Travis Grimm’s apartment in the iconic Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side tells a story as rich and layered as the building itself.. This three-bedroom residence steeped in history and designed with fastidious attention to detail is a melding of timeless elegance with a deeply personal touch.

When Travis, a direct descendant of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm—such stuff as legends are made of, aka the Brothers Grimm—moved into the Carlyle, he reinvented a space to memorialize not only the storied past of the hotel but his own family’s history. The Brothers Grimm were famous Renaissance Brother collectors and preservers of Cinderella, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel, making them mainstays in the imagination of childhood. That creative spirit continues with the thoughtful details in this one-of-a-kind home.

A Vision Rooted in Heritage

Travis, the founder of the eponymous interior design studio, purchased the apartment in 2022 for $7.75 million and immediately sought to gut it. He spent $2 million doing so, exposing himself in the process to what amounts to hindsight in the best possible sense: a space that feels at once extremely modern and completely ageless, an homage to the Carlyle’s peppy past and a comfortable, workable home.

Lying at the heart of the design are three treasured family heirlooms that were passed down in the families: a faded, burgundy first edition of Grimm’s Fairy Tales that he borrowed from a husband who secured it through auction; a silver pocket watch; and a slim, German-language Bible. These items facilitated inspiration in the apartment’s aesthetic and integrated rich hues, with custom finishes and bespoke design elements throughout.

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A Home That Tells a Story

It also includes three bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a gym, office, and library. Other attributes of this sophisticated ambiance include custom millwork, herringbone oak floors, and bespoke lighting. The kitchen features white-tiled walls, a nod to New York’s glamorous kitchens from the 1920s, with a butler’s pantry and laundry room.

Clad in fluted mahogany, the elevator landing creates an instant sense of drama and glamour. “When you come home or leave, you have this moment of elegance,” Travis says.

Spaces That Evoke Magic

Each room is a little different. The bedrooms are painted in a series of muted, moody tones, providing a quiet retreat. It’s really in the library, though, where the true fairy-tale inspiration for the home shines. Its burgundy sofa, along with dark-paneled walls and rich colors, echoes the aged tones of this volume of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. “This room was designed for nighttime,” Travis says. “It’s moody, dramatic, and deeply personal.

A Curated Gallery

Art plays the central role in this home’s design: a piece by Eric Freeman hangs in the foyer, works by Ross Bleckner and Chuck Close adorn the living room. A dramatic dark-blue piece by Florian Maier-Aichen greets visitors in the entryway and right away conjures memories of Travis’s time in Los Angeles.

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Labor of Love

Travis put his heart and soul into designing this home, which he thought would be his forever. But life had other plans. Two years ago, he and his husband suffered the devastating loss of their son. Now, they’re ready for a fresh start.

“I never intended to leave,” Travis says. “This apartment has my heart and soul.”

Located near New York’s famous Billionaires’ Row, the property is close to some of the city’s most prestigious buildings.  But this home is more than just a prime location—it’s a place filled with creativity, memories, and meaning.

The residence is being shown privately and includes all furnishings, except for the couple’s art collection. Priced at $11.8 million, it’s more than a luxury home; it’s a unique and personal space with a story to tell.

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