The Height of Living

A dynamic duo combines talents to create a dream home on high.

by Eileen Smith Dallabrida Published May 12, 2009 at 09:44 AM

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The Rossis took advantage of every nook and cranny for storage. Photograph by Thom Thompson

Cathy and Jimmy Rossi had high hopes for their River Tower at Christina Landing penthouse, 24 stories above Wilmington’s riverfront.

“It’s our room with a view,” Cathy says.

Indeed. With jaw-dropping vistas of four states, the 2,006-square-foot condominium is an urban oasis in the sky, a serene and sophisticated place to watch the snow fly—without ever having to shovel it.

Design and construction of the unit took nearly three years, which gave the Rossis plenty of time to refine the details of their dream home, down to the last inch of closet space.

The Rossis were the ideal couple to take on the challenge. Cathy, the visual spouse, would manage the interior design. Jimmy, the techie, would keep a handle on the systems.

But it takes a team to tackle such a complex project. So the couple worked closely with the developer, Buccini/Pollin Group. They also brought in other pros, who lent both expertise and a fresh set of eyes.

“We realized we were only going to get one shot at this and we wanted to do it right,” Jimmy says.

Working from the ground up made it easier to integrate smart technology into the condo, systems that reduce energy consumption and enhance ambience through programmable mood lighting and a whole-house sound system.

From a sky-high perspective, the Acelas zipping into the nearby Amtrak station look like toy trains under the Christmas tree. At night, the city lights twinkle like stars. “I love to watch the storms roll in,” says Jimmy Rossi. “You can see rain clouds moving in from miles away.”

Cathy had lots of ideas on how to decorate the condo by putting a contemporary twist on traditional design. But she needed guidance on establishing a sense of continuity throughout the home.

“I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t know how to execute it on a reasonable budget,” she says.

Enter Terri Wasdyke of Brandywine Design in North Wilmington. She had been recommended to Cathy by several colleagues at AAA Mid-Atlantic, where Cathy is manager of public and government affairs.

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