Brooklyn

Yesterday, former New York governor Eliot Spitzer revealed the first official rendering for Spitzer Enterprises’ mega development on the South Williamsburg waterfront. The $700 million trio of 24-story rental towers was designed by ODA Architects, who referred to the project as a “molded iceberg.” Today, Lincoln Restler, a senior policy advisor to Mayor de Blasio, took to Facebook to […]

June 16, 2015

Spend Summer in a Classy Clinton Hill Brownstone for $10K (Chickens Not Included)

Broker Nadine Adamson has put her own four-bedroom triplex, located in a Clinton Hill brownstone at 42 Downing Street, on the rental market for the remainder of the summer, asking $10,000 a month. The prewar home has a country vibe with original details and a private garden. However, Adamson is quick to point out that the chickens roaming the yard do not come with the home. Apparently they were just renting for the month of June.
More pics inside

Distinctive Homes

June 16, 2015

Renderings Revealed for Eliot Spitzer’s ODA-Designed Williamsburg Mega-Development

Leaving his political career in the past, former New York governor Eliot Spitzer is taking on the development world. After his father's death in November, the controversial politician took over the family's real estate business, Spitzer Enterprises. And he's now revealed the first rendering for his Williamsburg mega-development in the New York Times (not Twitter), showcasing a trio of 24-story rental towers designed by ODA Architects. Located at 420-430 Kent Avenue in South Williamsburg, the project is in keeping with ODA's signature boxy, glassy aesthetic. It will cost $700 million, have 856 units, and boast two rooftop pools and a park with an esplanade.
More details here

June 16, 2015

Rustic Loft Conversion Asks $850K Along Brooklyn’s Columbia Street Waterfront

It feels rare to find a cool listing that's under $1 million in New York City these days. But here's a one-bedroom condo at 25 Carroll Street, in the Columbia Street Waterfront District of Brooklyn, that's asking $850,000. You'll find the quaint, quiet neighborhood just west of Carroll Gardens and just north of Red Hook. It's not the easiest place to get to, as there's no direct subway access, but the seclusion is part of its charm. There are also amazing views of lower Manhattan from here, which you can enjoy from this condo that is now on the market.
More details on the property

Distinctive Homes

June 16, 2015

Extell’s Nordstrom Tower Will Be the Country’s Tallest by Roof Height

The Nordstrom Tower may not become the overall tallest building to ever rise NYC, besting One World Trade Center as previously reported and then rebuffed, but new filings unearthed by NY Yimby show that the supertall will still carry a very worthy, head-craning title. Documents show that the 95-story building will become not only the tallest building by roof height in NYC, but also in the country at 1,522.83 feet.
get the scoop here

June 16, 2015

Flatiron Building-Looking Condo Tower to Rise at Brooklyn Heights Library Site

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the Flatiron Building should be highly honored by this fresh batch of renderings from Marvel Architects for the site at 280 Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn Heights. The Daily News reports that "the 36-story tower, which will have 139 condo units, community space, retail and a new 21,500-square-foot library on the ground floor, looks like it will be Brooklyn's very own alternative to the Flatiron building, with its dramatic wedge-shaped structure." Back in September, the Brooklyn Heights Library agreed to sell their site to Hudson Companies for $52 million with the stipulation that the developer build 114 affordable housing units at two different locations nearby, as well as a new state-of-the-art library at the existing site. The project began the city's land use review process (ULURP) yesterday.
More on the development and additional renderings

June 15, 2015

Beastie Boy Mike D’s Brilliant Brooklyn Townhouse Can Be Yours for $5.7M

By Michelle Cohen

Back in 2013, news that Michael Diamond—a.k.a. Beastie Boy Mike D—and his wife, Tamra Davis, had acquired a townhouse on a beautiful tree-lined Cobble Hill block and given it a creative and modern—yet totally livable—redesign led to a spate of articles showcasing the cool and quirky pad, including a New York Times house tour aptly titled "Licensed to Grill." All the attention likely led to Diamond's recent side project helping his architect friends design a new-construction townhouse in nearby Boerum Hill that recently sold for just under $5 million. Now the original Cobble Hill Beastie house at 148 Baltic Street is on the market for $5.65 million, funky custom toile wallpaper and all.
Tour the delightfully decorated townhouse, this way...

June 12, 2015

Finally, an Historic Brooklyn Brownstone for Under a Million Dollars

What if we told you you could have an entire 2,664-square-foot brownstone in Brooklyn for under one million dollars? This four-level home at 374 Decatur Street in Bed-Stuy has everything you need to make your dreams come true. Naturally, you're going to have to put in a little sweat equity (or you can always pay someone), but the final result will be exactly what you want it to be and well worth the $855,000 investment. Sound interesting? We thought so.
More pics inside

Distinctive Homes

June 11, 2015

98 Percent of Manhattan Rentals Are Occupied, Rents Keep Rising Everywhere

Looking to change apartments? Well apparently so is everyone else in the city as they get slammed with rent hikes. According to Douglas Elliman's latest rental report prepared by real estate guru Jonathan Miller, there was an 85.1 percent increase in new leases signed last month with units lingering on the market an average of only 41 days before being scooped up by a new tenant. Landlord concessions have also pretty much disappeared, they report, and the city's vacancy was a mere 1.65 percent in May. The takeaway: Even in the face of insane, and ever-rising rents—we're now talking a median $3,380 in the city (up for the 15th consecutive month)—Manhattan's is still full of crazy people (including us) willing to pour their paychecks into one-bedroom apartments with no views. Brooklyn, of course, was no better, with median rents also climbing to $2,961.
more here

Real Estate Trends

June 11, 2015

Sweet Brooklyn Heights Beauty Has More Than One Room with a View

Here's a simple and adorable one-bedroom pad at 155 Henry Street in highly sought-after Brooklyn Heights. You'll surely find it's $585,000 price tag appealing, but inside, original details, lovely light, and great views await to win you over even more.
More pics inside

Distinctive Homes

June 11, 2015

Historic Interior Pairs with Contemporary Touches at This $2.75M Bed-Stuy Brownstone

Are all the prettiest listings in Bed-Stuy? It sure seems like it these days! This brownstone at 25 Monroe Street is on the market asking $2.75 million. It has a beautifully restored historic interior that's been paired with a more modern renovation to add a contemporary touch. The result is an impressive balance of both old and new.
See more of the inside

Distinctive Homes

June 10, 2015

Trolley Map from the 1930s Shows How Easy It Was to Get Around Brooklyn

Long before there was a subway packed full of angry crowds and unidentifiable organisms, New Yorkers in Brooklyn enjoyed above-ground commutes serviced by a streetcar system. This map posted recently by a Redditor is a blast from the past, showing just how complete and comprehensive this network was. In fact, by 1930, nearly 1,800 trolleys were traveling along the streets of BK from Greenpoint to Gowanus to Bay Ridge and beyond. Though the system proved to be profitable (yes, NYC once ran a transit system that actually made them money), the streetcars were eventually forced out of the city by none other than the auto industry.
find out more and see the complete map here

June 10, 2015

An Apple Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and It Could Be in Your Own Backyard

Want to live in the city without giving up your greenery? This $1.45 million two-bedroom garden apartment in Cobble Hill might be the perfect solution. It offers 1,020 square feet of space in a 25-foot-wide brownstone co-op, with a beautifully manicured backyard and a gorgeous patio. We're talking enough green space to entertain you, friends and family, Fido, and your weedwhacker. Now that sounds promising.
More pics inside

Distinctive Homes

June 10, 2015

Wood Details Abound in This $1.3M Bed-Stuy Townhouse

Bed-Stuy is a Brooklyn neighborhood that's known for its stock of historic townhouses with incredible interior details. Here's one at 724 Macon Street, on the market for $1.299 million. The listing brags that the details are in "museum quality condition," and looking through the photos we'd have to agree. If you're someone who likes old homes, you will want to check out the extensive woodwork throughout the interior.
Right this way

Distinctive Homes

June 8, 2015

The Ultimate Williamsburg Loft Is on the Market for $7,500 a Month

Coming straight from Williamsburg, the Brooklyn neighborhood that's perhaps best known for its stock of loft apartments, is the ultimate loft at 330 Wythe Avenue. This is at the Esquire loft building, a pre-war building that now has its own dog washing station, common terrace, and compost center. While the building's gone condo, this apartment is up for rent asking $7,500 a month. It's been billed "the coolest loft apartment in Williamsburg," according to the listing. Do you think it fits the bill?
Take a look inside

Distinctive Homes

June 4, 2015

According to Real Estate Brokers, All of Brooklyn Is an Extension of Williamsburg

A hilarious new map on Reddit pokes fun at real estate brokers’ tendency to stretch the truth to when it comes to an apartment’s proximity to desirable Williamsburg. Here, Coney Island is South-SouthSouth Williamsburg, East New York is South EastWilliamsburg, but only a tiny little triangle in Brownsville gets a reprieve from the hipster treatment […]

Real Estate Trends

June 4, 2015

All the Details Are Intact at This $1.5M Historic Bed-Stuy Brownstone

If you're in the market for a classic Brooklyn brownstone with all its details intact, check out this home for sale at 454 Jefferson Avenue in Bed-Stuy. The Second Empire-style house, which is four stories and holds two units, is boasting well-kept interior details alongside some more modern renovations. Simply put, it's a solid brownstone property without any special frills–just the exposed brick, wood floors and large windows. It's asking $1.55 million.
See the interior

June 4, 2015

Cobble Hill Townhouse Sets Record for Most Expensive Home Sale in Brooklyn at $15.5M

You know the real estate market is getting shaken up when Brooklynites are abandoning their beloved borough for the cheaper island of Manhattan. And today's record breaker just goes to show how hot Brooklyn is right now. The Daily News reports that the super-modernized Cobble Hill carriage house at 177 Pacific Street sold for $15.5 million, setting the record for most expensive home sale ever in the borough. The four-story, six-bedroom house takes the top spot from Truman Capote's former home at 70 Willow Street in Brooklyn Heights, which sold in 2012 for $12.5 million.
More details about this Brooklyn record breaker

Real Estate Trends

June 3, 2015

Bed-Stuy Townhouse with Flair and Flexibility Asks $2 Million

This four-family brownstone at 278 Clifton Place in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, just hit the market for $1.995 million. It's a well-preserved historic brownstone that offers plenty of potential for conversion. It's currently set up as an owners duplex with two rental units above, but as the listing says, "You have the flexibility to make it a grand single family home, smart double duplex, triplex over garden rental or four floor-through income generating units." The house already has an extension that includes a terrace for the third-floor rental unit. The extra space and the flexible configuration gives the new buyer plenty of opportunity to use their imagination.
Check out the interior

Distinctive Homes

Extell May Build Brooklyn’s Tallest Tower at City Point

Rendering of City Point with a previously envisioned 65-story tower

June 3, 2015

Extell May Build Brooklyn’s Tallest Tower at City Point

Extell, the development company best known for gobbling up billionaires' row sites and building supertall towers like One57, is venturing into Brooklyn, a place they've long avoided. The New York Times reports that Extell has bought the last development site at City Point, a huge, mixed-use complex in Downtown Brooklyn that will include residential and retail space, and, of course, a massive food hall. Extell will pay $120 million for the city-owned property, on which they will likely build a 500-unit rental building. What's more noteworthy than Extell's move into the borough, though, is the fact that the tower could reach 60 stories, according to Extell president Gary Barnett, which would make it the tallest building in Brooklyn.
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June 2, 2015

Interior Renderings Revealed for Central Park South’s Brand New 1,210-Foot Supertall

Last week, the first exterior images of Central Park South's new supertall 1 Park Lane surfaced. Now NY YIMBY has obtained additional renderings of the 1,210-foot condo tower being designed by Handel Architects, showing off what the interiors could look like, and, most notably, the kinds of views afforded by the multi-million-dollar perches above.
See more here

June 2, 2015

$2.5M Ditmas Park Beauty Has Awesome Green Space and an Artist Studio

The Brooklyn neighborhood of Ditmas Park is known for its freestanding houses and expansive front yards. It's a lot more like suburbia than New York City, but that's why so many people love the area. This home at 235 Stratford Road has some amazing green spaces to show off–a lush front yard that's literally overflowing with plants, a wraparound porch, a sunroom, a patio, a grassy backyard and a garage that's been converted to an artist studio. We officially declare this home the best place to enjoy this summer in New York. Now, you just need $2.55 million to buy it.
Go inside

Distinctive Homes

June 2, 2015

Elizabeth Roberts Brings Light Back into This 163-Year-Old Fort Greene Townhouse

By Shiloh Frederick

When Allison Freedman Weisberg and Peter Barker-Huelster bought this Fort Greene townhouse, it was the opposite of the home they envisioned. The couple wanted a house that was bright and uncluttered. Instead, the 163 year-old house was dark and decaying with its roof and back wall about to cave in. The family enlisted Elizabeth Roberts Design/Ensemble Architecture to put air and light back into the house, resulting in this indoor/outdoor blend thanks to a two-story addition, which features a wall of windows on the second floor and an operable glass door on the ground floor.
Look around the house here

June 2, 2015

This Historic $2.1 Million Bed-Stuy Townhouse Comes with a Koi Pond

For $2.1 million you can nab a turn-of-the-century Italianate brick townhouse on a tree-lined block in Bed-Stuy. The two-family home measures 20 feet wide and 45 feet deep, and offers period details like inlaid parquet floors, pocket doors, pier glass mirrors, and marble mantelpieces. And who doesn't want a koi pond?
More pics inside

Distinctive Homes

May 29, 2015

Freestanding Victorian with All the Historic Details Asks $2 Million in Ditmas Park

It's hard not to fall in love with this freestanding Victorian at 770 Rugby Road in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn. The house has had the same owner for more than 50 years, and only a few owners since it was built in 1905. The interior is chock full of well-kept period details, not to mention a grassy lawn and a front porch. Are you falling as hard as we are? It's on the market now for $2.195 million.
See more interior photos

May 28, 2015

Quirky Cabin-Like Home with Tons of Outdoor Space Is Up for Rent in Williamsburg