Celebrities

‘Muhammad Ali Way’ Street Sign Appears Outside Madison Square Garden

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June 8, 2016

‘Muhammad Ali Way’ Street Sign Appears Outside Madison Square Garden

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If you walk by Madison Square Garden today, you'll likely notice a group of people snapping photos of the street sign at the southwest corner of 33rd Street and 7th Avenue. That's because yesterday a temporary honorary street name was added in memoriam of Muhammad Ali (h/t Untapped). The sign that reads "Muhammad Ali Way" is positioned in front of a digital billboard that features another tribute.
See more photos here
Bruce Springsteen’s Former NJ Farmhouse and Rehearsal Space Asks $3.2M
June 2, 2016

Bruce Springsteen’s Former NJ Farmhouse and Rehearsal Space Asks $3.2M

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As any good New Jerseyan knows, The Boss loves living low-key at the Shore. From his days rocking the Stone Pony (where he'll still make the occasional surprise appearance) to his time living in this little beach bungalow, Bruce Springsteen has never been one to adopt a high-profile lifestyle. This is further evidenced by the suburban house in which he lived during the 1970s and '80s. Yes, it's a bit of a mansion, but it's located in the unassuming community of Holmdel, and when he took up residency there in 1976, he was only paying $700 a month. It was here that he wrote and rehearsed with the E Street Band much of the "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "The River." After listing previously as a $5,000/month rental, the farmhouse at 7 The Summit is now asking $3.2 million, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Get to know more about Bruce's former residence
Apartment in Miles Davis’ Old Upper West Side Townhouse Asks $495K
June 2, 2016

Apartment in Miles Davis’ Old Upper West Side Townhouse Asks $495K

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Jazz legend Miles Davis lived in the Renaissance Revival brownstone at 312 West 77th Street from roughly 1960 until he moved to LA in the mid '80s. He often hung out on the stoop with his Upper West Side neighbors and hosted other jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, and Tony Williams. It was also in this house that he wrote the music for his albums "Kind of Blue" and "Bitches Brew." After he moved out, the five-story home was chopped up into six apartments. One of these units, a charming one-bedroom, has hit the market for $495,000, reports DNAinfo.
See more of the apartment
Donald Trump’s Stake in Two Major Towers Came From a Lost Battle With China

1290 Avenue of the Americas in NYC (L); 555 California Street, formerly Bank of America Center, in San Francisco (R); Images courtesy of Vornado

June 1, 2016

Donald Trump’s Stake in Two Major Towers Came From a Lost Battle With China

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When Donald Trump made an attempt to own the Empire State Building, he partnered with a foreign real estate investor, in this case from Japan. But it ended in a lawsuit and a public smear campaign before he ultimately sold back his stake. A similar turn of events surrounded his dealings with another high-profile Midtown building and related San Francisco tower; you may recall this quote from the day he announced his candidacy: "I beat China all the time. I own a big chunk of the Bank of America building and 1290 Avenue of the Americas that I got from China in a war. Very valuable." As the Times explains, the battle may not have gone down quite like the Donald says, with him schmoozing his way to the top and eventually waging a losing legal battle.
The full story ahead
Celebrated Neurologist and Author Oliver Sacks’ West Village Apartment Lists for $3.25M
May 31, 2016

Celebrated Neurologist and Author Oliver Sacks’ West Village Apartment Lists for $3.25M

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Oliver Sacks, British neurologist, author and enchanted, inspired seeker of the human mind finally succumbed to cancer last August at the age of 83; the good doctor’s apartment (used as his office in recent years) in one of the city's venerable prewar apartment buildings developed by the legendary Bing and Bing at 2 Horatio Street is now for sale for $3.25 million. Apartment 3G (fittingly, somehow, as we can imagine the denizens of the soap-noir newspaper comic strip living in one of these prewar classics) is one among many in the developer's iconic Manhattan residences that boasts lovely prewar architecture, generously-sized rooms and enduring modern design.
Take a look
Harriet the Spy’s Upper East Side Townhouse Hits the Market for $4.95M
May 26, 2016

Harriet the Spy’s Upper East Side Townhouse Hits the Market for $4.95M

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Retrace Harriet's "spy route" and settle in with a tomato sandwich at this Queen Anne-style townhouse said to be the residence that inspired the fictional home featured in "Harriet the Spy," the beloved book starring a precocious 11-year-old who spends her days documenting the moves of her friends and neighbors. According to The Post, the stunning 1880s property at 558 East 87th Street has just listed for $4.95 million, and it's the first time in nearly 70 years that it's been put up for sale. The rare Upper East Side gem is a corner construction, which gives it fantastic views of Gracie Mansion, Carl Schurz Park, and the East River—on top of excellent light from three exposures. And being situated on one of the leafiest and quietest blocks in the city, it's the perfect setting to get into covert shenanigans, à la Harriet.
Have a look inside here
Anne Hathaway’s Infamous Former Midtown Love Nest for Rent for $48K a Month
May 26, 2016

Anne Hathaway’s Infamous Former Midtown Love Nest for Rent for $48K a Month

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We've followed ingenue Anne Hathaway through various life events as expressed in real estate transactions, including the Upper West Side penthouse she currently shares with husband Adam Shulman. Before that, there was the DUMBO Clocktower loft the actress reportedly used as an expensive closet. Now here's a peek at the glossy midtown duplex in the Olympic Tower condominium at 641 Fifth Avenue that Ms. Hathaway shared with ex-con ex Raffaello Follieri for $37K/month in the mid-2000s (h/t WSJ); the apartment is currently on the rental market for $48,000 a month. The listing points out that the glass-clad, dubiously decorated pad has the distinction of having been the rented home of the ill-starred couple during their "storybook romance," which makes a lot of sense if the storybook you're reading is a white collar crime novel about a 30-year-old con man arrested, convicted, incarcerated and deported for embezzlement and fraud, possibly with the aid of his actress girlfriend. But a different choice of words and more context should put this dressed-to impress duplex in a better light.
It would be a crime not to check out the views from here
Colonial Meets Rock Star at Allman Brothers Guitarist’s Former Nyack Home, Asking $2M
May 26, 2016

Colonial Meets Rock Star at Allman Brothers Guitarist’s Former Nyack Home, Asking $2M

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Warren Haynes, guitarist for The Allman Brothers Band, may not live in this Upper Nyack home anymore, but it sure does look like it's inhabited by a musician. From the outside, the five-bedroom Colonial appears to be a standard suburban spread, but inside, the animal-print rugs (and actual animal sculptures), neon and furry accents, and massive shoe collection scream rock star. And it can all be yours for $2 million (h/t NYP).
Check it all out
Parker Posey Models in Listing Photos for Her $1.45M Greenwich Village Co-op
May 24, 2016

Parker Posey Models in Listing Photos for Her $1.45M Greenwich Village Co-op

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After the recent debacle when Ta-Nehisi Coates' purchase of a Prospect-Lefferts Garden townhouse went public, and he subsequently penned an essay on why he wouldn't be moving in after all, there's been a debate surrounding how much privacy celeb real estate buyers are entitled to. But quirky Indie actress Parker Posey is clearly not concerned, considering she's posing in the listing photos for her Greenwich Village co-op. The $1.45 million listing at 30 Fifth Avenue hasn't gone public yet, but Curbed has obtained the photos, which show the now-blonde Posey lounging in her bedroom, reading Mary Louise Parker's "Dear Mr. You" along with her Bichon Frise Gracie.
More glamour shots ahead
Alexander Wang Lists Luxuriously Moody Tribeca Loft for $3.75M
May 23, 2016

Alexander Wang Lists Luxuriously Moody Tribeca Loft for $3.75M

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After six years in residence, the in-demand downtown designer is selling the loft he purchased from fellow fashionista, former New York Times Style writer Holly Brubach (h/t Curbed). With the help of maverick decorator Ryan Korban, Wang renovated the classic warehouse-turned-co-op at 39 Worth Street with opulent-chic accents like black fur, zebra rugs and mirrored wall panels, and opened up walled spaces to return the loft its open-space roots. The result, as far as lofts go, is a pretty well laid-out example, with creature comforts a busy design professional needs–plus luxurious finishes. Yet it doesn’t lose any of the open and adventurous character that defines a historic Tribeca loft space. The Parsons-grad-made-good purchased the unit for $2 million in 2010 and hopes to sell it for a $3.75 million.
See more of the loft
Browse the Catalog of Joan Rivers’ Prized Possessions Headed for Auction Next Month
May 23, 2016

Browse the Catalog of Joan Rivers’ Prized Possessions Headed for Auction Next Month

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As 6sqft previously detailed, when the beloved comedian Joan Rivers passed away in 2014, she left behind a lavish Upper East Side penthouse packed with a collection of glittering designer gowns, gilded furnishings, jewelry and collected items that reflected a lifetime love of pretty things. Rivers herself once described the decor of the 5,100-square-foot triplex as “Louis XIV meets Fred and Ginger.” Christie's has issued a catalog listing the opulent collections of Rivers' home that will be included in the live auction, scheduled for June 22 with viewing times beginning June 17. Items from Harry Winston, Tiffany's and Fabergé will join art and small personal items–like Bob Mackie gowns, a silver Tiffany & Co. water bowl engraved "Spike” and a silk pagoda dog bed (h/t Curbed).
Find out more about the auction
Strand Bookstore Owner Lists Elegant 1848 Gramercy Townhouse for $7.5M
May 20, 2016

Strand Bookstore Owner Lists Elegant 1848 Gramercy Townhouse for $7.5M

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If you're a lover of timelessly elegant Manhattan living and you're lucky enough to live in Gramercy, you probably love your home just that much more. And if your Gramercy spot is anything like this classically lovely townhouse at 236 East 19th Street, on the market for $7.5 million, we'd say that's a bit like hitting the jackpot. Built in 1848, the four-story Anglo-Italianate home was owned by the Baer family from the 1860s until the current owner, Nancy Bass Wyden, co-owner of the famous Strand bookstore, purchased it for $4,700,000 in 2011. We're guessing Mrs. Wyden—she co-owns the store with her father, Fred Bass, whose father, Ben, founded the Strand in 1927—may be selling the house to spend more time in Oregon with her husband, Senator Ron Wyden, who is that state's senior U.S. senator. The couple have several small children, and if the house looks this good we'd say it must be child-proof. There's a luxurious wood-paneled library–fitting for the first family of one of the city's most iconic bookstores–and though there's plenty of play space and five bedrooms, the home's intricate historic details have been restored beautifully with added finishes (like walls of glass and several private outdoor spaces) for modern-day livability.
Take the tour
Jennifer Lawrence Scopes Out a $17.5M Duplex Penthouse in Tribeca
May 19, 2016

Jennifer Lawrence Scopes Out a $17.5M Duplex Penthouse in Tribeca

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It's been about a year since Jennifer Lawrence first started her house hunt, and according to The Post, the starlet is showing no signs of giving up on finding the home of her dreams. Gimme Shelter writes that J.Law was just spotted checking out a $17.49 million penthouse in Tribeca's 140 Franklin Street. According to the listing, the sprawling pad is "intelligently designed and exceptionally renovated" spanning two stories of the building with more than 4,000 feet of interior space and 1,640 square feet of private outdoor terrace. The pre-war 1887 building itself is described as "ultra-discreet" with full-time doorman, on-site staff and just 12 loft residences; A perfect arrangement for an A-lister with a taste for eight-figure apartments.
Have a closer look inside this stunning home
Craigslist Hookup: Craig Newmark Buys $5.9 Million Village Townhouse Co-op
May 17, 2016

Craigslist Hookup: Craig Newmark Buys $5.9 Million Village Townhouse Co-op

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Craig Newmark, entrepreneur and founder of now-legendary swap site Craigslist, recently purchased a three-bedroom Greenwich Village duplex according to city records, reports The Real Deal. Newmark, who started the now-international site in San Francisco in 1995, and his wife, Eileen, bought the co-op, which occupies the first two floors of a gorgeous 1845 red brick townhouse-turned-three-unit-co-op on West 9th Street, for $5.9 million; it was last listed at $5.25M.
Read more
Alan Cumming Lists Charming, Quirky East Village Home for $2.2M
May 13, 2016

Alan Cumming Lists Charming, Quirky East Village Home for $2.2M

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"The Good Wife" star Alan Cumming is selling the East Village apartment that stole his heart when the Scottish-born actor first saw it back in 2005. Listed for $2.2 million, the four-bedroom co-op at 297 East 10th Street overlooking Tompkins Square Park definitely looks like the kind of place you could call home for at least a few years, a rare thing in the otherwise great neighborhood. The Wall Street Journal reports that Cumming and husband Grant Shaffer have been renovating a nearby 19th-century townhouse that they bought in 2013 for $4.65 million, and the time seemed right to part with this cozy co-op.
Have a look
Preserved Stuyvesant Heights Brownstone Was Jackie Robinson’s First Home in Brooklyn
May 12, 2016

Preserved Stuyvesant Heights Brownstone Was Jackie Robinson’s First Home in Brooklyn

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Besides being a newly-hot neighborhood, Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant holds one of the city's finest collections of historic brownstones. Though many beautiful homes didn't survive the neglect of the late 20th century, many that did have been remarkably preserved or painstakingly restored to their original splendor. One of the highest concentrations of those impressive townhouses can be found in the Stuyvesant Heights Historic District in the south-central part of the neighborhood. It's here that you'll find this landmarked four-story home at 407 Stuyvesant Avenue, just arrived on the market for $2.875 million. According to the listing, baseball icon and civil rights pioneer Jackie Robinson lived here, and the brokers tell 6sqft that this was his first residence in Brooklyn. They add that when the current owners moved in, they found a treasure trove of memorabilia. So let's just say this 20-foot-wide Romanesque Revival-style brownstone hits it out of the park when it comes to intact historic detail and unspoiled 19th century architecture.
Explore this central Brooklyn treasure
First Mansion Donald Trump Ever Owned Now Selling for $45M
May 10, 2016

First Mansion Donald Trump Ever Owned Now Selling for $45M

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When Donald Trump was rising up in the real estate ranks in the early '80s (and when he was still a Democrat), he and then-wife Ivana were looking for their first "trophy mansion." In 1982, they found it in this 5.8-acre Greenwich, Connecticut estate, paying $4 million for the home on its own peninsula. At the time, Trump was busy refurbishing the Plaza Hotel, so he and Ivana infused their new home with the same ornate style of gold leaf, massive chandeliers, and moldings galore. When the couple divorced in 1991, Ivana got the mansion (among many other properties and cash), but she sold it seven years later for $15 million to owners who made the property even more opulent, adding an indoor lap pool, sauna, tennis courts, and a 4,000-square-foot guest suite addition. These owners listed the property back in January for $54 million, but it's now gotten a price chop to $45 million, according to Top Ten Real Estate News.
Live like the Donald
Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Brownstone Purchase LLC Tells of Escaped Slaves’ Brave Journey
May 9, 2016

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Brownstone Purchase LLC Tells of Escaped Slaves’ Brave Journey

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Atlantic Writer, National Book Award winner and MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant recipient Ta-Nehisi Coates recently made an appearance in real estate news; Coates, who is among today's most prominent writers on African-American issues, and his wife recently purchased a landmarked five-bedroom townhouse in Prospect-Lefferts Garden for $2.1 million. Not one to miss an opportunity to explore a facet of cultural history, the couple worked an interesting story into the LLC they used to purchase the property, DNAinfo tells us. Buyers commonly register Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) to purchase property in order to conceal their identities (celebrities, for example, or when making a big-ticket buy), and LLC names are often mundane, using the name of the property itself. But the Coateses LLC, "Ellen and William Craft Excursions LLC” has an inspiring tale behind it: The Crafts were an escaped slave couple from Georgia in the 19th century. Disguised as a white male slave owner and his slave, they escaped to Philadelphia in 1868.
Find out more
Jonah Hill Picks Up $9.16M Apartment at Noho’s Schumacher Condo Conversion
May 5, 2016

Jonah Hill Picks Up $9.16M Apartment at Noho’s Schumacher Condo Conversion

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A tipster told 6sqft back in December that Jonah Hill was seen taking photos outside The Schumacher, the then-newly unveiled Noho condo conversion at 36 Bleecker Street. As it turns out, just two months prior he bought a unit in the building for $9.16 million, according to the Post. The unit, which was originally listed at $9.5 million, is a 3,280-square-foot, four-bedroom spread. It features the signature elements of the residence, including exposed brick vaulted ceilings, massive arched windows, restored original columns and beams, and views down to the building's vine-covered courtyard.
Take a look around
Ashley Olsen Buying a $7M Luxe Greenwich Village Condo
May 5, 2016

Ashley Olsen Buying a $7M Luxe Greenwich Village Condo

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The Olsen twins have long been fans of the Village, from attending NYU to naming their fashion line the Row after the famous brick townhouse along Washington Square North. Now single sister Ashely is setting up a permanent home in the 'hood, as the Wall Street Journal reports that she's in contract to buy a two-bedroom spread at 37 East 12th Street that was last listed for $7.1 million. The 19th century building with a Beaux-Arts cast-iron facade is being converted to six, full-floor boutique condos, and listing agent Jared Seligman of Douglas Elliman said this privacy is what Olsen liked.
See the full spread
Rent the Opulent Upper East Side Mansion Once Home to Versace for $120,000/Month
April 27, 2016

Rent the Opulent Upper East Side Mansion Once Home to Versace for $120,000/Month

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Now's your chance to live like fashion royalty, as the opulent Upper East Side townhouse once owned by Gianni Versace is on the rental market for the first time, asking a whopping $120,000. The Italian designer bought the house at 5 East 64th Street for $7.5 million in 1995, just two years before he was murdered in Miami. It sold again for $30 million in 2005 to Swedish hedge fund manager Thomas Sandell, but it still retains many of the details left over from Versace's renovation, including marble floors, massive chandeliers, and the painted living room ceiling.
See the whole place
Trump’s Flubs: The Donald’s Failed Attempts to Erect the World’s Tallest Building in NYC
April 26, 2016

Trump’s Flubs: The Donald’s Failed Attempts to Erect the World’s Tallest Building in NYC

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Presidential candidate Donald Trump's aggressive tone and occasional outlandish statements have dominated the conversation in the Republican primaries, and today is sure to be no different. Though his supporters feel that he's a shoo-in, his real estate track record hasn't always resulted in success. Take for example his fraught attempt to own the Empire State Building, which ended in lawsuits and public shaming, or his $80 million loss on the Plaza Hotel, which resulted from his near bankruptcy in the '90s. In addition to these public debacles, the developer-turned-showman-turned-politician has envisioned at least three of the world's tallest buildings in New York over the years, which makes sense for a man who glories in superlatives and for whom every project is a flamboyant gesture. In honor of the Donald's never-ending presence, 6sqft decided to take a look at these never-realized, sky-high proposals, which include the New York Stock Exchange Tower, Television City Tower, and 10 Columbus Circle.
Get the story behind all these failed attempts
What Are Top NFL Players’ Salaries Worth in Real Estate?
April 26, 2016

What Are Top NFL Players’ Salaries Worth in Real Estate?

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It's no secret that the NFL's top draft picks command starting salaries well into the eight-figure range, but to really put into perspective just how crazy-big their paychecks are, CityRealty's latest infographic takes a look at what the last five #1 picks could buy in Manhattan with their money. And on top of that, how these hypothetical one-off property purchases translate into real estate portfolios in their hometowns. (Teaser: Quarterback Jameis Winston could either buy a $24.95M pad at The Eldorado or 107 homes in his native Tampa, FL!)
Check out the full-size infographic here
$1.4M Co-op in Jackie Onassis’ UES Childhood Building Looks Exactly Like You’d Imagine
April 21, 2016

$1.4M Co-op in Jackie Onassis’ UES Childhood Building Looks Exactly Like You’d Imagine

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It doesn't get much more classic Upper East Side than this two-bedroom, sixth-floor co-op on a quietly elegant street just off Park Avenue. The limestone-anchored 1928 building at 125 East 74th Street, designed by Lafayette A. Goldstone, as the NY Post informs us, was the early childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Unit 6A in this pretty prewar building is on the market for $1.39 million. Famous associations aside, the gracious layout of the apartment, which started out having eight rooms and was reconfigured to its current five-room state, looks to be a pretty good deal for the price given its size and location.
See more of this elegant aerie
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