July, 2015 | 6sqft

Who doesn't love a classic six Manhattan apartment, especially with views of the park? This may not be Central Park, and this may not be a storied Upper East Side co-op building, but we're still loving this apartment up for sale at La Touraine, a 24-unit prewar co-op at 50 Morningside Drive in Morningside Heights. It's got stunning views of Morningside Park, not to mention a beautiful interior. The price isn't cheap, but it's certainly less than a classic six on the market with views of Central Park. The ask comes in at $1.05 million.
Check it out

Distinctive Homes

July 22, 2015

Edo Bertoglio’s Polaroids Transport Us to the 1980s NYC of Warhol, Basquiat and Madonna

When it came to music and avant garde art, few eras shone as brilliantly as the 1980s. The city was an incubator for experimental creatives like Andy Warhol, Basquiat, Debbie Harry and Madonna, individuals forging a name for themselves in a gritty yet glam city that was frantically pulsating with life. Photographer Edo Bertoglio was lucky enough to experience the time, spending his days amongst these inevitable icons from 1976 to 1989 and oftentimes snapping photos of them in intimate situations with his Polaroid camera. Now, decades later, Bertoglio is sharing his experience through his new book, "New York Polaroids 1976-1989," which culls 140 cherished images he's kept near and dear since those bygone days.
See a sampling of the photos here

July 22, 2015

POLL: Are Private Pools the Next Must-Have Amenity?

This morning we revealed renderings of Six Sigma’s upcoming condo at 435 West 19th Street, which offers private pools as one of its amenities (along with a sky garage). We first saw this perk pop up at SCDA’s Soori High Line a few blocks north on 29th Street, where 16 of its 27 units will feature heating […]

July 22, 2015

Retrace All Your Past Steps with Google Maps; The City Looked a Lot Different in the 1990s

What doesn’t Google know about us? A new feature in Maps called Your Timeline lets you check where you were at any given time. [Mashable] See how much NYC has changed since the 1990s. [ArchDaily] This new poster from Pop Chart Lab is a chart-itectural history of American houses, from 17th century Postmedieval English abodes to 1990s […]

Uncategorized

July 22, 2015

Everything About This Park Slope Co-op Is Cozy and Cute

This Park Slope co-op at 348 12th Street, is by no means small–in fact, it has three bedrooms, which is sprawling when you compare it to most other Brooklyn co-op apartments. But there's still something about it that feels cozy, homey, and just downright cute. This unit is also located in a modest eight-unit brick building that's quite charming, in one of the loveliest areas of Park Slope. So how much for all this Brooklyn charm? It is now on the market for $1.175 million.
See the rest

Distinctive Homes

July 22, 2015

New Renderings of 435 West 19th Street, Condo with Private Pools and a Sky Garage

By Ondel Hylton

Work has begun on on Six Sigma's upcoming condo at 435 West 19th Street, and the head-to-toe renovation/addition of the 1924 building seems intent on housing all the most outrageous frills of recent West Chelsea builds under a single roof. Boutique design-and-build firm Six Sigma acquired the 20,000-square-foot office building, once home to the photography studios and sound-stages of CityStage, for $21 million in August 2014. According to the developer's website, Pei Partnership, a firm founded by the sons of renowned Chinese architect I.M. Pei, is crafting the design. Pei Partnership, not to be confused with Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, was also the designers of The Centurion, the Midtown condo lavishly clad in a cascade of Burgundy limestone.
Find out more about this project

July 21, 2015

10 Unbelievable Upstate NY Escapes You Can Rent by the Night

Home-sharing sites like Airbnb and Home Away often spell trouble in the big city, but just about everywhere else, they're an excellent opportunity for individuals to not only explore a new place, but live in a home they would never otherwise dream of inhabiting. We've rounded up a handful of unique summer escapes that promise to offer an unforgettable experience. From an eco-friendly yurt to an upstate barn renovated by local artisans to the woodland retreat where President Calvin Coolidge kicked off his boots to an ultra-modernist retreat in the middle of the forest, get to know all of these dreamy upstate New York hideaways ahead and then grab your friends and family for some out-of-city fun. We've got something for just about every budget!
see them all here

Getting Away

July 21, 2015

BIG Ideas: Bjarke Ingels Talks 2 WTC and Why Today’s Skyscrapers Lack Confidence

By Michelle Cohen

Helping to kick off the 2015 New York Times Cities for Tomorrow conference, Danish architect Bjarke Ingels—principal of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the firm responsible for 2 World Trade Center, Google HQ in Mountain View (with Thomas Heatherwick), the Dry Line and the pyramid-shaped “Via,” AKA 625 West 57th Street, among many others—talked “social infrastructure” with New York Times architecture critic Michael Kimmelman. The baby-faced “starchitect 2.0” was his usual quotable and slightly mischievous self, yet, as always, provided plenty of insight on the topic at hand. Well-known for his suggestion that “Architecture at its best is really the power to make the world a little bit more like our dreams," Ingels offered his views on the ideal workspace design, what makes a memorable skyscraper and what some of his toughest challenges have been, in addition to speaking to the architect’s role in the social evolution of modern cities.
Find out the highlights and watch a video of the discussion

Architecture And Design

Distinctive Homes

Rare historic Greenwich Village 'Renwick Row' brownstone with intact details asks $12.5M

Asking $1.3M, this historic Newburgh home has designer interiors and dramatic Hudson River views

$4M Prospect Heights penthouse has three bedrooms, a wraparound terrace, and views in every direction

For $6.75M, everything you'd want in a Park Slope brownstone

From the pool to the pergola, this $1.1M Hudson Valley home blends Colonial with contemporary

This $2.7M Chelsea duplex condo feels like a modern house with a private back garden

Steve Madden's former Trump Palace pad lists for $11.5M

This $2.85M Crown Heights townhouse is an unspoiled historic beauty on an extra-long lot

Filmmaker John Sayles' former Hoboken townhouse lists for $2.5M

For $3M, this charming Nomad loft has a rooftop deck with an outdoor shower

VIEW ALL

July 21, 2015

Buyers of Luxury Condos Can No Longer Hide Behind Shell Companies

Earlier this year the Times made waves in the real estate industry with a lengthy exposé zooming in on the growing trend of foreigners—many the subject of government inquiries ranging from environmental violations to financial fraud—using LLCs as a way to scoop up luxury properties and stash their cash while avoiding taxes. Now the paper reports that the De Blasio administration has imposed new disclosure requirements on those who intend to use shell companies as a vehicle to buy and sell property in the city. Under the new rules, these shell companies must now provide to the city both the names and tax IDs of all members involved in a transaction.
Find out more here

July 21, 2015

This Sweet West Village Rental Will Win You Over with Its Oversized Windows and Private Roof Deck

By Aisha Carter

There's a cute new two-bedroom rental listed at 255 West 4th Street. The floor-through apartment features two wood-burning fireplaces, a renovated bathroom and kitchen, walk-in closets and skylights, in 1,000 square feet of space. There's also a sizable private roof deck with panoramic city views. And it's available just in time for fall, in early to mid-September.
More pics inside

Distinctive Homes

July 21, 2015

Why So Many Americans Support Donald Trump; 7 Train Extension Slated to Open in September

If all goes as planned, the 7 train extension, which brings the line to 34th Street and 7th Avenue, should open by September 13th. [NYDN] Why do so many Americans support Donald Trump’s run for president? Here’s the one reason why he’s the GOP frontrunner. [WSJ] Low income co-ops are having trouble paying their tax […]

Real Estate Trends

July 21, 2015

Weekend House in the Berkshires is Part Glass House, Part Japanese Kimono

Prior to starting his own firm, architect David Jay Weiner worked in Tokyo under Arata Isozaki, who is known for infusing Eastern influences into his modernist structures. He also spent time in the New York offices of James Stewart Polshek and Partners and John Burgee Architects with Philip Johnson. So it's no wonder that his award-winning Weekend House in Stephentown, New York fuses the principles of a Japanese kimono with the simplistic transparency of Johnson's Glass House. The small house (1,200 square feet to be exact) overlooking the Berkshire Hills was designed for a Japenese client as an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Learn all about the house here

Architecture And Design

July 21, 2015

Owen Dippie Channels Both Renaissance and Modern Artists in His Bushwick Murals

By Shiloh Frederick

Owen Dippie is starting a modern renaissance in Brooklyn. Within the past couple of months, the New Zealand-born street artist has put up two pieces in Bushwick that skillfully remix the work of the Renaissance masters and contemporary art and culture. Dippie's clever pieces appeal to art lovers of all styles. For Dippie, creating these mashups is like paying homage to his idols. Growing up, Dippie's biggest influences were Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, Andy Warhol, Basquiat and Keith Haring. As he grew older and became more exposed to other artists, the Renaissance masters began to grow on him as well. With such varying influences, it makes sense for Dippie to have created these pieces.
See the stunning mashups here

Events & Things To Do

July 21, 2015

Decorative Busts from the East Village’s Past as Little Germany; What Made the ‘I Love Lucy’ Apartments So Lovable

By Alyssa Alimurung

The East Village may no longer be considered Little Germany, but there are still decorative elements that remind us of its rich history. [Off the Grid] An app paired with Bluetooth beacons can help the blind navigate the subway system. [PSFK] Follow one director as he struggles to capture the fast-disappearing essence of the Lower […]

Uncategorized

July 21, 2015

Perfectly Preserved Harlem Townhouse Asks $3 Million

If you're an old home lover, get ready to swoon. This Harlem townhouse at 465 West 141st Street has all of its historic details intact. Pretty much every room of the house will take you back to 1905, when the townhouse was built. Newer renovations in the kitchen and bathrooms also blend in seamlessly with the older detailing. It's up on the market for a bold price, given that the property is located further north in Harlem, just beyond City College. The current owner bought it last year for $2.3 million, now it's been listed for $2.995 million. After seeing the rest of the interior, you may just wish you could fork over the money right now...
Go inside

Distinctive Homes

July 20, 2015

What Does Your Zip Code Say About You? This Map Tells All

Want to know if you're a trendsetter, a wannabe, or just a Joe Schmo in a glass condo? This new interactive map called the "Zip Lookup" will reveal to you that your life can pretty much be summed up in five digits. Created by ESRI, a geographic-information firm, Zip Lookup is eerily on point when it comes to figuring out an area's demographics, culture, and daily habits.
How it works here

Uncategorized

July 20, 2015

Julia Roberts Lists Greenwich Village Apartment for $4.5M

By Annie Doge

America's sweetheart, actress Julia Roberts, is unloading her beachy Greenwich Village apartment, according to the Post. The listing, which is not yet public, is held by Stribling and describes a 2,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom co-op at postwar building 45 West 10th Street. Roberts bought the penthouse apartment for $3,895,400 in 2010 and now hopes to get $4.5 million for it.
Check out the home here

Brooklyn Heights Penthouse Asking $1.75 Million Has 16-Foot Cathedral Ceilings

In Brooklyn Heights, high-ticket real estate is usually a historic brownstone or townhouse. And while this co-op does reside on 105 Montague Street, in a circa-1885 Queen Anne building that was once a hotel, the interior is a lot more modern than you may expect. This top-floor penthouse unit takes advantage of the building's striking roof line. You've got skylights, soaring cathedral ceilings, and thoroughly modern finishes. It's all asking $1.75 million.
Check it out

Distinctive Homes

July 20, 2015

Bed-Stuy Prices Up Over 20 Percent; The Community Bookstore in Brooklyn Cashes In

Mariah Carey has a shoe closet bigger than your apartment. [NYP] Bed-Stuy prices have spiked. Homes sales have gone up 20 percent, says a new report. [DNA Info] After rumors of a New Jersey move, Streit’s Matzo Factory has confirmed that they will move operations to Rockland County. [BB] Court Street’s beloved book-mess, The Community […]

Real Estate Trends

July 20, 2015

Live in a Rare Red Wood Cabin Near Prospect Park

One look at this unassuming wood home and you might find yourself rubbing your eyes, but rest assured this charming little cabin is indeed located in Brooklyn. Said to be the former "vacation home" of a wealthy 19th century Brooklyn Heights family, this 1800s construction has just been put on the market for $1.249 million. Interestingly, its 658 Vanderbilt Street locale in Windsor Terrace hasn't always been its address. The home was previously sited, oddly enough, in the middle of Prospect Park.
Find out more here

July 20, 2015

Online Feline Celebrities Get Their Own Exhibit; Meet the Newest Oldest Toy Store in the U.S.