Architectural Digest
Hitting All The Right Notes

There’s a new tune in the air in midtown Manhattan, where Steinway & Sons, the 163-year-old pianomaker, just unveiled its global flagship on April 11. Designed by architect Annabelle Selldorf, the two-story venue is part showroom and part cultural destination, with rehearsal and recording studios plus a recital hall. Though Selldorf doesn’t tickle the ivories herself, she was captivated by the company’s commitment to artistry. “It was inspiring to see how the pianos are made,” she says. “I wanted to take that dedication and bring it to the new space.” End-grain oak flooring mimics that of Steinway’s factory in Queens; the patter of the latticed ceiling panels incorporates the shape of a grand piano; and imperial-yellow upholstery on the recital hall’s 74 seats echoes the hue of the felt found inside the instruments. Displayed above the staircase, meanwhile, is a Spencer Finch light sculpture whose colorful bands form a visual interpretation of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Consider it music for the eyes. At 1133 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; Steinway.com – S.C.