Manhattan

star Sonja Morgan has dropped the price of her Lenox Hill townhouse yet again, this time asking $7.2 million. It’s been a rocky few years for the former wife of J.P Morgan heir John Morgan. She’s been trying desperately to hang onto the pad since her devastating 2008 divorce followed by a pricey lawsuit, which forced her to file for bankruptcy in 2010. The five-story home at 162 East 63rd Street, which the couple purchased in 1998 for $9.1 million, has seen its price fluctuate a few times, falling from $12 million to $7.25 million, then returning for nearly $10 million in 2013 before beginning its steady decent to its current asking price. And last we heard, the loopy reality star was renting the home out for $25,000 per month to cover taxes while she tried to sell. The show doesn’t exactly portray the five-bedroom home in the best light, so let’s take a look inside to see what it really has to offer.
See what's inside, here

Distinctive Homes

September 21, 2014

Section 3 of the High Line Park Opens Today – See New Photos!

The third and final section of the High Line will officially open to the public today at 11 A.M., marking the final chapter of a 15-year journey to transform a once abandoned rail road track into an elevated park for the city. The new section has been christened 'High Line at the Railyards' and follows the original train tracks from 30th to 34th Streets to the north and south, and from 10th to 12th Avenues east and west, exposing High Line-goers to expansive and unobstructed views of the Hudson River and New Jersey. Unlike the two sections that preceded it, the path that makes up The Railyards is far less manicured. With its organized but "wild" greenery, the design of this final leg instead asks visitors to contemplate the railway's past and the surrounding landscape as it stands and as it will change with the introduction of Hudson Yards.
More of the new section and the ribbon cutting here

Architecture And Design

September 21, 2014

Bernie Madoff’s Infamous Upper East Side Penthouse Sells for $14.5M

The duplex penthouse at 133 East 64th Street on the Upper East Side, where Bernie Madoff notoriously was arrested by the feds and lived under house arrest, has just sold to Lawrence Benenson of Benenson Capital Partners for $14.5 million. Madoff had lived in the home since 1984, but after the government seized it in 2008, it was picked up by toy mogul Alfred Kahn and his wife Patsy in 2010 for $8 million. Apparently, Mr. Kahn was superstitious of the "Madoff curse," but Patsy fell in love with the unit's terrace. They reportedly put the penthouse back on the market in August 2013 for $17.25 million, but reduced the price several times as well as filed for divorce.
Tour the infamous pad here

September 19, 2014

Kelly Ripa’s Soho Penthouse Sells at a $4.5 Million Discount

Kelly Ripa has officially unloaded her Soho penthouse, according to city records filed today. The five-bedroom beauty at 76 Crosby Street sold for $20 million, $4.5 million less than what she was asking when she first listed it in January last year. Though Ripa came up a little short, it's worth noting that her and hubby Mark Consuelos paid just $9.5 million for it in 2005. Today's sale is also the 6th highest ever recorded in Soho, according to CityRealty.
Photos here

<b>Mapping the Evolution of the Lower East Side Through a Jewish Lens, 1880-2014</b>

Image courtesy of MNCY

September 19, 2014

Mapping the Evolution of the Lower East Side Through a Jewish Lens, 1880-2014

By Lauren Price

Long considered the capital of Jewish America, this overpoweringly cramped neighborhood was considered by many to be the greatest concentration of Jewish life in nearly 2,000 years. Between 1880 and 1924, 2.5 million mostly-impoverished Ashkenazi Jews came to the US and nearly 75 percent took up residence on the Lower East Side. According to the Library of Congress, by 1900, more than 700 people per acre were settling in a neighborhood lined with tenements and factories. And as quickly as they descended on the streets, all sharing a common language (mostly Yiddish) and most certainly, similar backgrounds, they quickly established synagogues as early as 1865 (the landmarked Bialystoker Synagogue, whose congregants were mostly Polish immigrants from Bailystok), small shops, pushcarts teeming with goods, social clubs and even financial-aid societies. By 1910, the Lower East Side’s population was well over the five million mark, but sadly, such congestion habitually caused havoc.
Learn more about the history of the LES here

History

September 19, 2014

William Noble’s Private Central Park West Residence Is on the Market…Again

William Noble would roll over in his grave if he knew the fate of his beloved private residence. The prominent developer built a cluster of spec homes toward the end of the 19th century and chose 247 Central Park West for himself. This 10,745-square-foot home’s impressive history continues as it was once the home of Walt Disney’s grandniece and it remains one of the few single-family homes on Central Park. However, history turns a bit sour beginning in 2006 when Keith Monda, president of Coach, purchased the home and spent a year renovating it as a gallery for his art. He sold the remodeled home to Ukrainian businessman Igor Iankovsky in 2012. Iankovsky apparently never moved in, preferring his French residence instead, and he has been trying to sell the home ever since. We’re not sure if it’s the renovation’s mixed reviews or the sky-high prices, but for some reason this home toggles back and forth on the sales and rental markets. Well, now it’s back with another price drop, asking $27.75 million or $65,000 a month.
Let's take a look inside

September 19, 2014

REVEALED: Skyline Views of KPF’s One Vanderbilt Near Grand Central

We've been keeping a close eye on One Vanderbilt, SL Green's new 65-story office tower planned for the entire block west of Grand Central and north of East 42nd Street. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, it will be the second-tallest building in the city when completed. Now, Yimby has hot-off-the-press skyline views of One Vanderbilt from KPF, and the newest NYC supertall certainly stands out amongst the nearby Empire State Building and Chrysler Building.
READ MORE

September 19, 2014

Jackson Pollock’s Former Greenwich Village Apartment Hits the Market for $1.25M

You won't find any paint-splattered masterpieces here, but you will get the exclusive bragging rights of saying you live in the former home of Jackson Pollock at 46 Carmine Street. And if that wasn't enough of a conversation starter, the Greenwich Village building was once owned by Aaron Burr. Million Dollar Listing New York star Luis D. Ortiz announced the $1.25 million listing via Instagram, which is not surprising considering how photogenic this one-bedroom, top-floor unit is. The 800-square-foot home boats 14-foot, Tudor-style beamed ceilings with skylights; exposed whitewashed brick walls; and a cozy fireplace.
Tour the former Pollock pad

September 18, 2014

Classic Loft in Soho’s Cast Iron Historic District Wants $3.25 Million

A sprawling one-bedroom loft in the heart of Soho’s Cast Iron Historic District just popped up on the market, asking $3.25 million. This co-op at 85 Mercer Street is quite the looker with original pressed tin ceilings, cast iron columns, and plenty of light. But the most interesting feature of this modernized prewar loft is probably where you’ll be laying your head at night.
Take a look inside, here

September 18, 2014

Construction on Jean Nouvel’s MoMA Tower will Finally Move Forward!

Hot off the purchase of $85 million in air rights, and with a new construction loan of $860 million in tow, Hines is back on track to bring the Jean Nouvel-designed MoMA residential tower to fruition. According to TRD, Hines just closed on two deals to buy more than 240,000 square feet of development rights from MoMA and the St. Thomas Episcopal Church for $85.3 million.
more here

September 18, 2014

Daily Link Fix: The World’s Tallest Buildings in One Handy Infographic; A Jacket to Ward Off Transit Germs

Never worry about working late again. At 6:00pm the desks retract up to the ceiling in this Amsterdam office. Get ready to be jealous when you watch the video on Co. Exist. Architizer shares the super informative infographic, “The World’s Tallest Buildings.” Subway-riding germaphobes can rest easy this flu season. Gravitytank and Betabrand have released the […]

Uncategorized

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

By Michelle Cohen

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

City Living

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

“Tis better to have loved and lost, t

September 17, 2014

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

By Stephanie Hoina

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

Distinctive Homes

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

Daily Link Fix: Free Coffee at Central Perk’s Pop-up Cafe; Smartphone Apps Awarded for Improving NYC Life

By Alyssa Alimurung

Get weather and train updates via text or e-mail when you wake up and when you leave work with PONCHO. Ephemeral New York reminds us of the beautiful fortress in Gramercy Park. “I’ll be there for youu!” Metro New York reports that Central Perk, the fictional cafe in Friends, is now open in Soho to celebrate […]

Uncategorized

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

Celebrities

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

Distinctive Homes

September 15, 2014

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

By Michelle Cohen

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

Distinctive Homes

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

By Alyssa Alimurung

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 […]

Uncategorized

September 15, 2014

Renovated Loft at Landmarked 53 Crosby Street Returns for Rent