Barney’s New York experiments with different ways to use marble—from curved staircases to cantilevered displays for handbags and jewelry. Savvy retailers and forward-thinking designers are embracing natural stone for more than its utilitarian purposes.

Envisioned and designed by late renowned architect Zaha Hadid, residential condominium building in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood features a stunning piece of wall art carved from Grigio Brasile marble that expands 34 feet.