Inside a Fashion Designer's Manhattan Haven: Tobias Ulmer's Home

Lucía Torres · 2026-06-25

Contemporary fashion meets residential design at 287 East Houston Street #8A. This open-concept, floor-through home has soaring 10-foot ceilings and walls of windows that flood the space with natural light from dawn to dusk. It's a chic, gallery-quality space, exactly what you'd expect from a designer who blends mood, material, and silhouette. ### A Designer's Personal Sanctuary This two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence belongs to Tobias Ulmer, the German-born founder and creative director of HYACYN. His New York fashion label is known for sharp tailoring mixed with a rebellious, subculture-driven attitude. Ulmer has called this Lower East Side home since 2019, the same year he moved to New York and shifted from advertising into fashion, eventually launching his label. Six years and one New York Fashion Week runway show later, the same instincts that shape his collections are unmistakably present in this apartment. He's lived and designed it throughout his entire journey, making it a true reflection of his creative vision. ### The Heart of the Home: A Kitchen Built for Gatherings At the center of the home is a kitchen designed for hosting. Custom Alta Italian cabinetry pairs with honed Carrara marble countertops, recently restored to a pristine finish. A generous island anchors the open layout, which flows into a dining space. The appliance suite is all Miele, including a vented hood, making this kitchen as serious about performance as it is about style. ### Sweeping Views and Spa-Inspired Luxury From the main living area, protected views stretch from Downtown Brooklyn to One World Trade. Flip to the north-facing primary suite, and the skyline shifts entirely. The Empire State Building and Chrysler Building anchor the view, turning the bedroom into its own kind of postcard. The primary suite's ensuite bath leans fully into its spa-inspired identity. Heated floors, a double vanity, and a material palette of Bianco Dolomite and Gray Danube marble create a luxurious escape. ### Outdoor Living and Practical Details A south-facing, 118-square-foot private terrace extends the living space outdoors. It's big enough for morning coffee, a dinner party, or watching the sunset behind the skyline. Throughout the home, wide-plank 7-inch whitewashed oak flooring ties everything together. An in-unit Miele washer/dryer and exceptional closet space, including a walk-in off the primary suite, handle the practical side of downtown living without feeling like an afterthought. ### Why This Home Stands Out For anyone drawn to the intersection of fashion, design, and downtown New York living, 287 East Houston Street #8A is as close as real estate gets to owning a piece of someone else's creative vision. It's fully realized, ten floors up, with city views in every direction. - **Location:** Lower East Side, Manhattan - **Size:** 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms - **Key Features:** 10-foot ceilings, private terrace, Miele appliances - **Represented by:** John Antretter and Brigitte Pays of The Agency New York To learn more about 287 East Houston Street #8A or to schedule a showing, contact John Antretter or Brigitte Pays.