Jeremy Noritz decided one day that he was sick of a boring apartment, and transformed it with a serious steampunk theme.

Ah, steampunk. Is there nothing better than that never-seen bygone era where everything was a mix of the Industrial Revolution with a Victorian look? For example, the front door is taken from a submarine, and it has a porthole that is quite a surprise for pizza delivery guys.


Anything that looks mechanical or gear-shaped has been used for decor, and zeppelins are also featured prominently. For example, there is a color changing zeppelin that floats on the ceiling, and a bedroom designed to look like an exploded zeppelin.

Also in the bedroom is a Murphy bed that is operated by a deactivated bomb that can life and lower the bed. The floor is sepia colored concrete, inspired by the patina of a Rodin sculpture.

Transforming a plain-vanilla co-op into a Jules Verne wonderland took about two years. 'Like other large projects, the initial budget and scope were quite modest compared to the beast it would eventually become,' he said. The 1,800-square-foot space is configured as an open loft with one bedroom and two full baths, which are hidden behind walls of antique piping, gears and cogs.

The owner is selling this home for about 1.75 million dollars, and I suppose if you liked Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, this would be the steam-powered version of it. This is not meant to be a slam on this creative apartment, as I would not mind living here. However, this looks like a Trading Spaces episode gone completely wrong, and I don’t want to see the reaction of the people who hate this design.


The bathroom is divided into two sections accessed by a pulley.

Everything from large wooden gears weighing more than 500 pounds to the vintage recliners with built-in cup holders in the living room were collected by Mr. Noritz from metal foundries and antique shops. Sculptures, blimps and fans dangle from the ceiling.

In the kitchen, antique wrenches double as drawer pulls and cabinet door handles. Some cabinets display antique fans instead of dishes. Mr. Noritz said the sepia-colored concrete floors were inspired by the patina of a favored Rodin sculpture. The focal point of the home is a color-changing zeppelin that appears to float from the ceiling. Past an arched brick wall is the bedroom, decorated to look like an exploded zeppelin. The bedroom holds a Murphy bed. It’s operated by another complex contraption—a deactivated bomb, that lifts and lowers to move the bed.


Translucent ducts emit moody yellow lighting, adding to the exotic ambiance.