Building: The Siena

Of architectural landmark quality and generous proportions, The Siena benefits from its unique position adjacent to the landmarked Roman Catholic Church St. Jean Baptiste built in in 1913 by Nicolas Serracino. The building echoes and modernizes the impressive style lines of the church with a base of stone and granite that mirrors the cornice line of the rectory. The Siena has corner towers of it’s owns reflective of the church’s style which surround the crown of the building: a thirty-five-foot-high ornamental octagonal equipment enclosure at the top. Architecture critics agree this is a fine example of Post-Modern design and note: the silhouette is well proportioned and finely detailed with setbacks and recesses – a perfect modern companion to the century old church it shares the block with.

The Siena was designed by Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates in concert with Schuman Lichtenstein, Claman & Efron and was developed by the Rose Family and Daniel Brodsky and erected 1997. In keeping with overall design tone – the modern aesthetic reflects the old world burnished beauty of its neighbor; building’s lobby is accented with European mosaics juxtaposed with sleek modern furnishings and on display is the iconic photograph, Washington Square #2, a work of noted Architectural Digest photographer James Bleeker.
The 32 story, 72 unit building is boutique in nature (there have been some combinations) with more than half of the apartments larger than 2 bedrooms. The ground and second floors contain high-end medical practices with separate street entrances. Floor 3 has four units as well as the children’s playroom and building the terrace. Floors 4-7 each have five apartments per floor and are mix of 1 and 2 bedroom units, notable the “C “line is a one bedroom with a double living room. Floors 8- 14 drop to three units per floor With the “A” line as the star, a 3 bed 3.5 bath unit flanked by two large 2 bedroom units.

The 15th floor is the set back which allows for lovely terraces in the in the large “A” line, a premier unit in building, boasting a formal dining room, eat-in-kitchen and a maids room, a unique feature in a post war building. At this height the building starts to mimic the octagonal towers of the St. Jean Baptiste. Floors 16-17 mirror the floor plans of the 15th floor with no outdoor space. Floors 18- 27 see a slight change in floor plans with only two units per floor. Much of the building has open city views as it sits next to the church and low rise buildings.

Floors 28-30 are full floor units with the buildings octagonal shaped towers carrying through the fenestration and wonderful 360 views. Penthouses A and B are duplexes with sweeping circular staircases and occupy floors 31 and 32.

The Siena has full service amenities: concierge, doorman, large fitness center with saunas, a third floor children’s playroom which opens onto the common terrace, individual storage, and washers and dryers in all units. Pets are allowed.

Building Description Provided by Camille Duvall-Hero