Clockwise from top-left: South American art enlivens Luke’s live/work studio; a bird’s-eye view of his vibrant Lower East Side neighborhood; a bold striped bedspread and nubby caramel-toned pillows cozy up his bed; Luke atop his luxurious Ludlow Street building

At Home on the Lower East Side

As founding partner of a buzzy New York City design agency, Compass client Luke Cohler has created a globally inspired studio that perfectly reflects his work-from-anywhere lifestyle.

Words: Jessica Scherlag
Images: Lauren Naefe

After stints in São Paolo and Paris, Luke Cohler recently returned to his native New York seeking a space to call his own. With some help from Compass agent Natalia Correa, his brother — the renown interior designer Eric Cohler — and a carefully curated collection of books, art, and design pieces, Luke decided to settle down on the Lower East Side — for now, that is. He invited us over to take a look at his new home and share a few small-space design tips.

Luke hangs out on his expansive private terrace overlooking downtown Manhattan

Great place! What are you doing back in New York City?

I was in Brazil for four years at Bain & Company, followed by a Brazilian Internet startup. I recently moved back to New York City to start Breadhouse. It all happened very organically; I have a number of friends with tech companies and know tons of engineers, web designers, and UI/UX designers, so we strategically match people together to build businesses.

From left: a stack of foreign language books and dictionaries polish off the hard-edge shapes of his studio, form a patina’ed bedside table to a custom-designed Eric Cohler rug; Luke prepares a cup of coffee in his sleekly compact kitchen; Monocle and GQ magazines perched atop a timeless brushed-aluminum Navy chair by Emeco

What drew you to Brazil?

The interest has always been personal. Though I grew up on the Upper East Side, I started listening to Brazilian music in high school, traveled there in college, and moved to São Paolo as a consultant after I graduated from Princeton.

What was it like looking for homes in São Paolo?

At first I lived in an apartment hotel, which was horrible. Then I moved in with a friend of a friend. The most helpful advice we got was to read the classified ads in the Sunday edition of O Globo, the local newspaper. Clearly, they’re only just starting to modernize the apartment search there.

After living in Brazil, I moved to Paris for six months, taking a short-term apartment rental package for tourists. It was located in a great spot in a cool neighborhood, comparable to what the East Village was 10 years ago.

Luke sips coffee from a Maison Kitsuné cup clad in an Oliver Spencer oxford and Rolex watch

Did you already know where you wanted to live when you moved back to Manhattan?

Somewhat. I wanted to live east of Sixth Avenue, north of Canal Street, and south of 14th Street, but I was still somewhat open location-wise. I heard about Compass on TechCrunch and through my friends in the tech world. After signing up, I started working with agent Natalia Correa, and together we looked around Nolita, Soho, finally zeroing in on the Lower East Side. I originally told Natalia that I wasn’t interested in renting a studio, but then I found this place, a modern glass tower in the heart of this historic neighborhood.

Luke looks out from the expansive rooftop of his Lower East Side home; a cashmere throw draped over a curvy, Arne Jacobsen-inspired armchair

What changed your mind?

The minute I walked in, I immediately noticed the huge private terrace and its epic city views and thought, “Maybe I could live in a studio after all!” Plus, the building also has a massive rooftop deck that my neighbors and I share.

An assortment of colorful matches Luke has collected throughout his travels, here (Tijuana Picnic,The Ludlow) and abroad, add a personal touch to his marble-topped bathroom vanity

What do you think about living in a studio now?

At this age and life stage, it’s really comfortable. With its floor-to-ceiling windows and white-oak floors, it feels like living in a deluxe room at a boutique hotel. And believe it or not, I’ve hosted parties here and can easily fit up to 20 people. Of course, if I want to start a family down the line, I’ll need more space.

Frequently working from home, Luke looks out on lower Manhattan from his West Elm desk, while prints from his global journeys make up his kaleidoscopic gallery wall.

Tell us about working with your brother to decorate the space.

My brother Eric Cohler is a brilliant interior designer. He helped me figure out how to make everything I’ve accrued from my years of travel work in a small space. He also selected all of the paint colors and even found this special adhesive covering to add a little texture to the walls since the building doesn’t allow wallpaper. He also helped me hang all my art to create a gallery wall and switch out the light fixtures. Little touches that make a big impact.

A study in symmetry, his bedroom features natty adhesive wallpaper from Eric Cohler and a studded headboard from West Elm.

How about your furniture?

He suggested a West Elm desk since I work mostly from home. The bed is West Elm, too. That was the one thing we disagreed on — the bed. We ordered a full-size bed, but when it arrived, I could not picture myself sleeping there so I got a queen. My brother thinks it takes up too much room, which it does, but that was a battle he lost.

From left: Luke’s sneaker collection; an antique rotary phone picks up on the apartment’s metallic elements; his well-curated library including Cohler On Design penned by his brother, a celebrated interior designer

How do you optimize your space?

It’s all about picking up after myself every single day, from making my bed to keeping my closet organized. You have to be very disciplined when you live in a studio since it can get cluttered fast. Luckily, that’s in my personality.

Thanks for having us over today. What’s next for you?

I’m taking my mother to Paris. I leave in six hours, and my suitcase isn’t even packed yet!

Bon voyage!

Always ready for his next adventure, Luke is at the start of a new chapter—with his new studio apartment as his world headquarters.

Want to work with an agent like Natalia? Compass partners with you throughout your home search, providing expertise on the New York City real estate market to help you find a home you love.