Factory Lofts Condo in Williamsburg Offers a Two-Tiered Private Patio
August 22, 2014

Factory Lofts Condo in Williamsburg Offers a Two-Tiered Private Patio

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Restored from one of Williamsburg’s original turn-of-the-century factory buildings, the Factory Lofts at 66 North 1st Street made headlines for its unusual and controversial rooftop addition by architect Robert Scarano. But now that the dust has settled, this adaptive reuse project offers some of the most hip residences in Williamsburg. Known for making the most of every inch of square footage, the Brooklyn-born Scarano has a knack for thoughtfully designed spaces like this one-bedroom condo with a mezzanine loft — his signature design element.
See what else this pad has up its sleeve
Stuyvesant Square: Not Gramercy Park Nor Stuyvesant Town
August 22, 2014

Stuyvesant Square: Not Gramercy Park Nor Stuyvesant Town

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That's right--Stuyvesant Square is its own neighborhood. Haven't heard of it? That may be because you've been confusing it with neighboring Gramercy Park or Stuyvesant Town. But in fact, this charming little neighborhood is a highly desirable enclave in its own right. Situated around Stuyvesant Square Park, the area is bound roughly by 14th and 18th Streets and First and Third Avenues. It could be considered the southeastern corner of Gramercy Park or an extension of planned development Stuyvesant Town, but some real estate professionals like the exclusivity that the lesser-known moniker offers. Others have come up with creative alternatives like "Gramercy Park on Stuyvesant Square." But regardless of what you call it, Stuyvesant Square has a unique blend of limited space, historic landmarks, and mixed uses that makes for a bustling New York City neighborhood.
More on Stuyvesant Square here
Gramercy Duplex by Slade Architecture is a Healthy and Eco-Friendly Home
August 22, 2014

Gramercy Duplex by Slade Architecture is a Healthy and Eco-Friendly Home

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Oftentimes when environmentally friendly homes are designed the client wants to keep a low carbon footprint or be sensitive to the surrounding landscape. But there's another very important reason to go green in residential design, which is personal health. And that's exactly why Slade Architecture was asked to take an eco-friendly approach when creating this contemporary Gramercy Duplex. The renovation combined two existing one-bedroom duplex units into a single two-bedroom duplex. All materials were specified as low VOC, including recycled denim insulation, recycled paper countertops, Low-e windows, and Eco Spec paint.
Take a look at how Slade created a functional space with a green mentality
This Whimsical Noho Rental Has a Tin Ceiling, a Swing, and a Tree House
August 21, 2014

This Whimsical Noho Rental Has a Tin Ceiling, a Swing, and a Tree House

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Okay, so this two bedroom rental at 5 Great Jones Street doesn’t really have a tree house, but given all the interesting touches in this Noho apartment, it wouldn’t surprise us. The “tree house” is actually a fully enclosed and windowed loft space overlooking the enormous master bedroom and accessed via a metal spiral stair. It’s suspended in such a way that it reminded us of a leafy escape; and the whimsical swing hanging at its side certainly lent to our imagination. Call it what you want, this elevated room is as functional as it is fun and can be used as a small den and adjoining office without sacrificing any of the master's 800-square-feet, which perhaps is so large because it once doubled as puppeteer Kermit Love's set studio, where Sesame Street's Big Bird and Snuffleupagus were born.
Tour the enchanting home here
Real Estate Wire: Karim Rashid’s Colorful Harlem Design Gets a Thumbs-Down; Islamic Cultural Center Near Ground Zero Seeks Permits
August 21, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Karim Rashid’s Colorful Harlem Design Gets a Thumbs-Down; Islamic Cultural Center Near Ground Zero Seeks Permits

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Neighbors of Karim Rashid’s colorful complex planned for Pleasant Avenue in Harlem are in an uproar over the building’s pink and blue color scheme. [NYDN] Soho Properties is seeking permits for the construction of their proposed Islamic cultural center designed by Jean Nouvel. The controversial project, which will host a “museum and sanctuary space”, is located 49-51 Park Place near Ground Zero. […]

Brooklyn-Based Designer Danielle Trofe Grows Compostable Lights From Mushrooms
August 21, 2014

Brooklyn-Based Designer Danielle Trofe Grows Compostable Lights From Mushrooms

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Danielle Trofe Design is a Brooklyn-based studio that creates function-forward, sustainable furniture and lighting. One of their most curious designs is the Mush-Lume collection, which is not manufactured but rather grown from mushrooms. Organic and biodegradable, these brilliant designs will light up your days and, most likely, end up in your compost bin.
More on this curious mushroom lights here
Whaler’s Lane Residence by Rogers Marvel Architects is a Beacon on the Amagansett Shores
August 21, 2014

Whaler’s Lane Residence by Rogers Marvel Architects is a Beacon on the Amagansett Shores

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As far as the Hamptons go, Amagansett is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods. From Lou Reed to Sarah Jessica Parker, celebrities love the quiet hamlet, located on Long Island's South Shore. Eclectic beach houses dot the dune-lined beachfront, and one of our favorites is the Whaler's Lane Residence by Rogers Marvel Architects. A renovation and expansion of an existing oceanfront beach cottage, this home is made up of a series of shingle-wrapped exterior and interior spaces connected via wooden pathways. The original structure provided inspiration for the design, as the project maintained similar materials and profiles to create a contextual residence.
Explore the rest of this Hamptons hideaway

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Floor Plans of the Woolworth’s $110M ‘Pinnacle’ Penthouse Revealed
August 21, 2014

Floor Plans of the Woolworth’s $110M ‘Pinnacle’ Penthouse Revealed

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It looks like Alchemy Properties' plan to price the penthouse at the Woolworth building for $110 million has been approved by the New York Attorney General’s office, making it one of the most expensive listings to ever hit the downtown market at $11,700 per square foot. According to The Real Deal, who got a first look at the floor plans, the unit will be called the "Pinnacle" and host 9,400 square feet with about 500 square feet of outdoor space.
More plans and pricing this way
Mastering the Master Plan: A Look at NYC’s Planned Neighborhoods
August 21, 2014

Mastering the Master Plan: A Look at NYC’s Planned Neighborhoods

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We often think of the street grid as New York's greatest "master plan." Officially known as the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, this put in place the original, gridded street pattern that we still know today. But there have been several other master plans that took shape on a smaller scale within the linear configuration of Manhattan. These planned communities were largely conceived to transform blighted or underutilized areas into suburban enclaves or peaceful oases within the big city. And just like the neighborhoods that grew organically among the street grid, these master-planned areas each have a unique character. They've also influenced a new crop of developments, currently under construction on the West Side and in Brooklyn.
We take a look at planned communities that historically changed the fabric of the city, as well as those on the horizon
Priciest Townhouse in Washington Heights Sells for $2.4 Million
August 21, 2014

Priciest Townhouse in Washington Heights Sells for $2.4 Million

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Acknowledged back in June as the most expensive townhouse in Washington Heights, this historic home at 431 West 162nd Street was met with skepticism from local bloggers. They cited its “colorful wall-to-wall carpeting” and the dearth of immediate amenities in the area. But according to city records, the townhouse has sold for $2.38 million, less than $200,000 under its $2.5 million asking price and still higher than any other townhouse in the area. Looks like Washington Heights gets the last laugh here.
Take a look inside the home that beat the odds
Pulltab Design’s Penthouse Renovation Lets the Light in with a Beautiful Brise-Soleil Sun Room
August 20, 2014

Pulltab Design’s Penthouse Renovation Lets the Light in with a Beautiful Brise-Soleil Sun Room

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There’s no question that indoor/outdoor living is a trend that is alive and here to stay. And when you live in a neighborhood as lively and eclectic as the East Village, it’s only natural to want a peaceful haven that still allows you to enjoy the energy of the city that never sleeps. The owners of this residence were looking for just that. They wanted a seamless indoor/outdoor living space off their fifth floor loft that was conducive to entertaining guests as well as enjoying a quiet afternoon with a book. Enter Pulltab Design who set out to create a home that was both durable and elegant, while accommodating the practical needs of their clients.
Take a look inside this sturdy renovation, here
Sands Point Renovation by CDR Studio Architects is Clad in Charred Cedar
August 20, 2014

Sands Point Renovation by CDR Studio Architects is Clad in Charred Cedar

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Can't you smell the musky cedar just by looking at this rustic dwelling? Located in a rural community on the edge of the Long Island Sound, this Sands Point home was renovated by CDR Studio Architects to both preserve and refine the structure that had been present on the site since 1961. To achieve this balance, the firm retained the house's frame, but added large expanses of open windows and a more seamless roofline. The dilapidated skin was replaced with a highly insulated, open-joined rain screen made of cedar boards charred using the traditional Japanese burning method of Shou-sugi-ban, an environmentally friendly way to preserve the timber.
See more of this vision in cedar
Flux Chair: A Colorful Plastic Seat That Can Fold Up in Just 10 Seconds
August 20, 2014

Flux Chair: A Colorful Plastic Seat That Can Fold Up in Just 10 Seconds

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The Flux Chair might look like a giant plastic envelope, but it's actually a surprising seat that can be assembled in about ten seconds. Design by Dutch duo Douwe Jacobs and Tom Schouten, it's made from recyclable plastic and comes in eight different colors. Flat-pack, space saving, and durable, this clever product can quickly become a comfortable, graceful seat.
More about this fantastic plastic seat here
Daily Link Fix: Find Out What It’s Like To Inspect A Tenement; The Story Behind Your Favorite Brooklyn Heights Restaurants
August 20, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Find Out What It’s Like To Inspect A Tenement; The Story Behind Your Favorite Brooklyn Heights Restaurants

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If You’re Not In Brooklyn, You Can’t Be “Brooklyn Made”: This is for all the posers out there capitalizing on the made-in-Brooklyn trend. AM NY reports that the Brooklyn Commerce will now be certifying big and small companies in King County that are “Brooklyn born and made.” Restaurants in the Heights History: Brooklyn Heights Blog […]

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With New Transparent Solar Concentrators, Glass Towers Can Generate Solar Energy
August 20, 2014

With New Transparent Solar Concentrators, Glass Towers Can Generate Solar Energy

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It's no secret that super tall, glassy towers are the go-to architectural style for many of today's leading starchitects. But environmentalists worry that the huge expanses of curtain wall windows are not very eco-friendly. A new product, though, just might satisfy those on both ends of this debate. Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new transparent luminescent solar concentrator that creates solar energy when placed over a window. The exciting part is that the product is totally translucent, so people can still see through the window while the green technology is working. The concentrators can also be placed on cell phones or any device with a flat, clear surface.
Learn more about the solar cells here
Watch Charles and Ray Eames Unveil Their Iconic Lounger on NBC’s ‘Home’ Show
August 20, 2014

Watch Charles and Ray Eames Unveil Their Iconic Lounger on NBC’s ‘Home’ Show

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Few chairs are as recognizable as those designed by Charles and Ray Eames. And though Modernist duo were pioneers in the creation of quality furniture, both easily produced and sold at affordable prices (though you wouldn't exactly guess that now), did you know that their lounger was their first foray into the high-end furniture market? Officially titled Eames Lounge (670) and Ottoman (671), the chair was originally designed for Herman Miller back in 1956, and when it was released, Charles and Ray were already household names counting nearly 1 million chairs in homes across the country. To that end, when the pair were ready to debut this latest luxury creation, NBC's Home show invited them to come on and talk about their design. Anyone who admires the Eames will without question love this video featuring the adorable twosome modestly taking compliments from host Arlene Francis while discussing everything from their plywood chair, to their precedent home in Los Angeles, to their lounger, which in the segment gets a comically dramatic unveiling complete with curtains, lights and music.
Watch the video here
Adorable Park Slope Apartment Comes With Its Very Own Pied-à-Terre (Sort of)
August 20, 2014

Adorable Park Slope Apartment Comes With Its Very Own Pied-à-Terre (Sort of)

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Homes like this adorably perfect apartment don't come on the market all that often in this neck of the woods -- because who would ever want to leave? Even if Park Slope hadn't been "New York" magazine's choice for the 'Most Livable Neighborhood' in the city in 2010, one would have to look no further than its charming, small-town feel and notable residents (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kerry Russell and Steve Buscemi, to name a few) to know they hit the neighborhood jackpot. Plus, this gem of a home located at 99 Berkeley Place has a fun bonus all its own. We'll get to that a little later on.
This way for a great apartment in a great neighborhood
Forget the Crayon Box: Scribble Pen Draws in 16 Million Colors
August 20, 2014

Forget the Crayon Box: Scribble Pen Draws in 16 Million Colors

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It's hard to even imagine 16 million colors, let alone draw in them, but the Scribble pen does just that. The first-of-its-kind creation, developed by the San Francisco-based startup Scribble Technology, scans colors and transfers them either to paper or a mobile device. See a paint hue you just love or want to capture the shade of a dress in a store window? Just tap your pen on the wall or object and, voila, you can draw in that color.
More about the new technology
Quirky West Village Co-Op Has Beams Made from Salvaged Ship Parts
August 19, 2014

Quirky West Village Co-Op Has Beams Made from Salvaged Ship Parts

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For some bizarre reason the owner of this remarkable home decided to put her stamp on it, then vacate. Well, life’s too short to contemplate all of its mysteries. Instead we’ll just accept this twist of fate as the perfect opportunity to take a glimpse behind the private gate on Greenwich Street, and inside a truly unique West Village co-op. You’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop the minute you step inside this 3,000-square-foot, oversized playhouse at 719 Greenwich Street. Unit 1S is filled with whimsy, from the salvaged sailing ship beams that adorn its nearly 13-foot ceilings, to the international door collection, which includes a few beveled glass models from a hotel in Fleury, France.
Take a look inside this charismatic loft here
From Swamps to Swank: A Brief History of Gramercy Park Hotel and the Garden’s Highly Coveted Keys
August 19, 2014

From Swamps to Swank: A Brief History of Gramercy Park Hotel and the Garden’s Highly Coveted Keys

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With a prime location overlooking Gramercy Park, accessible solely to those with keys, the 183-year-old Renaissance revival Gramercy Park Hotel was built on the site of infamous architect Stanford White’s home (which had replaced the house where novelist Edith Wharton was born) nearly 90 years ago. The neighborhood, the park, and the hotel date as far back as the 1830s, when more than 60 swampy lots were allocated to developers looking to lure downtown city folks to a new “uptown” community. In time, those lots were transformed into what is now 39 dwellings surrounding a leafy park reserved for a select few lucky enough to live in luxurious homes framing the two-acre park between 20th and 21st Streets at Irving Place. But it wasn't until 1925 that the stately hotel opened its doors at 2 Lexington Avenue. By 1930, it was extended westward along the park frontage on 21st street, and today it is one of the city's most coveted quarters.
More on the history of Gramercy Park Hotel here
Real Estate Wire: East NY Residents Weigh In On the City’s Revitalization Plans; A Father and Son’s Land-Use Legacy
August 19, 2014

Real Estate Wire: East NY Residents Weigh In On the City’s Revitalization Plans; A Father and Son’s Land-Use Legacy

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Residents of East New York react to the city’s revitalization plan for their neighborhood. [WSJ] A developer’s best friends: The father and son law team who have worked for decades to secure changes to properties’ permitted use or size. [WSJ] Renzo Piano’s design for the new Whitney Museum along the High Line is almost complete. [Curbed] A […]

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