Rendering courtesy of Waldorf Astoria New York

It’s been four years since the Waldorf Astoria closed its doors for a restoration and reimagination that will bring 375 luxury condos to the storied landmark. And since then, the team has been teasing out renderings of what we can expect when the Waldorf finally reopens in early 2023. The latest is a look at the Grand Ballroom, one of the largest in NYC (it can accommodate more than 1,000 people) that’s hosted the likes of JFK, Queen Elizabeth II, and Grace Kelly. The Art Deco space is an interior landmark, and the restoration will return it to its 1931 splendor.

More details and views here

Listing photos by Eitan Gamliely for Sotheby’s International Realty

You may not think of Midtown East as a neighborhood to buy a historic loft, but this two-bedroom co-op at 351 East 50th Street feels like a downtown pad with all of Midtown’s convenience. The full-floor apartment underwent a two-year “floor-to-ceiling renovation down to the studs,” according to the listing, and the resulting product is a truly unique home that is reminiscent of a Parisian flat but with plenty of modern conveniences.

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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.

All the details here

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.

More info here

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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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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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.

Find out if you qualify

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.

Find out more here

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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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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