540 6th Ave

Forena

To the uninformed, it’s almost as if the facade of the luxury condominium FÖRENA is undergoing an excavation before their eyes. Revealing its uppermost floors made of metallic channeled columns and beams, the building’s crown looks like it is being unearthed from inside a masonry shell. The brick exterior is a nod to the local architecture of the West Village, known for its historic brownstones. From street level, the condominium blends in with the surrounding architecture; from afar, passersby will see an eccentric design wholly distinguishing it from other nearby residential buildings, private outdoor terraces on the top stories fashioned from aluminum composite stepped edges. “Inside and out, our approach to FÖRENA's design was to create a sense of calm and permanence within one of New York City's most energetic and rapidly evolving neighborhoods,” says Morris Adjmi, principal and founder of Morris Adjmi Architects. “We love using time-honored materials in surprising ways to add depth and texture. The building's facade is warm gray brick with cascading terraces that lead up to a metal-clad crown.” With 50 properties across 12 stories on the corner of West 14th Street and 6th Avenue, the interior design at FÖRENA has been optimized to create abundant space and light. A mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences employ Scandinavian design to create warm and comforting spaces, some with private terraces along the tower's top floors. Morris Adjmi Architects designed each space with wide-plank hardwood flooring and kitchens with white Calacatta marble, Miele appliances and Italian cabinetry hand-finished by Venetian artisans. "We wanted to capture this sense of calm within the residences through the use of natural materials, neutral palettes and abundant natural light,” says Adjmi. A one-bedroom unit with a petite private terrace and a spa-like en suite bathroom last sold for $1.7 million in 2023. Similarly, a penthouse two-bedroom on a high floor with a 209 square-foot private terrace and oversized tilt-and-turn windows last sold for $4.5 million in late 2022. The grandest of listings, a three-bedroom penthouse with 634 square feet of private outdoor space spread out across three private terraces was last listed for $6.5 million in July of 2024. “We wanted residents to feel a sense of tranquility from the moment they step into the lobby," says Adjmi. According to Adjmi, the amenities spaces have been designed for “mind, body and soul.” Just outside the resident’s lounge, outfitted with Jean Arp-like framed prints and private aperitif lockers for each residence, a “Zen garden” awaits. Residents can unwind on the shared outdoor terrace with lush, landscaped flora and fauna, plus lounge furniture and an outdoor kitchen with an industrial-sized grill. Meanwhile, the fitness center is accessible around the clock, featuring weight training and cardio equipment by Italian luxury fitness purveyor Technogym and an Echelon Reflect smart workout mirror. FÖRENA is a full-service luxury building with a 24-hour door attendant and live-in super. Upon request, residents have access to a wait-listed bicycle garage and private storage. With some of the highest prices per square foot, West Village is one Manhattan’s the most coveted neighborhoods. Living along the outskirts of the legendary area is a terrific way to live more modestly and still enjoy what makes the locale unique: its historic dining, drinking, and shopping establishments tucked along intimate cobblestone streets. Corner Bistro, a beloved burger-serving dive bar, has been a West Village haunt since 1961, greeting patrons with its institutional neon lights illuminating the corner entrance. For a bit of old-timey New York, residents can stroll towards 9th Avenue to cozy up at Bar and Books, a library-themed cigar bar where the books are real, and the drinks are strong. And, of course, it’s not Sunday brunch without waiting for a table at Buvette, the French bistro known for its legendary garden and to-die-for petit-déjeuner. For groceries, shopping options are plentiful at nearby markets, including Trader Joe’s, Citarella and Whole Foods — all within three to four blocks. Residents at FÖRENA can walk just outside the building’s front doors to access the F and M trains at 14th Street Station. At the same station, they can hop on the PATH train to travel to Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Lower and Midtown Manhattan. Meanwhile, just two blocks east, Union Square Station, one of the biggest downtown transit hubs, services the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W trains.