Raizy Haas, senior vice president in charge of development at Extell Development, explains, “In my travels to Istanbul, I personally experienced the hammam tradition. It was overwhelming and amazing. I was always hoping we could incorporate into one of our projects and now we’ve done it.”

Haas says they “did their homework to better understand the origin of hammams and make sure we did it right. Not only is it a bathing ritual but it plays a significant social and cultural role in middle eastern countries.” Haas was determined to recreate that in Extell’s Lower East Side amenity-rich building One Manhattan Square.

Haute Residential has highlighted some of the best hammams in NYC and Miami's residential towers.

One Manhattan Square

One Manhattan Square’s hammam took inspiration from the 14th Century Ottoman Empire hammams and “interpreted that relaxation and ritual in modern way.” Haas explains, “We designed our hammam to meet busy lifestyle of our residents so you can do one or any combination of the four phases of the ritual.” There is an infrared sauna, a steam room, a cold plunge pool and a tranquility garden to end your relaxation in. If you want a traditional scrub down massage, you can order that service through the building.

Haas also explained their design reinterpreted the traditional hammams with modern mood lighting, heated benches (instead of cold, stone slabs) and private recessed stone chambers.

“When we do something, we raise the bar.”

Cast Iron House

Bridgestone Capital Assets CEO Jourdan Krauss, the developer of the Cast Iron House, says the Pritzker-Prize winning, traditional Japanese architect Shigeru Ban perfectly infused a contemporary aesthetic into their architecturally significant, historic building. With only 13 residents, the building does not have a lot of amenities but Krauss explains, “I wanted to build a hydrotherapy spa in this small boutique residence that would be a unique experience solely for the residents. We were not looking to compete with a massive spa experience or large gym.”

Krauss goes on to say, “New York City is a hectic, maddening city that moves at lightning speed. I wanted to create an experience for the residents that when they walk into the space, it is instant relaxation.  Residents can get out of their busy lives, out of the hustle and bustle of New York and go relax in a small environment they feel is very private. The hammam can fit 10-12 people but really think it will be an experience for one person or a couple to relax in.”

Krauss says their hammam was designed in the basement vault of the building, which is beautifully illuminated by the light that filters through the sidewalk’s transparent glass from two storeys, 30 feet above. The hammam includes three different water experiences, a steam room and a sauna, a plunge pool, shower, and a special waterfall shower. “This whole combination of something special and very aesthetically very unique down in the vaults of the castle.”

Jade Signature

Credit: DBOX

The exquisite hamman at Jade Signature, developed by Fortune International Group and created by Pritzker Prize-winning architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, blends with a Tata Harper Spa, the first ever in Florida, to deliver all-organic wellness.

“Jade Signature is such a natural partner for us to open our very first Tata Harper Spa in Florida,” said Harper in a press statement. “We created a space that feels coastal casual yet chic with our special Tata Harper touch in every detail. We believe our clients should never have to compromise between health and results, natural and luxurious, or beauty and intelligence."

Rendered in vibrant wood and green accents and reserved for residents and guests, the spa carries Harper's hallmark line of products and treatments, including a range of rejuvenating facials and a liquid gold organic body massage, which elevate the hammam experience. A sauna, a steam room, a water therapy terrace, a relaxation zone and a manicure and pedicure lounge complete the private, state-of-the-art relaxation features at Jade Signature.

49 Chambers

The Moroccan developers of 49 Chambers created a hammam as a core component of the building. Cast in honed white Ariel marble with a lustrous coved ceiling, 49 Chambers’ hammam offers a relaxing escape. This contemporary reinterpretation of ancient bathing rituals can be enjoyed with the adjacent steam room and sauna. The amenity is directly connected to the building’s pool.

Julie Dannenberg from Hundred Stories PR said, “People are looking for different things than they were looking for five years ago. Being able to come home to place where you can put down your phone and computer and enter into an amenity space that will leave you completely relaxed and rejuvenated was very important to the developers as it’s in keeping with their tradition.”

111 Murray

Wellness amenities are a priority at 111 Murray Street, as they highlight their connection with nature, providing an immersive, restorative experience. The hammam is the centerpiece of the spa area with heated, sculpted marble beds and carved sinks, bringing a modern touch to the traditional Turkish bath. There are also treatment rooms, saunas and a hair salon enhance the whole experience.

The post Ancient Hammams Are The New Residential Amenity appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

As the holiday season gets closer and closer, we here at Haute Residence are ready to answer the eternal doom that is buying things for others during the holidays. This annual task, while daunting for some, is a great way to answer the questions that are potentially most important to others lives. For our gift guide coverage, we’ve broken it down room by room in your house. Check back for updates on everything you'll be craving this holiday season.

For the Ensuite Bathroom: Ultimate Microcotton Bath Towels ($68)

These fluffy towels mean business. Typically, towel shopping is a mixed bag, either the things are course and soak up everything instantly, sham-wow style, or they’re like fluffy blankets that leave you dripping for hours. These towels though, soak up everything instantly, without leaving burn marks from that rigorous head shake thing we all do.

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For The Bedroom: Rowenta Aqua Perfect Humidifier ($140)

It’s cold out, which means the cold air is dry, and most apartments and homes turn the heat on, which makes the air even drier. For everyone not a fan of waiting up with cottonmouth or itchy noses, a humidifier is a must. Put some life back into the air you breathe with this thing. It holds a ton of water, about one and a half gallons, and releases steam at a output capacity of up to 2.8 gallons. The humnidifier adjusts automatically and for whatever the need is for any home, that covers about 650 square feet. That makes it perfect for the living room while the fire roars, or for the kids’ new dorm room at school.

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For The Closet: Rowenta Steam ‘N Press ($30)

This little guy packs a big punch. After traveling, running around, or just another day at the office, this steam machine is the perfect iron to get a suit, dress, or any garment in right shape without having to go to the dry cleaner yet again. Because of its size, its also perfectly packable in case the hotel doesn’t have that suit press machine or for the quick touch ups at the office between meetings.

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For The Bedroom: Nectar's King Mattress ($900)

This is the ultimate mattress for any home with its long staple fibers that remove for a cooler sleep, quilted gel memory foam to customize to anyone's sleeping position (We're looking at you, starfishers) and mutiple layers of core memory foam to react on every level. Most importantly, there is a year-long trial period for risk-free performance.

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For The Home Office: The X4 by X-Chair ($1,150)

In a design that feels closer to the Eames Chair you always wanted for the living room, this upscale office chair is the perfect balance of everything you need while working: a comfortable upright setting to hunker down in, a steady recline for when you need a minute, and a polished, classic look in tan leather, for when you're OOO.

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For The Guest Room: Nest Comforter ($300)

While personal bedroom bedding is more important, what's equally important is not to slouch on the bedding for the guestroom. This is the projection you'll be giving to others when they stay in your home. Do you want them leaving thinking, "Wow, so-and-so's house sure was lovely!" on the way home? Or do you want them thinking "God, that bed was so uncomfortable, I need to go get some real sleep at my home." I think we both know the answer. This bedding is the answer with a soft, plush feeling to keep anyone tucked in at night, and washable so the bed can be just as nice for the next guest.

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For Everywhere In The House: Good Candles

Candles can be tricky. With scented candles being such a great accents to coffee tables, shelves, mantles, really anywhere, finding the right candle can become more work than you imagines. We've made it simple by boiling down candles that are long lasting, smell great, and look just as good in a home lit or not.

From Left To Right:

Baxter Of California, White Wood, ($55): This brand of grooming products knows how to make men smell great with their line of pomades, shave products, colognes, and more. It makes perfect sense that they would make a candle that smelled perfect for any man's home.

Arbonne, Spiced Vanilla Chai, ($40): This artisan candle, made with a coconut wax combines sweet cinnamon, baked vanilla, and spicy chai aromas. It smells like the holiday season, without the mess of baking cookies in the kitchen. (Warning: will make you want cookies.)

Tom Dixon, Eclectic London, ($75): British designer Tom Dixon is a master of many tabletop pieces, but these candles from his Eclectic London collection are for sure our favorites. They have a rich sweet ash smell that has a perfect blend of manly muskiness with a sweet aroma that's perfect for anyone's palate.

Diptyque, Fiery Orange, ($70): As part of their limited edition collection with Phillipe Baudelocque, this candle is a chic, modern take with bright red/orange wax that illuminates any environment. It's the perfect gift for someone looking to get away from the glass jar look of so many other candle options.

Clarins, Tonic, ($73): This three-wick candle lights up any room and burns that much longer with its wider base. Because of the multiple wicks, the wax burns evenly through the candle and fills any room with a refreshing, light scent of tonic.

Saje, Winter Warmth, ($20): This angular, polygon shaped candle is perfect for the design-minded home with its sleek edges, stone material, and warming scented smell. It perfectly balances minimalism, design, and a cozy feeling of home.

The post Haute Residence’s Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.