The 9th-annual “Ultimate Bachelor Pad” by Esquire magazine is a sprawling triplex penthouse in the ClockTower Building in DUMBO, designed to host charity events and showcase technological and lifestyle innovations customized for today’s “ultimate bachelor."
Each room in the Esquire Apartment represents a variety of lifestyle touchpoints for the 21st century man as seen through the eyes of interior designers including: Shelley Starr for Hugo Boss [Great Room] and for Don Julio [Tequila Bar], Campion Platt for Ermenegildo Zegna [Master Bedroom], Denise Kuriger for ASICS [Home Gym], Marc Thorpe and HUSH Studios for Acura [Study], Luxurious Animals and Poltrona Frau Group for Lufthansa [Digital Loft], SFA Designs for Conrad Hotels & Resorts [Rooftop Terrace], and Brooks Atwood of POD Design+Media [Esquire Bar].
The triplex features a 14-foot-high glass clock face on each wall of the main living area, which provides nearly unobstructed views out to the four points of the compass. With 16- to 50-foot ceilings, the triplex includes eight rooms, an interior private glass elevator, a three-story floating staircase, and an outdoor crow’s-nest terrace with 360-degree views.
The only permanent resident of the 2011 Apartment is Charlotte, the elusive ghost. Charlotte is a life-size digital hologram created by Pod Design+Media and WIKA Studio who will appear at various locations inside the Apartment to flirt with guests, provide information on various aspects of the space and otherwise engage a crowd that may think they have seen everything. Charlotte is embodied by actress Margot Robbie, who appears in Pan Am on ABC.
“The Esquire Apartment concept was conceived in New York in 2003,” notes Jack Essig, SVP/group publishing director/chief revenue officer, Esquire. “Although we create our house every other year in Los Angeles, this is the first time we’ve taken our New York project to a location outside of Manhattan. We really challenge ourselves every year to find a new prime neighborhood and a building that represents the essence of the magazine. The ClockTower penthouse is truly a one-of-a-kind space that encapsulates the style and innovation that is inherent to the Esquire brand.”
This year’s opening gala, which benefits the Fresh Air Fund, is set to take place on Thursday, October 13th. To date, Esquire has raised more than $8.5 million for a variety of causes since the first Ultimate Bachelor Pad opened in 2003. Other events taking place this year at the Esquire Apartment will benefit the National Resources Defense Council, the nation’s most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.3 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals; International Medical Corps, a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs; and City of Hope, an independent biomedical research, treatment and education institution that is a leader in the fight to conquer cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and other life-threatening diseases. All events are by invitation only, and transportation will be provided.
“It’s nice to be doing good while doing business,” said Stephen Jacoby, associate publisher of marketing, Esquire. “We’re thrilled to be creating such unique and inspirational living spaces each year and giving our partners this platform for reaching key audiences. And it’s thoroughly rewarding to be doing it for charity.”
To create the Ultimate Bachelor Pad, Esquire has brought together leading marketers, several of whom have participated in prior years, including Absolut, Acura, ASICS, Bloomberg, Bombardier, Don Julio, Hugo Boss, and Lufthansa. New to the project this year are Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Ermenegildo Zegna, Kahlua, Nolet’s Finest Gins, Radeberger Pilsner, Toshiba, and TouchTunes Interactive Networks.
In addition to its live location in DUMBO, the Esquire Apartment will have an online presence on a dedicated Web site, esquireapartment.com, and also appear in the magazine’s January 2012 issue. In addition, the DIY Network will air a one-hour special about the project in early 2012.
