15 Broad St

Downtown by Phillippe Starck

A 1,900-piece Louis XV crystal chandelier once owned by J.P. Morgan hangs in the lobby of Downtown by Philippe Starck, also known as 15 Broad, greeting guests and residents as they come in or on their way to get the mail. It makes sense, as the building—across the street from the New York Stock Exchange—was once the headquarters of J.P. Morgan & Co. “The chandelier makes a serious impression,” says Erin Sykes, the chief economist at Nestseekers, who has lived in the building since 2019. “I’m a history buff, so the link to J.P. Morgan appealed to me. The building had a story, plus every amenity under the sun.” The building dates to 1928, but its office-to-residential conversion—helmed by French starchitect Philippe Starck—was completed in 2007. The 42-story limestone building brought 382 residences to the neighborhood when the Financial District was on the cusp of getting hot. “There are plenty of restaurants here now; it’s not just a place to be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays anymore,” Sykes says. “Your friends will come to see you now, which never used to happen.”