Living the Suite Life

This is no ordinary bachelor pad. The glistening glass box perched high above the St. Louis skyline is, in fact, extraordinary. With wide-open spaces that meld seamlessly into one another, resonating with perfect clarity their modern and chic aesthetic, this dramatic and sophisticated space is home to a gentleman who enjoys and appreciates the finer things in life.

"I travel a lot for business," says the homeowner, "and I really enjoy the simple, understated elegance as well as the relaxed refinement found in some of the world's modern hotels. When I decided to build this loft, I wanted to emulate this hotel-like sophistication. I wanted a place that was simple to care for, with clean lines and a contemporary edge. Really, I just wanted to be able to come home, drop my bags and unwind."

At the pinnacle of the Beck Building in Midtown Alley, which encompasses Olive and Locust streets between Leffingwell and Theresa avenues, this bachelor's dream haven began life as a simple rooftop.

"This space is entirely new construction," says Jassen Johnson, founder and partner of Renaissance Development Associates, the firm largely responsible for breathing new life into the historic "Automotive Row" of Midtown Alley.

As lead architect and designer for this project, Jassen was challenged by his client literally to create something out of nothing. "We removed a portion of the existing concrete roof and created a staircase that rises up through the opening into the newly constructed space," says Jassen. "Nothing existed on the roof before we started except an old elevator shaft that we ultimately turned into an outdoor living room."

"I never thought something like this could be done from scratch in St. Louis," says the homeowner. "Nobody here appears to be building custom urban dwellings like mine. Jassen is always looking at what the larger cities are doing. With Jassen, you sit down over a glass of wine, share pictures from magazines or a favorite hotel and collaborate on some ideas on a napkin. That napkin becomes a CAD drawing, which becomes an architectural plan, and all of a sudden you're living in a wonderful space. Jassen partnered with me from inception through interior design. That holistic approach to design/build helped maintain the loft's overall aesthetic integrity."

Indeed, the home that Jassen built rivals the lofty style of some of the best modern hotels. "My client wanted to feel like he was on vacation at home; a combination of modern art gallery, hotel and spa," he explains.

Ascending the contemporary open staircase, with a dramatic LED sphere twinkling overhead, you get the feeling that something truly special awaits your arrival at the top. And you're right. An impressive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that open onto a 1,250-square-foot rooftop deck overlook midtown St. Louis, and the view is breathtaking.

"I love to entertain," says the homeowner, "and this place allows me to do that well. Each room flows into the other and then out onto the deck. It's important to me to have spaces that connect. Since everyone seems to end up in the kitchen for parties, we decided to make the entire loft, indoor and outdoor, connect to the kitchen."

Noting his client's taste for minimalist contemporary design that is both comfortable, and stylish, Jassen created a home that evokes a "Palm Beach meets the Rat Pack" vibe.

With a sophisticated palette of cool gray tones dressing the walls, the feel is masculine and serene - the perfect backdrop to showcase the homeowner's collection of contemporary furniture and art. Juxtaposed with the cool walls, a monolith of stacked stone in warm earth tones slices through the loft and is a recurring theme throughout. The deft blending of natural elements, such as the stone, with more contemporary furniture, art and accessories make this high-rise both comfortable to live in and intriguing to visit.

A surprisingly ornate pool table painted deep ebony takes the place of the traditional dining room table. "The homeowner doesn't entertain formally," explains Jassen. "He didn't need the typical dining table." And for a home that's all about having fun, the pool table is a welcome addition.

The kitchen is sleek and modern with European-inspired touches, such as the floating shelves and cabinets. Stainless steel and chrome offer reflective surfaces that catch the light. Plenty of seating at the island invites interaction with the chef. "I like to have friends over for dinner, but generally it's an experiential food experience," explains the homeowner. "We all like to cook together, sharing recipes and techniques. This open and spacious kitchen is ideal for evenings like that."

The master bedroom and adjoining bath are a study in understated luxury. Repeating the gray gradations found throughout the rest of the loft, the homeowner's personal retreat is simple and polished.

Equally posh is a guest room that doubles as a home office. "This room is really meant to be a hotel suite for guests," notes the homeowner. A full bath offers a modern take on luxury, and a small Brazilian ipe wood deck offers lucky guests a special space all their own.

Perhaps the most spectacular "room" in this loft, however, is the expansive deck with its three seating areas, an elevator shaft that has been converted into a delightful getaway the homeowner calls "The Tiki," and the enviable city views. Blurring the lines between inside and out, the deck is the perfect hangout. "When the weather's nice, I'll have friends over for a drink with the full intention to go out afterward, and we end up just spending the entire evening right here. There really is no need to go anywhere else." Indeed, that is the ultimate luxury.

JASSEN'S TIPS:

 Architect/Designer Jassen Johnson's Tips For Functional Urban Living

1. In an open floor plan, keep the flooring consistent throughout the entire project. If the material has to be altered, keep the color the same and the transition flush. When someone views the space, you don't want the flooring transition to be where the eye stops.

2. It is often difficult to make a space that has tall ceilings intimate, especially in a bedroom or half-bath. Try painting the ceiling 3 or 4 shades darker than the walls. This will accentuate the drama of the space, but make it feel more cozy.

3. Every space, from traditional to modern, outside or in, will only feel finished when the appropriate greenery is installed - plants give a room life. They type of greenery that is used is as important as picking out the wall color. The size, proportion and type of greenery needs to reflect the style and size of the space.

4. Never buy art because it "fits" a room. It might be the right size and have the right colors, but if it doesn't reflect your personality, your space will never truly feel exceptional. Your art collection should be purchased because it speaks to you, the buyer. Art is subjective. Guests might not love your choices as much as you do, but they will definitely appreciate the character it lends to your space.

5. When creating a interior space that opens to an exterior and becomes an extension of that space, keep the flooring color consistent and the color palette of the furniture and decor similar. This will make both spaces feel larger and contiguous.

RESOURCES:

Renaissance Development Associates, 314-652-0800, www.rennaissancedevelopmentassociates.com

Kirchner Brick and Block, 314-291-3200, www.kirchnerblock.com

StyleCraft Homes, 314-308-4870

Appliance Solutions, 636-394-1600, www.appliancesolutions.com

John Beck Paper and Steel, 618-692-7229, www.johnbeckpaperandsteel.com

Crate and Barrel, www.crateandbarrel.com

Restoration Hardware, www.restorationhardware.com

Arhaus, www.arhaus.com

Spark Modern Fires, www.sparkfires.com

Kyle Bunting Rugs, www.kylebunting.com

Pedini Kitchen Design, www.pediniusa.com

Olhausen Billiards, www.olhausenbilliards.com

Mueller's Recreation Equipment, 314-351-3200, muellers-recreation.com