Sunlight Development Unveils Condo Conversion for Historic NoMad Office Tower

• Sunlight Development revealed new renderings for the residential conversion of the historic Emmet Building at 95 Madison Avenue in NoMad.
• The project will transform the 16-story office tower into 65 luxury condominium residences.
• Plans also include restoring the building’s 114-year-old Gothic Revival limestone façade and adding modern residential amenities.

What the Emmet Building Conversion Includes

New renderings have been released for the residential conversion of the Emmet Building, a historic Gothic Revival office property located at 95 Madison Avenue in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood. Sunlight Development is leading the project alongside architecture firm FXCollaborative, which is redesigning the 16-story building into 65 luxury condominium residences.

The conversion will transform approximately 150,000 square feet of former office space into one- through five-bedroom residences, including a signature penthouse unit known as the Emmet Penthouse. The development also includes a full restoration of the building’s ornate limestone façade, preserving many of the architectural details that have defined the property for more than a century. Renderings show a modern residential design approach that blends minimalist interiors with the building’s original Gothic Revival architecture.

What Buyers Can Expect Inside the Project

Interior renderings preview high-end residences featuring large arched windows, open-concept kitchens, and modern finishes designed to appeal to luxury buyers seeking historic character paired with contemporary layouts. Plans also call for upgrades to the building’s roofline, including the addition of new skylights and rooftop modifications. The amenity package reflects the growing demand for hospitality-style residential living in Manhattan luxury developments.

Residents will have access to a fitness center, sauna, game room, children’s playroom, virtual golf simulator, and pet spa, among other features expected to be announced later. Ground-floor improvements will also modernize the building’s retail frontage and entrances while maintaining compatibility with the landmarked exterior. The redevelopment has already secured approvals from both the local Community Board and the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

What the Conversion Signals for Manhattan Real Estate

The Emmet Building conversion reflects the continuing trend of office-to-residential redevelopment across Manhattan as developers reposition older office assets amid changing workplace demand. Historic office buildings in neighborhoods like NoMad, Flatiron, and the Financial District have become increasingly attractive conversion candidates because of their architectural character, central locations, and residential demand. Luxury condo conversions also continue gaining momentum in Manhattan as developers target buyers looking for boutique residential product with unique design features that newer ground-up towers often cannot replicate.

For NoMad specifically, the project adds to the neighborhood’s growing inventory of luxury residential and mixed-use developments that have helped transform the area into one of Manhattan’s most active live-work-play districts. While a construction completion date has not yet been announced, the project further reinforces how adaptive reuse remains a major strategy for developers navigating New York City’s evolving office market.