½ûÂþÌìÌà fashion house Versace on Tuesday revealed it is set to redesign the interior of one of New York's landmark buildings, the Madison Avenue Clock Tower.
The restyling of the tower's interior will include the creation of 50 luxury residences, communal areas and a private health spa, while the first two floors will house an exclusive club designed personally by Donatella Versace.
The Clock Tower, also known as the Metropolitan Life Tower, was built in 1909 by architect Napoleon Le Brun, who took his inspiration from the famous bell tower, or 'campanile', in Venice's St Mark's Square.
It was the world's highest building until 1913, when it was outshot by the 57-floor Woolworth Building.
''The Clock Tower project is further confirmation of Versace's leadership in the luxury interior design market and represents Made in Italy excellence,'' said Versace CEO Giancarlo Di Risio.
The New York project will be carried out in partnership with Israeli luxury real estate experts the Afi Group.
Versace has increasingly made forays beyond the world of fashion in recent years.
Earlier this year it kitted out two private helicopters with interior fittings and has also worked on resorts, luxury jets and automobiles.
In May Versace announced it was building a 51-floor skyscraper in Panama City which will house 100 apartments, slated for completion in 2010.
Versace closed 2007 with a revenue of 310.6 mln euros ($484.3 mln), up 7.8% year-on-year.
