“You need people who are from there,” Dickinson agreed.

On a glum Wednesday evening recently, most New Yorkers were tucked away in their apartments, avoiding the persistent drizzle.

Each bedroom in this sunny apartment has a balcony. The bathrooms have radiant-heat floors. The roof deck has expansive city ...

Nate van der Ende agreed to design his best friend’s new apartment—and a new career was created in the process ...