Building Community Through Design: My Journey with Josh Abrams and the Legacy of NeueHouse

In this special entry, our Founder Sarah A. Abdallah shares a personal account of her journey with NeueHouse and her reflections on the legacy of Josh Abrams.

Part I: Where to Begin

Where do I even begin this story? Maybe right here, with a pause. Truthfully, I needed two weeks to gather my thoughts. In twelve years, I was able to help birth a vision as a designer, experience the space as a member, and embody the energy that emerged through the movement of the people who used it. This experience truly can’t be summarized on a whim.

Two things happened that shifted my world: the passing of Josh Abrams and the closure of the NeueHouse locations — exactly two weeks ago to the day. The closure news broke and became public in both The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times less than 24 hours after members and staff had been told — on a Wednesday night at 8pm. Everyone was confused, upset, and overwhelmed.

And for me, having been part of the inception of the NeueHouse flagship in New York, along with the Neuehouse Hollywood location in the old CBS Building on Sunset Boulevard, made it even more difficult to process. That space was where I started my own company, Functional Creative Design, after hours while still consulting with Rockwell Group— and where I built lasting friendships. To see it close was heartbreaking.

But layered on top of that grief was the news of Josh’s passing. Just a month before, Cristina had called me — I missed it, telling myself I’d return her call when I was in a better headspace. Between my own health challenges and my father’s treatments, I didn’t have the emotional bandwidth. I’ve always wanted to show up in good spirits with those I care about. What I’ve since learned is that sometimes it’s better to show up however you are — because people who care will understand, and sometimes we all need to lean on each other.

Part II: The Beginning of Something Extraordinary

As I sit inside the vision of community and space that Josh Abrams, Alan Murry and James O’Reilly, co-created, my heart feels heavy. I remember the day so clearly: July 2012. Rockwell Group had just assigned me to the project as a consultant. It was a modest summer day when the email went out — and you responded almost immediately:

“We need to meet you in person — on site.”

That meeting wasn’t just a walkthrough of five empty floors of concrete, terracotta, and sheetrock. It was a vetting. At that point, I’d been handed two cardboard boxes full of paperwork and design concepts. I had 48 hours to prep for our design meeting that Friday. I told you, half-joking, half-serious:

“I’ve got 15 minutes — I’m prepping for Friday’s meeting.”

But I was ready. And I was up for the challenge.

I also remember our second meeting. I arrived on site to meet some of the new staff you and Alan had just hired. Just days earlier, I’d spent a Sunday at what was then the most excessive, glamorous brunch in New York — at Mondrian Soho. Dancing, eating, soaking up the scene. When I stepped onto the NeueHouse site, I saw Elizabeth — the same woman I’d just spent the entire Sunday with. You noticed immediately, smiled, and said, “You know each other?” I hesitated, smiled back, and replied, “Yes — we just spent the day together at brunch in Soho.” You nodded and laughed, “Great, so no introductions are needed.”

That moment marked the beginning of a friendship with Elizabeth Kranz. Over the years, we worked closely together, and I watched her build what is now her hugely successful jewelry brand, The Moonstoned. That was the kind of ecosystem you fostered, Josh — not just about building a space with beautiful interiors and curated programs, but about weaving together worlds. Workspaces and private membership clubs. Creatives and CFOs. Newcomers and industry leaders. People on the brink of becoming someone, and people who had already “made it.” You built spaces that merged levels of humanity, that bridged gaps, and that formed true creative communities.

After that second meeting, I had gained your trust. Within just 48 hours, I had pulled together a solid presentation and a clear path forward — and from then on, you had me on speed dial whenever you needed anything.

I’ll never forget one weekend when you texted me out of the blue: “I need 20 models — men and women — for a New York Times article that’s running Monday.” Without missing a beat, I replied, “On it. No problem. But what am I luring people with in exchange? You know all our time is valuable.” You shot back immediately: “Right — let’s offer them free breakfast and a free month of membership.”

Not long after, you called again: “Are there any upcoming artists you think we should invite to the House — ones not everyone knows yet?” I didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I have a list in mind. I just went to an exhibit in Brooklyn for a young Black artist whose work is incredible — raw, unique, and deserving of a bigger platform. Her name is Shantell Martin.”

I also remember one time, after the New York flagship opened and while we were already deep in work on the Los Angeles location, you and James came to me and said: “Now that we’re open, could you help us build an evening membership? You’re a New Yorker with great contacts — people who are young, creative, and building something unique for our 5pm onward.” And I said, “Of course.”

From there, the puzzle pieces started to come together. When NeueHouse New York was only five empty floors of concrete, sheetrock, and terra-cotta brick, I was honored to be part of its inception. I poured in my knowledge, experience, and the network of contacts I had built over a decade with local craftspeople, artists, and vendors — alongside lessons I had gained from designing for global hospitality brands; prior to coming on board as a consultant with Rockwell, I wanted to create a cohesive story that wove together everyone’s concepts and visions into a living, breathing community. I saw myself as the master weaver — taking the strings and puzzle pieces, refining them, and shaping them into a tangible story that could be implemented within budget and with integrity.

Over a decade of contacts I had cultivated during my time as a Designer at Tony Chi and Associates — and later as the Director of Design at the Soho and Tribeca Grand back in 2008/2009 — became truly invaluable. As a New Yorker, I ran around the city sourcing large wool area rugs and Moroccan kilims big enough to fit Cristina and David’s vision while meeting our opening deadline. I called in my upholstery workroom, tapped my metalsmith, and leaned on local artists to bid and help execute the FFE furniture and finishes. We even set up a film crew with my workrooms to create a “Made in NY” feature, highlighting Avi, the metalsmith, and Gary, a local upholsterer who custom-built all the sofas I had designed to the precise scale we needed — both of whom I had previously collaborated with on internal renovations I was leading for the Soho and Tribeca Grand. Meanwhile, Cristina Azario — Josh’s wife, former Creative Director of Frette, with deep roots in fashion and textiles from her family’s work in Italy — meticulously reviewed every fabric I selected before we proceeded. I remember when I first started, she handed me a very detailed one-page color chart she had created herself, filled with tiny squares of the palette she wanted to ensure was incorporated. Of course, I said, “No problem.” She later went on to form and lead the internal NeueHouse Design Team as the brand expanded into its second location in Los Angeles, ensuring that brand guidelines were developed and followed consistently across all new spaces.

Part III: True Collaboration Before It Was a Buzzword

It took so many hands to bring NeueHouse to life — from Cristina and David’s direction in color and texture, to Rockwell’s design concepts, to every consultant and partner: Kevin, our food and beverage consultant; the lighting consultants Focus; Nick, our G.C.; the “sweet acoustical guy,” who became such a fixture at the House; Chef Gregg Drusinksy ; and the Sakara ladies Whitney and Danielle, and Tracy Ryans among the very first founding members.

It was collaboration in the truest sense — before the word “collaboration” was tossed around so loosely. Everyone had a role. Everyone mattered. And I wanted to make sure every voice felt heard and seen.

Photography by Eric Laignel

Photography by Ball & Albanese

Years later, in 2020, we were asked to step back in and support the vision of then-CEO Josh Wyatt by redesigning the Gallery Floor. Working in partnership with his direction, a new F&B consultant, and Steven Chen — NeueHouse’s in-house Director of Design and Project Manager at the time — we focused on reimagining the member experience for a world just emerging from months of sheltering apart. Together, we introduced a new dining experience at the front of the house, redesigned the coffee and grab-and-go areas, refurbished the bathrooms, and gave the space a much-needed refresh. We also designed a custom stand-alone bar. Because of building regulations that prohibited traditional plumbing connections, the bar had to be completely movable — an unusual but exciting design challenge that pushed us to think differently about flexibility and functionality.

Photography by Ball & Albanese

Part IV: Gratitude and Legacy

NeueHouse wasn’t just about concrete, sheetrock, and terracotta transformed. It was about the people who made it real. While the closures are deeply sad, and Josh’s passing leaves an irreplaceable absence, the legacy remains in the lives touched, the careers launched, and the friendships built.

Josh, your impact is undeniable. From the success of businesses that launched in the NeueHouse flagship New York — like Sakara Life — to packing the House in its very first year with over 600 members (myself included), you created a stage where creativity and community flourished. I’ll never forget listening to Paul Smith openly share how he scaled his fashion empire, or seeing the Prince Kate Middleton and Prince William of Cambridge visit to conversations with iconic Hospitality Guru Ian Schrager to Iconic Chef Daniel Bouloud, to local fitness pioneers like Joe Holder and Krissy Jones leading classes, and years later, Deepak Chopra speaking to a full room. I think of cinematic moments with Barbie Ferreira, John Leguizamo, and Traci Laymon gracing both the New York flagship and the NeueHouse Hollywood CBS Building and the list goes on. Your vision touched so many worlds, and in doing so, you honored countless lives — including my own.

Though all locations have now closed, the communities that were built and the connections formed still live on — beyond the walls you so meticulously brought to life with your dream team. These were never just offices; they were pioneering private membership workspaces that reshaped how we gather, collaborate, and create. Your memory and legacy lives on through each one of us.

At Josh’s memorial, Alan — Josh’s business partner, co-founder and dear friend— reminded us of the spirit you carried into every project: “Because the rules do not apply… and the closing words from your son came a reflection just as powerful, “Dream big, and say yes…. and” a reminder that your vision was never only about spaces, but about the way you inspired people to think differently and to act boldly. I’d like to end with one of my favorite poems, as Josh, like myself, loved poetry.

“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Like Robert Frost, you, Alan, and James chose the road not taken — and in doing so, you created a concept that didn’t exist before, one that transformed the workspace category globally.

With a full heart,
Your Designer