Mason Gooding’s Tree House Apartment Features Bold Colors

Mason Gooding, known for roles in Ballers, Booksmart and the Scream franchise, recently bought a 650‑square‑foot apartment in Manhattan that he describes as a “tree house.” The unit, located near a courtyard, required a full renovation, prompting the actor to enlist interior designer Claudia Roth of Claudia Allegra Interiors.

From Hollywood to a Manhattan “Tree House”

Gooding grew up in Los Angeles, often traveling to set locations with his father, Cuba Gooding Jr. He says he never really had a single home base as a child. After launching his own career, the actor found himself moving frequently for work, and the idea of settling down felt distant. Approaching his 30th birthday, Gooding decided to purchase his first property, choosing New York over California because he wanted a cultural community “just outside my door.” A Zillow alert led him to the Manhattan listing, which he called “too good to be true.” The apartment, surrounded by greenery, was marketed as an urban “tree house” but needed extensive updates.

Design Decisions and Bold Color Choices

Admitting he is “ignorant to design in a lot of ways,” Gooding turned to Roth early in the project. Roth noted that the previous owners had left the space largely untouched, especially the kitchen and bathroom, resulting in poor space utilization. “If you saw the initial photos, you would have to see a lot of potential in it,” Roth said, adding that Gooding recognized the opportunity.

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During their first meeting, Gooding referenced the Ralph Lauren store in SoHo, seeking a space that felt both “comfortable and compelling.” Roth interpreted this as permission to use bold hues. “He was never afraid of color,” she recalled. “Sometimes we’d show him something more neutral, and he was like, ‘Let’s push it. Let’s go dark brown. Let’s go green on the fireplace.’” The kitchen, originally wood‑clad, was transformed into an aubergine‑tinted jewel box, while the bathroom received a moody palette. The living‑room fireplace was scaled back, but its green tiles remain a striking feature.

Original glass and brass doorknobs were retained, preserving the apartment’s historic character. A real‑estate broker had suggested replacing the diamond‑pattern windows, but Roth argued that “if someone was to recreate a modern version, it just wouldn’t feel the same.” She kept the original glass, noting the “dainty and unexpected” hardware adds a subtle charm.

For Gooding, the renovation is more than aesthetic change; it reflects a personal shift. He keeps a tile bearing painted lemons from a former resident, storing it in a unit as a reminder of the home’s earlier life. This gesture illustrates his desire to blend past and present, a theme he emphasizes when describing the apartment.

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He also repurposed the space beneath the historic windows into an analog nook rather than a bar, as Roth initially imagined. Gooding, who is not a heavy drinker, wanted a place to showcase his collection of rare records, highlighting his appreciation for tangible media in an increasingly digital world.

From a practical standpoint, the apartment’s compact size demands clever storage solutions. Millwork was added to conceal radiators and air‑conditioning units while providing shelving in the second bedroom, which Gooding uses as a den. The design balances functional needs with the bold visual language introduced by Roth.

Gooding says the home feels like a fresh start, yet he values its connection to earlier occupants. “A lot of what I love about this house is encapsulated in the idea of the past making its way or reinventing itself into the future,” he explained. By preserving original details while introducing bold, contemporary colors, the apartment embodies that philosophy, offering a living space that is both a personal sanctuary and a nod to Manhattan’s layered history.