The architectural world is mourning the loss of Robert AM Stern, the visionary American architect celebrated for reshaping New York City's skyline with buildings that echoed pre-war grandeur while incorporating contemporary luxury. Stern has died at the age of 86.
Dubbed 'The King of Central Park West' by Vanity Fair, Stern's most famous creation, 15 Central Park West, became a landmark in its own right. Upon its completion, the building was recognised in 2008 as the highest-priced new apartment building in New York's history.
The Legacy of Central Park West
The limestone-clad tower, featuring over 85,000 individual limestone pieces, achieved roughly $2 billion in sales, cementing its status as the world's most lucrative apartment block at the time. It was designed as a homage to the classic architectural styles of the 1920s and 30s.
Its appeal to the global elite was undeniable. Residents included financial titans like Lloyd Blankfein, tech pioneers such as Steve Jobs, and A-list celebrities including Bono, Sting, Denzel Washington, and Bob Costas.
Championing 'Traditional Modern' Architecture
In an era dominated by modernist glass condominiums, Stern boldly charted a different course. He rejected the prevailing trends, from Richard Meier's glass structures to the later wave of ultra-tall 'shadow-maker' skyscrapers. Instead, he pioneered what he called 'traditional modern' architecture, making old-fashioned design principles feel new and relevant again.
Reflecting on 15 Central Park West in an interview for his obituary, the then-84-year-old architect stated, 'It was my breakthrough.' He remained a purist in his craft, confessing that he did not use a computer and drew everything by hand.
The project's backers, the Zeckendorf family, understood a key market insight: affluent buyers were drawn to something new that retained a classic, established feel. The building successfully replicated the classic layouts of prestigious Park Avenue apartments while offering modern amenities like screening rooms, a copper-domed rotunda lobby, a 75-foot pool, and even a dedicated waiting room for chauffeurs.
A Prolific Career Beyond New York
Born in Brooklyn, Stern's influence extended far beyond Manhattan. At the peak of his career, he managed a 300-person architectural firm and authored encyclopedic volumes on New York's architecture. He also served as the dean of the Yale School of Architecture, shaping the minds of future architects.
His portfolio demonstrated remarkable range. Stern designed beach club resorts for Disney World in Florida and his firm masterminded the plan for Disney's town of Celebration. Other significant works include the George W Bush Center in Dallas, the Museum of the American Revolution, and Philadelphia's 58-story Comcast Center.
In a 1981 writing, Stern revealed his lifelong inspiration: 'I became an architect because I loved the buildings of my city, New York, and imagined one day that I would make ones like them. The New York of my youth is to this day the principal subject of all my work in architecture.'
Known for his impeccable personal style—chalk-striped bespoke suits, pocket squares, and suede loafers—Stern was an outspoken critic of much modernist architecture. He argued in a 2007 New York Times interview that many modernist works were 'self-important objects' and believed that buildings must engage with the larger urban fabric. He concluded, 'I'm not considered avant-garde because I'm not avant-garde. But there is a parallel world out there – of excellence.'
