J/Brice Design Renews Role as Boston's Uber Luxury Interior Design Powerhouse

“ The old New England conservatism with Chesterfield sofas and ship paintings with angry seas is over,” Jeffrey Ornstein, CEO, J/Brice Design

During its 30 year history, the Boston-based design firm J/Brice Design International, Inc. has become the world leader by redefining luxury hotel, resort and residential interiors in oil-rich Gulf States.

The Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Dubai wanted to rebrand their sovereignties as the newest hottest world destinations for wealthy travelers from Europe, North America and Asia. They began to host international entertainment such as world-class football, Formula-1 Racing and derby level horse racing and... they brought in Jeffrey Brice Ornstein, founder of J/Brice Design, to orchestrate a new international look for the five star hotels that were cropping up throughout the region.

"I was told I had an uncanny ability to recast the regional look in an international style that was also rooted in traditional Arabian themes and esthetics. One of my clients said I was so good at putting the two worlds together that he dubbed me 'a cultural spy' and the name stuck." Ornstein made a name for himself designing properties such as The Kempinski Hotel and Towers, AL Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Grand Heritage Hotel and Spa in Qatar, as well properties in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Egypt.  

He is now bringing his global design sense home to Boston where he is setting new standards for luxury on Boston’s Gold Coast—home to the city’s most affluent residential real estate—The Waterfront and Seaport Districts. "This is where property values have soared to record-breaking levels paralleling San Francisco’s and Manhattan’s toniest neighborhoods. The new Boston urbanite demands an intentionally inspired high style. Staid New England traditional motifs are out," said Ornstein.

The firm is fully engaged in Boston with an array of recently commissioned residential projects. J/Brice’s hottest new-construction design contract is for 50 Liberty, being developed in Boston’s sizzling Seaport District by The Fallon Company as the ultimate in waterfront living. "50 Liberty is on track to establish a new benchmark for Boston residential property values and an A-list clientele," said Ornstein

J/Brice Design recently turned the clock ahead on I.M. Pei’s iconic Boston landmark, Harbor Towers, where Ornstein’s firm recently completed a $2.3 Million reinvention of the pioneering waterfront condominiums with fashion forward interiors. “Jeff took our 40 year-old buildings and made our public space new with sophisticated reimagined interiors that appeal to a wide variety of tastes,” said Ann Thornburg, former president of the condominium association board of trustees.

Ornstein’s firm also won accolades for its interiors at Burroughs Wharf. Marilyn Stempler, chairwoman of the design committee, noted, “Burroughs Wharf is a unique, high-end condominium development on the waterfront. Our vision was for a fresh, new elegant timeless design, which Jeff successfully fulfilled.”

In addition to 50 Liberty, Harbor Towers, Burroughs Wharf and Lewis Wharf, J/Brice Design current contracts include The Residences at The Intercontinental, The Residence at The W and, across the river in Cambridge, The Regatta Riverview, and The Riverfront Condominiums.

 Ornstein emphasized, “There is a style revolution going on and we’re putting Boston at the vanguard by creating an international luxury residential environment here. The city now parallels New York and other major cities for high-style, in-town luxury living.

“Wealthy young professionals here increasingly forego the suburbs. They are trading manicured lawns and six-car garages for high-end in-town properties with multiple amenities and, we are meeting that demand by delivering a fresh international style and luxurious flair to high-end residential life in Boston.”