Real Estate

Hot Lipps

Scott Lipps celebrates his birthday with (from left to right) stunning models Gigi Paris, Anna Herrin and Angela Martini.

Scott Lipps celebrates his birthday with (from left to right) stunning models Gigi Paris, Anna Herrin and Angela Martini. (Patrick McMullan)

One of his favorite items is a Crosley record player for an LP collection that includes Radiohead and the Ramones (Lorenzo Ciniglio/Freelance)

On the inside, Scott Lipps is a rock ’n’ roll drummer. Inside his one-bedroom at 255 Hudson St., that is, where Lipps has an electronic drum set in his bedroom.

Outside, to the celebs and fashionistas who network with Lipps over antipasti at nearby Giorgione, he’s a fashion mogul who manages the careers of many of the world’s top models. As the founder of One Management, which he started in 2001, Lipps books jobs for Bar Refaeli, Claudia Schiffer, Iman and Eva Herzigova. And for the next week, during the fabric-and-flashbulbs circus of Fashion Week, he’ll spend countless hours striving to put the “super” in front of “model” for his lesser-known lookers one runway show at a time.

So, with his precious little downtime this week, Lipps, 43, will savor some sleep, perhaps a relaxing soak in the tub as he watches his wall-mounted flat-screen TV — Food Network, History Channel, anything but fashion shows — and with any luck, he’ll get a half-hour to pound away on his drums.

Since he’s typically out on the town until at least midnight, it’s a good thing for his neighbors that Lipps’ $1,500 Roland drum set makes almost no noise — unless heard through headphones, when it booms and pops like a real kit.

This is his meditation, his “release,” kicking the bass drum to Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks,” or riding the cymbals on “Too Young to Fall in Love,” by Mötley Crüe, which is close to Lipps’ past as the drummer in the ’80s glam metal band Black Cherry.

On the bedroom wall of the 1,000-square-foot one-bedroom rental is a black-and-white band photo (think spandex and big frosted hair) from his ’80s LA heyday, when Black Cherry headlined the Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip and opened for Jane’s Addiction and Guns N’ Roses.

It’s there, for Lipps, where the fusion of rock and glamour began. “I’m in an image business. This was a precursor to what was to come in my life,” he says, pointing to the band photo. “In my band, we used to hire guys based on looks, not necessarily if they could play.”

Over his couch in the living room, with its ninth-floor view of SoHo and TriBeCa rooftops and the Hudson River beyond, hangs another photo that captures the crossroads of music and glamour. It’s a 1972 picture by lensman Mick Rock of a Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie and his guitarist Mick Ronson — dapper in patterned jackets and ties while enjoying lunch on a train. “Bowie is where it began to be about image,” Lipps says.

The photo is one item transplanted from his old home a few blocks away, at 505 Greenwich St., where he owned an 850-square-foot one-bedroom. The decision to sell and rent five months ago was largely for more space while he weighs where next to buy. Part of that extra space is a half-bathroom off the entry hallway, useful when entertaining. In the kitchen, he’s got a Viking range for reheating soup from Hale & Hearty. “I’m obsessed with soup,” Lipp says. “I love my Nespresso machine, too.”

Lipps has hosted dinner parties with eight or nine One Management agents and staffers as brainstorming sessions, but for those wondering if a business perk of managing models is bringing them home, he states flatly, “No model has been in this apartment.” He’s dating a 28-year-old fashion publicist who often stays over, along with her Pomeranian named Beckham.

Plus, Lipps says, “I’m a serious guy. I don’t entertain tons here. I’ll host events out, like I’m doing something with Nur Khan at the Surf Lodge in Montauk. We invite models, editors, celebrities, musicians. It’s work-related.”

If you’re still skeptical that Lipps isn’t throwing after-parties for Fashion Week models back at his place this week, his story is corroborated by a look inside the Sub-Zero refrigerator (not much but Westville delivery leftovers and some fresh juices from Organic Avenue) and his wine refrigerator (only one bottle).

The spare décor in Lipps’ white-walled “oasis of serenity” was designed by Edward Jowdy, a fashion stylist and set designer, who took the place in an uncolored, uncluttered, almost modernist “art gallery” direction. White fur rugs are from ABC Carpet & Home. Living room highlights include a vintage blue Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen from Modern Link and a circular wood-and-chrome table by Osvaldo Borsani from Lost City Arts.

As accents, his designer chose starfish-shaped sculptures by artist Pamela Sunday in both the living room and bedroom. And the whole apartment is rigged with a Sonos wireless music system.

The finishing touch is a vase of fresh orchids, flowers that Lipps has delivered every week. “OK, that’s not very rock ’n’ roll,” he jokes.

Another factor that drew Lipps to 255 Hudson was its roof deck, which features an outdoor shower, jasmine vines, Adirondack chairs and a lawn. “I lived in California for so long,” says the Long Island native, who spent 10 years in Southern California. “Out there, you’re in your car, you’re outside, you’re hiking. I wanted that outdoor space.”

Wireless Internet allows Lipps to spend much of his outdoor time on his computer. An avid blogger, Lipps created the fashion and nightlife site Poplipps.com, which has been serialized in Interview magazine. Plus, for the duration of Fashion Week, Lipps will no doubt be occupied with last-minute booking issues and fielding calls from frantic models and designers. “I’m pulling 15- to 17-hour work days, trying to get some profile for new talent, breaking the new girls who become stars. So even when I’m here, I’m e-mailing people at 4 a.m. I’m lucky to get four hours of sleep a night.

“Unfortunately, for Fashion Week, the drums may have to wait.”

SCOTTLIPPS’ FAVORITE THINGS

* The electronic drum set

* The flat-screen TV above the bathtub

* A Mick Rock photo of David Bowie and guitarist Mick Ronson eating lunch on a train

* Aphoto of Lipps’ ‘80s metal band Black Cherry

* The starfish-shaped sculptures designed by Pamela Sunday

* A Crosley record player for an LP collection that includes Radiohead and the Ramones

* The Sonos wireless sound system

* The ABC Carpet fur rug in the bedroom