Manhattan

This duplex from the 444 Central Park West co-op, in the Upper West Side, has a lot going for it. Its upper-floor location—and three exposures to the east, west and north—affords views over Central Park, St. John the Divine Cathedral and upper Manhattan. It is also decked out with unique details like wood paneling from an 1800s English church, crown moldings and a marble fireplace. The asking price comes in at $2.5 million.
Take the grand tour

Distinctive Homes

December 1, 2016

Michael Bloomberg’s daughter looking to sell Tribeca loft for $3.5 million

Though Emma Bloomberg–daughter of former mayor Mike Bloomberg–may be trying to patch up her relationship with Donald Trump, she's looking to part ways with the sprawling loft at 62 Beach Street that she and husband Christopher Frissora bought for $2.45 million in 2007. And though it's certainly no little pink house, John Cougar Mellencamp was among the interested parties eyeing the two-bedroom 1,528 square-foot home, currently on the market for $3.5 million, according to the New York Post. The rocker recently split from Christie Brinkley after a year of dating, and we can't think of a better post-breakup man-cave.
Another day, another Tribeca loft fit for a celebrity

Celebrities

December 1, 2016

Victoria’s Secret model Candice Swanepoel lists East Village penthouse for $6,200/month

By Annie Doge

Victoria’s Secret beauty Candice Swanepoel may be this year's eighth highest paid model, but her East Village apartment doesn't scream dollar signs. The rather standard, modern condo at 311 East 11th Street has two bedrooms, a balcony, and a corner penthouse location, and it's available for rent for $6,200 a month, reports the Post. The South African supermodel and her boyfriend, Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli, welcomed their son in October, so perhaps they're looking for some extra room.
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December 1, 2016

Artists’ storied 187-year-old West Village carriage house finally finds a buyer

A 187-year-old carriage house at 29 Downing Street on a quintessential West Village block has appeared in print for so many reasons it's hard to name them all–starting with the six-degrees-of-"Hamilton" fact that it was built in 1829 on land owned by third U.S. vice president Aaron Burr. 6sqft featured the historic home owned by artists John Bennett and Karen Lee Grant in early 2015 when it was listed for $13 million. The homeowners' vision reflected in this remarkable art studio, gallery and living space was featured in House Beautiful, Elle and two coffee table books; the Wall Street Journal called the 25-foot-wide home a "time capsule of development in the West Village." Not only is it one of the most photographed homes in the neighborhood, it's also among the oldest. Purchased by Bennett in 1977 for $155,000 with the help of a loan from the previous homeowners, the house recently sold for $6.8 million–about half the original ask–after two years on the market and several broker changes and price chops (h/t Curbed).
Get a peek inside this rare slice of Village life

Architecture And Design

November 30, 2016

Upper East Side townhouse in contract for $81M will be most expensive ever sold

When Carlos Slim, Mexican business magnate and former world’s richest person, listed his Upper East Side Beaux Arts mansion for $80 million in May 2015 he was looking to break the record for most expensive townhouse ever sold in NYC. An attempt was then made by this $84.5 million home on East 62nd Street, but now another neighborhood home is set to take the title. As the Post shares, 19 East 64th Street was listed for $100 million in August, and it's now in contract by a Chinese conglomerate for a reported $81 million. If it closes, the price will far surpass the current record, the $53 million sale of the Harkness Mansion at 4 East 75th Street in 2006.
But there's some drama behind the sale

Distinctive Homes

November 30, 2016

For winterproof drinking, Nomad bar brings eight igloos to their rooftop

If you think you have to wait till the warmer months to enjoy skyline views from on high at any of the city’s many rooftop drinking establishments, think again. Popular Nomad boîte 230 Fifth returns this winter with a chill-out idea that keeps out the literal chill: The transparent rooftop igloo.
A new angle on rooftop cocktails

City Living

November 30, 2016

The 15 best NYC holiday markets and indie pop-up shops

December's first days bring a dazzling parade of holiday gift markets all vying for the opportunity to find new homes for a bounty of goodies and crafty gifts. We're all familiar with the big NYC markets at Bryant Park and Union Square, but some of the best finds—and the most fun—can be found at smaller, cooler pop-ups and neighborhood markets. Some are only around for a weekend, others for the whole month or longer. In addition to locally-made jewelry and crafts, vintage finds, artfully curated fashions, home items and other things we didn't know we needed, these hip retail outposts sparkle with drinks, food, workshops, tarot readings, nail art, music, and family fun to keep shoppers' spirits bright.
Find out where to get the goods

November 30, 2016

Designers at ArX Solutions offer their own take on a Waldorf Astoria interior renovation

The final checkout for hotel guests at the iconic Waldorf Astoria is March 1st, after which its new owner, Chinese insurer Anbang Insurance Group, will begin converting the 1,413 hotel rooms into 840 renovated hotel rooms and 321 luxury condos to the tune of $1 billion. Earlier this month, the developer filed these plans with the Department of Buildings, which also call for adding retail space, a restaurant, and a fitness center on the ground floors. They'll retain the historic ballrooms, exhibition space, dining rooms, and banquet rooms, but will still need approvals from the Landmarks Preservation Commission for any work on these public spaces; the building has long been an exterior landmark, but the LPC recently calendared a request to landmark the Art Deco interiors. Though no designs have been approved or confirmed, CityRealty dug up renderings from architectural visualization firm ArX Solutions that show their vision of space*.
More renderings and details

November 30, 2016

$16.8M Village townhouse has details, a celebrity history–and a secret artists’ cottage in back

This 185-year-old West Village townhouse at 121 Washington Place would enchant any lover of historic homes. Well-preserved details are everywhere, from a brick facade to a distinguished wood-paneled library and full-length arched drawing-room windows. Then there are the features that would thrill any homeowner; at 22 feet wide, the four-story house has an elevator and, best of all, the unexpected surprise of a pint-sized skylit English cottage/artists' studio with a full bath at the back of an idyllic walled garden. Even beyond its current charms, this home and its unique little studio have seen many a colorful, creative life and hosted artists, poets and other notables from Mark Twain to Hillary Clinton.
Read on to find out more

November 29, 2016

$9M for a live/work Soho loft designed by a world-renowned photographer

The days of artists sneakily living in lofts not zoned for residential living are mostly over, but there's still this live/work loft in Soho at 145 Sixth Avenue. The apartment, says the listing, is a "commercially-zoned corner condominium... in a discreet, converted 1900s column-and-beam loft building." (Previously, it looks like the loft was home to the New York jewelry boutique Talavera.) For nearly $8 million you can have your own commercial space tacked onto this well-designed apartment, which the listing promises was envisioned by an unnamed, famous photographer.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

St. Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center tops out with cross

Images st_nicholasshrine Instagram / WTC Progress Facebook

November 29, 2016

St. Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center tops out with cross

By Diane Pham

It's been a long and arduous process rebuilding the St. Nicholas National Shrine, a Greek Orthodox Church that was destroyed on 9/11 when the second trade tower toppled on it. Only last year was the foundation poured, and only two weeks ago were the steel ribs of the structure's defining dome installed. But despite construction moving forward at a glacial pace, officials yesterday celebrated a major milestone with a “topping out ceremony” at the church's new site at Greenwich and Liberty streets. The touchstone event was notably marked by the addition of a temporary 6-foot-3-inch Justinian cross, reports the Times.
see more photos here

Architecture And Design

November 29, 2016

JDS reveals interior and courtyard views of SHoP-designed American Copper Buildings

The team behind the American Copper Buildings--JDS Development Group and SHoP Architects--teased a few interior renderings of the rental back in August, but now the project's full site is live and there's a slew of images of the SHoP-designed model apartments, as well as never-before-seen renderings of SCAPE Landscape Architecture's courtyard plaza. Along with these new views comes news from Curbed that though listings for the 600 market-rate units aren't available yet, (160 others became available through an affordable housing lottery) rents will start at $2,800/month for studios, $4,100/month for one-bedrooms, and $6,800/month for two-bedrooms.
See all the new looks

November 28, 2016

New renderings for COOKFOX’s 700-foot Financial District condo tower 25 Park Row

Over the summer, L+M Development Partners demolished the former Financial District flagship of J&R Music and Computer World to make way for a 54-story, mixed-use condo tower at 25 Park Row, just across from City Hall Park in an area quickly becoming a more vibrant, 24-hour neighborhood. Site excavation is now well underway for the 700-foot building, reports CityRealty, […]

November 28, 2016

Locals push for Sutton Place rezoning ahead of auction for site of planned 950-foot tower

Despite the fact that the site is headed to the auction block next month, local residents and elected officials are rallying to prevent the possible construction of a 950-foot condo tower on East 58th Street in tony Sutton Place. Curbed reports that the group, which includes Councilmen Ben Kallos and Dan Garodnick and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, have submitted a plan to the City Planning Commission that proposes a height cap of 260 feet for the area bounded by East 52nd and East 59th streets east of First Avenue where there is currently no limit on how tall apartment towers can be.
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Fidel Castro Threatens to Sleep in Central Park in Outrage Over Hotel Prices During 1960 Visit

Castro at the U.N. General Assembly

November 28, 2016

Fidel Castro Threatens to Sleep in Central Park in Outrage Over Hotel Prices During 1960 Visit

Just four months after Cuban President Fidel Castro led a successful revolution to overthrow Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, he visited New York City for 11 days on an invitation from the American Society of Newspaper Editors. With his signature green army uniform and boots, bushy beard, and exuberant nature, Castro reportedly hired a PR firm (though it seems he hardly needed to), enjoyed the city’s famous hot dogs, and "kissed ladies like a rock star, and held babies like a politician," according to Mashable. During a tour of the Bronx Zoo, which he called “the best thing New York City has,” Mr. Castro is said to have jumped a railing and stuck his hand into a cage to pet a Bengal tiger.
More shenanigans to come

November 28, 2016

With massive skylights and a private rooftop garden, this $5.75M Soho loft is like a greenhouse with benefits

It doesn't get much more Soho than this rare (in this century) live/work-legal penthouse at 35 Wooster Street, in one of the neighborhood's most iconic buildings–not least of all due to the fact that the popular art institution and gallery The Drawing Center anchors the building as the street-level tenant on landmarked Wooster Street. This beautifully-preserved pre-war cast-iron three-bedroom loft has the typical open layout, tons of detail and character (including high ceilings, a fireplace and amazing skylights), and plenty of light.
See more

Distinctive Homes

November 28, 2016

Taxpayers could be footing $3M annual bill to move Secret Service into Trump Tower

Plans are underway to turn what the New York Times calls “White House North” into an armed bunker as the president-elect’s family defers D.C.. As 6sqft reported last week, Donald Trump has said he'd like his family to remain in Trump Tower, though the gilded Fifth Avenue fortress that Trump, wife Melania and son Barron call home is particularly difficult to secure. The round-the-clock protection the family has been receiving from the NYPD has come at a cost to the city of over $1 million a day. Now, the New York Post reports that the Secret Service is in talks with the Trump Organization over plans to occupy two floors of the 68-story tower. It's standard policy for the federal agency to provide full protection for every president at their various homes–it cost around $2 million a year for the U.S. Coast Guard to protect George H. W. Bush’s estate in Kennebunkport, Maine during his presidency, for example. But in this instance taxpayers would be paying the incoming president's own company for the space in a lease deal which could cost more than $3 million a year.
Wait, what??

Celebrities

November 26, 2016

$650K co-op with a grand fireplace and Moroccan tiles graces the Upper West Side

341 West 87th Street is a gorgeous and historic apartment house located just around the corner from Riverside Drive on the Upper West Side. And you can now snag a six-digit apartment there, this one-bedroom co-op on the market for $650,000. Like the building itself, the apartment has a historic feel with one very impressive wood-burning fireplace, moldings and a juliet balcony. Renovations have brought nice quirks, like a bonus loft space and Moroccan tile decorations.
Check it all out

Distinctive Homes

November 23, 2016

Live in an elegant townhouse near the new Second Avenue Subway for $8M

As 2016 winds down, New Yorkers are still hoping that the Second Avenue Subway will finally open this year without (more) delay. The new subway stops promise to transform the surrounding area and perhaps boost real estate prices. So that's something to consider with this Upper East Side townhouse, which has hit the market for a hair under $8 million. It's located at 310 East 84th Street, just twos block from the new subway stop planned for East 86th Street and Second Avenue. This historic townhouse isn't too shabby, either, with many of its prewar details intact.
Take a look inside

Distinctive Homes

November 23, 2016

City may take a 20 percent cut from Midtown East landmarks that sell their air rights

At the end of August, the city released its long-awaited, very controversial Midtown East Rezoning plan. In addition to allowing 16 new towers to spring up in the area bound by Madison and Third Avenues and 39th and 50th Streets, the upzoning will "permit owners of landmarked buildings to sell their air rights across the district, rather than just to adjacent properties like the current law dictates," as 6sqft previously explained. The following month, the city embarked on a study of these unused development rights, which would amount to an additional 3.6 million square feet over the next 20 years. And part of their conclusion is that they're considering taking a 20 percent cut of these air rights sales, reports Politico.
Find out more

Policy

November 23, 2016

Bethenny Frankel slaps real estate attorney with a $2M lawsuit over former Tribeca loft

By Annie Doge

Earlier this fall, Skinny Girl Bethenny Frankel sold her sprawling Tribeca loft in just one day for its asking price of $6.95 million. This came after three+ years of the apartment being entangled in her very public divorce from Jason Hoppy. At the time of the sale, she expressed her relief: "I’m glad that the real-estate gods were looking out for me saying, ‘let’s give her a break.’" But that break was short lived, as the loft once again has the "Real Housewife" in the courtroom. Page Six reports that Frankel is suing a real estate attorney for $2 million over "breach of contract, fraud and notary misconduct" when he established a trust in 2011 for the couple to make the $5 million purchase at 195 Hudson Street, making both parties co-owners when it was only supposed to be her since she allegedly footed the bill.
Get the rest of the scoop

Celebrities

November 22, 2016

$12.8M massive, mod Flatiron pad is like having your own private design showroom

Even with a dizzying ask of $12.8 million, you know you're headed for off-the-charts territory when a 4,200-square-foot, three+ bedroom apartment starts with a sunken foyer that opens into an 800-square-foot sunken living room. And if you're thinking that's bigger than lots of people's entire apartment, consider the fact that there are many rooms like it in this full-floor home in the Photo Arts Building at 5 East 16th Street. And you haven't even seen the atrium wall yet.
More enthusiastic modern design, this way

Distinctive Homes

November 22, 2016

New Isay Weinfeld-designed Four Seasons won’t resemble the historic restaurant at all

The 21st century incarnation of the iconic Four Seasons restaurant set to open at 280 Park Avenue will bear no resemblance to the original, beyond the famous name and the sign that fronted the "Mad Men"-era power lunch spot in the Seagram Building, according to the restaurant's co-owner, Julian Niccolini. The New York Post reports that the team behind the "new" Four Seasons–Niccolini and partner Alex von Bidder, the Bronfman family, landlord Steve Roth of Vornado and representatives of landlord SL Green Realty–approved the new restaurant's design, by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld, last Friday.
A new femininity for the three-martini lunch?

Architecture And Design

November 22, 2016

Betsey Johnson unloads her pretty pink Upper East Side condo for $1.8M

Iconoclastic designer Betsey Johnson has found a buyer for her Upper East Side condo at 30 East 85th Street. The zany fashionista with a passion for pink purchased the 850-square-foot pad at the top of the market in 2008 for $1.85 million and listed it for $2.25 million in May. With no takers, the price was chopped to $1.8M in October, and the home recently went into contract according to the New York Observer.
See more of the girly-glam pad

Celebrities

November 22, 2016

The Halston House, a former party spot of Andy Warhol, gets a price chop to $28M

A piece of New York City history has become (just slightly) more affordable to own yourself. The mid-century home at 101 East 63rd Street on the Upper East Side, known as the Halston House, is one of only three residences in Manhattan designed by famed architect Paul Rudolph. Not only is the architecture iconic, but after designer Halston moved in in 1974, he spent the next 15 years hosting parties attended by the likes of Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger. The former carriage house turned party destination turned luxury residence first hit the market for $40 million last year when it was said that contemporary art dealer Jeffrey Deitch was “angling” to make a deal. It must not have worked out, because it's back on the market at a discount, asking $28 million.
Hear more about this iconic home

November 22, 2016

Windows at Frank Gehry’s IAC Building are oozing sealant