Manhattan

September 18, 2014

Will a New Waldorf School at Ben Shaoul’s Bloom 62 Attract Spendy Families?

Back in 2012, when Magnum Real Estate's Ben Shaoul announced plans to turn the Cabrini nursing home in the East Village into condos, more than a handful of "Sledgehammer Shaoul" flags went up in protest. Plans moved ahead despite public outcry, and now more than two years later, the former nursing home has transformed into a luxury residential building called Bloom 62. Although not much has been done to dress up the exterior, the 26-unit condo is no slouch and boasts a number of enviable luxuries, including a landscaped roof deck and gym. But Bloom 62's most valuable amenity may be what sits on its ground floor: a school.
More on the benefits to be reaped here
September 18, 2014

Is Jennifer Lopez Moving Into Chelsea’s Walker Tower?

Jenny from the Block could be looking to move to Chelsea’s Walker Tower. According to the NYP, Jennifer Lopez was spotted scoping out apartments alongside celebrity broker Fredrik Eklund. The pair reportedly checked out an unlisted apartment and eyed the floor plans of several other units over lunch. The Post notes that J Lo’s budget is […]

September 17, 2014

Sunset Park: How Creativity and Commerce are Transforming This Waterfront Neighborhood

With plans in place that call for a public waterfront bustling with creative industry and commerce rather than luxury residential developments, Sunset Park is not on its way to becoming the next hip NYC residential neighborhood–and that’s a good thing. Located on Brooklyn's western waterfront flank, there are really two sides to Sunset Park. The neighborhood, generally defined as the area between 65th Street, the Prospect Expressway, Eighth Avenue and the East River, has long been a thriving residential community. Sunset Park is also home to about 15 million square feet of warehouse and light industrial space. The key to the neighborhood’s future may be the point at which the two meet.
Find Out How Fashion May Give Sunset Park a Chance to Shine As the New Garment District
September 17, 2014

Truly Exquisite West Village Rental with Historic Details Will Leave You Lusting for More

han never to have loved at all.” We’re pretty sure poet Lord Tennyson wasn’t talking about West Village apartments when he wrote those immortal words, but we can’t help but feel they are more than appropriate in the case of this three-bedroom charmer at 23 Bank Street. While the home is only available as a rental, one look will tell you that loving it and then losing it upon lease end is definitely better than never having experienced its classic beauty at all.
Read on to see if you'd be able to love it and leave it
September 17, 2014

Get Your Tickets for the Architecture & Design Film Festival

For the sixth year, the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF) will take over the screens at Tribeca Cinemas, offering guests access to a special lineup of over 25 curated films from around the world. Running from October 15-19, this year's festival features an impressive panel of distinguished speakers, Q&A's, and special parties. It also will host the U.S. premier of Cathedrals of Culture, a 3D film project by German filmmaker Wim Wenders. Tickets go on sale today.
More details on this year's festival
September 17, 2014

Gamer Zach Gage Nabs Penthouse with Futuristic Rooftop Watchtower for $3.9M

Forbes' 30 under 30 in video games, Zach Gage, is cashing in on his success. The gamer and conceptual artist just picked up this sweet Chinatown penthouse at 18 Orchard Street for $3.9 million, according to city records filed today. The 28-year old, who has developed games such as SpellTower, Ridiculous Fishing, and Lose/Lose, and been exhibited at venues like the Venice Biennale, the MoMA, and in Apple stores worldwide, seems to not have strayed far from his edgy sensibilities. His new three-bedroom duplex features a rooftop catwalk, some killer lights, and a futuristic watchtower with "a transcendent view of the sunset and cityscape".
Tour the home here
September 17, 2014

POLL: Is the East River Skyway the future of NYC transportation?

Yesterday, Dan Levy, the president and CEO of CityRealty, presented his proposal for the ‘East River Skyway,’ an aerial gondola system that would run along the Brooklyn waterfront and into Manhattan, bringing commuters over the river in just 3.5 minutes. Now, we want to know what you think about the idea. Images: East River Skyway, courtesy of CityRealty […]

September 17, 2014

Robert De Niro Moves into $125K-Per-Month Rental at 15 Central Park West

Robert De Niro's new home may not be in his beloved Tribeca, but the full-floor pad at 15 Central Park West is one of the city's most expensive rentals. Unit 35AB is two separate condos combined into one on the 35th floor. The 6,000-square-foot, five-bedroom apartment is owned by steel magnate Leroy Schecter, who purchased the property in 2008 for $18.9 million. He originally put the condo on the market in 2012 for $95 million, then reduced it to $85 million in April 2013, and once again to $70 million in November. De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower were displaced in 2012 when a fire ripped through their triplex at the Brentmore, 88 Central Park West. The couple has been renting in the West Village, but it looks like they wanted to return to the Upper West Side while renovations are completed on their permanent home. And they're in good company; Alex Rodriguez and investor Henry Silverman have rented the same unit in the past.
Take a look inside the new De Niro digs
September 16, 2014

REVEALED: East River Skyway Will Bring Brooklyn Commuters to Manhattan in Under Four Minutes

There's no stopping the Brooklyn development boom, but getting to and from the borough from Manhattan will increasingly become a nightmare with thousands of new residential units hitting the market in the coming years. If you've commuted from Brooklyn to Manhattan (and vice versa) you know that the subway system is already taxed. But as more and more homes are added throughout the borough, it's surprising that no plans have been made to alleviate the transportation stress that will soon come with it. Until now. Today, Dan Levy, the president and CEO of CityRealty*, will present his proposal for the 'East River Skyway', an aerial gondola system that would run along the Brooklyn waterfront and into Manhattan, bringing commuters over the river in just 3.5 minutes.
Find out more about the proposed project
September 16, 2014

$3.9M Flatiron Loft Offers Two-Level Terrace with Empire State Building Views

Who wouldn’t want to step out onto their magnificent terrace in Flatiron and gaze at the Met Life and Empire State Building? We’re guessing the owners of this fabulous pad are going to have a hard time parting with it… or maybe they just don’t have an appreciation for convenient locations with amazing views. Either way, this newly renovated loft at 40 East 19th Street is available for $3.85 million. Take a look at what’s inside and outside, ahead.
See the rest, here
September 15, 2014

Lovitt Loft: Space for Living, Art and Commerce in a Former Tribeca Garage

Many of us entertain fantasies about loft living in a former garage or an old warehouse, but few of us would dare take on the task of turning one into a comfortable space. That's why when the owner of this Tribeca automotive garage wanted to create a live-work-gallery space, he turned to architect Elizabeth Roberts to take on the task. Roberts, known for her stylish townhouse interiors, managed to not only carve out several beautiful spaces for living, but functional and flexible areas for display and commerce for the owner who wanted to rent out the majority of the ground floor space as a photo studio.
Take a tour inside here
September 15, 2014

Historic Jones Alley Loft Offers All the Quirky Charms of Noho

The Noho Historic District is one of the most charming in Manhattan, with quaint cobblestone streets and an eclectic mix of historic lofts that once housed the city's dry goods centers and early-19th-century houses. And one of these quirky buildings is 3 Great Jones Street. The Greek Revival townhouse was erected in 1845, replacing a former stable building. It saw façade alterations in the 1920s, but the entryway to unit R1 still retains all of its old-time appeal, as it's situated on the side of the building on Jones Alley (formerly known as Shinbone Alley), a private, gated mews. A 14-foot, historic wooden door surrounded by welcoming plants leads to the duplex loft, on the market for $3.7 million.
You don't want to miss this home
September 15, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Where The Best Food Trucks Are; IKEA Defies Gravity with a Climbable Apartment

NY Daily News announces the launch of the 7th annual Governors Island Art Fair where “100 artists fill 100 rooms in the island’s former military barracks with their paintings, video installations, sculptures and photography.” I Quant NYC maps out where you can find the 25 winning street vendors of the 10th annual Vendy Awards. Time to grub […]

September 15, 2014

Renovated Loft at Landmarked 53 Crosby Street Returns for Rent

A loft at the landmarked 53 Crosby Street is back on the market after being listed for $3.35 million just a month ago. However, this time the two-bedroom co-op is available for rent, asking $10,500 per month. The unfurnished space reminds us of a dance studio, with its oversized windows, hardwood floors and interesting choice of mirrored walls in the entertaining space. So, we had to take a look inside. What we found is a nicely renovated, modern loft that has everything you would want out of Soho living… including its location on one of the neighborhood’s most coveted cobblestone streets.
Take a look inside, here
September 12, 2014

Kirsten Dunst Lists Soho Penthouse for $12,500 a Month

With her Spider Man days behind her, Kirsten Dunst has put her Soho penthouse on the rental market for $12,500 a month, according to NYDN. She bought the two-bedroom apartment at 533 Canal Street for $3.09 million in 2007, citing that she needed a break from Los Angeles. Maybe she's looking for a little more privacy now, as fellow celebs including Casey Affleck and director Gus Van Sant have also called the building home. The slightly quirky pad is available fully or partially furnished, which is a bonus since Dunst clearly has a good eye for comfortable furniture, vintage pieces, and industrial-chic decor.
Check out the penthouse here
September 12, 2014

Patrick Stewart Finds a Buyer for His Upper West Side Penthouse

Sir Patrick Stewart of X-Men and Star Trek fame has found a buyer for his Upper West Side pied-à-terre. The two-bedroom, 1,300-square-foot co-op at 118 West 79th Street entered contract after seeing several bids. The actor put the unit on the market in June for $3.8 million. He bought the home in 2003 for $1.8 million with his then-wife Wendy Neuss, but the couple divorced shortly thereafter, and Neuss remained in the penthouse apartment.
Take a look inside
September 12, 2014

This Charming Gramercy Park Pied-a-Terre Glows with a Stunning Skylight

If you’re looking for a pied-a-terre in the coveted historic Gramercy Park, you’re in luck. An adorable one-bedroom penthouse at 206 East 18th Street has just popped up on the market, and it’s the perfect setting for anything from dinner parties to book club. This charming pad won us over with a lovely skylit living room, so we had to take a look inside to see what else it has in store.
Take a look inside the cozy pad, here
September 11, 2014

The Golden Age of Related: A Closer Look at New York’s Leading Real Estate Developer

Founded in 1972 by former tax attorney Stephen Ross, the Related Companies got its start securing funding for affordable housing upstate. Before long, the company moved to New York City, bringing affordable units to Battery Park City and the Upper East Side. When the boom years of the 1990's hit, Related got involved with luxury development, beginning with the renovation and conversion of an historic Beaux Arts building at Union Square into the W Hotel and then the development of 1 Union Square South. Today, the Related name is attached to some of today's biggest and most high profile projects, including One Madison and Hudson Yards. And with more than $15 billion in assets, the company is New York's leading real estate developer.
We take a closer look at Related's high-end portfolio
September 11, 2014

FriendsWithYou Light Cave Provides an Interactive Art Experience at the Standard High Line

If you're already making Oktoberfest plans to hit up the Standard, High Line's beer garden, you might want to think about imbibing a bit earlier, as the new Light Cave art installation is only on view until the end of September. Presented by FriendsWithYou and commissioned by the Standard Hotel and the Art Production Fund, this public art project "is a symbol of light and connectivity in an architectural form." The inflatable work, which evokes a prehistoric figure and a cavern, spans the entire outdoor plaza in front of the hotel and pulsates with energy and light, creating a sensory rich experience.
More on the fun installation here
September 11, 2014

Rent Former Brooklyn Nets Coach Jason Kidd’s Amenity-Packed Apartment for $20K a Month

Live like a former Nets coach—at least while Jason Kidd is in Milwaukee coaching the Bucks. Kidd's departure comes after some dicey events involving politicking and power grabbing after just a year on the job. But rather than dumping his Aldyn pad completely in spite, Kidd has decided to rent it out for $20,000 a month. With some serious off the hook amenities, it's no wonder why this recognized NBA All-Star purchased the Upper West Side apartment in the first place.
A look inside the apartment and building here
September 11, 2014

Let Architect Kevin Bergin Create Your Dream Home in this Minimalist Chelsea Pad

It looks like someone is trying to accomplish a pretty impressive flip. Since September 2012 an investor has gradually acquired the three units that occupy the sixth floor of the Porter House, paying almost $13 million. Now the entire floor is back on the market as one potential dream home package for a whopping $22 million. (Now that’s appreciation if we’ve ever heard of it.) While the nearly double asking price may raise a few eyebrows, there are a few incentives for prospective buyers in the form of a fresh paint job and a masterfully crafted floor plan by up-and-coming NYC architect Kevin Bergin. Admittedly, it’s not a complete remodel, but it’s a start. Let’s take a look inside so you can judge for yourself.
Take a look inside, here
September 10, 2014

From the Majestic Stair to Its Well-Dressed Walls, $20M Upper East Side Home is Pure Elegance

This extraordinary residence in The Ruxcroft at 20 East 64th Street is so classically elegant we almost felt like we had to get dressed up just to look at its pictures. One of only two units in this full-service 25-foot wide mansion condominium, its 2010 renovation was careful to restore many of the original period details, most notably the sweeping staircase winding its way through the home. How can anyone not feel elegant gliding down that majestic flight?
More pure elegance right this way
September 10, 2014

Whimsical Chelsea Duplex with Hot Tub Asks $3.9 Million

There’s something about the grotto-esque garden duplex at 121 West 15th Street that makes us feel like we just stepped into a Disney movie. Perhaps it’s the soft edges and delightfully crooked banisters, or the whimsical fireman’s pole—yes, there’s a fireman’s pole. Whatever the case, this magical apartment may not be “the happiest place on earth,” but it will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.
Take a look inside here
September 9, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Mac Sillick and Sandy Hall of Black Tree, the LES ‘Farm to Sandwich’ Favorite

Plenty of new restaurants and bars have been popping up on the Lower East Side over the last few years, but one of the more recent standout eateries to appear is Black Tree. This Brooklyn transplant has only been around for a little more than a year, but their incredible menu has drawn in everyone from food critics at the Wall Street Journal and Zagat to Guy Fieri—who by the way can be seen dusting Black Tree sandwich crumbs from his goatee in an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We recently caught up with Mac Sillick and Sandy Hall, the owners and culinary creatives behind the delicious Downtown venture, to chat about their business. Find out about their "farm to sandwich" approach, why they only use locally sourced food, and why they moved their business from Crown Heights to the Lower East Side. **GIVEAWAY**: The fellas are also offering up one lucky reader 'drinks for two' at the Black Tree bar. Keep reading to find out how you can enjoy some organic cocktails on the house!
The interview and giveaway here
September 9, 2014

The Met Museum Officially Opens Its Newly Renovated $65 Million Plaza

A dramatically redesigned plaza in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue was dedicated today and named in honor of its sole donor, David H. Koch. The four-block long plaza, which flanks the museum’s famous entrance steps, includes two fountains, alleys of trees, new paving and red, angular canopies/parasols over seating benches. The redesign of the plaza space was two years in the making and cost $65 million, contributed entirely by Mr. Koch, a trustee of the museum. In his remarks inside the museum at the Temple of Dendur, Mr. Koch said that when Daniel Brodsky, the museum’s chairman, asked how the new plaza was going to be paid for he said he “had a good idea – why don’t I do it?!” Mr. Koch, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Julia, and three children, said that the plaza “became a passion for me.” He had lived nearby when it was under discussion and he said he hoped it will last for 50 years until a future philanthropist funds another renovation.
More from the event here
September 9, 2014

Cobblestone Quaintness and Modern Comforts Await Tribeca Penthouse’s Lucky New Owner

It never ceases to amaze us how effortlessly one can “time travel” from the sleek, steel, and thoroughly modern skyscrapers of Manhattan to the old-time charm of places like 463 Greenwich Street, otherwise known as The Romanoff. We guess that's part of New York City's magic, and it casts its spell on us daily as we meander through one of the most diverse real estate markets in the world. The idyllic cobblestone streets that greet you as you make your way to this triple-mint, full-floor penthouse loft in Tribeca offer a study in contrast to the contemporary tone of the exquisite four-bedroom home inside. Original details like exposed brick and ceiling beams combine with modern comforts and stunning finishes to perfectly bridge the home’s turn-of-the-century roots with its 21st century incarnation. The flawless design by Turett Collaborative Architects features soaring 17-foot ceilings, an abundance of wood-framed windows, and custom Arrigoni wide-plank Bavarian oak floors, all enveloping a vast open entertaining expanse.
See more of where this home's cobblestone streets lead