\u201cThis is about integrating culture and architecture into our everyday life in a way that fosters community and belonging,\u201d Zhukova, 44, tells me of Ray, which builds out multi-family residential buildings featuring artist studios, exhibition spaces and collections of original art by emerging and renowned talents.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community and the connection piece is so important\u2026 we\u2019re trying to really create a singular shared experience around the arts,\u201d Zhukova said.\u201cThere\u2019s a growing loneliness epidemic, especially among young people. One of our goals at Ray is to be a place where people can gather \u2026 where they can share experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dasha Zhukova tells NYNext of her vision for Ray: \u201cThis is about integrating culture and architecture into our everyday life in a way that fosters community and belonging.\u201d Neil Rasmus\/BFA.com\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
To date, Ray (and, by extension, Zhukova) has put up most of the equity for its projects, working closely with a few trusted development and investment partners. But as the portfolio grows and starts to stabilize, she may bring in more outside investors.\u00a0Zhukova also purchases or commissions most of the art works and loans them to the buildings.<\/p>\n
The company, based in New York, often partners with local developers \u2014\u00a0like LMXD in Harlem, where Ray opened to residents last month \u2014\u00a0to secure financing, draw architectural plans and oversee permits and construction.<\/p>\n
The designs are \u201ca little more bold and daring than other multi-family builders,\u201d Zhukova said, and she stays \u201chands-on with programming long after we open so as to ensure that our vision continues to add value over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ray Harlem expanded on the previous site of the National Black Theater and built it out with multi-family residences. Courtesy of Ray<\/p>\n
Programming at Ray Harlem, which will include artist tutorials for example, starts later this summer. At Ray Philly, which opened in 2023, the offerings include collage-making and ceramic workshops as well as solo exhibitions for local artists in its gallery space, Studio 105, that is open to the public. \u201cRa\u00fal Romero: Sound Check,\u201d is on view now.<\/p>\n
The latter \u2014\u00a0Ray\u2019s first project \u2014 opened two years ago in Philadelphia\u2019s South Kensington neighborhood, a once industrial area that has seen a vibrant arts scene emerge over the last few years. The building features Rashid Johnson\u2019s installations in the lobby and five ground-floor commercial studios that artists and small businesses can lease, as well as one space devoted to an artist-in-residency program.<\/p>\n
One-quarter of Ray\u2019s units are devoted to affordable housing, while the remaining apartments go for market price. Courtesy of Ray<\/p>\n
Ray\u2019s Harlem location was developed in partnership with National Black Theatre (NBT), which owns 27,000 square feet of space in the building for its theater and offices and displays its African art collection throughout Ray.<\/p>\n
Rental prices are pretty standard for a new development in New York City \u2014 studios are $2,700 per month and two bedrooms go for $4,800 \u2014 and a quarter of the units are considered affordable housing.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NYNEXT_Small.png\")
<\/p>\n
This story is part of NYNext<\/a>, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC\u2019s power players (and those who aspire to be).<\/p>\n Ray\u2019s spaces are designed to encourage community as well as enjoyment of art, and include libraries and space for art classes. Courtesy of Ray<\/p>\n Communal spaces feature creative works by artists who are often local to the area. Courtesy of Ray<\/p>\n While Zhukova hopes artists will live there, tenants are also from professions including medicine and law<\/p>\n A new location is set to open in Phoenix next year, while one in Nashville is under excavation<\/a> with a target launch of 2027.<\/p>\n Zhukova and her husband, Stavros Niarchos, live in Manhattan<\/a> with their three children<\/a>. She also has a son and daughter with her ex, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. (Her mother, Yelena, is the wife of Rupert Murdoch, the Chairman Emeritus of Post parent company News Corp.)<\/p>\n Zhukova was joined by architect Frida Escobedeo (left) and Sade Lythcott (right), CEO of the National Black Theatre, at a topping-out ceremony for Ray Harlem. Neil Rasmus\/BFA.com\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Launching Ray has been an all-consuming project, she said. But she is optimistic it will impact people\u2019s lives in a meaningful way \u2014\u00a0and even compared Ray to a museum you can live in. <\/p>\n \u201cThere are many ways to be creative with space,\u201d Zhukova added, \u201cand I think a residential building can absolutely be that.\u201d<\/p>\n Send NYNext a\u00a0tip:\u00a0NYNextLydia@NYPost.com<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t