Isaac Newton, a quintessential man of his era, famously said, “If I have seen farther than others it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.”

The same attitude of modesty paired with self-awareness and strength informs the spectacular design of Geoffrey Bradfield’s great room.

With details geared toward the keen perspective of today’s Man at His Best, Bradfield starts with the art. “Art is an integral part of my design,” he explains, “it was essential that major pieces be the focal points. The grand scale of the room afforded me the opportunity to place the monumental bronze sculptures by the Latin American artist Javier Marin, juxtaposed with a major canvas by American painter Hunt Slonem.”

The interior illustrates Bradfield’s use of textural contrast: custom geographic pony-hide area rugs on bare wood floors; rich lacquered Makassar ebony tables playing against Bradfield’s own acrylic furniture line; and a Makassar and brushed steel pool table from Blatt Billiards, enhanced with flat-out amazing video technology from Obscura Digital. The Obscura Cuelight ™ projection system transforms the traditional gentlemen’s billiards table into a living video game. A strong break by the bachelor sends the balls flying—each chased by a stream of fire, puddles of mercury, or a slow reveal of an Esquire cover-girl—adding an extra level of difficulty in concentrating on the next bank shot.

Bradfield takes a cue from Classical architecture and introduces mirrored, recessed walls which, along with the penthouse’s singular view, create a sense of movement and infinite horizons. “The Esquire penthouse, with its extravagant fenestration overlooking deep terraces, called for a sophisticated, yet understated treatment,” explains Bradfield, using classic Venetian wooden blinds to contrast with the expanse of glass. Just as the Esquire man is discriminating and detail-oriented, Bradfield’s exacting standards extend to his construction team, calling on C. Stasky Associates to execute his vision for the room.

“My design conveys a sense of a decidedly masculine room,” says Bradfield, “with an obvious 21st century point of view. The space-age technology of the projector above the pool table surface rockets us into our special moment in time.” And then perhaps we too, will see further than others.

The Cordial Bar

Designed by Geoffrey Bradfield for Amarula Cream

the spirit of indulgence

The Esquire apartment’s majestic great room is the perfect setting for the Man at His Best to introduce his friends to Amarula Cream, a liqueur distilled in South Africa. The luxury spirit has become a worldwide bestseller, but is a relative newcomer to America. The Esquire bachelor lives for new experiences, and this caramel-flavored liqueur made from the fruit of the legendary Marula tree transports the drinker to exotic places.

To evoke this feeling of adventure, South African native Geoffrey Bradfield has designed a unique “floating” bar composed of Makassar ebony and mirror, which incorporates Steuben crystal barware to convey the quality and depth of the luxury liqueur, and an heirloom silver cocktail tray from Bradfield’s own family. The Amarula Cream bar is perfectly positioned in the center of the Esquire apartment to reflect a spirit that can be served at every occasion “from brunch through dessert,” says Mike Friedrich, Brand Manager at Aveníu Brands. “The mix of modern and traditional African textures and influences in the room provides a perfect backdrop for Amarula Cream, a liqueur that has strong roots in African communities—where many locals make their living harvesting the Marula fruit—but has become a mainstay of sophisticated cocktail venues around the world.”

It’s an unverified but common African tale that elephants search out the fermented fruit of the Marula tree and become “drunk.” It seems more than likely that the Esquire man’s guests will be filled with a similar feeling of intoxication in this extravagant venue. “This is the Ultimate Bachelor Pad,” Bradfield reminds us. “And it is the cocktail hour: Whether planning for well-worn camaraderie or playboy seduction, what better setting for an Amarula on Ice?”

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