The Ritz-Carlton Residences
Luxury & Light
When RXR Realty, the developer of Ritz-Carlton Residences Inner Harbor, Baltimore acquired an 18-acre site in the Long Island village of North Hills, they immediately recognized the opportunity it presented. For New Yorkers who desire a lock-and-leave luxury lifestyle, the location—just 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan and 60 minutes from the Hamptons—makes it the perfect place to call home.
The project, however, was not without its challenges. In addition to the demanding criteria of the Ritz-Carlton brand, RXR knew that most of their buyers would be coming from large houses with windows on all sides and sunlight throughout the home. To quell any concerns that the residences would lack natural light, RXR chose a French-influenced design with nearly floor-to-ceiling windows and patio doors with transoms. “I got as much light as I possibly could,” said Joe Graziose, Executive Vice President of Residential Development for RXR Realty, “from the top at the eight-foot level all the way down to six inches off the floor.” But, while the extensive use of glass solved that problem, it contributed to an even greater concern.
Sound Design
The property’s convenient location came with a downside. It is adjacent to two of New York’s busiest freeways—and with freeways comes noise. The development’s ultimate challenge was how to keep the large amount of glass essential to buildings’ architecture, without compromising the comfort and quiet of the residents’ homes. RXR found their answer at Andersen.
The Andersen Commercial Group provided a solution using our E-Series casement windows and hinged patio doors. Because Andersen® E-Series products are highly customizable, they can accommodate a wide range of glass thicknesses, allowing the space between the panes of glass could be specially configured. Working with this rare combination of variable features, Andersen was able to determine the optimum permutation for disrupting the sound waves and achieve a remarkably low Outdoor Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) value of 35.
“The E-Series windows performed outstanding. Higher than our expectations,” Graziose told us. “I think we hit a homerun here.”
Watch how The Ritz-Carlton Residences, located between the two busiest highways on Long Island, were able to maximize natural light and minimize sound infiltration - without compromising design.
