September 26, 2014

Upcoming Exhibition at MCNY Showcases Hyper-Real Photos of NYC from Artist Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao

An upcoming exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York, New York: Assembled Realities, will showcase more than 40 works from Taiwanese artist Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao. His large-scale panoramas push the boundaries of traditional documentary photography by mixing several exposures of the same location taken over the course of many hours. The photographs that result are hyper-real and complex and provide a fascinatingly accurate depiction of the frenzy that is New York.
More on the exhibit and Liao's work
September 26, 2014

No. 3 Bench by Floris Wubben Combines Natural and Hi-Tech Materials

Dutch designer Floris Wubben crafts beautifully strange pieces that combine natural and high-tech materials. It's that blend of rough, textured surfaces with new technologies that makes his designs stand out from the crowd. One of our favorite examples is the No. 3 Bench, made from an accordion-folded sheet of white polypropylene that follows the contours of a piece of driftwood.
Learn more about this stunning sculptural design
September 26, 2014

D’Aquino Monaco-Designed Apartment at 15 Central Park West Is Colorful and Whimsical

Tucked away within the austere limestone façade of Architect Robert A.M. Stern’s 15 Central Park West is this fabulous apartment courtesy of Carl D’Aquino and Francine Monaco of New York-based design firm D’Aquino Monaco. Every single room is a treat to the senses, with bold splashes of color and unusual finishing touches combined to create a living space as cozy as it is quirky.
Tour the colorful and whimsical home here
September 26, 2014

New Exterior Rendering Released for 60 Water Street Rental Project in DUMBO

Two Trees Management Company has revealed an additional, close-up exterior rendering and a teaser website for their new rental development 60 Water Street in DUMBO, which is nearing completion. Designed by LEESER Architecture and Ismael Leyva Architects, the building will begin leasing in the coming weeks, though pricing and interior images have not yet been released. The façade stands out in the former-industrial neighborhood thanks to glass curtain walls with angled windows.
Get a closer look at the glass pattern and entrance
September 26, 2014

$1.8M Greenwich Village Pied-a-Terre Is Charming on so Many Levels

As you’re walking in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Union Square, it might not occur to you that you’re just paces away from a rather gorgeous retreat waiting to be someone’s home or pied-a-terre. But just a few blocks from the thriving landmark, one such adorable unit at 49 East 12th Street has popped up on the market, asking $1.795 million.
Take a look inside here
September 25, 2014

Beautiful Inside and Out: $2.5M Tribeca Loft is the Epitome of Cast Iron Elegance

How we love New York’s cast-iron buildings...there’s something to be said for the craftsmanship and history that comes with these turn-of-the-century gems. With New York boasting the world’s largest collection of cast-iron architecture, it’s hard to imagine a time when many of the most significant of these buildings faced a date with the wrecking-ball. Fortunately, early preservationists advocated for their protection, and this hard work paved the way for the 1973 designation of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District and, subsequently, individual landmarks and historic districts, like the Ladies’ Mile, NoHo, and the Tribeca South, West, and East Historic Districts. These efforts mean we get to appreciate the simple beauty of places like 47 Walker Street, where the interior of this 1,350-square-foot loft is just as elegant as the building's historic facade. With soaring 12-foot ceilings; huge, original four-by-ten-foot arched leaded windows; and a grand, open living space, this true Tribeca loft is respectful of its cast-iron-era roots.
See why we think this home is a beauty inside and out
September 25, 2014

Timeless Trophy: 740 Park Avenue

New York City may have an ever-revolving cast of hottest restaurants, hippest clubs, and even most desirable neighborhoods, but some real estate titans never go out of style in this metropolis. Known as the "Tower of Power," 740 Park Avenue is one such mainstay. The Upper East Side 19-story, Art Deco building was completed in 1930 to the designs of Rosario Candela, often considered the finest architect of luxury apartment interiors, as the last of the grand dames erected along Manhattan's Gold Coast. It didn't reach its peak until the real estate boom of the 1980s, but is today one of the most sought-after addresses with 31 apartments, mostly all duplexes, triplexes, and penthouses. The massively scaled residences feature grand living rooms, formal dining rooms, spiral staircases, high ceilings, expansive foyers, and an abundance of windows.
Plenty more on this timeless trophy residence and its long list of well known inhabitants
September 25, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Ridgewood Sees a Rise in Property Sales; 57th Street Supertalls

The rise of Ridgewood continues. The neighborhood has seen a surge in the sales of commercial properties. [NYO] Meryl Streep’s model daughter has bought a South Williamsburg pad. [NYDN] Mario Testino just purchased a pricey apartment at the Herzog & de Meuron-designed 215 Chrystie Street. [TRD] Penthouses with decks are coming to a former hospital. [DNA […]

September 25, 2014

Y-Shaped Guest House was Co-Designed by HHF Architects & Artist Ai Weiwei

When you're avid art collectors like the owners of the Tsai Residence and Guest House, you probably won't be too impressed with a typical rectangular structure to house your masterpieces. That's where Swiss-based firm HHF Architects and world-famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei come in. Working together, they created a unique Y-shaped guest house for the couple's Ancram, New York property. Each of the home's three wings has a specific purpose--bedroom, workroom, and art gallery. The simple and effective design "served to link these elements at isolated points and to define the overall appearance of the guesthouse."
More on the artistic residence, which is the only Ai Weiwei-designed house in the country
September 25, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Instagrammer Takes Photos from Atop 432 Park Avenue; WEDG Personal Cloud Offers Stronger Security

A new infographic, The Schematic of Structures, displays the 90 greatest architectural achievements since prehistory. You can be the judge of this list over on Fast Co. Design. Break out the Meow Mix, NYC’s first permanent cat café could open next spring. According to Gothamist, a $65,000 crowdfunding campaign is underway to make the kitty dream a realty. […]

September 25, 2014

Coney Island Design: “Defending the Honor of American Pop Culture”

Coney Island is an entertainment destination in New York, with its beach and amusement park rides, but it is also a city center for weirdo culture and kitsch. The neighborhood's aesthetic has developed into something like an early 20th century carnival surrounded by '60s and '70s storefronts which may or may not be conscious of their dated designs. So the question is, how do you design a new building in a neighborhood which is so identified with an attractively shabby, authentically dated look? Buildings like the Coney Island Museum face that difficulty with each passing year.
See the retro Americana design of Coney Island here
September 25, 2014

$9.7M David Abelow-Designed Penthouse at the Apple Bank Building Boasts a Futuristic Kitchen

The listing for penthouse B at the Apple Bank Building has returned this week, asking $9.68 million. The David Abelow-designed condo first appeared on the market a year ago, asking $12 million. Then the property was delisted earlier this year after dropping its price to $10 million. Now, this 4,055-square-foot duplex may reside in a Beaux Arts building built in 1927, but you wouldn’t know it by the looks of its modern interior. In fact, house hunters might be pleasantly surprised to find a state-of-the-art, chef’s kitchen right out of the space age waiting for them as they enter.
See what we're talking about here
September 25, 2014

Project Apartment Hunt: Heidi Klum Checks Out Bon Jovi’s $37.5M Soho Penthouse

Looks like rocker Jon Bon Jovi may be saying "Auf Wiedersehen" to his Soho penthouse at 158 Mercer Street's New Museum Building, as supermodel Heidi Klum was seen checking out the $37.5 million digs. The six-bedroom, 7,452-square-foot duplex is chock full of luxurious amenities such as wood-burning fireplaces, landscaped terraces, screening and projection rooms, and living and kitchen areas on both floors. Klum was scoping out several downtown homes, but it's not going to be easy to pass up this superb penthouse.
Take a tour of the stunning space
September 25, 2014

GIVEAWAY: Win Two Tickets to the Architecture and Design Film Festival!

Your three favorite things rolled into one five-day event: the Architecture and Design Film Festival. Starting October 15th, 25 curated films will be on show at the Tribeca Cinemas for the nation’s largest film festival dedicated to architecture and design. Sound like something you’d love to see? We’ve teamed up with ADFF to give one lucky reader two free […]

September 24, 2014

The Penthouse at the Mark Refuses to Budge on $60M Price Tag

At least they’re consistent. The on-again-off-again penthouse listing at The Mark continues to insist on a $60 million asking, nearly seven years after it first popped up on the market. This is particularly audacious considering the building’s already shaky history, which is fraught with buyer back-outs, lawsuits, and heavy price cuts. Still, the penthouse surges ahead asking more than $6,000 per square foot and daring anyone to challenge it. And what do you get for $60 million dollars plus $44,645 per month in common charges?
Let's take a look
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September 24, 2014

Luxury ‘Glamper’ by Tinywood Homes is Perfect for Fall Excursions (Hot Tub Included)

The autumn months can get a bit chilly, but rest assured, fall is one the best seasons for camping. Cool and crisp weather make for ideal hiking conditions, and beautiful colors reign supreme immersing onlookers in otherworldly-hues. However, if you're still adverse to sleeping with nothing more than a slip of fabric between you and the ground, this luxurious 'glamper' is the perfect solution for those who'd rather experience nature with the creature comforts of home. In fact, this cool camper comes with one fun (arguably, low-brow) indulgence most of us never get to enjoy: a hot tub.
Inside the 'glamper' here
September 24, 2014

Pressed Objects: Floris Wubben’s Brutally Tactile Designs for the Human Touch

Tactility is especially important in today's day and age, as we're in constant competition with a world full of screens. That is the beauty of Floris Wubben's Pressed Objects; they aim to bring back textures to our day-to-day life. Made from pressed epoxy clay, the objects come in the shape of vases, flowerpots, and recipients, all created by a coalition between the hands and a machine.
Learn more about this textured design
September 24, 2014

This Roman and Williams-Designed Nolita Apartment on the Market for $2M is Bellisimo

From the Boom Boom Room to the Standard and Ace Hotels, acclaimed husband and wife team Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch — aka, Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors — infuse plenty of personality into everything they do. And their first ground-up residential project, a seven-story condominium building in the heart of Nolita at 211 Elizabeth Street, was no exception. Not only did the duo bring their signature character to the building’s actual construction, which garnered the firm a Palladio Award in 2010, they piloted the interior design as well, including every detail of this one-bedroom unit currently on the market for $2 million.
See more of this apartment's Roman and Williams interior
September 24, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Lincoln Center Exhibit will Simulate a Power Plant; Tour New Williamsburg Design Store Beam

DNAinfo speaks to some of the city’s gardening experts for tips on how residents can turn vacant lots into their very own community gardens. A new contemporary art project will open at Lincoln Center plaza on October 3rd. According to Architizer, “Solar Reserve (Tonopah, Nevada),” by Irish artist John Gerrard, will use computer simulation to recreate an […]

September 24, 2014

REVEALED: Beekman Hotel and Condo Interiors

Last month, pricing and exterior renderings were released for the much-anticipated Beekman Hotel and Condo conversion project. The long-shuttered historic structure (originally known as the Temple Court Building) will be topped off with a 51-story condominium tower adjacent to the 1883-built landmark and its famous atrium. It will contain 68 residential units designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen. The building's lower levels will house 287 hotel rooms. Now, Curbed has received the first reveal of the interior renderings, and they do not disappoint. From the modern apartments with Woolworth Building views to the luxe amenity areas, the rooms at 5 Beekman Street exude luxury and prestige. One of the most impressive interior shots is of the atrium, which extends through all nine stories of the original Terra Cotta structure and is topped off by a large, pyramidal skylight. It will be a lounge by Tom Colicchio known as the Living Room, the centerpiece of the hotel and a fine dining spot for residents and guests alike.
Tour the rest of the conversion, from the atrium to the roof terrace

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