaurant housed within a mirrored glass box, and an events space located on the ground floor.
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The Hoover Building, London, UK
Designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners for the Hoover Company in 1933, this Grade II-listed building is one of the finest examples of British Art Deco design. World War II led to its conversion into an aeroplane factory, after which its owners struggled to revive the building, selling its ground floor to the Tesco supermarket chain in the late 1980s.
The Hoover Building, London, UK
Today, the Hoover Building is finally experiencing the revival it deserves. IDM Properties transformed the original structure in 2015, turning it into a complex of luxury properties. The sensitive conversion work sought to create contemporary homes that still retain the building’s vintage aesthetic.
The Hoover Building, London, UK
The interior communal spaces have been harmoniously upgraded, combining Art Deco features with contemporary design. Original ironmongery and door frames from the period are juxtaposed with whitewashed walls for a sleek and stylish scheme.
The Hoover Building, London, UK
Each of its one, two and three-bedroom apartments have a bright and airy feel, with newly installed floor-to-ceiling windows and a neutral colour scheme. All apartments include bespoke kitchens and modern bathrooms, while the second-floor apartments benefit from newly added balconies too.
Woolworth Building, New York, USA
Built in 1913, New York's famous Woolworth Building was commissioned by retail tycoon Frank Winfield Woolworth. It was designed by American architect Cass Gilbert and housed the Woolworth offices and among others, those of global giants Columbia Records and Nestlé.
Woolworth Building, New York, USA
Stretching 58 storeys, the treasured tower was made a National Historic Landmark in 1966. Fast forward to 2017 and architect Thierry W. Despont, who undertook the renovation of the Statue of Liberty, embarked on a sensitive restoration project of the iconic site.
Woolworth Building, New York, USA
The common areas were returned to their former glory, while the Woolworth Tower Residences, which occupy floors 29 to 58, are now decadent homes for well-to-do city dwellers. The first units have just hit the market, with a one-bed apartment coming in at an eye-watering £2.7 million ($3.5m).
Woolworth Building, New York, USA
Originally commissioned by F.W. Woolworth, Despont has reimagined the tower's lavish residents-only pool in a sumptuous golden scheme. The fifty-foot lap pool, sauna and hot tub are just some of the benefits of calling this iconic skyscraper home. Room for one more?
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