"Visitors step from the elevator straight out to this view," he says. "The effect sets the scene for the equally dramatic views from the apartment's living spaces."
Beyond the hall, on the east corner of the apartment, the open-plan living area, opens up to a 24ft high wall of glass.
"The Japanese aesthetic predominates right through the interior as well," says Butcher. "For example, floor-to-ceiling Japanese shoji screens slide back on heavy duty gliding mechanisms to divide or combine entire rooms."
These were the concept of Butcher's interior designer, Richar.
"Much of the apartment's low slung furniture, another Japanese design conceit, was originally designed by French furniture designer Christian Liaigre," says Butcher. "Richar looked at his work, displayed in Chicago by Holly Hunt, and ordered customized variations appropriate to the apartment."
With the apartment built in steel, glass, and concrete, there could be a tendency for the interior to have a cold atmosphere.
"We took pains to avoid this feel wanting instead to marry the cool, angular space with softer touches. The flowing lines of falling drapes soften the strongly linear nature of the window frames in the living room, for example."
Throughout the interior, soft is juxtaposed with hard, and warm sits alongside cool. Again, this can be seen in the central living space, with dark bronze stools sitting alongside a delicate chenille-covered lounge suite.
No expense or design detail has been spared in this upmarket penthouse. Most senses are catered to from the sound of the trickling waterfall outside, to the views, to the soft touch of chenille, and even to the sense of smell.
"The apartment is electronically savvy shades, lights, music, video, security, the waterfall, and even aromas all operate at the push of a button," says Butcher. "The aromas range from light woodland smells for during the day, to muskier scents for the cocktail hour."