Overlooking Boston Harbor, a Union Wharf Penthouse Loft Finds Its Flow

Curved dining chairs and a water-hued console craft a dining space overlooking the city. / Photo by Karyn Millet

This article is from the fall 2025 issue of Boston Home. Sign up here to receive a subscription.

Atop one of Boston’s most storied wharves, a penthouse apartment sheds its quirks in favor of sculptural volumes, layered materials, and a seamless new flow. The transformation is thanks to a deeply personal renovation led by interior designer Taylor Borsari—for clients who also happen to be close friends.

Originally a granite warehouse built in 1830, Union Wharf’s loft-like apartments with brick-and-beam exposures were converted into condominiums in the late 1970s. This particular 2,220-square-foot home, located on the sixth floor, began with a disjointed layout that included a quirky loft over the kitchen accessible by a spiral staircase and a guest room located through a closet. The unit had originally been two separate spaces that were later combined. “The previous owner never did the work to properly merge them,” Borsari says. Looking to bring cohesion to the floor plan, she was also met with the challenges that come with renovating in a historic building. “Nothing was square, plumb, or level due to hundreds of years of movement and shifting,” she explains.

Fortunately, the clients were undaunted by the challenges ahead. “She [the wife] was my college roommate, my maid of honor, and is a very important person in my life,” Borsari says. “She also has a great eye and was able to see through the unit’s unusual details.”

In the guest bedroom, a Crate & Barrel bed and Made Goods lamp are set against a brick wall, now painted white. / Photo by Karyn Millet

The once-clunky kitchen is now streamlined and functional. As the heart of the home, it is the base for entertaining and daily living. / Photo by Karyn Millet

Heavy architectural quirks gave way to a dramatic transformation featuring a large central volume, curving plaster walls, and newly added skylights. Borsari says her former roommate “has a great way of communicating what’s in her head, and it was super fun to collaborate.”

The homeowners wanted something that didn’t necessarily feel like Boston—specifically, the opposite of the warm brick and moody interiors that define many of the building’s other units. Instead, they envisioned a home that felt fresh and airy, with a sense of calm. By revising the layout, Borsari created a true laundry room, a walk-in pantry, and a spa-like bathroom, all wrapped in textural neutrals.

Layered neutrals bring sophistication and serenity, paired with plastered walls and exposed beams. / Photo by Karyn Millet

The bathroom’s spa-like palette includes white oak, stone, and brass. / Photo by Karyn Millet

“There’s a certain honesty in the material play,” she says. “Even though it’s subtle, the texture brings everything to life—the nubbiness of a fabric, a wire-brushed floor finish, or the way light plays across the plaster.” Sourcing from vendors in New York, California, Texas, and beyond, she was able to bring in just the right mix of furnishings and finishes to suit the vision.

Though the homeowners had lived in the space for three years before redesigning it, they knew finding the right construction team would be essential. That team included builder FBN Construction, architect Shane Losi of Choo & Company, and design architect Vanessa Shafer of Verse Works.

The designer gave this “once dark and dreary” hallway a throughline with arches, curves, and light-reflecting plaster. / Photo by Karyn Millet

The peaceful primary bedroom features sliding glass doors that fill the space with natural light while providing access to a private patio. / Photo by Karyn Millet

Over the course of two years, the design and construction teams tackled challenges like aging plumbing, uneven floor levels, and utilities that vented through to the rooftop. To make the layout work, Borsari flipped the primary and guest rooms, removed the loft above the kitchen, and added a series of symmetrical skylights that bring even more natural light into the heart of the home.

For the designer, the kitchen marks one of the most impressive changes. Custom cabinetry provides generous storage, while a soft palette of white oak, warm metals, and handglazed tile adds visual texture without overwhelming the space. “I like to think I gravitate toward things that feel timeless. That’s the one common thread in the work that we do.”

Brass pendants from Mix Furniture and bar stools by Thomas Hayes Studio create sculptural focal points, while the backsplash tile, sourced from Moroccan Mosaic, adds a handcrafted detail that ties everything together.

Beyond aesthetics, the home was designed to feel inviting and easy to live in. Borsari reports that her friend “gets rave reviews when people come over.” It feels open and serene, but never too precious. “It’s super livable, bright, and welcoming, but not so pristine that you have to walk around worried all the time,” she adds.

Skylights between the kitchen island and living area filter sunlight into the airy space, while art brings in a little punch of color. / Photo by Karyn Millet

Additional details include the open-concept dining area, where a chandelier from Giopato & Coombes hangs above a custom-designed console table. The primary bedroom, which features enviable views of the skyline and harbor, includes an Una Malan bed, a sculptural chair from Coryne Lovick, and a ceramic lamp from Lawson-Fenning.

Still, the most rewarding part of the project for Borsari wasn’t a design moment or a product selection. It was seeing her friend’s joyful embrace of the finished space. “Her reaction was priceless,” she says.

Architect Choo & Company, Inc. & Verse Works
Builder FBN Construction
Interior Designer Taylor Borsari Inc.