Julianne Moore Tours Her ‘Serene’ NYC Rooftop Apartment, Complete with Skyline Views and Sprawling Outdoor Terraces

Julianne Moore Welcomes Visitors into Her Enchanting New York City Duplex

Acclaimed actress Julianne Moore has unveiled her newly refurbished two-bedroom duplex, situated in the vibrant heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. The apartment, which boasts a rooftop location atop a 1920s residential hotel, underwent an extensive eight-month cosmetic renovation aimed at preserving its historical charm while infusing it with modern comforts.

In an interview featured in the November issue of Architectural Digest, Moore shared her long-time affinity for this particular apartment, calling it a dream come true. “I had always wanted this apartment,” she remarked, recalling her initial fascination with its potential. Her connection to the space runs deep, having envisioned it as the perfect home for many years.

Following a transition into empty nesthood, Moore and her husband, filmmaker Bart Freundlich, found themselves liberated from the demands of a larger home in the city. With their children, Caleb, 28, and Liv, 24, now grown, they seized the opportunity to purchase the duplex that Moore had long coveted. She acknowledges that as family dynamics evolve, so too do housing needs. “Lives change,” she explained, reflecting on their journey from a once busy family home in Montauk back to city living.

The duplex, with its stunning vistas of water towers, ornate brickwork, and lush rooftop gardens, features extensive outdoor terraces that echo the greenery of her former townhouse in the West Village. Moore’s deep affection for the apartment translates into her meticulous approach to its renovation. Collaborating closely with her brother-in-law, architectural designer Oliver Freundlich, the couple endeavoured to enhance the apartment’s functionality without compromising its enchantment.

Fortunately, the apartment was in remarkable condition prior to their renovations. “The woman who had lived here for 20 years had exquisite taste, and the apartment had been beautifully maintained,” Moore noted, adding that most of the changes they made were purely cosmetic. Freundlich emphasised that their goal was to maintain the integrity of the space, focusing on refining rather than overhauling its existing structure. “We didn’t change the layout, though we did a lot of editing, reducing patterns, simplifying, adding storage,” he elaborated.

Moore’s design aesthetic, while consistently modern, had to adapt to the apartment’s pre-war contours. She expressed a fondness for the characteristics of vintage homes, saying, “Materials and choices have become even more important.” From iconic light fixtures to carefully curated furniture pieces, the thoughtful blend of old and new imparts a unique character to her home.

Among the cherished items that they incorporated are dining chairs Moore bought in Paris back in 1995 and a Paavo Tynell light fixture installed in the kitchen. Newer acquisitions, such as a Raoul Guys table and living room seating designed by Charles Pfister, complement the existing ensemble, striking a harmonious balance between past and present.

Amidst the bustling energy of New York City, Moore finds solace within her home. “It feels very serene here,” she remarked, highlighting how the history embedded within the walls resonates with her. “I wanted a sense of history, of time, of all the people who have lived here before us. We’re just passing through. That’s the magic of New York City,” she concluded.

Moore’s reimagination of this duplex reflects not just her personal style but also her profound connection to the city. As she opens the doors to her serene haven, she emphasises how home is not merely a space to inhabit but a conduit for the stories and lives that have preceded her. Thus, her renovated apartment stands as a testament to both her artistic vision and the enduring allure of urban life.