Manhattan

14th Street, 23rd Street, 86th Street–there's no question that these east-west thoroughfares are some of the city's most bustling corridors of commercial, cultural, and residential activity. And 125th Street in Harlem could now be joining their ranks, a real estate trend dissected in a WSJ article today. Big-name NYC developers are cashing in on the street's transformation. Greystone & Co. bought a $11.5 million site through a bankruptcy auction earlier this month, where they'll put 75 market-rate and affordable apartments, along with ground-floor retail space. Across the street, Continuum Co. will add 700 residential units and 85,000 square feet of retail. Nearby, Wharton Properties has obtained funding for their 33,000-square-foot retail complex that will be anchored by Whole Foods.
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Real Estate Trends

December 15, 2014

Arne Glimcher, One of World’s Most Powerful Art Dealers, Buys $5.6M Madison Square Loft

If you're familiar with the NYC gallery scene you definitely know the Pace Gallery and its founder Arnold "Arne" Glimcher, one of the world's most powerful art dealers, as well as a film producer and director. According to city records, Arne and his son Marc have bought a $5.6 million Madison Square loft at 117 East 24th Street. The contemporary space boasts four bedrooms and 4,000 square feet as well as 11.5-foot ceilings and plenty of wall space to display one's art collection, though we're not sure which of the father-son art dealing pair will be residing in the loft.
Take a look around

December 15, 2014

EVENT: Here’s Your Chance to Check Out Billionaire Peter Brant’s Converted Con Ed Station

Now's your chance to get a look into one of the city's coolest spaces. EV Grieve tells us that from now through Sunday, the curious yellow brick building located at 421 East 6th Street will open its doors to the public for its first art show featuring Dan Colen. The former Con Ed substation was recently purchased for $27 million by billionaire Peter Brant from the estate of the late Walter de Maria, the famed sculptor who converted the 16,402-square-foot structure into an incredible home and studio back in the '80s. The event is sure to delight, if not for the artist's work (which ARTnews dubs "deeply mediocre"), then at least for the chance to get a first glimpse into the extraordinary space. Nondescript and gritty on the outside, the building’s cavernous interior spaces boast ceilings as high as 32 feet, and plenty of the near-century-old substation's original details remain intact.
Find out more here

Mayor De Blasio Builds a “Privacy Fence” Around Gracie Mansion to Keep Curious Eyes Out

Image: Gracie Mansion before the extra four feet of fence was added. © wallyg via photopin cc

December 12, 2014

Mayor De Blasio Builds a “Privacy Fence” Around Gracie Mansion to Keep Curious Eyes Out

“Man of the People” Mayor De Blasio seems to be getting a little annoyed with his constituents’ nosy nature. The Post reports that De Blasio has just erected a “privacy fence” adding another four feet to the home’s existing barrier. The new fence was constructed inside an existing red brick wall and a wrought-iron fence that […]

Celebrities

December 12, 2014

Luxurious Upper East Side Townhouse Fetches Impressive $9M

Massive townhouses that have received a modern overhaul can often feel cold and museum-like, but this Upper East Side stunner has managed to maintain its warm, cozy feel after getting a state-of-the-art contemporary upgrade from two-family home to one. Located at 435 East 87th Street, the five-story, six-bedroom home just sold for an impressive $8.9 million, according to city records. It was built in 1901, but its 6,500-square-foot interior has been completely reimagined as the ultimate "luxury entertainers' home." The classic décor, along with touches of the home's history like crown moldings and a sweeping staircase, make it pretty clear why the new owners dropped such a pretty penny.
Tour the rest of the home here

December 11, 2014

Robert De Niro Buys $2.8M West Village Apartment

He's at it again, this time buying a $2.8 million West Village apartment at 32 Morton Street. Real estate lover Robert De Niro inked the deal for the two-bedroom penthouse loft along with his stepdaughter Drena, according to city records. A few months ago, De Niro made headlines when he moved into a $125,000/month rental at star-studded 15 Central Park West while waiting for the renovation to be complete at his Brentmore triplex. He also got some recent notorious attention for getting into a very public tax fight with the Hudson Valley town where he owns a 78-acre property. And let's not forget about his $250 million Barbados hotel project. With so many real estate balls in the air, it's hard to say if De Niro or his daughter will be living in the latest acquisition, but it would be the perfect downtown pad.
Check out the penthouse here

December 11, 2014

Family Fun: Where to Find the Best Winter Wonderlands and Santa-Centric Events in NY

By Michelle Cohen

Anyone with kids knows that there’s no such thing as too much when it comes to the sensory wonders of the holiday season. We've rounded up some Santa-centric events—from lap-climbing photo-ops to full-on wonderland to brunch with the holiday's most famous man—that aim to satisfy endless appetites for holiday cheer. We've even got a couple for your pets!
This way to the North Pole...

December 11, 2014

Biographer Couple Lists Artsy Central Park Duplex at Gainsborough Studios for $6M

Biographers Edmund and Sylvia Jukes Morris have just listed their duplex apartment at the exclusive Gainsborough Studios for $6 million. The stunning space promises to be a treat for all seasons with gigantic windows offering indescribable views of Central Park that will take your breath away. Yes, a place like this is so inspiring it would turn anyone into an artist.
Take a look inside, here

December 11, 2014

Weather Anchor Sam Champion Sells Upper West Side Condo for $4.7M

Everyone’s favorite well-coiffed weatherman Sam Champion has sold his Upper West Side condo for $4.7 million, according to city records released today. Champion bought the 2,019-square-foot unit on the top floor of 45 West 67th Street in 1995 for $750,000, netting him an impressive $4 million profit on the sale. The 33-story building was erected in 1985 and […]

December 11, 2014

Telecom Mogul Michael Hirtenstein Combines Three Apartments into One Elegant Tribeca Triplex

By Rebecca Paul

Designer Amy Lau recently completed an impressive mid-century triplex in NYC's downtown neighborhood of Tribeca. The apartment belongs to Michael Hirtenstein, a high-rolling telecom mogul, who, upon seeing it, knew he had to make the massive space his own. The apartment was originally purchased by Mr. Hirtenstein for $16.5 million dollars as three separate units before he combined them into one massive apartment for an unknown amount of money. This gorgeously designed home spells luxury in every detail and features exquisite furnishings throughout. Combining pieces from bespoke, mid-century modern and contemporary designers, this space tells a unique story represented by many points of view.
Get a closer look inside

December 11, 2014

REVEALED: Interior Renderings for Robert A.M. Stern-Designed 520 Park Avenue

Robert A.M. Stern's 520 Park Avenue has already been called "the next 15 Central Park West," and like its Stern predecessor, 520 is an ultra-luxury development with a stately façade wrapped in stone. Set to be completed in 2016, it will rise 51 stories high, but contain just 31 units, one of which is the $130 million penthouse, the city's most expensive apartment. And though most of the attention has been on "the greatest apartment on the Upper East Side," the fanfare has now shifted to the first batch of interior renderings for the building. 520 Park's full website is now live, and not surprisingly, the residences have classic layouts, impressive Central Park views, and a host of high-end amenities.
Take the tour here

December 10, 2014

Penthouse at Cary Tamarkin-Designed 456 West 19th Street Returns with Same $12M Asking Price

If this duplex penthouse at 456 West 19th Street were a movie buff it would probably quote Rose Dawson from Titanic, saying, “I’ll never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go…of my $11.75 million price tag.” Okay, so maybe we took a few creative liberties, but you get the point. In 2011, Code and Theory founder Brandon Ralph spent $6.8 million on the pad before turning around and attempting the ambitious flip. For roughly a year and a half, the unit sat on the market before finally withdrawing this past summer. Yet it returns, completely undeterred by its apparent misfortune. This condo knows its worth… and that number is $11.75 million. Why? For starters, it sits on the top half of the building, where its fluid curves set the entire building apart from the rest. Add to that soaring windows and seamless indoor/outdoor living and you have a winner right in the heart of the West Chelsea Arts District. Now, does that make it worth almost $12 million? We’ll let you decide.
Let's take a look inside

Distinctive Homes

December 10, 2014

Diane von Furstenberg’s Daughter Sells Gramercy Park Co-op for $4.2M

Tatiana von Furstenberg, singer, filmmaker and daughter of fashion mogul Diane von Furstenberg, has sold her luxury co-op at 1 Gramercy Park for $4,240,000, according to city records. She purchased the home in 2006, and since her address of record is in Los Angeles, perhaps she’s becoming a permanent West Coaster–or moving to her mother’s beloved […]

December 10, 2014

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum Reopens This Week After a Three-Year High-Tech Renovation

It's been three years since the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum was first cloaked in scaffolding, but the $91 million, LEED-certified renovation has finally come to a close. The museum, located in Andrew Carnegie's former Gilded Age mansion on Fifth Avenue, is set to reopen this Friday, December 12th. It now boasts 60% more exhibition space and a slew of new high-tech interactive features including downloadable 3D designs, multi-touch surfaces as large as pool tables and an interactive projection that allows guests to view 500 digital images of wallpaper right on the gallery walls.
More details on the revamped museum

O Christmas Tree: Where to See the Biggest Evergreens Around the City

New York Stock Exchange Christmas tree via Mille Fiori Favoriti

December 9, 2014

O Christmas Tree: Where to See the Biggest Evergreens Around the City

Last week, we took a look back at the history of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to mark the annual lighting celebration. Though this is probably the most famous Christmas tree in the world, many of us jaded New Yorkers would rather not deal with the crowds and traffic jams that come with visiting Rock Center. So as an equally festive alternative, we've rounded up some of the other huge trees illuminating the city this holiday season.
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Events & Things To Do

December 9, 2014

Don’t Forget, One World Trade Was Supposed to Be the Greenest Building in America

Since the opening of One World Trade Center just a few weeks ago, the world has been in an uproar over the design and the incredible cost of making New York's tallest tower a reality. But one feature that we all seemed to have forgotten was the promise that the tower would be the greenest building in America. A recent City Lab article looks at what went wrong, and why, in a race to meet contractual obligations to its anchor tenant, Condé Nast, the development dumped a major part of its plans to go green, currently leaving the building in a state of noncompliance.
Find out more here

December 9, 2014

Rosie O’Donnell Sells Chic Greenwich Village Penthouse for $9M

After initially listing her Greenwich Village penthouse for $11 million in July 2013, Rosie O'Donnell has finally sold the chic four-bedroom home for the substantially lesser amount of $9 million, according to the Daily News. O'Donnell bought the duplex apartment at 130 West 12th Street, part of the former St. Vincent’s Hospital complex, for $8.09 million in the summer of 2012. She then redecorated it with a combination of artsy, modern, and elegant furnishings. In addition to benefitting from Rosie's design sense, the new owner will also get to take advantage of a 435-square-foot private terrace and views of both the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center.
Take a look around the penthouse here

December 9, 2014

Sleek $8.5M Central Park West Pad Returns Asking Twice the Price

About two years ago, this impeccable pad on Central Park West sold for $4.3 million. Today, after an extensive gut renovation, the apartment is back on the market asking $8.495 million—nearly twice its initial price. But that 50% increase includes a Workshop/APD redesign, complete with “museum quality finishes” and only the finest craftsmanship. The finished product evokes a sense of calm sophistication in a supreme duplex with partial views of the city and Central Park.
More pics right this way

Distinctive Homes

Soho Broadway BID Will Support Local Residents in Addition to Businesses

Soho via CityRealty

December 9, 2014

Soho Broadway BID Will Support Local Residents in Addition to Businesses

By definition, a Business Improvement District (BID) "is a public/private partnership in which property and business owners elect to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development, and promotion of their commercial district." Typically, they're implemented in neighborhoods that need an economic boost, so Soho would seem like an unlikely candidate. Ever since the neighborhood's artist lofts were replaced with designer boutiques, residents have struggled to deal with the "mall-ification" of their home. And when the Soho Broadway BID was presented, local activists opposed it, citing that commercial activity was already bursting at the seams, and it was the residents who needed assistance. Now, after nearly four years of debate, the BID is moving forward, but with a decreased budget and an equal commitment to both residents and businesses.
More details ahead

Policy

December 8, 2014

Enjoy the High Life in This 11th-Floor Flatiron Loft Going for $3.95M

Every New Yorker wants two things: a great apartment and a convenient location. Well, there’s a new $3.95 million listing available at 9 West 20th Street, right off the Ladies’ Mile, which means you can shop and eat to your heart’s content, then head home to the comfort and luxury of this mint-condition loft.
Take a look inside, here

Distinctive Homes

December 8, 2014

Bruce Willis Lists Central Park West Apartment for $13M

Bruce Willis is really stepping up his New York real estate game. Just five weeks after buying a $12 million, 22-acre estate in Bedford, New York, he and his wife, actress Emma Heming Willis, have listed their three-bedroom Central Park West co-op at the El Dorado for $13 million. The Daily News reports that the couple is looking to trade up to a bigger unit now that they have a second child. Willis bought the apartment at 300 Central Park West less than two years ago for $8.85 million from U2 bassist Adam Clayton. And after a meticulous renovation, he's looking to make $4 million on the flip.
Take a tour of the Willis home

December 8, 2014

REVEALED: New Look for Hell’s Kitchen Radio City Lofts Built Atop Historic Post Office

By Ondel Hylton

Who can deny the cool factor of living in a space oozing with history? New Yorkers find themselves living in former schools, churches, banks, fire stations, and even insane asylums. Now coming to Hell's Kitchen are 44 condominiums dubbed Radio City Lofts, which will bring our space-deprived denizens a new form of living: life atop a functioning post office.
More on the new lofts here

New Developments

December 8, 2014

Nobutaka Ashihara-Designed Hotel Coming to the Garment District

By Ondel Hylton

A 22-story limited-service hotel is gearing up to rise in Midtown at 4-6 West 37th Street. According to new building permits filed this past weekend, a 120-key 60,000 square-foot development will go up at the 4,200 square-foot lot situated between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Two charming six-story buildings, erected in 1920, will be be demolished for the 210-foot tall project designed by notable hotel designer Nobutaka Ashihara Architects. The firm recently opened the city's tallest hotel, the Marriott Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park at 1717 Broadway.
FInd out more here

December 6, 2014

New Rendering of 190 Bowery Gives Us a Look at the Mysterious Building Graffiti-Free