Inside HYACYN Founder Tobias Ulmer's Downtown Manhattan Haven

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 exactly what you'd expect from a designer who blends mood, material, and silhouette. ### A Designer's Personal Touch The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home belongs to Tobias Ulmer, the German-born founder of HYACYN. That's the New York fashion label known for sharp tailoring with a rebellious, subculture-driven edge. Ulmer moved into this Lower East Side spot in 2019, the same year he relocated to New York and started his pivot from advertising to fashion. Six years later, after a runway show at New York Fashion Week, the same instincts that shape his collections are all over his apartment. ### Kitchen Built for Gathering At the heart of the home is a kitchen made for get-togethers. 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. This kitchen is as serious about performance as it is about style. ### Views That Change Everything From the main living area, protected views stretch from Downtown Brooklyn to One World Trade. Head to the north-facing primary suite, and the skyline shifts completely. The Empire State Building and Chrysler Building anchor the view, turning the bedroom into its own postcard. The ensuite bath feels like a spa: heated floors, a double vanity, and Bianco Dolomite and Gray Danube marble. ### Outdoor Living Space A south-facing, 118-square-foot private terrace extends the living space outdoors. It's big enough for morning coffee, a dinner party, or just watching the sun set behind the skyline. The terrace is a rare find in downtown Manhattan. > "This home is a reflection of my creative journey," says Ulmer. "Every corner tells a story." ### Practical Details That Matter Wide-plank 7-inch whitewashed oak flooring ties everything together. An in-unit Miele washer and dryer handles laundry without fuss. And the closet space is exceptional, including a walk-in off the primary suite. These practical touches never feel 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's creative vision. It's fully realized, ten floors up, with city views in every direction. To learn more or schedule a showing, contact John Antretter or Brigitte Pays.