Real Estate Trends

March 1, 2017

Report says having a roommate can save a New York millennial $728/month

We tend to think of New York as a hub for millennials living paycheck to paycheck, hindered by a higher-than-average cost of living coupled with their average yearly salary of $64,000. But young professionals are struggling throughout the nation. A new report detailed in the Washington Post looked at 25 major cities across the U.S. and found that in nearly half of these locales, "a millennial living alone in a one-bedroom apartment would need to spend more than 30 percent of his or her income on rent — surpassing the threshold for what financial experts say is affordable." The solution, though, could be to get a roommate. Take New York, where millennials spend about 34 percent of their income on rent. By shacking up with a buddy, they can save $728 a month, or 14 percent of their income.
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February 28, 2017

City’s most expensive rental is back for $500K/month, chauffeur-driven Jaguar included

As 6sqft asked when the 39th floor at The Pierre Hotel at 795 Fifth Avenue hit the rental market two years ago, if you’ve got the cash, why buy when you can rent for $6 million a year? Now that opportunity to refresh your enormous outlay every month is again seeking a renter at $500,000/month, keeping its title as the city’s most expensive rental. The massive 4,786-square-foot space has merely a butler’s kitchen, but the assumption is, of course, that you wouldn't want to be slaving over a hot stove in a full-service hotel anyway. And that service includes twice-daily maid service, an on-call physician, room service, two restaurants and a chauffeur-driven Jaguar.
See what this hefty price tag gets you
February 24, 2017

FREE RENT: A roundup of NYC’s latest rental concessions

FiDi’s 180 Water Street Announces March Opening; Now Leasing No Fee Rentals + One Month Free [link] Renovated Apartments at Stonehenge Tower on Upper West Side Leasing with Two Months Free + $1,000 Security Deposits [link] Renovated Apartments in Prospect Heights Offer One Month of Free Rent with 14-Month Leases [link] Amenity-Packed QLIC Offering One […]

February 24, 2017

Glamorous modern condo inside a historic Bed-Stuy townhouse asks $855K

Talk about an apartment with good bones. This modern condo was carved from the historic four-story townhouse at 347 Gates Avenue, in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The condo conversion brought sleek finishes to each floor-through apartment, and this one on the third floor is now asking $855,000. It is located on a block of Bed-Stuy lined with picturesque townhouses, just a half block from the main drag of Bedford Avenue and close to the A/C trains on the Nostrand stop.
See more of the apartment
February 21, 2017

Astoria is NYC’s top ‘hood for millennials seeking roommates

Roommate app Roomi recently compiled data based on the 20 to 36-year-olds searching for someone with whom to split the rent, and the top neighborhood for this trend is Astoria. DNAinfo shared the analysis, which found that nearly 38 percent of Roomi's users looked for housing in the up-and-coming Queens 'hood, and each applicant in this area gets about 20 applicants, almost double all other neighborhoods.
What other 'hoods top the list?
February 17, 2017

FREE RENT: A roundup of NYC’s latest rental concessions

HOUSE39 Launches Leasing; New Curving Glass Tower Offers Two Months Free of Early Occupancy [link] Teaser Site Launches for Newly-Dubbed Hudson Yards Rental, ‘Henry Hall’ [link] Listings Debut at Hub with One Month Free; Apartments in Brooklyn’s Tallest Tower from $2,450/Month [link] FiDi’s 180 Water Street Announces March Opening; Now Leasing No Fee Rentals + […]

February 14, 2017

Hamptons home prices sag as luxury buyers head to hipper Hudson Valley

The megawatt real estate of the Hamptons may be suffering from shrinkage as a new generation of glitterati increasingly chooses the rustic charm of upstate New York instead. Business Insider reports a surge in the popularity of second homes and tourist activity in Hudson Valley and Catskills towns—and a corresponding dip in Hamptons home prices—in 2016.
Is Upstate the new East End?
February 13, 2017

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz drops $40M on the Greenwich Lane’s most expensive penthouse

It's safe to say this $40 million penthouse is of the "venti" size, considering it's the priciest unit in new mega-development the Greenwich Lane and, at $7,159/square foot, one of the most expensive residential sales in Greenwich Village to date. Though The Real Deal reports that the buyer is Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, whose estimated $3 billion net worth makes this a drop in the bucket. The 5,587-square-foot duplex spans the 16th and 17th floors and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with skyline views and more than 1,600 square feet of private outdoor space.
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February 13, 2017

FREE RENT: A roundup of NYC’s latest rental concessions

More Amenities Unveiled at Extell’s Midtown Rental 555Ten; Leasing Continues with Free Rent Offer [link] Stonehenge Offering Two Months Free + $1,000 Security Deposits at 101W15 in Chelsea [link] Long Island City’s 1QPS Tower Launches Leasing with Two Months Free; Studios from $1,989/Month [link] 100 West 143rd Street Offering One Month of Free Rent on […]

February 10, 2017

Construction Update: Greenpoint’s first skyscraper tops off

Greenpoint's new waterfront skyline is quickly taking shape, as CityRealty reports the neighborhood's first skyscraper has just topped off. The tower, measuring 400 feet, will be Greenpoint's tallest, stretching 39 stories above the characteristically low-slung neighborhood now dominated by squat residential buildings and warehouses. With a somewhat uninspired name, The Greenpoint (as it will be known) will bring 95 high-end condos and 287 rental apartments to a block-long stretch of the area.
more details here
February 10, 2017

NYC’s top 10 wealthiest ZIP codes will surprise you

There's no argument that Tribeca is home to the priciest real estate in all of New York City, but when it comes to wealth as measured by median net worth and household income, its residents don't even register in the top 10. A new study by ESRI conducted for the NY Business Journal reveals that 11363—or Little Neck, Queens (where Governor Cuomo once owned a mansion, to give you and idea)—is, in fact, New York's richest ZIP code. Here, the median household income clocks in at an impressive $94,192 with median net worth reaching $326,104.
the surprising results here
February 9, 2017

Proposed East Harlem mixed-use development may contain city’s tallest building with affordable housing

Looking to take advantage of the newly opened Second Avenue Subway stop at 96th Street, the New York City Educational Construction Fund and AvalonBay Communities are working their way through the city approval process to build a 1.14 million-square foot, full-block, mixed-use development in East Harlem. CityRealty tells us that the project located at 321 East 96th Street would hold two new school buildings for three different local schools, 20,000 square feet of retail space, a rebuilt playground, and a 68-story, 760-foot residential tower that would offer between 1,100 and 1,200 units and possibly become the city's tallest building to contain affordable housing (roughly 330 below-market rate units).
More details and renderings
February 8, 2017

Mike Myers’ $15M Tribeca loft finds a buyer just a month after he bought it

"It's freedom, baby, yeah!" At least from his Tribeca apartment. Mike Myers bought a $14.65 million loft in 443 Greenwich Street at the beginning of the year, but clearly had sudden a change of heart, re-listing it just a week later for the slightly higher price of $15 million. And now, only a month after purchasing the pad, it's gone into contract, according to LL NYC. Now if only he could so easily unload his $15.95 million Mercer Street penthouse.
more views inside here
February 8, 2017

$8.8M Flatiron duplex boasts customized features, from a floating staircase to millwork closets

An intensive re-design of this massive, lofty condo at 10 East 22nd Street, in Flatiron, left the 4,000-square-foot interior with tons of customized details. Asking $8.8 million, the duplex apartment boasts a grand living room with 17-foot-tall wood beam ceilings, a customized kitchen, crazy closet space, and a dramatic floating staircase. Best yet, a "terrace oasis" off the main floor comes with views of the Flatiron Building.
Take a look
February 6, 2017

BKSK Architects share new renderings of artsy, boutique Noho condo 22 Bond

It's been a long time since Noho went from a creative warehouse district, home to the likes of Basquiat and Warhol, to a trendy enclave full of multi million-dollar lofts and Michelin-starred restaurants, but the 'hood has seen a recent influx of new boutique residential buildings, specifically 22 Bond, which may be the overall embodiment of the area. The 11-story condo offers only six units that begin at $9.8 million, but BKSK Architects' purposeful inclusion of large-scale art, both in the lobby and on the building itself, keep the neighborhood's creative history in play. The project has now launched its official page, which bring us new looks at its facades, art work, and interiors.
All the renderings and details ahead
February 6, 2017

What a teen wants: 7 NYC teenagers on their dream apartment building

For many years, New York developers have been working to design family-friendly buildings. As a result, it is now common for new buildings to include playrooms and wading pools. Okay, but what about teens? While buyers often spend considerable time searching for baby- and child-friendly apartments, teenagers’ needs have historically been overlooked. But this doesn’t […]

February 6, 2017

Construction update: Domino Sugar Factory tower tops off and gets its skybridge

Things are moving ahead swiftly at the Domino Sugar Factory since Two Trees broke ground at the three million-square-foot Williamsburg mega-development last spring. In November, the lottery opened for 104 affordable units at 325 Kent Avenue, the first building at the site. Designed by SHoP Architects, who are also responsible for the project's entire master plan, the $200 million tower has now topped off at 16 stories, and the skybridge connecting its two wings has also gone up. CityRealty paid a visit to the construction site and got a look at these new views, as well as the copper cladding that's taken shape on the lower face of the building.
See it all here
February 4, 2017

Interview: Daniel Kohs of SYNTHESIS on designing a brand-new Carnegie Hill mansion

Developer and architect Daniel Kohs isn’t one of New York’s heavyweight developers. He’s not one to pursue glossy, big-ticket skyscrapers containing thousands of square feet of ubiquitous space. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just that there’s a lot to be gained from “transformation.” Best yet, preserving the integrity and culture of […]

February 3, 2017

FREE RENT: A roundup of NYC’s latest rental concessions

Co-Living Rental ‘Common Baltic‘ Makes its Debut, Offers Leases with One Month of Free Rent [link] An Astounding Four Months of Free Rent with Two-Year Leases at Brooklyn Rental, The Williams [link] Live in Downtown Art Deco High Rise with Two Months of Free Rent; Studios Starting from $2,775 [link] Hoboken Rental, The Rivington, Offers […]

February 2, 2017

Construction update: Tishman Speyer’s trio of Long Island City rental towers

Of the 30+ under-construction and proposed projects in Long Island City, many of the tallest and bulkiest are located near Queens Plaza, including this trio of slab-glass rental towers from Tishman Speyer and H&R Real Estate Investment Trust that will bring nearly 1,800 new apartments to the area. The residential buildings--located at 28-34 Jackson Avenue, 28-10 Jackson Avenue and 30-02 Queens Boulevard--are directly adjacent to Tishman's two-towered commercial venture that will be home to WeWork, Macy's, and a food hall. CityRealty recently stopped by the construction to see how things are shaping up at the rentals, which from the looks of it are well on their way to welcoming in LIC's newest batch of residents.
Find out more this way
February 1, 2017

Extell reveals renderings of new Central Park West condo tower

Though Extell is best known for sky-high mega-developments like One57, the Central Park Tower, and One Manhattan Square, they've also been taking on some slightly smaller residential projects, gobbling up swaths of real estate in the upper Midtown area. Their latest venture is a partnership with Megalith Capital Management to build a new condo tower near Central Park West. Located at 36 West 66th Street, the 292-foot, mid-block building will replace three small office buildings and the synagogue of Congregation Habonim. The latter will be incorporated into the new design, for which CityRealty has uncovered the first rendering and updated details.
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February 1, 2017

Lendlease-Turner selected as design-build team for $1.5B Javits Center expansion

A Lendlease-Turner Construction partnership has been chosen to coordinate and build the planned 1.2 million-square-foot expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Manhattan's far west side. Commercial Observer reports that the New York Convention Center Development Corporation, the entity that controls the state-owned venue, announced Tuesday that they had approved the team for the project, which is expected to cost $1.55 billion. Atlanta-based architecture firm tvsdesign is also part of the Lendlease-Turner consortium. According to the announcement, the winning proposal offered, "significant design, logistical and operational benefits, including increased atrium space, integrated public and support spaces and a commitment to maintaining current operations during all phases of construction."
Find out more and see new renderings
January 31, 2017

Extell buying former Carnegie Deli site

Yesterday, workers removed the iconic neon sign outside Carnegie Deli, but the final nail in the coffin comes from the news that mega-developer Extell is buying the pastrami mecca's former home on a block where they already own two other sites. The Post got word that Gary Barnett's firm will close on a deal as soon as today for the six-story building at 854 Seventh Avenue. The 79-year-old deli closed on December 31st, but in 2015, Extell paid $9.1 million to owner Marian Harper Levine for their air rights.
Find out more