Manhattan

If you’re a fan of curves and arches, this $10,000 per month penthouse at 19 Bond Street in Noho just might be your mecca. The two-bedroom corner loft stuns with 1,450 square feet of interior space and an additional 850-square-foot planted roof deck, not to mention a few lofted spaces and streams of natural light flooding in from southwestern exposures.
More Curves and Arches This Way

Distinctive Homes

November 13, 2014

118 East 59th Street: Boutique Skyscraper To Rise in Hybrid Area Between Midtown and the UES

By Ondel Hylton

An exclusive condo tower is set to rise within the quickly changing area where Midtown East's commercial bustle tempers down into the elegant residential blocks of the Upper East Side. Located at 118 East 59th Street near Park Avenue, the unassuming site is being developed by Hong Kong-based Euro Properties, their first foray into the Manhattan market. The mid-block tower will soar 38 stories yet contain only 29 units–another example of the city’s new and somewhat oxymoronic building type, the boutique skyscraper, which typically contains fewer units than a standard six-story co-op building, and even fewer inhabitants. This 59th Street project will join the ranks of 432 Park Avenue (1,398 feet/104 units), 520 Park Avenue ( 781 feet/31 units), and 125 Greenwich Street (1,375 feet/128 units) as buildings with the greatest height-to-unit-count disparity.
More on the tower here

November 12, 2014

Light Installation Artist James Turrell Sells Gramercy Park Apartment for $2M

By Dana Schulz

From June to September of 2013, crowds were flocking to the Guggenheim for a chance to stare up at the famous rotunda, recast as an enormous volume filled with shifting artificial and natural light. Titled Aten Reign, the show cemented installation artist James Turrell's reputation as a major cultural force in New York City. But now that the fanfare has died down, the Flagstaff, Arizona-based artist and his wife have sold their apartment at 26 Gramercy Park South for $2.1 million, according to city records released today.
Check out Turrell's NYC pad here

November 12, 2014

Zen Tribeca Loft Complete With Neon Signs and Beatles-Inspired Bed Can Be Yours for $10.5M

Tribeca is filled with well-designed lofts, but this space boasts a symmetrical zen-like elegance that is definitely worth checking out. The one-bedroom unit is located at 158 Franklin Street on one of the neighborhood's most desirable cobblestone blocks and is currently listed for $10.5 million. The interior space features low furnishings and eastern-inspired details–most notably a bed inset into the floor, reminiscent of the Beatles' bed in their famous movie, "Help" (we can't be the only ones who've dreamed of having that bed). The loft recently underwent a complete renovation, and we like what we're seeing.
Tour the rest of the home here

Distinctive Homes

November 12, 2014

Live in Tom Brady and Gisele’s One Madison Pied-a-Terre for $40K/Month

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen and her NFL star hubby Tom Brady have just put their 3,300-square-foot apartment at One Madison on the rental market. The couple, who also own a mansion in Los Angeles and have built another in Brookline, MA, are offering up their modern Manhattan pad for $40,000 a month—or $42,500 if you want the space to come fully furnished. Either way, the home boasts some pretty spectacular 360-degree views of the city all throughout.
Have a look inside

November 12, 2014

Lavish Former Home of Socialite Marietta Tree Asks $10 Million

A charming maisonette apartment at 1 Sutton Place South just popped up on the market, asking $9.995 million. This 4,700-square-foot pad was formerly the home of Marietta Tree, a 1940s and ‘50s socialite, U.S Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and companion to powerful men like John Huston and Adlai Stevenson. The home underwent a complete renovation in 2004 by designer Albert Hadley and architect Basil Walter. The end result channels a lavish Georgian townhouse in London.
Take a look inside, here

Distinctive Homes

November 11, 2014

$14M Greene Street Penthouse Features Fun Furniture and Fantastic Views

Don’t be fooled by this penthouse’s carefree appearance. The 3,510-square-foot duplex is one of the last units standing in the meticulous conversion at 53 Greene Street, and it’s commanding quite a premium at $14.05 million, a whopping $4,000 per square foot.
Take a look inside, here

Distinctive Homes

November 11, 2014

Beautiful Upper East Side Fairytale Mansion Now $2M Less

The fairy tale of New York City is constantly unfolding, and this one-of-a-kind Upper East Side townhouse will surely set the scene for a romantic urban happily ever after. This home, originally built in 1893 by A. B. Ogden and Son, is located at 5 East 93rd Street, a stone's throw away from 5th Avenue and Central Park. Within the last few years the entire property was completely restored, and the elaborate detailing that went into the design of this home is immaculate. The listing price for this property is $17.95 million—and yep, if you’ve been following, it's dropped almost $2 million from its February listing price.
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<b>Home and Away: Is Airbnb a Threat to the Affordable Housing Market?</b>

Photo courtesy of Airbnb via Facebook.

November 10, 2014

Home and Away: Is Airbnb a Threat to the Affordable Housing Market?

By Michelle Cohen

Controversial room-sharing startup Airbnb, one of the most visible players in what is being called the “sharing economy,” has recently awakened the innovation vs. regulation argument in all the usual ways–and a few new ones, including the accusation that these short-term rentals are depleting the already-scarce affordable housing stock in pricey metro areas like San Francisco and New York City.
What the latest data reveals–and what's being done about it

November 10, 2014

Architect Steven Harris Builds a Floating Staircase to Heaven in This Tribeca Loft Renovation

Made possible by handiwork from the firm Steven Harris Architects, the design and luxury of this Tribeca loft renovation are magnificent. The entirety of the project included the renovation of a huge penthouse located in a converted 1930s office building into a dream home for one family with three teenagers and no budget constraints. What emerged was this multi-level unit that occupies the 27th and 28th floors with nearly 8,000 square feet of living space. The property features a self-contained guest house, a new glass and teak beam rooftop (which also doubles as a recreation room), and fabulous views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. However, within all of this architectural glory our favorite detail is the elegant floating staircase that climbs up the living room wall and almost into the clouds.
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November 10, 2014

Warby Parker Creates Upper East Side Literary Map

By Dana Schulz

You might have noticed that hipster eyeglass emporium Warby Parker took over the former Lascoff Drugs store on Lexington Avenue and East 82nd Street. The community is quite satisfied with their thoughtful reuse of the historic pharmacy, and in return, the company seems to be very in tune with the neighborhood of their latest outpost. Warby's latest foray into the world of the Upper East Side is a map of famous literary locations, from the Barbizon Hotel, fictionalized as the Amazon in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, to Eloise's home at the Plaza Hotel.
More on the map here

Celebrities

November 10, 2014

‘Orange is the New Black’ Actress Alysia Reiner Renovates Historic Harlem Townhouse

By Alyssa Alimurung

This Harlem townhouse on 128th Street may look like a sunny respite now, but back in 2007 when actress Alysia Reiner and her husband David Alan Basche bought it, the building was nothing but an abandoned space with some dusty (but beautiful) brick walls. Armed with MontesBuild Green Street Construction and their vision to turn it into […]

November 10, 2014

Actor Tate Donovan Buys $1.8M Chelsea Condo

You probably recognize actor and director Tate Donovan from The O.C., 24: Live Another Day, and the short-lived Hostages (and as the former fiancé of both Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock). And now you might be running into him in Chelsea. According to city records published today, Donovan purchased a $1,775,000 condo at 428 West […]

November 10, 2014

Luxury Hudson Square Loft with Multiple Decks Asks $11 Million

It’s hard to believe this customizable penthouse at 481 Greenwich Street has been having a rough time on the market since January 2013. The striking duplex, asking $10.75 million, is the definition of luxury loft living in one of downtown Manhattan’s hottest new neighborhoods, no less. There are quite a few details that set this loft apart from the rest, but we’ll start with the sheer enormity of its size. We’re talking 4,500 square feet of interior space and an additional 3,000 square feet of multi-level rooftop terrace. Add to that floor-to ceiling windows and Hudson River views and you just might find yourself experiencing love at first sight.
More photos inside

Distinctive Homes

November 7, 2014

Debra Messing Buys $5.5M Upper East Side Apartment

Her famous Will & Grace character may have lived on the Upper West Side, but Debra Messing is crossing the park for a new home at 3 East 84th Street. According to city records filed today, the actress purchased a $5.45 million co-op at the building. The four-bedroom unit is just a half block from Central Park and boasts 10-foot ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, Juliette balcony, and charming country kitchen.
Check out Messing's new digs here

November 7, 2014

Upcoming Condo-Hotel Overlooking Bryant Park Unveils New Dapper Look

By Ondel Hylton

An updated rendering of a ground-up, mixed-use tower along the south side of Bryant Park has been revealed on HFZ Capital Group's website. The storied site at 20 West 40th Street was acquired by HFZ after Fortieth St. Partners defaulted on a $44 million loan back in 2010. According to HFZ's project page, the development will include a 5-star hotel, restaurant and bar, and residential condominiums. Construction permits filed last month specify that the hotel-design experts Stonehill & Taylor are the architects of record.
Additional details on the project

November 7, 2014

Cleverly Designed Noho Loft Is Inspired by the Japanese Bento Box

Making space for all of your things is a constant challenge when living in New York City, and efficient storage is a valuable commodity (any seasoned New Yorker would agree). That's why this cleverly designed Noho loft, inspired by the neatly-packed Japanese bento box, has caught our attention. Koko, the architecture firm responsible for the delicious design, was approached by friends (and now clients) to revamp their 1,400 square foot loft into a space capable providing for the needs of a growing family.
See how everything fits into place

Distinctive Homes

November 7, 2014

Tenement Talks: Learn About Lowline’s Past and the Underground Park That May One Day Fill It

Ever since architects James Ramsey and Dan Barasch announced their plan to turn a forgotten trolley terminal below Delancey Street into an underground park, design enthusiasts, urban planners, locals, celebs, and, well, just about everyone who’s caught wind of it has been waiting in anticipation for what’s to come. The push to make this cool concept […]

November 7, 2014

Masterful Oliver Cope Renovation in Lenox Hill Asks $10 Million

There’s an exquisite new listing at 314 East 69th Street, asking $9.75 million. This remarkable townhome’s owners clearly spared no expense renovating the space, commissioning award-winning architect Oliver Cope for the job. His signature classic style suits this Lenox Hill house beautifully, and the final result is a spectacular home that is likely to impress even the most discerning prospective buyer.
Take a closer look, here

Distinctive Homes

November 6, 2014

Lenox Hill Townhouse Near Andy Warhol’s Last Residence Asks $14.5M

Superstar broker Ryan Serhant has just listed a five-story townhouse at 56 East 66th Street, asking $14.49 million. This multi-family home has a lot going for it with a prime gold coast location, beautiful original details, and the potential to become a colossal 8,032-square-foot single-family conversion. So grab your architect and a little imagination because this prewar pad is just waiting to become somebody’s dream home.
See what else this mega-home has to offer

Distinctive Homes

Fulton Center via Grimshaw Architects

November 6, 2014

Fulton Center Subway Station to Open This Monday with Its Impressive Oculus

By Dana Schulz

It's a busy couple of weeks for the Financial District. On Monday, Condé Nast moved in to One World Trade Center, and this coming Monday, November 10th, at 5:00pm, the Fulton Center subway station will finally open. The new station, which connects ten subway lines, was first conceived in 2002 as part of downtown revitalization efforts following 9/11, but also because the station had needed improvements for decades. It was initially supposed to open in 2007, but funding hurdles and escalating costs delayed the progress. More recently, Hurricane Sandy and systems testing problems pushed back the opening further. But the $1.4 billion transit hub is now ready to welcome commuters and dazzle them with its giant 120-foot-tall oculus.
Take an advance look inside Fulton Center

November 6, 2014

BKSK Proposes an Undulating Glass Topper for the Landmarked Tammany Hall

The landmarked Tammany Hall at 44 Union Square East could be getting a modern makeover in the form of a restored facade, brand new storefront, 27,000 square feet of office space, and, most notably, a two-story glass dome topper that would bring the height of the building up to 85 feet. BKSK Architects presented their plans to gut and revamp the historic building this week to the Community Board 5’s Landmarks Committee. And though no one could argue with the design's glassy allure, board members were otherwise not all that thrilled.
Find out more here

History

November 6, 2014

Lauren Bacall’s Dakota Apartment Will Go for a Jaw-Dropping $26 Million

Since Lauren Bacall passed away this summer, many have been watching the iconic actress’s longtime Dakota home in hopes of catching a glimpse of the interior—and a chance at owning Hollywood history. Now word has it that the residence will hit the market any minute now with Warburg Realty brokering what is expected to be a $26 million listing. […]

November 6, 2014

Carmelo and LaLa Anthony Step Up Penthouse Search and Tour a $48M Tribeca Duplex

If you were impressed by the $15 million Chelsea penthouse that Carmelo and LaLa Anthony toured last month, you're definitely going to think their latest real estate interest is a slam dunk. The couple recently toured a $48 million duplex penthouse in Tribeca's Sky Lofts at 145 Hudson Street. James Carpenter, the same architect responsible for 7 World Trade Center, designed the four-bedroom glass house atop an historic Art Deco loft building. And with 7,500 square feet of interior space as well as a 4,500-square-foot wrap-around terrace, the home set a record for highest-priced Manhattan apartment south of Columbus Circle when it was originally purchased for $30 million in 2009 (a record later broken by the $50.9 million sale of the Walker Tower penthouse).
Tour what may be the future house of Carmelo

November 5, 2014

Andrew Franz Transforms an Old Soap Factory into a Tranquil Tribeca Oasis

Architect Andrew Franz is known for his nature-inspired designs, and he has successfully infused his signature aesthetic into the tranquil interior of this Tribeca home. Franz transformed a 19th century Manhattan soap factory into what is now a gorgeous example of adaptive reuse. The designer's goal for this project was to create the feeling of being outdoors when inside the walls of the Romanesque Revival building, while also maintaining as much of the original structure as possible. By combining modern clean lines and open spaces with rustic wooden columns and raw brick walls, Franz creates a visual narrative celebrating the preservation of something old in the creation of something new and beautiful.
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November 5, 2014

$3.58M Forsyth Revitalization Project Will Bring an Elevated Park Off the Manhattan Bridge