Cover Bathed in golden sunset light over Madison Square Park, the iconic Flatiron Building sheds its seven-year shroud of scaffolding in April 2026, revealing the meticulous restoration of Daniel Burnham’s 1902 facade as it prepares to welcome 37 ultra-luxury residences. (Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
Bathed in golden sunset light over Madison Square Park, the iconic Flatiron Building sheds its seven-year shroud of scaffolding in April 2026, revealing the meticulous restoration of Daniel Burnham’s 1902 facade as it prepares to welcome 37 ultra-luxury residences. (Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
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In an exclusive interview for Tatler, Tatler Shangliu editorial director Li Fan speaks with real estate insider James Lansill on the radical residential conversion of NYC’s iconic Flatiron Building—revealing the historic restoration feats behind Daniel Burnham’s 1902 landmark, from gutting its central core to uncovering a secret 20th-floor balcony
My interest in New York's Flatiron Building began with my love for the city itself. On every visit to New York City prior to the pandemic, I made a point to walk by Madison Square Park and admire Daniel Burnham’s Manhattan landmark, a design whose impact was so immediate it birthed the name of the Flatiron District. Even those who don’t pay attention to architecture will invariably fall for its romantic, triangular silhouette. I often thought how remarkable it would be if this landmark were converted into a hotel, so when news broke that the building was finally undergoing a luxury residential transformation, I was eager to understand how such a delicate project was being executed.
Through our overseas property team, I secured an exclusive interview with James Lansill, a 30-year veteran of New York City’s luxury real estate sector who is guiding the conversion alongside developers the Brodsky Organization. Over the course of our late-night conversation, Lansill demonstrated through incredible behind-the-scenes details the ultimate philosophy for renovating an architectural treasure: you have to listen to the building and let it tell you what to do.
Converting a 125-year-old commercial landmark into luxury residences must present extraordinary structural challenges. What was the most pivotal engineering decision you faced once work began?
James Lansill: One pivotal decision was the need to redesign the elevator core. The original building featured approximately nine elevators, along with fire stairs running the height of the structure. Despite repeated attempts to design around these existing elements, the layout remained impractical. We therefore made the difficult decision to remove the entire existing elevator core and fire stair system and start anew.
During the demolition phase, the entire center of the building was removed, creating an open space that spanned from the ground floor to the penthouse ceiling. Seeing the building’s steel framework fully exposed was a fascinating experience—while the exterior remained intact, the interior was completely open from top to bottom. It was one of the most compelling moments of my career.
Above Construction underway on the Flatiron Building in 1902, with scaffolding revealing its robust steel framework. In a feat of engineering that remains remarkable by today's standards, Daniel Burnham’s architectural masterpiece took just 11 months from breaking ground to welcoming its first tenants.
Above A photographer documents the newly completed Flatiron Building circa 1902. The radical Beaux-Arts tower was such an immediate architectural phenomenon that it drew crowds of onlookers and ultimately gave its name to the surrounding Manhattan district. (Photo: Photo Collection Alexander Alland, Sr./Corbis via Getty Images)
Construction underway on the Flatiron Building in 1902, with scaffolding revealing its robust steel framework. In a feat of engineering that remains remarkable by today's standards, Daniel Burnham’s architectural masterpiece took just 11 months from breaking ground to welcoming its first tenants.
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Uncovering the ‘secret’ 20th-floor balcony
Above A close-up view of the intricate Beaux-Arts ornamentation framing the upper levels of the Flatiron Building. Standing surrounded by these historic masonry details during demolition convinced the restoration team to construct a private roof terrace for the penthouse. (Photo: Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A close-up view of the intricate Beaux-Arts ornamentation framing the upper levels of the Flatiron Building. Standing surrounded by these historic masonry details during demolition convinced the restoration team to construct a private roof terrace for the penthouse. (Photo: Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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You've mentioned that renovating an iconic landmark requires letting the building guide your choices. Were there any unexpected discoveries during construction that altered your plans?
James Lansill: During demolition, we discovered on the floor below [the 21st floor] another balcony that had been filled in and made into interior space through the years. We took away the walls and found that the original surfaces were still finished as if it were an outdoor space. Finding that secret balcony on the 20th floor felt like we won the lottery.
Because the Flatiron is one of the most famous landmarks in the city, going through the Landmarks Preservation Commission is a significant process. But this time Landmarks embraced it and allowed us to add that second balcony back.
We had a similar moment on the roof. Adding a roof terrace for the penthouse is expensive and involves a lot with Landmarks, but standing up there on a gorgeous afternoon, we collectively decided it had to be done. Discovering that hidden balcony reminded us that the building still had secrets to share—and that we needed to listen to it rather than imposing our own vision.
Seeing the building’s steel framework fully exposed was a fascinating experience—while the exterior remained intact, the interior was completely open from top to bottom. It was one of the most compelling moments of my career.
Balancing 1901 heritage with modern luxury
How did you approach the interior aesthetic to make sure the residences feel modern without losing the soul of Daniel Burnham’s original architecture?
James Lansill: We are collaborating with designer William Sofield, who approaches design with a deep appreciation for history. He has balanced the design masterfully: some elements, such as hand-clipped small tiles, evoke the building’s original character, while others—like the Poliform darkened steel kitchen cabinets—are distinctly contemporary. This tension between old and new feels authentic to the Flatiron Building’s legacy.
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Above Streets surrounding the newly completed Flatiron Building in 1903, filled with horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians at the dawn of the 20th century. While the original steel-framed landmark took under a year to build, converting the 125-year-old icon today requires three to five years of specialized craftsmanship. (Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, 1903/Getty Images)
Above Capturing the extreme narrowness of the Flatiron Building at the point of its wedge, where the tip spans barely six feet wide—creating some of the most distinctive, light-filled living spaces in Manhattan. (Photo: Riccardo Carotti/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Streets surrounding the newly completed Flatiron Building in 1903, filled with horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians at the dawn of the 20th century. While the original steel-framed landmark took under a year to build, converting the 125-year-old icon today requires three to five years of specialized craftsmanship. (Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, 1903/Getty Images)
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When we demolished the central core, we were also struck by the beauty of the original steel framework—diagonal beams, large rivets, and sturdy columns that date back to 1901. We made a deliberate decision to leave some of these steel elements exposed in the residences— columns in living rooms, dressing rooms, and primary bathrooms—painting them with a special finish to highlight their industrial elegance. It felt wrong to cover up such a vital part of its identity.
11 months in 1901 vs. 3 years today
Above Positioned at the iconic wedge-shaped intersection where Fifth Avenue and Broadway converge in Manhattan, the Flatiron Building stands as the architectural anchor that ultimately gave the surrounding Flatiron District its name. (Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
Positioned at the iconic wedge-shaped intersection where Fifth Avenue and Broadway converge in Manhattan, the Flatiron Building stands as the architectural anchor that ultimately gave the surrounding Flatiron District its name. (Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
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The original Flatiron Building was famously constructed in less than a year. How does that compare to the pace of this restoration?
James Lansill: It is truly remarkable by today’s standards. Construction began in October 1901, and the first tenants moved in by September 1902—just 11 months from breaking ground to occupancy. In New York City today, a project of this scale would take three to five years.
Our renovation process is much slower because we are navigating historic preservation requirements, modern building codes, and the need to honor the building’s legacy. We are not just constructing new spaces; we are stewarding a landmark.
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Li Fan is the Editorial Director of Tatler Shangliu, overseeing coverage of luxury lifestyle, culture, leadership, and influential global profiles.
