The Enviable Loft Fran Lebowitz Has Never Liked

Creative director Marc Balet bought his three-story loft in Manhattan’s Noho district 30 years ago, when the space was a dance studio. Although it did have a wood-burning fireplace, the beautiful architecture of the arched windows was hidden.

Once the full windows were revealed, he called on his best friend, writer Fran Lebowitz, whose father owned a furniture store and upholstery workshop, and asked if her father could create and install the very, very long curtains that are still there today.

Fran rose to her now-legend status starting at Interview magazine where she wrote a column called “I Cover the Waterfront,” She is also the author of two books, Metropolitan Life and Social Studies, and the world awaits further writings.

Marc recently invited Fran over for visit, where they talked about their storied friendship and her dislike of his enviable apartment.