Real estate journalists covering places like Dubai and China have it good. Every six months it seems there's another iconic, taller, more luxurious, architecturally significant building breaking ground. In San Francisco this historically happens every decade at best.
So when we got the the first look inside the most luxurious new residential high-rise building on the West Coast this morning we knew that this was a real estate story worthy of a Forbes exclusive.
Developed by Jay Paul Company, 181 Fremont’s interiors were conceived by internationally-renowned architect and designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. The building is his final crowning achievement before retirement, cementing his legacy as one of the world’s greatest design talents. Consisting of 55 residences occupying the top sixteen floors of an 800’ glass and steel saw-tooth tower (which will be the third tallest building in the Bay Area), 181 Fremont is about to reset San Francisco’s standard for luxury real estate and the future of California residential high-rise development forever.
These are the first renderings ever released by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy of 181 Fremont’s final interior features and finishes, many of which began with hand-drawn sketches and were based on years of expeditions to dozens of countries to source the finest materials in the world. From the very start, Diaz-Azcuy’s ultimate goal with 181 Fremont was the fusion of old-world craftsmanship with modern luxury in a way that only he could envision, and that would speak to the global influences of buyers who expect only the finest things in all aspects of their lives.
“I found inspiration in timeless materials, natural luxury, and the history of San Francisco,” said Diaz-Azcuy, the founder of ODADA. “The care and quality that went into even the smallest details of this building make the greatest impact – it is the ultimate expression of luxury.”
If there is a defining space that captures Diaz-Azcuy's final vision it's 181 Fremont's lobby. Diaz-Azcuy spent three years thoughtfully conceiving the grand 25-foot high entrance, which is anchored by an open seating area that he personally designed to receive visitors set beneath a gold leaf dome. Suspended overhead, a flowing fabric shade hand-sketched by Orlando will gently cast an otherworldly light into the lobby upon entry that changes throughout the day. Says Diaz-Azcuy, “To enter the lobby of this building is like walking into a living sculpture.”
At the other end of the spectrum, Diaz-Azcuy spared nothing when it comes to the most minute design elements. The lobby, hallway, and lounge scones epitomize this attention to detail. The sconces came to life the old fashion way: through pencil and paper drawings done by the master himself, inspired by a bird’s nest, and based on the intricate natural shapes they required an artisan manufacturing process. As a result each one is completely unique.
Polished Italian Calacatta Carrara marble throughout the residences' interiors was selected for its rarity and cut against the grain to bring out a signature deep veining in every room. To achieve this rebellious sense of individualism in the marble, Diaz-Azcuy and his team spent months in Italy, selecting and pulling each slab from the seaside quarry cliffs by hand—which also ensured continuum with 181 Fremont's sense of absolute architectural perfection.
Even the most palatial residences in the world, however, must still feel like home. For the residents of 181 Fremont, Diaz-Azcuy envisioned them walking through their front doors into another world so the front door handles were one of the first items Diaz-Azcuy picked out since they were emblematic of the purity of experience that he was attempting to create. A polished brass handle custom-crafted by Parisian artisans Série Rare will grace the entrance door to each residence, turning with a weight and significance as if you were entering an old-world, European cathedral.
One thing Diaz-Azcuy didn't have to envision or create are 181 Fremont's views of the San Francisco skyline and the surrounding mountains, which begin with an ethereal connection to the Bay Area's ever-changing canvas of sky, light, and fog, and will end up being the most coveted views in the city—if you're lucky enough to be one of the rare custodians of these 55 residences.
Now 30-stories out of the ground sales for 181 Fremont begin in May. For more information prospective buyers can contact Dilan Urun, 181 Fremont's Director of Sales at dilan@181fremont.com or 415-282-0888.
