Manhattan

It must have been a nice change of pace for Stephen Yalof to look for residential properties instead of the retail spaces he scoped out for 12 years as Senior Vice President of Real Estate for the Ralph Lauren Corporation and now as CEO of Premium Outlets. Though for his wife Liora Yalof, a broker with Corcoran, it was likely just another day at work. The couple paid $5.3 million for their new three-bedroom home at the St. Urban on Central Park West. Apartment 11E is an eclectic mix of historic details and global-inspired décor, perfect for such a well-rounded real estate pair.
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July 31, 2014

A Suburban Enclave in Manhattan: Peeking Into Battery Park City

As New Yorkers, we learn to be resourceful. We can turn a tiny patch of grass into a full-on park, double the space of our 400-square-foot apartment with lofted rooms and suspended shelving, and get all of our reading in on the commute to work. But for some, this sacrificial lifestyle becomes too much, and daydreams of suburbia set in. Not ready to pack your bags for Jersey or Westchester just yet? Look to Battery Park City, a suburban-like enclave that's just a five-minute walk from Wall Street. The 92-acre planned residential community is the largest "green" neighborhood in the world, with more than one third of its total acreage covered in parks and gardens. Additionally, the area boasts spectacular waterfront views, large apartments, slightly more affordable prices than its Financial District neighbors, and an impressive collection of public art.
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Uncategorized

July 30, 2014

$4.6 Million Gallery-esque Upper East Side Apartment Is a Work of Art

Who wouldn’t want a loft-like Upper East Side apartment walking distance from Museum Mile and Central Park and complete with panda paintings? Yes, this 3 bedroom co-op at 65 East 76th Street has enough room on its wall space to showcase the best of your art collection, and it has enough lighting—both natural and tracking—to host a gallery showing. Well, who says the gallery can’t be a work of art in and of itself? We know this unit doesn’t.
Take a look inside this beautiful pad here

Distinctive Homes

July 30, 2014

Late “60 Minutes” Anchor Mike Wallace’s Estate Sells for $13 Million

After nearly two years on the market, Mike Wallace’s estate has finally sold, for a significant discount, according to city records. The home was initially placed on the market after the anchor’s death in 2012, asking $20 million dollars, a far cry from its closing $13 million sale price. Occupying the 15th and 16th floors of the distinguished 730 Park Avenue—a white-gloved Jacobean/Tudor style co-op designed by F. Burrall Hoffman, Jr. and Lafayette A. Goldstone--this 4BR/4.5BA duplex, offers plenty of light, gorgeous city views, and original prewar details.
Take a look inside the anchor's former home here

July 30, 2014

A 19th Century Candy Store and WWI Fighter Plane Liven Up a Financial District Office Building

Take a step back in time at 77 Water Street, a 26-story office tower designed by Emery Roth & Sons and built by the William Kaufman Organization. The Financial District building features a WWI fighter plane on its roof and a turn-of-the-century penny candy store in its lobby. Thinking that this tower looks too modern for these curiosities? You're right; it was erected in 1970. The William Kaufman Organization wanted to humanize the building and make workers forget they were in an office tower, and to accomplish this they had historic replicas of the plane and candy shop installed. They also added a variety of public art projects throughout the plaza and lobby.
More fun facts about 77 Water Street right this way

July 30, 2014

Tour Tommy Hilfiger’s Lavish Plaza Penthouse

When we think of Tommy Hilfiger we might imagine him in an all-American, red-white-and-blue outfit, standing in a nautical seashore cottage, but his penthouse at the Plaza couldn't be any more the opposite than this vision. Instead of paintings of beach scenes there are Basquiats and Warhols (20 of the latter, to be exact); rather than white-washed walls there are entire rooms clad in marble; and instead of simple, shabby chic bedrooms there are opulent personal retreats that could fit entire NYC apartments within their footprint. In short, Mr. Hilfiger's city residence is nothing short of regal. He and his wife Dee Ocleppo purchased and combined three separate units in 2008, and they then embarked on a massive renovation of the duplex to emulate the old-world style of the landmarked building.
Take a tour through this magnificent home and see if the couple lived up to goal

July 29, 2014

Blue Chip Buys: 15 Central Park West Is New York City’s Most Expensive Building, Other Contenders

By Diane Pham

Even with the thousands of new residential units that have hit the market in the last year, there are still a handful of tried-and-true properties in Manhattan that will always be coveted by the rich, the famous, and those who just wish they were rich or famous. So which properties sit at the top of this list? We turn the CityRealty 100 for the low-down on what buildings have outdone all of the rest. Their latest report tracks the performance of Manhattan's top 100 condo buildings through the second quarter of 2014.
The top performers this way

Real Estate Trends

July 29, 2014

First Look Inside Zaha Hadid’s Futuristic Condos Planned for the High Line

By Diane Pham

Whether or not you're a fan of Zaha Hadid, or Neo-Futurism for that matter, if you're believer that a building's interior should be a seamless extension of its exterior (read: not New York by Gehry), you'll appreciate Zaha's efforts to turn her High Line project into a work worthy of architecture history books. One of the most (if not the most) talked about starchitect projects planned for the elevated park, plenty of full view renderings have surfaced since it was announced just over a year ago. But it looks like we're finally getting a taste of what the inside could look like, courtesy of Curbed. Like its ultra-futuristic exteriors, Zaha's luxurious condos will be just as sleek and spaceship-like as the outside, with undulating surfaces all throughout, and featuring many of the mind-boggling forms we've come to appreciate Ms. Hadid for.
More views inside

July 29, 2014

The Views from This Pied-a-Terre Will Have You Humming with Approval

If you’re looking for a nice pied-a-terre in the heart of an eclectic neighborhood, you can stop your search right now… but of course, keep reading our articles. This $2.495 million 2BR/2BA loft sitting high up in the Capitol Building offers 1,800 square feet of interior space with an additional 200 square feet in the form of an amazing terrace, and two Juliet balconies. And with beautiful views of the city, including a the majestic Empire State Building, the only thing this loft is missing is Luciano Pavarotti singing “Nessun Dorma” in the background. So, hum along with us as we take a tour through this excellent estate.
But Want to see the view? Follow us here

Distinctive Homes

July 29, 2014

Beyonce Spotted Checking Out This $21.5 Million Chelsea Penthouse with Giant Apartment-Sized Closet

According to the New York Daily News, Beyonce was spotted apartment hunting this week, without hubby Jay Z, for what some are speculating could be her new bachelorette pad. The luxurious home that seems to have caught Bey's eye is this incredible 4,054-square-foot square penthouse located at 520 West 19th Street, which comes with not only a 20-foot dining room and libraries, but a stunning 642-square-foot private terrace that runs the full length of the apartment and looks out to a dazzling array of city sights—a birds-eye view of the Empire State Building among them.
Tour Beyonce's potential pad here

July 29, 2014

Specht Harpman’s Eiche Residence Uses Simple Lines to Create a Calming East Village Hideaway

It's no secret that the East Village is the go-to neighborhood for NYU students and recent grads looking to mix, mingle, and party, and that can get a little rowdy at times. But the Eiche Residence by Specht Harpman is a peaceful retreat within this buzzing neighborhood. Simple horizontal and vertical lines mixed with clean volumes and planar surfaces help to maximize space and organize movement through this unusually laid out triplex unit. And with neutral furniture and an abundance of warm, natural wood, the calming feel achieved inside will make you forget that you're even in New York.
See why else we're swooning over this East Village pad

July 28, 2014

Gorgeous Versailles-Inspired Townhouse with Sweeping Staircase Sells for $6.7 Million

It probably seems odd for a New York apartment to spark visions of Scarlet O’Hara walking down a staircase. And where is this apartment? It’s not in Brooklyn, or even on the Upper East Side. Ladies and gentlemen you are in Tribeca, where developer and homeowner Gizman Abbas decided to forgo the typical warehouse look in favor of a more palatial, classic look inspired by a trip to Versailles. And if you’re not fascinated by the old world details, let us remind you that just because a home looks like the backdrop for a period piece, doesn’t mean it can’t be rigged with enough modern-day technology to rival Bill Gates. Because our friend Mr. Abbas has traveled to more places than just Versailles, and his cup of inspiration runneth over. It was apparently enough to convince New York attorney Tracey Anne Zaccone. According to city records, Zaccone just purchased the home for $6.7 million, and it looks like she got a steal of a deal.
You’ll see what we’re talking about here

July 28, 2014

$9.5 Million Brewster Carriage House Penthouse Has Enviable Rooftop Terrace

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take your friends to the park… by just stepping out onto your rooftop? That’s what this stunning unit at the landmark Brewster Carriage House has to offer. This $9.5 million three bedroom simplex has a lot more to it than its sprawling spacious 2,610 square feet of interior space. It also has an additional 1,800 square feet of rooftop terrace with barbecue… and trees.
Let’s take a look inside, here

Distinctive Homes

July 25, 2014

This Central Park South Apartment Stands Out with a Gaudi-Inspired Ceiling

Ears ringing? Yes, the neighbors are at it already, talking about you and your new swanky new home. Well, that is if you decide to drop the $11.8 million on this 3,050-square-foot apartment at the Trump Parc. Located at 106 Central Park South, this home features a 51-foot, semi-circular great room capped off with an 18-foot, undulating, Gaudi-inspired ceiling that will make even the most jaded real estate aficionados look twice.
Take a tour of the rest of this pad

Distinctive Homes

July 25, 2014

MIT Professor Sells Gorgeous Prewar Apartment in the Dorchester

A professor of Politics at MIT has just sold his Upper West Side co-op for $5 million, $50,000 over asking, according to city records. The 7th floor apartment at the Neville and Bagge-designed Dorchester has been renovated to include pristine modern finishes, while still embracing the home’s original details from over a century ago. Some of those details include hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, and elegant mouldings.
Take a look inside this gorgeous pad here

July 24, 2014

Holly Hunter Sells Her Greenwich Village Apartment for $7.6 Million

Academy Award-winning actress Holly Hunter has just sold her Greenwich Village apartment, according to city records. The thespian put her Fifth Avenue apartment on the market in February, asking $8.7 million. The final sale price was $7.6 million. The adorable home is situated high up in the 11-floor building at 43 Fifth Avenue, a 1905 Beaux Arts “masterpiece”. The apartment features restored original wood moldings and window trim. Additional touches include stained glass and a fireplace. There’s also a large kitchen with an abbey table capable of seating six. Three bedrooms and baths, along with two windowed offices and a parlor complete the beautiful place.
Find out more about the celebrity abode here

July 24, 2014

Beautiful Tribeca Penthouse Also Hosts a Picture Perfect Rooftop Escape

Wooden floors, exposed brick, high ceilings AND a private outdoor space. Hooked yet? After seeing the photos of Penthouse 5 at 150 Chambers Street you'll want to move right in. This impeccable floor-through penthouse is $1,714 per square foot -- extraordinary for its Tribeca neighborhood. Check out the photos of your soon-to-be new home.
Check out why we can already see ourselves living here

Distinctive Homes

July 23, 2014

You Won’t Have to Compromise with This Spectacular $18M Prewar Pad

They say purchasing a home means you have to compromise. Surely you can’t have everything you want. Well, this $18 million opulent apartment in the York & Sawyer-designed 860 Park Avenue would beg to differ. Old world charm? Check. Modern conveniences? Check. Enough architectural details to make the biggest architecture nerd’s head spin? Check and check. This 4th floor unit is the supreme luxury abode, in one of the city’s premier white-glove co-ops, which is exactly what you would expect of a building designed by the same people responsible for the Federal Reserve Bank and the Bowery Savings Bank.
Take a look inside the remarkable co-op here

Distinctive Homes

July 23, 2014

Greenwich Goes Industrial: Apartments in the Karl Fischer-Designed Nathaniel Now Up for Rent

By Diane Pham

Twelfth Street residents are about to get a flurry of new neighbors, as The Nathaniel launches leasing for its rentals today. The nine-floor building offers up 85 light-filled residences ranging from studios to three-bedrooms—all boasting some pretty nice living space. Though 'Greenwich Village' and 'luxury homes' pretty much go hand in hand these days, The Nathaniel brings a new typology for living to the neighborhood with an industrial exterior conceived by Karl Fischer, and modern interiors by McCartan.
Take a tour inside

July 23, 2014

Shigeru Ban’s Metal Shutter Houses: A Humble Moniker for an Extraordinary Residence

Simplicity bordering on grandeur: that should be 2014 Pritzker Prize Laureate Shigeru Ban’s motto. Like his designs, the names of his residential projects are simple and clean, yet evoke a striking image before you ever lay eyes on the work. Curtain Wall House, Naked House, Cast Iron House, Furniture House, Crescent House, Picture Window House, Boomerang House - step inside any one of these exquisite residences and you might almost miss the complexity of Ban’s artistry; but make no mistake there is a quiet ingenuity to his vision. Metal Shutter Houses at 524 West 19th Street is no exception. Named for the motorized perforated shutters that cover the two major facades of the building and the retractable walls of glass, each apartment within it offers an almost seamless continuity between the interior and exterior space. Intrigued? So were we. Which is why we just had to take a peek inside this 2,700-square-foot duplex currently renting for $22,000 per month.
Right this way to be wowed by Shigeru Ban's genius

July 23, 2014

Design of SCDA Architects’ Arty New Building for the High Line Unveiled

Renderings for 515 High Line have been revealed, and it appears the Soo Chan-designed building will be quite the standout. The images, unearthed by NY YIMBY, reveal an 11-story structure with a few distinctive qualities to set it apart, even as the competition from surrounding developments, including Zaha Hadid’s West 28th street condo, grows steeper. The building has a simple base while the upper levels are defined by protruding slabs of glass that create a rippling effect. But the simple base, two sides of which will be facing the park, plans to be more than just a blank canvas. Taking the artistic nature of the High Line’s new buildings to the next step, 515 West 29th Street’s base will serve as an actual canvas, showcasing the work of up-and-coming artists.
Check out more renderings here

July 22, 2014

Landmarks Deems S.L. Green’s One Vanderbilt Tower ‘Appropriate’ for Its Grand Central Site, Others Not Happy

By Carter B. Horsley

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing today on a proposal by S.L. Green to build a huge tower on the northwest corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and 42nd Street directly across from Grand Central Terminal. The proposal before the commission was an application for a “certificate of appropriateness” for a transfer of air rights from the former Bowery Savings Bank Building at 110 East 42nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. The developers of S.L. Green made their moves by wooing Landmarks with renderings of Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed tower which would be 1,350 feet tall not counting a 100-foot-high spire—this is significantly higher than the Chrysler Building on the northeast corner of Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street and higher than all the supertalls in construction or planned for 57th Street.
Reactions from the hearing this way

July 22, 2014

Stop the Presses: You Can Reside at the St. Regis for Only $389K. Well, Sort of…

Here’s a great little twist on the New York City real estate market, courtesy of the recent trend to convert rooms in some of Manhattan’s most exclusive hotels into condominium apartments: fractional ownership—the timeshare to end all timeshares. That’s right, now you can savor the pleasure of residing at one of the most glamorous addresses in the world with all the amenities the St. Regis has to offer, including the Remede Spa and Fitness center, salon, twice daily maid service, and 24-hour butler service—all without having to shell out the multimillion dollar sums typically associated with this kind of elegant living.
See what fractional ownership puts within reach

Distinctive Homes

July 22, 2014

Explore Some of NYC’s Most Beautiful Buildings That Used to be Banks

By Jason Carpenter

Banking made this town, and the bank buildings of the 19th and early 20th centuries continue to house some of New York's most classic architecture and design. Greek, Roman, and even Byzantine Revival architectures were the style of choice for bank buildings, and those great stone pillars are still worth visiting today. Ahead are some of the most beautiful former bank buildings in New York City.
See these beautiful bank buildings here

July 22, 2014

Renovated Grand Duplex Maisonette Provides Prewar Character with 21st Century Touch

When you think of the Upper East Side, you can’t help but imagine the old Edith Wharton novels and early 20th century “polite society”. This $7,250,000 parlor apartment at 830 Park Avenue manages to embody that very spirit, while throwing in a bit of 21st century flair.
Take a look inside this prewar stunner here

Distinctive Homes

July 21, 2014

Looking for a New Home on Central Park South? Just Follow the Big, Red, Iconic Sign to Essex House