Manhattan

This two-bedroom prewar co-op on a pretty stretch of Riverside Drive on the Upper West Side has all the necessities in place to be, as the listing says, a retreat from busy city life–like closets galore and a layout built for convenience (laundry room, office, bedrooms opposite the living area). The corner unit means plenty of windows for enjoying the view, an unobstructed eyeful of the Hudson River, Riverside Park and the evening sunset, depending on the time of day and which direction you happen to be facing. For $2.65 million you could easily move in, forward the mail and call it a day, but there are plenty of improvements, enhancements and personalizations to be made–give that kitchen some love, for example, since there’s plenty of space to elevate it to eat-in status.
See all the angles

Distinctive Homes

May 31, 2016

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

By Annie Doge

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

May 31, 2016

After a Luxurious Gut Renovation, this Beekman Townhouse Asks $14.5M

It's pretty bold for a listing to deem its property "sheer perfection," but that's the case when it comes to 319 East 51st Street, a townhouse in the Beekman enclave of Midtown East. The home was last purchased by the hedge fund executive Timothy Greatorex and his wife Deborah Greatorex for $4.6 million in 2011. After a top-to-bottom, dripping-in-luxury gut renovation, it's back on the market for a cool $14.5 million.
See more of the reno

Distinctive Homes

Lottery Opens for 36 Middle-Income Apartments Across Harlem, Starting at $1,156/Month

View across West 133rd Street, where three of the buildings are located

May 31, 2016

Lottery Opens for 36 Middle-Income Apartments Across Harlem, Starting at $1,156/Month

Now that de Blasio's made a pretty significant dent in his goal of building or preserving 200,000 units of affordable housing over the next decade, there seem to be more middle-income housing lotteries opening, in addition to the influx of low-income lotteries that began popping up with a vengeance at the end of last year. The latest offers 36 newly rehabilitated units across five Harlem buildings, running from the border of Morningside Heights at 116th Street up to 138th Street. They're priced between $1,156 for studios, $1,562 for one-bedrooms, $1,591-$2,611 for two-bedrooms, and $1,831-$3,009 for three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

May 31, 2016

First Hudson Yards Tower Opens, Welcomes Coach to Its New HQ

10 Hudson Yards, the first building in what is one of the country's largest construction sites, is officially open for business on Manhattan's far west side. Fashion brand Coach is in the process of moving its headquarters to the 900-foot, 52-story mixed-use structure–known as Coach Tower–from its former location a few blocks away, the Wall Street Journal reports. For the luxury brand, the move represents an important milestone in a quest to re-establish its upscale image. The deal to move into a 738,000-square-foot office in the Kohn Pederson Fox-designed building made headlines when it was announced in 2013. Coach invested $750 million to buy the retail condo space for its new headquarters. Coach's design team worked with STUDIOS Architecture on their new workspace and dedicated entry lobby, which will feature a replica of the company’s famed product library: On display will be 2,000 handbags from past times to present, viewable by High Line visitors.
Find out what else is in store for 10 Hudson Yards

Real Estate Trends

May 30, 2016

Two Bridges Rental Offers Family-Sized Homes with East River Views for Under $5,000/Month

The Two Bridges waterfront is one of the last bastions of affordability in lower Manhattan, but lately it seems word is getting out about its scenic waterfront locale that overlooks the rejuvenated East River shoreline and turn-of-the-century suspension bridges. Recently, two of the city's top high-end builders, Extell and JDS Development have penned soaring towers for the down-to-earth corner of the Lower East Side. Adjacent to those developments, sits the rental building 275 South Street, which is currently undergoing a dramatic overhaul that will renovate its exterior, makeover many of its capacious apartments, and debut a brand-new package of amenities.
Pricing this way

Uncategorized

May 27, 2016

Rent a Former Carriage House in the Historic Washington Mews for $30K/Month

Washington Mews might be one of the best blocks not just in Greenwich Village, but in all of New York City. It's a gated, cobblestone street that's lined with quaint carriage houses and one of them has just hit the market, asking $30,000 a month. Located at 64 Washington Mews, it's been totally renovated into a lofty and modern two-bedroom home with three levels connected by an open staircase and lit by skylights.
Take a look

May 27, 2016

Spotlight: Adam Blumenthal Keeps Magic Alive at 91-Year-Old Tannen’s

By Susan Cohen

At a time when the inner workings of so many things have been demystified, magic still has the ability to stump us. But for magicians to make tricks look seamless, a tremendous amount of time is invested in perfecting the craft and engaging with colleagues who can help them grow and develop their skills. And in New York, magic is cultivated on a daily basis above the hustle and bustle of 34th Street at Tannen’s Magic. The business has been serving the magic community since Louis Tannen opened a street stand in 1925. He later took the business indoors, where it became a gathering place for magicians of all ages and skill levels to purchase and practice their tricks. The current keeper of Tannen’s tradition is Adam Blumenthal, who fell in love with magic at a young age, in part thanks to the store, and is now responsible for ensuring its legacy and introducing it to a new generation of magicians. 6sqft recently spoke with Adam to learn more about magic, Tannen’s, and New York’s magicians.
Read the interview here

May 27, 2016

All Engines SHVO at Three New Manhattan Condo Developments

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal profiled broker-turned-developer Michael Shvo and revealed his development company SHVO now has more than $4 billion dollars worth of projects in the works for the city. While many are still in planning stages and have yet to be released to the public, construction is moving ahead on a trio of condominium developments along Manhattan's western spine -- the Getty, 125 Greenwich Street, and 565 Broome SoHo (as a development partner). While varied in neighborhood and scale, they all enlist high-caliber architects and will bring Shvo's characteristic high level of attention to detail and "pursuit of perfection."
Get the rundown on all three developments

May 27, 2016

Angular Skyscraper One Sixty Madison Offering Two Months Free Rent

Soaring nearly 500 feet into the Manhattan skyline, One Sixty Madison is a shimmering 45-floor rental tower at the boundary of the Murray Hill and Nomad neighborhoods. Developed by J.D. Carlisle Development and designed by SLCE Architects, with interiors by Philip Koether Architects, the uniquely massed building is rotated 45 degrees from its Madison Avenue and 33rd Street frontages, guaranteeing homes an abundance of light and air and stunning skyline views. For a limited time, the leasing team is offering incoming renters two months free on two-year leases and one month free on one-year leases, both with paid OP (broker fees). Current availabilities include an 11th floor studio with a net effective price of $3,263/month, one bedrooms starting from $4,412/month, and two-bedrooms beginning at $6,692/month.
Find out more about the building

May 26, 2016

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

By Diane Pham

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

May 26, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week – 5/26-6/1

By Lori Zimmer

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! If you're not heading out of town for the big holiday weekend, there's still plenty to keep you busy and cultured. Jeffrey Deitch's Coney Island Walls continue for a second season, with new murals starting this weekend. Arthelix will stay open for 72 hours for a tireless performative festival, while Williamsburg's former Cinders Gallery resurrects for a month at Brilliant Champions in Bushwick. Governors Island opens up for the season, with a free Kids festival, joined by a Classical Music festival for adults. If you're headed to the Hamptons for the weekend, be sure to check out Agathe Snow's curatorial project with Eric Firestone, or a rousing art talk with Annika Connor at the library. And while you scoot from one place to the next, be sure to check out Leah Oates' new exhibition for MTA Arts & Design, giving a burst of nature underneath Bryant Park.
More on all the best events this way

Events & Things To Do

May 26, 2016

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

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

May 26, 2016

C3D Architecture’s 232 Seventh Avenue Begins Its 17-Floor Climb in Chelsea

Near Chelsea's raggle-taggle intersection of Seventh Avenue and 23rd Street, a new residential building has begun its 17-floor rise skyward. The 53,135-square-foot tower designed by C3D Architecture will boast 50 rental apartments with first and cellar levels dedicated to commercial and retail uses. Floors two through 11 will be configured with four apartments per floor and floors 12-16 just two apartments apiece. According to C3D, the exterior will be clad in a subdued mix of limestone and metal panels with full-height glass windows wedged in between. The second floor will be provided a large rear terrace and all levels above will have west-facing balconies. The twelfth floor is setback and the uppermost four levels will be outfitted with street-facing balconies.
Find out more

Jamestown Will Spend up to $50M to Double Retail Space at Chelsea Market

Views of addition courtesy of Neoscape

May 26, 2016

Jamestown Will Spend up to $50M to Double Retail Space at Chelsea Market

Back in March, 6sqft got a first look at renderings for Jamestown Properties' 240,000-square-foot addition to Chelsea Market. Known as BLDG 18, the nine-story topper designed by Studios Architecture will sit atop the westernmost building of the complex. In addition, the developer plans to spend $35 to $50 million doubling the size of the retail space. Though there's no new images to accompany the news, Crain's explains that the additional 80,000 square feet of retail will go in the building's now mostly unused lower level. Here, among other renovations, Jamestown will convert a boiler room into a restaurant and add a central corridor similar to the existing one on the ground level.
More details ahead

New Developments

May 26, 2016

Apply for 55 Middle-Income Apartments in Prime Murray Hill

A common complaint about the city's affordable housing lotteries is that they don't often pertain to middle-income New Yorkers who are struggling to pay market-rate rents just the same. But here's the chance for this often-overlooked group to get in on the action -- a lottery launches tomorrow for 55 middle-income apartments at 325 East 25th Street. Not only do the rents range from $1,715/month studios to $2,216/month two-bedrooms, but the building is located in a prime Murray Hill location just north of Gramercy and right in the mix of restaurants and bars (okay, maybe just bars) for which the 'hood is known.
Get the full breakdown here

Affordable Housing

May 25, 2016

Tribeca’s Iconic Pearl Paint Buildings Are Going Residential

Back in 2014, New Yorkers lamented the shuttering of Pearl Paint, the legendary 80-year-old art retailer that had been located on the border of Tribeca and Chinatown since 1933. Any self-respecting artist, architect, or designer will surely remember trudging up the six flights of creaking floor boards and hunting down bargain-priced supplies, but this will soon become an even more distant memory as just yesterday, Trans World Equities filed permits to convert one of Pearl Paint's former buildings into eight residential units and build a two-story addition above the 150-year-old structure at 308 Canal Street.
All the details this way

New Developments

May 25, 2016

Historic Casement Windows Line This $1.3M Corner Loft in Greenwich Village

The International Tailoring Company Building, located at 111 Fourth Avenue in Greenwich Village, is historic and stately from the outside, light and lofty from the inside. It's been converted into co-op apartments, and this one-bedroom duplex is now on the market for $1.3 million. Its attributes include 13-foot ceilings, six original industrial casement windows--two of which are 10 feet tall, the other four are eight feet tall--and views of sky and the city skyline. A recent renovation brought in some modern-day luxuries as well.
See the interior

Distinctive Homes

Great Game Changers: One Worldwide Plaza, A Classy Attraction for Sleazy 1980s Midtown

Image of WWP via Macklowe Properties

May 24, 2016

Great Game Changers: One Worldwide Plaza, A Classy Attraction for Sleazy 1980s Midtown

By Carter B. Horsley

What does it take to jump-start an unglamorous neighborhood? A huge development? A mixed-use project? New transit facilities? When this full-block, mixed-use development project was conceived in the mid-1980s the area in and around Times Square was one of the city’s worst. It was riddled with crime and pornography and was run-down, especially along Eighth Avenue. The proposition to add a building that was the scale of the full-block One Worldwide Plaza development, therefore, was not only surprising, but shocking and downright unthinkable. The legendary Madison Square Garden designed by Thomas W. Lamb had occupied its site from 1925 to 1966, but its second incarnation here was rather ramshackle especially in comparison to its previous glorious building on Madison Avenue at 26th Street. When it moved south next to the “new” Penn Station 16 blocks to the south, this site became the city’s largest parking lot and it took about a decade and a half for it to find a new life. The site was finally developed and completed in 1989 by a syndicate headed by William Zeckendorf Jr. that included Arthur Cohen and Worldwide Realty partners Frank Stanton and Victor Elmaleh.
more on the rise of worldwide plaza and how it revived midtown manhattan

May 24, 2016

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

By Annie Doge

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

May 24, 2016

Triplex Penthouse at the Late Zaha Hadid’s High Line Condos Lists for $50M

The 6,853-square-foot triplex penthouse atop the 11-story 520 West 28th Street condominium on the High Line, designed by the late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, has arrived on the market for the first time for the as-promised ask of $50 million. The architecturally unique 39-unit building, Hadid’s first–and, sadly, only–ground-up structure in New York City, has interiors also overseen and designed by the architect. Related Companies, the building's developer, speaks of the honor of collaborating with "one of the world’s most visionary architects, Dame Zaha Hadid, on the design for 520 West 28th. The design is being realized as she envisioned–each residence is a work of art unto itself–and the penthouse in particular is a spectacular example of this, including various unique elements such as a sculptural three-story staircase, designed by Hadid, which unites all levels of the triplex residence.”
Find out about this one-of-a-kind penthouse

May 23, 2016

Developers Used a Four-Foot-Wide Lot to Build a Taller Upper East Side Tower

The go-to move for building taller than zoning allows is snatching up some air rights, but at 180 East 88th Street in Yorkville, developer DDG Partners found an obscure loophole to increase their building's height. Back in 2014, as the Times explains, DDG received approvals to slice off a four-foot-wide lot from the 30-foot-deep site. This became an official taxable lot, but because it provided a buffer between the building and the street, it allowed the building to avoid typical zoning for structures touching the street, rising to its 521-foot height (60 feet taller than would have been permitted otherwise) and having its entrance on Third Avenue. Now that the motive has become clear, local residents and elected officials are not happy, and adding fuel to the fire is the fact that DDG contributed at least $19,900 to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The full story ahead

May 23, 2016

Alexander Wang Lists Luxuriously Moody Tribeca Loft for $3.75M

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

May 23, 2016

This $25K/Month Tribeca Rental Claims to Be Better than the Hamptons

Memorial Day weekend is approaching, signaling that time in New York when people start decamping for the Hamptons as much as possible. But this summer rental, at 17 Jay Street in Tribeca, is asking that you stay. "Forget the Hamptons," the listing says, "Spend June through Labor Day in this serene and utterly charming duplex penthouse loft featuring a spacious 3BR layout, with two fireplaces and three lovely decked terraces!" Three terraces may not be as good as the beach, but it's definitely not shabby for a New York City apartment.
See all the outdoor space

Distinctive Homes

May 23, 2016

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