Victory Lap by The Up Studio

Location: Old Westbury, New York
Project size: 7,000 square feet

Program: Victory Lap is a two-story primary residence built from the ground up for a couple of philanthropic empty nesters, with grown children and grandchildren. Sited on a previously undeveloped, heavily wooded lot in Old Westbury, New York, the home encompasses approximately 7,000 square feet with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The program prioritizes single-floor living for the owners’ daily needs, with a guest suite and offices above, and a basement bar, lounge, golf simulator, and storage below.

Photo © Will Ellis

Design Solution: The design is organized around three guiding principles: environmental harmony, comfort aging-in-place, and wellness-oriented gathering. All primary daily spaces (bedroom suite, kitchen, dining, living, and wellness areas) are located on the ground floor, enabling graceful aging in place without sacrificing elegance or scale. A single-story volume housing the primary suite, gym, and a grandchildren’s bedroom is designed to be converted for live-in elder care if needed. The upper level holds a guest suite and two private offices with a terrace overlooking the pool and wooded property. A central entry corridor wrapped in glass, wood, and natural stone links the private and social wings while framing immediate views to the rear yard. The living pavilion beneath a pitched roof conceals automatic shading and screening pockets.

The home opens directly to a covered outdoor dining area, pool, and a semi-open hybrid indoor-outdoor gym, allowing the owners to exercise in all weather conditions. The basement provides a bar, lounge, golf simulator, and extensive custom storage. Though expansive, the home is deliberately zoned to “live small,” creating a feeling of intimacy and containment for the two daily residents while accommodating multigenerational gatherings. The dining room table, for example, is intentionally positioned to expand down the entry hall for large events.

Photo © Will Ellis

Structure and Materials: The house is clad in composite shingles on both roof and siding, emulating traditional cedar while offering superior durability and low maintenance. A natural stone sourced from a ski lodge that the owners admired is featured prominently in the entry and outdoor dining and kitchen areas. Interior highlights include leathered Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and extensive custom millwork (bespoke built-ins in the kitchen, bar, and mudroom) throughout.

Additional Information
Completion date: July 2025
Site size: 2 acres
Total construction cost: Withheld
Client/Owner: Withheld