By Dana Schulz, Thu, February 4, 2021 42nd Street looking west. Copyright Miysis SPRL / Courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
In another small way, the city is saying goodbye to Donald Trump. Renderings have been released for a massive tower replacing Midtown’s Grand Hyatt Hotel, Trump’s first major Manhattan development. The proposed mixed-use project at 175 Park Avenue would rise up to 83 stories and 1,646 feet tall, which would make it the second-tallest building in New York City, behind 1,776-foot One World Trade Center. The design, which is made possible thanks to the Midtown East Rezoning, comes from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and also includes hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure upgrades to Grand Central Terminal and the subway station, as well as three elevated public outdoor spaces that wrap around the building.
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By Dana Schulz, Wed, January 20, 2021 Trading floor rendering courtesy of L&L Holding
It’s been more than five years since L&L Holding Company broke ground on the 47-story Norman Foster-designed office tower at 425 Park Avenue, but it’s finally nearing the finish line. The 897-foot building is notable for its triple-height diagrid floors and the set of three ornamental fins at the crown that will be illuminated at night. It will be the first full-block tower along this stretch of Park Avenue in half a century, joining the likes of the Seagram Building and Lever House.
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By Dana Schulz, Tue, January 19, 2021 Listing photos and staging images courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens
Actress, author, philanthropist, and all-around icon Dame Joan Collins has put her Midtown East pied-a-terre on the market for $2,095,000. The “Dynasty” star and her husband, producer Percy Gibson, purchased the three-bedroom co-op in 2002, shortly after getting married, according to the Times, which also reports that the couple hosted celebrities like musicians Michael Feinstein and Neil Sedaka and actress Diahann Carroll here. Located at the Dorchester at 110 East 57th Street, the home was appealing to Ms. Collins for its spacious layout and 16 closets, reports the Times.
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By Dana Schulz, Mon, January 4, 2021 Listing photos courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens
This two-bedroom apartment is located at the Ritz Tower at 465 Park Avenue in Midtown East. Though this is a classic pre-war co-op, designed by Emery Roth nonetheless, this particular high-floor unit has been transformed into a groovy mid-century home, complete with tulip columns, white marble floors, and period-specific decor. Asking $1,995,000, it also boasts incredible northern, southern, and western views through its 14 windows, along with two outdoor terraces.
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By Dana Schulz, Mon, October 5, 2020 Photos: Left by Noble Construction Group; Right by Lester Ali
Twenty percent of the 429 apartments at 222 East 44th Street is reserved as affordable housing. Two-and-a-half years ago, a lottery opened for 109 units for those earning 40, 60, and 130 percent of the area median income, and it looks like some of those on the higher end of the spectrum are newly available, as another lottery is open for 16 middle-income units. The glass tower in Midtown East was designed by Handel Architects and is a quick walk to Grand Central, the UN, and Midtown. Plus, it’s got a ton of great amenities.
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By Dana Schulz, Mon, September 14, 2020 Photo courtesy of SL Green
It’s been nearly four years since One Vanderbilt broke ground next to Grand Central, and after topping out one year ago at 1,401 feet, NYC’s fourth-tallest tower is officially open to office tenants. Developer SL Green, Manhattan’s largest office landlord, held an opening ceremony this morning in which they also unveiled a $220 million package of public open space and transit infrastructure improvements.
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By Devin Gannon, Wed, September 9, 2020 Photo courtesy of Grand Central Terminal
A contest launched on Tuesday that is tailor-made for lovers of tennis and quirky New York City history. Grand Central Terminal’s “Game, Set, & Match” contest will provide one winner and a partner an hour to play tennis at the iconic transit hub’s Vanderbilt Tennis Club, located in a hard-to-find location on the terminal’s fourth floor. In addition to the free match, the winner will receive $300 in gift cards for Grand Central Terminal vendors.
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By Dana Schulz, Fri, August 14, 2020 Photo credit: Sean Hemmerle
Not only does this penthouse at One United Nations Park have the title “United Nations” in its address, but the sprawling duplex residence has incredible views of the landmark, along with those of Queens, Brooklyn, Midtown Manhattan, the East River, and more. Located at 695 First Avenue, between East 39th and East 40th Streets, the four-bedroom home is nearly 3,000 square feet, with a wrap-around terrace amounting to another 460 square feet.
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By Dana Schulz, Fri, August 14, 2020 Listing images courtesy of The Corcoran Group
This Midtown East studio may be compact, but it certainly has a lot of storage space and room for guests (if you don’t mind getting a little cozy). Located at 235 East 49th Street, just a stone’s throw from the UN, the co-op was designed by award-winning architect Robert Garneau, who specializes in small-space layouts. Not only are there a whopping eight closets, but a Murphy bed plus sleeping loft means that three people can spend the night. Other perks include a gas fireplace and pocket doors for added privacy.
A lot more to see in this little place
By Dana Schulz, Wed, August 12, 2020 Photo credit: Rise Media, Courtesy of Compass
More than six years ago, this opulent, eight-story mansion at 29 Beekman Place listed for $49.9 million. Just one year later, it dropped to $37.5 million, with another major price chop this April to $11.45 million. First spotted by Crain’s, city property records show that the controversial home near the UN has finally closed for $11.5 million. Crain’s explains that it was owned by the former princess of Iran, and was the center of a legal battle involving her sister since 2016. It also went into contract three times and fell through.
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