July 21, 2014

$7 Million Contegiacomo and Associates-Designed Loft Is the Best Wingman in Town

If you’re looking for a bachelor pad to end all bachelor pads, we’ve got exactly what you need. This 4,600-square foot, 3BR/3.5BA loft, designed by award winning architects at Contegiacomo and Associates, understands the importance of meeting the needs of the single guy without filling potential mates with an overwhelming desire to overhaul his entire apartment with a woman’s touch. That’s right, 17 West 17th Street #3FL is more than just any apartment; it’s the best wingman in town.
find out why, here
July 21, 2014

LOT-EK Turns a Humble Shipping Container Into an Ultra Cool Penthouse with Empire State Views

We've seen Manhattanites do all kinds of crazy and creative things to maximize space—from turning their ovens into closets to lofting entire rooms—but the Guzman Penthouse by LOT-EK is one of our favorite transformations. To expand this penthouse residence, LOT-EK revamped an old mechanical room, added a 20-foot shipping container to serve as the master bedroom, and created a spacious rooftop patio, all of which sit on top of the building with jaw-dropping Empire State Building views.
You can't miss the rest of this one-of-a-kind home
July 21, 2014

MADE Architecture Rethinks the Traditional Townhouse in Boerum Hill

When MADE Architecture was enlisted to help a young couple renovate their newly purchased Boerum Hill townhouse, they started from a blank slate--literally. The 2,400-square-foot home had been gutted by its previous owners, leaving nothing more than the floor joists and a brick shell. MADE took this opportunity to reimagine the interior layout of the traditional three-bay townhouse. By reorienting the stairway as a switchback, space was freed up on each floor, creating a contemporary, loft-like floorplan. The stairs also sit under a large skylight, which fills all angles of the house with natural light.
See how else the mix of old and new features in this home
July 20, 2014

The New York Architecture Day Trip: From Colonial to Deconstructivism in Manhattan

New York has a long history of great architecture. From the very beginnings in the colonial period to today, there are more great buildings to see in New York than anywhere else on the planet. Thankfully, with this guide, you can see them all in one simple south-north trip across Manhattan. Many great buildings are too tall or difficult to see up close, so we've chosen an example of each style of New York architecture that can also be appreciated from the ground level, rather than forcing you to gawk straight up at a skyscraper. Check out our New York architecture day trip.
Get your itinerary here
July 20, 2014

Bookworms Rejoice: Upper East Side Mansion Boasts Palatial, Double-Height Library

Most of us in Manhattan are lucky if we can find room to fit one, tiny bookshelf in our homes, so you can imagine our reactions when we saw the opulent, two-story library at 12 East 69th Street. Not only does it make us ashamed of our puny literature collections, but the room is at least three times the size of our apartments. The celestial ceiling mural, massive amount of black walnut built-in shelving, and custom spiral staircase are also making us green with envy.  Non bookworms, have no fear--this house has an equally regal, double-height media room, which comes complete with sound-proof walls, rich wood paneling, a 12-foot screen, and plush velvet seats.
You don't want to miss the rest of the palatial digs
July 20, 2014

1970s Orient House IV by Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects Employs Passive House Principles

Manhattan-based Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects recently renovated a 1970s house into a green escape that strictly follows Passive House standards. Located in Long Island just a few steps away from the sea, the minimal Orient House IV is completely clad in aged timber and features expansive north-facing windows that not only frame the beautiful views of its locale, but pulls in plenty of natural light. Designed to be more than just a vacation home, this stunning getaway is about as eco-friendly as it gets, and is said to be the second most energy-efficient structure on the island.
Learn more about the Orient House IV here
July 19, 2014

INTERVIEW: NYC Architect Drew Lang Gives Us the Scoop on Hudson Woods, A Private Eco-Community in the Catskills

Move over Hamptons — there's a new second-home hotbed for New Yorkers: the Catskills. The four-season destination has been growing in popularity over the past several years, but is now reaching new heights thanks to Drew Lang and Lang Architecture's forest getaway community Hudson Woods. Located in Kerhonkson, New York, just two hours from New York City, the 131-acre development will feature 26 sustainably designed, site-specific dwellings, each located on its own spacious lot. Buyers can personalize their homes with curated upgrades including a pool and pool house, outdoor kitchen, vegetable garden, fruit tree grove, treehouse, and solar power energy system, among other things. Hudson Woods' tagline is "where design meets nature," and one look at the site makes this statement ring true. We sat down with Drew Lang to get an inside take on the project, and to learn more about the increasingly sought after Catskills community.
Read our full interview here
July 19, 2014

Kangaroo Clock by David Raffoul Doubles as a Storage Pouch

Say goodbye to that ugly key holder and boring mail basket. The aptly-named Kangaroo clock by David Raffoul conveniently doubles as a storage pouch that can function as the perfect entryway catchall, while letting you know if you're running late. The clock would also look nice with dried flowers or sparkly jewelry peeking out of its pouch. Really, the possibilities are endless!
More about the design here
July 18, 2014

MB Architecture’s Energy-Efficient Green Arc House is Mostly Buried Underground

Architect Maziar Behrooz is a big fan of airplanes hangars and his stunning Green Arc House takes inspiration from the airship shed's curvaceous design. Located in East Hampton, this luscious green home is not only grand and luxurious, but also extremely energy efficient. It measures a whopping 6,400 square feet, but you would never guess it because more than half the home is buried underground!
Learn more about this stunning sustainable home
July 18, 2014

NYC’s Threat of Earthquakes on the Rise, But Tall Towers Have a Lower Risk of Being Affected

You read it right, tall towers in New York City actually have a lower risk of being affected by an earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey, the federal agency responsible for reporting and recording earthquake activity, recently updated their National Seismic Hazard Maps, which "reflect the best and most current understanding of where future earthquakes will occur, how often they will occur, and how hard the ground will likely shake as a result." One change to the maps since they was last updated in 2008 is that the east coast has the potential for larger quakes than previously outlined, but residents of NYC high rises are in a slightly lower risk bracket.
Learn why straight ahead
July 18, 2014

Five Lush Rooftop Bars That Feel Like an Escape from the City

Summer is in full swing, and while some of us get to plan far flung escapes, others must endure the heat amidst the concrete towers. Rooftop oases are a great way to beat rising temps, especially when the foliage of a hidden garden can cool us naturally. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite lush rooftop havens around the city, all sure to help soothe your soul when a trip away from city life just isn’t in the cards. From an ultra verdant "secret garden" to a rooftop escape with the Empire State Building in view, check out these these five urban retreats offering an elevated experience.
Five wonderful lush rooftop escapes here
July 18, 2014

Another Studio’s Convert Vase Collection is Inspired by Architectural Geometry

As architecture buffs, we can't help but love that the Convert Vase Collection was inspired by architectural geometry, but even putting that influence aside, Another Studio's design is simply stunning. The trio of multi-faceted vases is made from a flat sheet of steel, folded and converted into shape by hand in the firm's London studio. The steel has a semi-matte finish and geometric patterns etched onto its surface, which creates an appealing aesthetic, a mix of hard and soft.
More about the design here
July 18, 2014

Hotel Carlyle Co-op With Stunning Views Sells for $4.5 Million

After what appears to be a long, intensive history on and off the market with a few price drops, unit 3006 at the Hotel Carlyle Aerie has finally sold, according to city records. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride might be a fitting way to look at this co-op, as it appears to have been on the market for a year and a half, eventually dropping their asking price from $7.75 million to $4.9 million, and ultimately settling in at a $4.5 million sales price. But one look at the living/dining room (and an aptly placed telescope by the window) makes it clear that the star of this apartment is the amazing views. As Mastercard would say, those views are priceless.
Take a look inside here
July 18, 2014

NYC Events 7/18: MoMA’s Pop Rally; Greenpointers Summer Market; Bohemia and Orthodox Judaism in Art

Another summer weekend with fabulous weather is upon us, and we can't wait to close our laptops and get out into the city. Start your weekend off right by catching a screening of Primal Heritage, a film exploring the world of Joseph Wolf Grazi, an artist juggling the Bushwick dream with his Orthodox Jewish roots. On Sunday, get your retail fix on at Greenpointers Summer Market, which will be chock full of artist- and locally designed goods you'll definitely want in your home. Greenpointers also invites you to sip on Brooklyn Brewery beers and Dandelion Wine sangria while you shop, so if you're looking to unwind with a drink in addition to some retail therapy, this is your best bet. And once you've hit your spending limit, mosey on over to the galleries in the 67 West building for some art... Want more? We've got a full list of events after the break.
All the best events here
July 18, 2014

This Colorful Central Park West Apartment is the Perfect Family Pad

Not every New Yorker needs a sprawling pad in a glassy tower. Many of us appreciate cozy spaces a little closer to the ground. If you love ogling homes that feel quintessentially "New York", you have to check out this colorful apartment located at 57 West 93rd Street. Perfect for a family of three or four, this wonderful 2BR/2BA sits on a leafy street just off Central Park West, and, quite rare for Manhattan, it's in a kid-friendly neighborhood to boot.
Take a look at what else this lovely home has to offer
July 18, 2014

PENCIL’s Lisa Belzberg Nabs Incredible Upper West Side Penthouse at an $8.5 Million Discount

It looks like Lisa Belzberg, Operating Partner at Leeds Equity Partners, founder of the nonprofit PENCIL, and well-connected New York City socialite, has applied her business savvy to the real estate market, snagging penthouse 13 at 44 West 77th Street for $11.5 million, well below the original $20 million asking price. Dubbed the apartment with "the best living room ever," this 3BR/2.5BA, 4,187-square-foot unit has been featured on Bloomberg TV and Open House NYC for its opulent living space, which includes 24-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows, Corinthian columns, a hand painted Venetian plaster ceiling, and an eight-foot-tall 17th century stone fireplace that was imported from the Iberian Peninsula.
And that's not all. Check out the rest of this extraordinary home.
Pitch a story icon Know of something cool happening in New York? Let us know:
July 17, 2014

Pulltab Design Brightens Up this East Village Duplex with a Living Green Wall

The green wall at the 7th Street Residence designed by Pulltab Design puts our few measly house plants to shame. The custom-made garden wall was installed as part of an apartment renovation to be a focal point of the home, as well as to give the contemporary space a mysterious quality. A shallow reflecting pool sits under the vertically planted wall and serves as a landing pad for water droplets that fall from the wall's concealed irrigation system. Additionally, the pool, fabricated from folded steel sheets and complete with swimming goldfish, adds a calming water element to the living room.
More about how this sleek apartment comes
July 17, 2014

Studio Allergutendinge’s Soul Box is a Portable Retreat for ‘Glamping’ in Nature

If you feel the need for a summer break away from the city but don't want to rough it in the great outdoors there is always the option of "glamping", or glamorous camping. For those want to keep the comforts of home in reach, this mobile wooden shelter by studio Allergutendinge is the ideal solution. It offers all the conveniences of home and can be transported just about anywhere.
Find out more about Soul Box here
July 17, 2014

CityLiving in Rome: Big Love in the Eternal City for One New Yorker

I didn’t come to Rome looking for love. I got plenty of the good stuff back at home in New York City. There is where most of my closest friends and family reside, along with my beloved wife, daughter and son. It also happens to be the city that is the love of my residential life. So, love in Rome was not on the itinerary. But a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum and beyond. We might still be in the infatuation stage, but I got the big love for Roma right now, and that might not ever change, primarily because of the love it’s inspired in me.
Read more of Andrew's story here
July 17, 2014

7 Cool Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Bronx

The NY Yankees, Julia the Gorilla, and the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden all call the Bronx home, but as the borough named for Jonas Bronck (and affectionately called the Boogie Down) commemorates a centennial anniversary in 2014, there is much more to celebrate than Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden. We've hunted down seven cool things about the Bronx that we bet you didn't know. Read them all ahead, then venture northward to see them up close and personal.
Seven cool things about the Bronx
July 17, 2014

Your Daily Link Fix: Downtown Manhattan’s Mini Beach Is Here; 2nd Ave Subway Line: Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It

Downtown Manhattan’s Mini Beach: The wifi rigged beach in Downtown Manhattan is here and Bedford and Bowery is already posting from it. Send Texts Without Service: Engadget gives us the scoop on a new device that will keep you from being stranded without cell service. Stylish Lemonade Stands: This one’s for the kiddies. It’s a […]

July 17, 2014

Corcoran Broker Susan Lamia Sells Off Her Charming West Village Townhouse for $10.75 Million

As the saying goes: If you want something done right, do it yourself. And that's exactly what Corcoran broker Susan Lamia did with her stunning Greek Revival townhouse at 54 Charles Street in the West Village. After just 21 days on the market, the property traded hands for $10.75 million, according to city records filed today. Susan and her husband originally purchased the home for $4.92 million nine years ago, turning a pretty nice profit on the recent sale. Though the buyer has yet to be disclosed, whoever they are, they've sure lucked out with their purchase. The spacious home not only sits along one of Manhattan's most picturesque streets, but also boasts many of the building's original, historic details.
See more of this lovely home here
July 17, 2014

Oasis Singer Liam Gallagher Puts His Essex House Condo on the Market

If his home is any indication, we’re guessing Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher loves animal prints as much as he loves Great Britain. According to the NY Post, the singer and his brother Noel have just put their Essex House condo up for sale for $4 million with Douglas Elliman agents Oren and Tal Alexander.
Take a look inside the Oasis singer's pad here

Our Mission

More than just current events, here you'll learn about the places, people, and ideas that are shaping your city.