All articles by Michelle Cohen

Michelle is a New York-based writer and content strategist who has worked extensively with lifestyle brands like Seventeen, Country Living, Harper’s Bazaar and iVillage. In addition to being a copywriter for a digital media agency she writes about culture, New York City neighborhoods, real estate, style, design and technology among other topics. She has lived in a number of major US cities on both coasts and in between and loves all things relating to urbanism and culture.

Asking $26M and $33M, a pair of Tribeca penthouses top a Ralph Walker Art Deco palace

All images courtesy of The Corcoran Group

July 17, 2026

Asking $26M and $33M, a pair of Tribeca penthouses top a Ralph Walker Art Deco palace

By Michelle Cohen

Designed in 1927 by legendary Art Deco architect Ralph Walker and given new life as 21st-century condo residences, One Hundred Barclay remains an icon of New York design. Asking $25,950,000 and $32,950,000, a pair of duplex penthouses offer the opportunity to breathe the rarified air of turnkey penthouse living in dramatic Paris Forino-designed style at the zenith of this Tribeca landmark.
penthouse perfection, this way

Distinctive Homes

For $3.8M, this Queen Anne mansion in Crown Heights is a neighborhood landmark

Photo courtesy of Dan Osborne

July 16, 2026

For $3.8M, this Queen Anne mansion in Crown Heights is a neighborhood landmark

By Michelle Cohen

Instantly recognizable from the street for its rounded turret and Spanish clay-tiled roof, the townhouse at 1094 Park Place is among the iconic mansions that give Crown Heights its appeal. The beautifully preserved home has another covetable feature unique to the Brooklyn neighborhood: a deep 120-foot lot for a back yard that stretches farther than most. Asking $3,845,000, this landmarked home is ready for 21st-century living behind its stunning original details and standout facade.
get a closer look

Distinctive Homes

Japanese gardens and a koi pond surround the clean geometric forms of this modern Hudson Valley home, asking $4.2M

Photo credit: Bret Wills

July 15, 2026

Japanese gardens and a koi pond surround the clean geometric forms of this modern Hudson Valley home, asking $4.2M

By Michelle Cohen

KoiHaus, a mid-century modern home on three-and-a-quarter acres near Piermont, New York, rises from a secluded road near the banks of the Hudson River. In the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, KoiHaus in the Hudson Valley consists of clean lines and geometric shapes, surrounded by Japanese-inspired gardens and landscape. The 6,800 square feet of living space is composed of five interconnected boxes constructed of concrete, stucco, stone, and hardwood, topped by a 50-year roof. Asking $4,195,000, the precision of KoiHaus is contrasted by natural bluestone pathways and hefty stone steps found throughout the enchanted gardens.
spend an afternoon watching the koi swimming

Distinctive Homes

Throw garden parties all summer long at this $1.8M Brooklyn Heights co-op

All photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

July 14, 2026

Throw garden parties all summer long at this $1.8M Brooklyn Heights co-op

By Michelle Cohen

In a 25-foot-wide brick Italianate townhouse on a coveted Brooklyn Heights block, this two-bedroom co-op at 60 Pierrepont Street illustrates the charm of the historic neighborhood. Asking $1,795,000, the home is framed by pre-war elegance preserved through a comprehensive renovation, elevated further by a 500-square-foot south-facing terrace that offers a rare opportunity for real outdoor living.
take the tour

Distinctive Homes

$1.25M two-family Williamsburg townhouse has lots of options for less than a condo

All photos courtesy of Interiors by Kat for The Corcoran Group

July 13, 2026

$1.25M two-family Williamsburg townhouse has lots of options for less than a condo

By Michelle Cohen

On a leafy residential block that straddles the border of Greenpoint and East Williamsburg, this compact brick home at 110 Beadel Street has townhouse flexibility. Currently configured as a two-unit dwelling with a full basement, the property could be converted to a single-family home or offer market-rate rental income on one or both units. Asking $1.25 million, the home competes with any one-bedroom condo in this sought-after neighborhood, with many more options.
Find out more

Distinctive Homes

Credit: Allyson Lubow for The Corcoran Group

July 10, 2026

For $2.75M, this West Village co-op exemplifies timeless, sophisticated design

By Michelle Cohen

On a tree-shaded West Village street, this elegant co-op at 104 Bedford Street takes pre-war bones and out-of-the-box angles and adds sophisticated interiors that landed it in the pages of Architectural Digest. Asking $2.75 million, the home's highlights include two wood-burning fireplaces, a cozy dining nook, generous closets, and a guest room optimized with a built-in bed.
take the tour

Distinctive Homes

185-acre equestrian estate that once belonged to the Carnegie family heads to auction

Photo credit: Alon Koppel and Tim Lee

July 8, 2026

185-acre equestrian estate that once belonged to the Carnegie family heads to auction

By Michelle Cohen

Previously asking $20 million, this private Hudson Valley estate on 185 acres heads for auction this month, starting at or above $7.95 million. Located in Millbrook Hunt Country, the property, which offers mountain views in every direction, once served as the rural retreat of Andrew Carnegie’s daughter, Margaret Carnegie. In addition to that legacy, the estate’s top-tier equestrian facilities include a 10-stall barn with a tack room, staff housing, and paddocks enclosed with post-and-rail fencing, some with field shelters. The property also features miles of fenced pasture and private riding trails.
homes, hills, and horses, this way

Distinctive Homes

This $6.75M Gowanus compound combines a townhouse, gallery, garage, and lofts in one unusual property

All photos courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

July 7, 2026

This $6.75M Gowanus compound combines a townhouse, gallery, garage, and lofts in one unusual property

By Michelle Cohen

On an unassuming Brooklyn block near the banks of the re-emergent Gowanus Canal, this one-of-a-kind property at 128 2nd Street includes two free-standing buildings connected by a common backyard. The resulting 4,500 square feet of interior space on an L-shaped double lot adds up to a modern urban compound that goes beyond townhouse living. Asking $6,750,000, the property includes a beautifully renovated three-story townhouse plus a garage, open studio space, and two residential lofts for rental income opportunities.
three units, two buildings, one surprise after another

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For $59.5M, live in Bobby Axelrod’s Tribeca penthouse from ‘Billions’

Photo credit: Evan Joseph Photography

July 6, 2026

For $59.5M, live in Bobby Axelrod’s Tribeca penthouse from ‘Billions’

By Michelle Cohen

This glittering penthouse duplex atop the Sky Lofts condominium at 145 Hudson Street served as the trophy pad of hedge funder Bobby Axelrod, the main character in 'Billions' (played by Damian Lewis). And if you possess actual billions, it might not be too much of a stretch to be the next owner of the 7,500-square-foot home, which is asking $59,500,000. Along with palatial interiors encased in museum-quality insulated glass, the penthouse is wrapped by 4,500 square feet of terrace for a 24-hour New York City skyline panorama effect. A renovation helmed by PHDesign spared no expense, of course.
Check out the view from here

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For $5.25M, this Gramercy townhouse has a live-work option for a very short commute

Photo credit: Michael Alley

July 1, 2026

For $5.25M, this Gramercy townhouse has a live-work option for a very short commute

By Michelle Cohen

Located near New York City landmarks like Gramercy Park and Union Square, this 20-foot-wide home at 305 East 18th Street sits on a picturesque and historic townhouse block. The 3,200-square-foot, four-story home, asking $5,250,000, is currently configured as a live-work setup, with offices on the garden floor. If you don't need the workspace (or the rental income), convert the property to a single-family home with ease.
step inside and have a look

Distinctive Homes

8 best new apartment buildings in Crown Heights

By Michelle Cohen

Bestowed with the good fortune of being near the 585 acres of Prospect Park, Crown Heights runs from Flatbush Avenue to the west, Atlantic Avenue to the north, Ralph Avenue to the east, and Empire Boulevard to the south; parts of this sprawling Brooklyn neighborhood border the Brooklyn Museum, the 52-acre Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. As one of New York City’s most architecturally significant historic neighborhoods, Crown Heights offers magnificent mansions, row houses, churches, and apartment buildings old and new, with more on the way. Just one part of the city's eclectic Caribbean community, Crown Heights is also one of the city's most culturally significant neighborhoods. Recent years have seen the arrival of dozens of dining, shopping, and cultural destinations on the diverse and vibrant neighborhood's main streets, and with it, new rental developments. Below, explore a few of the neighborhood's best new rental buildings.
A renter's guide to Crown Heights, this way

Hudson Valley 1750s stone house with a waterfall on the grounds asks $1.5M

All photos courtesy of This Old Hudson

June 29, 2026

Hudson Valley 1750s stone house with a waterfall on the grounds asks $1.5M

By Michelle Cohen

This circa-1750 stone residence at 204 Ashokan Road, known as the Delamater-Davis House, owned by former Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Jessica Giles, has just arrived on the market, asking $1,545,000. Giles and her husband, Matt Giles, listed the home–one of the Hudson Valley's oldest–after a three-year-long renovation. The couple worked to honor the Kingston region's rich heritage with the help of preservation architect Peter Gearhart, maintaining the home's original character while thoroughly restoring it with the same level of craftsmanship.
take the tour

Distinctive Homes

For $2.3M, this Amzi Hill-designed Bed-Stuy brownstone gives you plenty of options

All photos courtesy of Rachel Kuzma, Real Estate Production Network

June 26, 2026

For $2.3M, this Amzi Hill-designed Bed-Stuy brownstone gives you plenty of options

By Michelle Cohen

With its graceful bay windows overlooking a residential block, the Queen Anne-style brownstone at 82 Chauncey Street has the kind of unique facade that makes the Bed-Stuy neighborhood such a historic gem. The 1889 home, designed by noted architect Amzi Hill, offers lots of flexibility despite having only three floors. Asking $2,295,000, the 2,583-square-foot two-family townhouse has both historic detail and modern upgrades, with the opportunity for rental income or an extra helping of living space.
take the townhouse tour

Distinctive Homes

This $4M Flatbush townhouse stays true to its Victorian roots

Photo courtesy of The Corcoran Group

June 25, 2026

This $4M Flatbush townhouse stays true to its Victorian roots

By Michelle Cohen

From the outside, the free-standing home at 85 Westminster Road in Flatbush is a confection of colonnades and turrets, with a wide porch at one side. And unlike many Brooklyn townhouses, this one, built in 1908, has interiors that highlight the decorative aesthetic of the era. Asking $3,950,000, this landmarked three-story home, within the Prospect Park South Historic District, and the enchanting grounds that surround it, offer the sensibility of a country estate with the ease of modern townhouse living in the city.
take a look around

Distinctive Homes

$15M penthouse in a gold cupola high above Fifth Avenue heads to auction this month

Photo credit: Eitan Gamliely and Shawn May Photography

June 24, 2026

$15M penthouse in a gold cupola high above Fifth Avenue heads to auction this month

By Michelle Cohen

Just in time for those trillion-dollar IPOs, a unique trophy penthouse will be up for auction this summer. Set into the iconic golden cupola atop the Sohmer Piano Building at 170 Fifth Avenue, adjacent to the Flatiron Building, this renovated penthouse condo has pride of place on the New York City skyline. The commanding sky palace, spanning over 5,000 square feet on two floors with a private roof deck, is asking $14.9 million. In an upcoming auction, bids are expected to start between $6 million and $9 million.
take the grand tour

Distinctive Homes

This $5.5M two-family townhouse is classic East Village living at its best

Photo credit: Allison Lubow Photography for The Corcoran Group

June 23, 2026

This $5.5M two-family townhouse is classic East Village living at its best

By Michelle Cohen

The East Village is sometimes hard to recognize today; busy restaurants and nightlife demand more attention than colorful neighbors, landmarked buildings, and tree-shaded community gardens. But the trees and gardens are still here, and this townhouse at 746 East 6th Street, asking $5.5 million, is a fine example of an Alphabet City property on a classic neighborhood block, with plenty of ways to enjoy the Village vibe.
get a closer look

Distinctive Homes

Steven Van Zandt’s Village penthouse in a converted church asks $15M

Photo credit: Matt de Boer of East Maple Media

June 22, 2026

Steven Van Zandt’s Village penthouse in a converted church asks $15M

By Michelle Cohen

Steven "Little Steven" Van Zandt, musician and longtime guitarist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band (also known for his role as Silvio Dante in "The Sopranos"), is selling his penthouse condo in a converted Romanesque Revival church at 135 West 4th Street. Van Zandt and his wife, Maureen, who is also an actor, bought the property for $6 million in 2008. Asking $15 million, the duplex penthouse is, as the listing calls it, "unapologetically bold," with its unique architectural framework and interiors befitting a consigliere.
take the tour

New York to consider dual bid by NYC and Lake Placid to host the Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy; photo credit: profernity on Flickr.

June 22, 2026

New York to consider dual bid by NYC and Lake Placid to host the Winter Olympics

By Michelle Cohen

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday the formation of a state committee to explore the possibility of a bid by Lake Placid and New York City to co-host a future Winter Olympics. The Lake Placid-New York City Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee would evaluate the feasibility of a 2042 Winter Games concept–similar to this year's Olympics in Milan and Cortina–that made use of Lake Placid's Olympic legacy and New York City's global platform, according to the governor.
find out more

Events & Things To Do

For $1.6M, this Connecticut estate has an art studio, guest house, pool, and a vintage modern vibe

Photo credit: Brown Harris Stevens

June 18, 2026

For $1.6M, this Connecticut estate has an art studio, guest house, pool, and a vintage modern vibe

By Michelle Cohen

This 2,725-square-foot, three-bedroom property at 45 Spectacle Lane in Wilton, Connecticut, is full of surprises. Asking $1,625,000, the 3.32-acre property features a main house with guest quarters, surrounded by enchanting gardens and an undulant, rock-bordered pool you'd expect to find on the grounds of a villa in southern France. Hailed as a quiet architectural masterpiece, the 1925 home has been lovingly restored to reflect a timeless modern sensibility rarely found in such a private country setting.
charming modernism, this way

Distinctive Homes

June 17, 2026

$45M for a two-for-one penthouse palace at the top of the Plaza

By Michelle Cohen

What does downsizing look like for a Russian billionaire? According to the New York Post, it includes finding a buyer for this pair of penthouses under the iconic eaves of the Plaza Hotel at 1 Central Park South. A falling-out with Vladimir Putin (generally bad for business) and the loss of his stake in a Moscow Airport have resulted in a property sell-off for real estate mogul Valery Kogan, reportedly including this $45 million pairing of impossibly huge condos overlooking Central Park.
trophy triplex, this way

Distinctive Homes

Photo credit: Ricky Gee for Hudson Yards

June 17, 2026

26 free World Cup watch parties in NYC

By Michelle Cohen

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially arrived, with 48 teams competing in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With eight matches held at MetLife (aka NYNJ Stadium), including the Final on July 19, New York has announced free World Cup watch parties and events for New Yorkers and visitors in every borough and beyond. Thousands of fans will be filling thousands of bars to watch and cheer, but cultural institutions and local retail and dining destinations are getting in on the fun with everything from free player-inspired haircuts and team swag to local food and kids' events. Some watch parties will screen the Final; others will feature a high-profile match or multiple key contests. Below are some highlights.
find out more

Events & Things To Do

This $12M home in a Chelsea Deco icon has a terrace and room for an extra bedroom

Photo credit: Joel Petra from DD Reps

June 16, 2026

This $12M home in a Chelsea Deco icon has a terrace and room for an extra bedroom

By Michelle Cohen

On a high floor of the Ralph Thomas Walker-designed Art Deco Walker Tower at 212 West 18th Street, this 2,428-square-foot two-bedroom condo residence has the elegance of pre-war architecture as well as peerless modern luxury. Dramatic Manhattan skyline views are framed by floor-to-ceiling windows or beheld from a 440-square-foot private terrace. Asking $11,995,000, the home's gracious proportions easily allow for the creation of a third bedroom.
Deco details, dazzling views, this way

Distinctive Homes

New Village condo with only five $10M homes aims to be the neighborhood’s next trophy address

All renderings courtesy of The Boundary

June 12, 2026

New Village condo with only five $10M homes aims to be the neighborhood’s next trophy address

By Michelle Cohen

In one of Manhattan’s most beloved and sought-after neighborhoods, Greenwich Village, 44 West 8th Street is a new luxury condominium development with only five residences. With completion planned for 2027, and sales to launch later this year, the residential newcomer aims to offer a level of privacy, scale, and architectural acumen befitting a new neighborhood trophy address, offering residents an opportunity to live on one of the best streets in the Village. Homes, starting at nearly $10 million, boast a 50-foot-wide footprint that's wider than most of the neighborhood's townhouses.
Find out more

New Developments

A 70-foot brick smokestack anchors a private garden at this $2.1M Williamsburg loft

Photo credit: REPN for Corcoran

June 11, 2026

A 70-foot brick smokestack anchors a private garden at this $2.1M Williamsburg loft

By Michelle Cohen

This duplex loft in the Jackson Foundry Lofts at 130 Jackson Street in Williamsburg has classic loft bones made modern with 21st-century design highlights. But the condo's private outdoor space is truly extraordinary. Constructed within the building's industrial architecture, the multilevel garden is anchored by a towering 70-foot-high smokestack that contains a wood-burning outdoor fireplace. Asking $2,095,000, the one-bedroom duplex loft is a standout among the look-alike new construction offerings of the coveted neighborhood.
Marshmallows not included

Distinctive Homes

For $6.25M, a stately 1847 Boerum Hill townhouse has historic charm and a dramatic glass solarium

Photo credit: DD-Reps

June 10, 2026

For $6.25M, a stately 1847 Boerum Hill townhouse has historic charm and a dramatic glass solarium

By Michelle Cohen

The landmarked brick townhouse at 306 State Street is a rare 25-foot-wide home built in the Greek Revival and Italianate styles on the same Boerum Hill block as the notable 9 Townhouses row. The 1847 townhouse, asking $6,250,000, was thoroughly renovated in 2004. The six-bedroom home is currently configured as a two-family dwelling with a spacious garden flat, but can easily be converted to an oversized single-family residence. While historic details have been preserved, peerless additions like a glass solarium and a deVol kitchen make it a 21st-century standout.
take the townhouse tour

Distinctive Homes

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