Bacardi-Martini Inc.
New York, NY
the largest privately held, family-owned spirits company in the world
This pied-à-terre serves as a multifunctional retreat for Bacardi-Martini executives and guests. Designed for both casual and formal meetings, the space offers flexible, tech-enabled environments in open and enclosed settings. Two terraces, with sweeping views of Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, provide outdoor workspaces.
The design concept embraces Bacardi’s bold brand identity while drawing on the classic library as a spatial archetype. A key design challenge was integrating the client’s impressive art collection in a way that balanced functionality, and aesthetics.
Visitors are welcomed into the lounge, partially screened from the reception area by a custom freestanding display unit. To the right, a spacious telepresence conference room opens onto the east terrace. To the left, three glass-fronted executive offices and one guest office line the corridor.
Beyond lies the "library"—a secondary conference room featuring floating oak veneer shelves that showcase signature Bacardi bottles and a prominent piece of Cuban artwork. This space leads directly to the west terrace.
Throughout the interior, cardinal red silk wallcoverings—echoing the brand’s iconic color—create a rich, inviting atmosphere. Oak millwork and furnishings contribute to the sense of warmth and refinement. A standout detail is the custom wall graphic at the elevator bank, inspired by a textile from Bacardi’s Miami office, which also informed the etched glass safety banding across the offices.
The two terraces—designed in collaboration with Studio Rhodeside Harwell—are a rare luxury in Midtown. Perforated metal panels help dampen mechanical noise while adding a sleek, modern layer to the outdoor aesthetic. Steel planters filled with herbs like mint and agave nod to Bacardi’s craft and are used seasonally by the brand.
“Spacesmith takes time to understand the client, the brand and how to design a space that reflects the brand. Above and beyond achieving excellent design solutions, it’s the attention to details, the follow-up, the project management, the seamless collaboration with the client and other consultants that differentiate Spacesmith. But the best part about working with Spacesmith is that when problems do come up, they are there to proactively solve the problem.”