Manhattan

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

Distinctive Homes

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

Events & Things To Do

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

Distinctive Homes

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

Distinctive Homes

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

By Diane Pham

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

By Carter B. Horsley

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

Architecture And Design

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

Distinctive Homes

September 9, 2014

Studio Garneau Creates a Morphing Home from a Tired Prewar Apartment

By Alyssa Alimurung

Why settle for a boring one-bedroom when you can live in a home that morphs to create different rooms? Inhabitat NYC recently featured Studio Garneau‘s Transformer, a cool mini-loft that can, you guessed it, transform to fit its tenants’ needs. The NYC-based architecture firm started with a dilapidated, multi-room prewar apartment, knocked down the walls, and then built a large, track-mounted sliding wall that acts as […]

September 9, 2014

Regal Penthouse at 1185 Park Avenue Returns, Asking $25 Million

The impressive penthouse at 1185 Park Avenue is back on the market. The palatial estate was listed last year, asking $27.5 million. However, buyers apparently felt that price was too expensive for a sprawling five-bedroom duplex with an astounding 2,850-square-foot wrap-around terrace. So, the Carnegie Hill prewar pad has returned with a $2.5 million discount and high hopes that history won’t repeat itself.
Take a look inside the pristine pad, here

Distinctive Homes

September 9, 2014

REVEALED: $210 Million Upgrade for Grand Central’s Subway Station As Part of One Vanderbilt Tower

As part of a five-year, $210 million plan to significantly upgrade Grand Central's subway station, developer SL Green hopes to install new staircases to the train platforms, two new street-level entrances and a refurbished mezzanine level, and a 4,000-square-foot ground-level commuter waiting area. The improvements were conceived in conjunction with the MTA and the de Blasio administration earlier this year as the first component of the Midtown East Rezoning project. The transit upgrades must all be completed before tenants can occupy One Vanderbilt (planned for completion in January 2020), 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 Pederson Fox, the tower will be the second-tallest building in the city when completed.
More on the upgrades ahead

September 8, 2014

Cliffs Notes on New York’s Most Famous Storied Residential Buildings

By Lauren Price

The newest apartment houses, be it now or some 150 years ago has always been of great interest to New York buyers and renters. And like today, their appeal make sell-outs as easy as pie. From Manhattan's very first apartment building to those that followed a decade or so later, those initial projects continue to remain the city's most coveted digs—not to mention the city’s most expensive. But what stands out among these famous buildings as the years passed was the introduction of not-yet-available services—ranging from running water and elevators to electricity and communal amenities. Whether we are talking about the Dakota or the luxurious the Osborne Flats, learn why these century-plus-old buildings continue to enchant the rich, the famous, and the rest of us.
Click here for Cliffs Notes on NYC's most historic homes

September 8, 2014

Rare Full-Floor Loft in Tribeca is a Work of Art by Famed Norwegian Architectural Firm Tupelo

Artists seem to find inspiration everywhere, often taking even the simplest of ideas and turning them into striking masterpieces. Well, whoever winds up living in this rare full-floor artists loft at 144 Franklin Street in Tribeca will hit the inspiration jackpot. Norwegian architectural firm Tupelo has indeed turned its simple industrial form replete with massive cast iron columns, beamed ceilings, hand-oiled maple floors, and custom oversized double-glazed windows into a beautiful work of art. This stunning, 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom loft was created for-and-by artists, which is evident the moment you step from the key-locked elevator through the original factory door and witness the seamless combination of spectacular modern design with Tribeca’s industrial history.
Get inspired by more of this masterpiece here

Distinctive Homes

September 8, 2014

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s Greenwich Village Townhouse Back on the Market for $22M

Everybody's favorite Sex and the City star and her hubby just put their Greenwich Village townhouse back on the market for $22 million. After a brief disappearance in April, a new listing, held by none other than Million Dollar Listing's Frederik Eklund and John Gomes, has emerged with a small price chop, down $3 million from its previous ask. The beautiful five-bedroom home at 20 East 10th Street is certainly fit for a star, measuring 6,800 square feet and boasting seven fireplaces, a private garden with a Juliet balcony, two oversized skylights, 50' long bookcases, and a full floor master bedroom with terrace—amongst many, many other luxuries. The townhouse, of course, also comes with two Carrie-worthy walk-in closets, which are worth a peek just to see what SJP has stored away.
Take a tour of the incredible home here

September 8, 2014

REVEALED: New Skyline Renderings for Nordstrom Tower at 217 West 57th Street

Back in July, we learned that Extell's Nordstrom Tower will rise 1,775 feet–just one foot shorter than One World Trade Center, making it the tallest residential building in the world. Now, New York YIMBY has released renderings of how the 92-story supertall will look against the rest of the skyline. Though official images from Extell haven't been released, these preliminary sneak peeks are pretty impressive.
More on the new development here

September 8, 2014

This Art-Filled West Village Penthouse Also Features an Unbelievable Rooftop Terrace

It looks like the penthouse at 221 West 13th Street had a bit of trouble selling back in 2011, which is good news for some lucky prospective renters because the beautifully decorated West Village duplex is now available, fully furnished, for $25,000 per month. We’re pretty sure there’s a saying for that: one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. Apparently, the space was originally designed as two separate residences, which may have had something to do with its trouble finding a new owner… well, that and the fact that price kept increasing. Whatever the case, this three-bedroom townhouse has quite a few surprises up its sleeve.
Take a look inside here

Distinctive Homes

September 5, 2014

Gorgeous Upper East Side Townhouse is Looking for Its Forever Owner

With all the hubbub over Common Core these days (have you seen the NEW math?), it’s nice to know that some things simply add up the way they should – like this incredible 4,125-square-foot single-family townhouse located at 506 East 87th Street. Situated on a tree-lined street near Carl Schurz Park, this beautifully renovated residence built in 1899 was purchased in April 2013 for $7.99 million, but then sold in January 2014 for $6.85 million, a pretty steep drop for just eight months. It's now back on the market for $7.75 million, so here’s hoping the third time’s the charm and the new owners will spend many years enjoying all that this home has to offer.
Take a peek inside this incredible home

Distinctive Homes

September 5, 2014

Jimmy Fallon Buys a Fifth Apartment in His Gramercy Park Building

The Fallon family's collection of 34 Gramercy Park East apartments continues to grow. According to the Wall Street Journal, Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon just purchased a cozy, top-floor studio in the famed residence for $725,000. The small space neighbors his four-bedroom apartment, which he also recently bought for $1.35 million back in April. No word on whether the units will be combined, but either way, the petite pad is pretty nice as is.
Take a look inside here

How to Turn Two Distinct Spaces Into One Unique Terrace to Rival the High Line

Image credit: Blondie’s Treehouse

September 5, 2014

How to Turn Two Distinct Spaces Into One Unique Terrace to Rival the High Line

By Alyssa Alimurung

You would think creating an outdoor space right by the High Line would be counterproductive, but after you see this beautiful creation Blondie’s Treehouse built for clients in the Meatpacking District, you’ll think otherwise. Working with 3,000 square feet of contiguous exterior space, Blondie’s designers, Tina Dituri and Charles Casanova were tasked with combining the two distinct areas into […]

Architecture And Design

September 5, 2014

Massive Midtown West Artists’ Loft Combo Comes Complete with a Darkroom

Artists looking for a place to work and play will love this two-loft combo at 361 West 36th Street. The industrial chic apartment is the ideal live/work setup with 4,800 square feet of space. It’s a full-floor flexible combination of two units and comes complete with a darkroom and more than enough legroom to get your creative juices flowing. And with so many possibilities, this loft is the perfect canvas for a creative person looking to put their personal stamp on a premier pad.
Take a look inside this spacious pad, here

Distinctive Homes

September 4, 2014

Frank Gehry’s Decade-Old Design for the WTC Performing Arts Center Gets Dumped by Officials

By Diane Pham

Frank Gehry continues to fall out of favor with New Yorkers as execs of the Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center have officially shelved the starchitect's design planned for Ground Zero. Gehry drew up plans for the art center over a decade ago and very few moves were made to bring the project to fruition—in part due to stalled fund-raising and delays to the construction of the transit hub which sits under site. The snub, which actually wasn't communicated to the architect directly, seems to not have affected him much, but he had some choice words directed towards the board's president, Maggie Boepple.
More on the drama here

Architecture And Design

September 4, 2014

$1.2M Picture Perfect Penthouse on the Upper West Side Features Two Private Rooftop Terraces

Did you ever see a piece of art and feel immediately drawn to it? Well, that’s exactly how we felt the first time we laid eyes on this turn-of-the-century townhouse at 134 West 88th Street. From its beautiful cornice and decorative façade to the lovely planters overflowing with greenery that adorn each window, it sits majestically among its peers on one of the Upper West Side’s most beautiful tree-lined blocks. And this picture perfect one-bedroom penthouse situated on the building’s top two floors is everything you’d expect – and more. While there’s certainly an abundance of charm in the original exposed brick, wood beamed ceilings, and top-nailed, wide-plank hardwood floors, the home exudes a decidedly modern rustic appeal.
See what makes this home so breathtaking

Distinctive Homes

September 4, 2014

Katz’s Deli Co-Owner Jake Dell Nabs $1.9 Million Greenwich Village Pad