Renderings of the Atlantic Club Residences in Long Branch. | Credit: Williams New York
Roy Stillman has spent has spent decades creating some of the most architecturally ambitious residential buildings in New York City. A third-generation developer with a background that spans construction, law and design, Stillman approaches development less as a business and more as an artistic pursuit. From collaborations with legendary architects including I.M. Pei, Philip Johnson, Michael Graves, and Morris Adjmi to his newest project, the Atlantic Club Residences at the Jersey Shore, Stillman has built a career around projects that aim to leave a lasting impression rather than simply maximizing square footage.
Now, with Atlantic Club Residences about a year out from completion, rising from nearly four acres of oceanfront property in Long Branch, New Jersey, Stillman believes he may have created his most complete vision yet; one centered around architecture, tranquility, amenities and the emotional experience of home.
Now, with Atlantic Club Residences about a year out from completion, rising from nearly four acres of oceanfront property in Long Branch, New Jersey, Stillman believes he may have created his most complete vision yet; one centered around architecture, tranquility, amenities and the emotional experience of home.
In this article:
“The best building of my career is always the next one.”— Roy Stillman
The two-tower, 132-residence development, inspired in part by Miami’s iconic Fontainebleau, has already generated record-breaking sales in Monmouth County, including a $5.95 million penthouse contract last year. Designed with expansive terraces, sweeping ocean views and more than 75,000 square feet of private amenities, the project reflects Stillman’s long-standing belief that residential buildings should feel immersive, emotional and deeply personal rather than transactional.
With completion slated for 2027 and initial move-ins expected later this year, Atlantic Club is the most closely watched luxury residential project on the Jersey Shore. We sat down with Stillman to discuss its design as well as some of his past NYC projects.
The Atlantic Club Residences | Credit: Williams New York
CityRealty: Was it always your intention not to become an assembly-line developer repeating the same type of projects?
Roy Stillman: Yes. I have the privilege of not having to do anything. I only do things that mean something to me. If a project captures my imagination, if I feel it can be a significant contribution to the city or environment, something where I can make an artistic statement, then I want to do it. If those elements aren’t there, I don’t want to do it. These projects take a long time and a lot of effort. It’s not worth the energy if it’s not significant.
Tell me about Atlantic Club Residences. What made this site and project special for you?
We have 4,450 feet of linear ocean frontage. About 126 of our 132 homes have direct or partial ocean views. The siting of the project was incredibly important.
Occupancy is expected in April 2027. For this project, every one of the design decisions was intentional. The smallest home is about 1,000 square feet, and the largest is just under 5,000 square feet plus terrace. They’re not apartments; they’re homes.
Occupancy is expected in April 2027. For this project, every one of the design decisions was intentional. The smallest home is about 1,000 square feet, and the largest is just under 5,000 square feet plus terrace. They’re not apartments; they’re homes.
"The first amenity is nature. The pleasure of looking at the sea. Wow, it’s so sweet. The feeling of the breeze. That’s the platinum standard."
Lobby of the Atlantic Club Residences
The crown jewel of the building is the lobby, which is important because every time you come and leave, you walk through it. This is the best lobby I’ve ever been involved with.
A big aha moment in my career was when internationally recognized Tribeca tastemaker Cristina Grajales opened a book of samples from Atelier Hechizoo. I saw these textiles woven out of metal, gold, copper — and I remember it like it was yesterday. Rays came out of the sky. In nearly every project I’ve done since, including here at the Atlantic Club Residences, that atelier has had an important place.
A big aha moment in my career was when internationally recognized Tribeca tastemaker Cristina Grajales opened a book of samples from Atelier Hechizoo. I saw these textiles woven out of metal, gold, copper — and I remember it like it was yesterday. Rays came out of the sky. In nearly every project I’ve done since, including here at the Atlantic Club Residences, that atelier has had an important place.
For this installation, the weaving and coloring are intended to evoke the sun touching the sea. You’ll see these tapestries hanging from the ceiling, dividing the space and creating a passage from one design experience to another. Every time you take a step, you get a different vision. I dare anyone to come up with a lobby like that. It’s a life experience.”
You talk a lot about homes versus apartments. What’s the distinction to you?
We build homes. There’s a physical character to that, but also an emotional characteristic, a feeling of refuge, safety and comfort when you enter the premises.
"People walk into the sales office and ask, ‘Are you telling me I get to live here?"
Available unit at The Atlantic Club Residences | See availabilities here: https://theatlanticclubresidences.com/floor-plans
When laying out a home, I have this rule that the fewer number of times you have to turn your body, the better the design. If you’re constantly turning left and right walking through a space, something’s wrong. At the Atlantic Club we went through 20 or 30 iterations of floor plans and walk through them in our minds.
Additionally, the terraces are enormous. Every home has a balcony or terrace. They’re very livable. People walk into the sales office and ask, ‘Are you telling me I get to live here?
Additionally, the terraces are enormous. Every home has a balcony or terrace. They’re very livable. People walk into the sales office and ask, ‘Are you telling me I get to live here?
Rendering of a typical kitchen at Atlantic Club Residences | Credit: Williams New York
How were the resident amenities conceived and curated?
Designing the amenities was a defining moment in the project. We wanted amenities for every generation of resident and visitor.
We have 75,000 square feet of amenities. You pick the age — six years old, 12 years old, 75 years old — there’s something for everybody. Sports simulators, music rooms, swimming pools, cycling rooms, lounges, fire pits.
We really created a country club at your home. The common denominator is peace, quiet and zen. In the summer, shore towns can become so crowded. We’re the antithesis of that.
We have 75,000 square feet of amenities. You pick the age — six years old, 12 years old, 75 years old — there’s something for everybody. Sports simulators, music rooms, swimming pools, cycling rooms, lounges, fire pits.
We really created a country club at your home. The common denominator is peace, quiet and zen. In the summer, shore towns can become so crowded. We’re the antithesis of that.
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Who are the buyers and what trends are you seeing?
I thought there would be a much higher percentage of snowbirds, but there are a lot more primary residents than I expected. The typical buyer is from New Jersey, Pennsylvania or New York and downsizing from a very large home.
They want simplicity, but they still want a full luxury environment. They want their family and friends around them without the maintenance obligations of a 12,000- or 15,000-square-foot home.”
They want simplicity, but they still want a full luxury environment. They want their family and friends around them without the maintenance obligations of a 12,000- or 15,000-square-foot home.”
The Schumacher in NoHo was one of your most recent New York City projects, The conversion must have involved an enormous amount of restoration work. Can you go into that?
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The Schumacher was an unbelievably difficult job. That building dates to 1867, and we had to protect and reinforce it while preserving the masculine DNA of the building.
We brought in highly skilled artisans, consultants and technicians. The quality control standards were incredibly high.
We brought in highly skilled artisans, consultants and technicians. The quality control standards were incredibly high.
What was it like working with Philip Johnson for The Metropolitan in Carnegie Hill and I.M. Pei for the Centurion in the Plaza District?
Philip Johnson was a tough guy. The Metropolitan ended up being the last project of his career. I remember sitting in his office in the Seagram Building and unfolding the plans, and they kept looking like an office building — like another version of the Seagram Building.
I showed him what I was trying to achieve, and he kept rejecting my work. After about the fourth rejection, I finally said, ‘If you keep rejecting my work, I may have to walk out of the room.
I showed him what I was trying to achieve, and he kept rejecting my work. After about the fourth rejection, I finally said, ‘If you keep rejecting my work, I may have to walk out of the room.
The Metropolitan in Carnegie Hill and photo of Roy Stillman with Phillip Johnson
He had incredibly strong opinions, but that was part of what made him Philip Johnson. The exterior and the lobby were incredibly important to him. Working with him was intense, but unforgettable.
I.M. Pei was completely different. He was a consummate gentleman. He and I got along so well. We would stand shoulder to shoulder designing together.”
There are moments in life that leave an indelible imprint on you forever. Working with I.M. Pei was one of those moments for me. He had such grace and clarity in the way he approached architecture.
At one point, standing there designing together, I remember thinking to myself, "This really means a lot to you. Take an imprint of this moment because you’ll carry it with you forever."
There are moments in life that leave an indelible imprint on you forever. Working with I.M. Pei was one of those moments for me. He had such grace and clarity in the way he approached architecture.
At one point, standing there designing together, I remember thinking to myself, "This really means a lot to you. Take an imprint of this moment because you’ll carry it with you forever."
What inspires you architecturally today?
I love the journey. Every site has its own soul, journey and DNA. You have to train yourself to write tomorrow’s newspaper, to create something people will think is great three years from now.
The best building of my career is the next one.
The best building of my career is the next one.
Any optimism to share about New York and the greater metro region?
You can’t keep New York down. The tide comes in and the tide goes out, but New York always finds a way forward.
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Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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