A former concierge doctor providing on-call services to patients, Jonathan Leary is attuned to the impact of the built environment on minds and bodies. So it’s no surprise to him that many people are averse to typical spaces focused on our health. “Traditional healthcare facilities like a hospital or a clinic are usually white and very sterile and because of that, most of the time, patients have what is called ‘white coat syndrome,’” Leary says. “This is a negative physiological response where the body can tense up and heart rates can rise—basically meaning your body is in protection mode. If you are sick or not feeling well and then you walk into a place that is uncomfortable, it will actually make things worse.”
Enter Remedy Place, a new wellness sanctuary and social club in the heart of New York’s Flatiron District. The successor to the inaugural Los Angeles outpost, the 7,200-square-foot Manhattan flagship radiates opulence and richness conceived to offset stress and uplift spirits. “We want you to start healing from the moment you walk into the club. That is why we say we are designed to heal,” says Leary, who partnered on the design with LA-based studio Bells + Whistles, which was also behind the brand’s first location.
In the lymphatic compression room, visitors relax on a bed and are wrapped in an FDA-approved suit for lymphatic drainage massage
“Remedy Place stands out in the wellness space through its core ethos of enhancing health through targeted therapeutic treatments,” says Bells + Whistles principal Barbara Rourke. “The experience is an immersive environment of design and tranquility for seekers of mind-body balance and relief from the stresses of life.”
In contrast to New York’s bustle, minimalism reigns across subdued interiors conceived for repose. The cavernous retreat is outfitted with textural, smoky Venetian plaster installed to block radio frequencies and electromagnetic interferences. Warm, gray-washed woods further complement the neutral aesthetic, while sensuous fabrics like suede and soft leather promote relaxation as they wrap plush seating set beneath warm lighting. From archways to sofas and ceramics, soft lines instill a layer of intimacy. “I like to say that our shell is more masculine and anything that applies to your senses has a feminine touch,” Leary adds. “This creates a nice balance in the space.”
In addition to a medley of self-care and holistic treatments, including hyperbaric chambers and the world’s first commercialized breathwork ice bath class, the two-story club comprises lavish lounge spaces configured to support programming, work, and connection. A 12-foot-tall tree is even fixed at the core of the lobby as a theatrical reinforcement of nature and one of the design’s few grandiose focal points. “We wanted to keep it as minimal as possible. Simplicity is the key to our design,” Leary says. “Every single detail has a reason and everything that applies to your senses has a purpose to make your body more relaxed and comfortable.”
This article originally appeared in HD’s October 2022 issue.
