Staying Present

At his Manhattan apartment, Queer Eye star and first-time homeowner Antoni Porowski leans into the moment

- GAY GASSMANN

Home ownership had never been at the top of any wish list for Antoni Porowski, the resident food and wine expert on Netflix's hit show Queer Eye. "I was the guy with a backpack and some clothes," says the serial renter, describing his self-professed "fantasy nomadic lifestyle."

Then the pandemic hit. On the advice of his business manager, he started looking for a place to lay roots, embarking on the "hectic but exciting real estate journey in New York City." After years of living in Brooklyn, Porowski set his sights on downtown Manhattan, initially envisioning a historic loft with exposed beams, untouched charms, and creaky floors.

But when he grappled with the prospect of renovation and the realities of constant travel, he quickly came around to the idea of contemporary construction. "Amenities aren't the worst thing in the world," he jokes, alluding to the creature comforts of his now home, a ground-up project chock-full of perks like a doorman, swimming pool, and gym. "As soon as I saw the building I thought, This is it."