Manhattan

June 12, 2014

Chelsea Modern’s Angular Exterior Contrasts Fine Lines of $9.85M Penthouse

No two ways about it. The blue tinted exterior of the Chelsea Modern, sitting quite majestically at 447 West 18th Street, certainly gets your attention. All angles and edges, with windows that open outward parallel to the façade, it’s not quite like anything else in an area fast becoming known for its interesting and celebrated architecture. The same could be said for this ridiculously sumptuous penthouse duplex. The exterior of this home will grab your attention in a very different way – namely, three beautifully landscaped terraces seamlessly connecting you to sweeping river views to the south and breathtaking city views to the north. And with elegant touches such as a formal dining area, a luxurious daybed, intimate seating area and an outdoor kitchen, the terrace space is literally a home unto itself. But we think the interior of this spectacular residence has plenty to bring you inside every now and again (well, we know the New York winters will!).
See why this stunning penthouse will grab your attention
June 12, 2014

Airy $12 Million Soho Penthouse Offers Up a Premier Indoor/Outdoor Living Experience

If you’re wondering what to do with that extra $12 million, consider the stunning penthouse triplex at 111 Mercer Street. This condo offers more than gorgeous city views, it practically invites the city in for coffee. If you’re reading this we’re going to assume we don’t have to tell you this penthouse is flooded with light… unless, of course, you’re blinded by it. The main floor of the 3,500-square-foot ultra chic condo is framed in all glass NanaWalls that open to its expansive terraces, creating the ultimate indoor/outdoor living experience. The living room and dining area opens up to a 1,200-square-foot terrace — or let’s be honest — it’s an outdoor living room. Meanwhile the kitchen has its own terrace complete with an outdoor dining space… and a fireplace… and west facing sunset-ready views… of the Freedom Tower. Want more?
We've got more...
June 12, 2014

Tribeca Loft That Wouldn’t Sell Will Be Just as Happy as a $45K/Month Rental

When the going gets tough...put your massive Tribeca condo on the rental market for $45,000/month.  Well, at least that's what the owners of Apartment 1 at 16 Jay Street recently did after trying to sell the pad since April 2011.  Available immediately, the space can come furnished or unfurnished. Known in the design community for its sweeping cast-iron and mahogany staircase that was welded together inside the home in the shape of a double ellipsis, this floor-through apartment occupies the entire 4,200 square feet of 16 Jay Street's first floor.  It has 3BR/3BA and a 900-square-foot patio that contains a 25-foot-high sculpture and heated limestone flooring.
The interior excitement continues here
June 11, 2014

Silvershore Investors Attempt a Flip for the Record Books on a Sutton Place Townhouse

Last month, Jason Silverstein and David Shorenstein of Silvershore Properties along with investor Norman P. Rappaport purchased a $7.8 million Sutton Place townhouse. And just like that, they’re flipping it with an asking price of… wait for it… $19.95 million. We’re not sure what rabbit Brown Harris Stevens listing agent Paula Del Nunzio plans to pull out of the hat but achieving a flip that big would be nothing short of spectacular. However, according to her webpage, she already has a few record-breaking sales under her belt.
More photos of the townhouse here
June 10, 2014

LOT-EK’s Shipping Container Townhouse Brings a Modern Sustainable Edge to Greenwich Village

At first glance, there's nothing particularly unique about the facade of this white brick townhouse, but take a second look and you'll see that there's more to the building than meets the eye. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the protruding bay windows aren't made from ordinary frames, but from sections of stainless steel truck bodies. The recycled windows are a signature of LOT-EK, the studio that owners Lawrence and Alice Weiner hired to re-do their Greenwich Village townhouse. Founded in 1993 by Columbia University grads Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Liganano, the New York and Naples-based firm has become known for its sustainable approach to construction and architecture, namely the use of upcycled steel containers.
More photos of the inside here
June 10, 2014

NYC’s Oldest Buildings: What Are They and Where Are They? Test Your Knowledge

New York has a lot of old buildings. Perhaps surprisingly, many of those buildings are actually houses (yes, like real houses). These remnants of the early Dutch farming days can be spotted throughout the five boroughs, as can churches, apartments and "skyscrapers" from earlier times. We've rounded up some of the city’s oldest structures. Test your knowledge and see how many you're familiar with ahead. And while you're at it, make plans to visit one of these historic landmarks the next time you're out and about.
Your blast from the past this way
June 10, 2014

Quirky Soho Loft With Honey-Comb Skylight Sells for $2.15 Million After 6 Months on the Market

After more than half a year on the market, the Broome Street co-op with an interesting honey-comb skylight has finally sold for $2.155 million. There’s no doubt 428 Broome Street #1R is an interesting unit, even for a building constructed in 1879. The Soho loft has all the tell-tale signs of an older reconstruction with exposed brick walls, 16’ ceilings and an open floor plan - one that features 1,765 square feet of open floor space. However, the cast iron Corinthian columns and the honey-comb skylight give the loft an almost medieval vibe. The result is an interesting contrast to Soho’s typical industrial architecture.
More inside this interesting loft this way
June 10, 2014

Philip Johnson-Designed Sony Building to Get 96 Luxury Condos by Chetrit Group

The Philip Johnson-designed Sony Tower at 550 Madison Avenue, one of the most notable postmodern office towers in New York City, is set to be partially converted to high-end condos, as states planes filed by developer Chetrit Group.  It's not known which of the building's 37 floors the residential units will occupy, but Chetrit, led by Joseph Chetrit, has said in the past that it will convert the upper floors and either keep the lower floors as offices or turn them into a luxury hotel. Construction likely won't begin for at least one to two years since Sony still leases office space.  When the developer purchased the building from Sony in 2013 for $1.1 billion at auction, Sony committed to remaining in the offices for around three years until moving to a new space near Madison Square.  Chetrit outbid 21 rivals and paid $685 million more for the building than Sony did in 2002.
Find out more about the development here
June 10, 2014

“Limited Edition” Penthouse in the Ultra Posh Puck Building Closes for $28 Million

And it's official: After going into contract December of last year, Penthouse IV in the illustrious Puck Penthouses at 295 Lafayette has closed for $28 million, according to city records filed yesterday afternoon. The penthouse is the second largest in the penthouse-only building (there are six overall), with more than 5,900 square feet of space, 3BR/5.5BA, and a whopping 2,000 square feet of terraces overlooking a garden. Four of the Puck's five other penthouses have yet to be listed, but they are anticipated to sell for between $21 million and $60 million. The Puck is one of burgeoning real estate tycoon Jared Kushner's many luxury residential undertakings, and this particular project transforms the interior of a landmarked building into what the Puck official site has dubbed as "limited edition" properties.
Images of the puck penthouses this way
June 9, 2014

Infamous Greenwich Village Townhouse with an Explosive Past (and Funny Facade) to be Reconstructed by New Owner

At a glance, the quirky notched and jutting façade of the townhouse at 18 West 11th Street in Greenwich Village seems to be the only remarkable thing about the building. But dig a little deeper and the address’s rich history tells the tale of a city brimming with wealth and culture – and once even something a bit sinister. Justin Korsant of Long Light Capital recently purchased the home for $9.25 million and has plans to reconstruct it. But will the renovation of this building wipe out its incredible past?
Learn about this townhouse's unique history and new future
June 9, 2014

Moby Sells Off His ‘Tiny’ But Charming Mott Street Penthouse for a Cool $2 Million

Electronic music maker Moby has just sold off his "tiny" penthouse at 262 Mott Street in Nolita. Moby bought the home for a mere $215,750 back in 1996 and managed to make quite a bit of money with the recent sale, turning a profit of about $1.5 million after taxes (we guess the artist is now eating crow). The 950-square-foot, 1BR/1BA home is covered with large vaulted skylights and also boasts exposed brick walls, a sleeper mezzanine loft and a private 875-square-foot garden terrace. The listing was held by Corcoran's Julie Pham.
Check out the interiors here
June 9, 2014

$11.5 Million Residence at The Rushmore is Presidential in Its Own Right

Though perhaps a tad less striking than the famous monument sharing its name, the twin towers of The Rushmore rise elegantly above their counterparts along Riverside Boulevard. The Costas Kondylis and Partners designed building actually dwarfs the heads of the Mount Rushmore sculpture by nearly 400 feet, which translates into breathtaking river and city views for the lucky inhabitants.
Check out why this gorgeous home is presidential in its own right
June 9, 2014

Antonio Lobon’s Zen Loft Finally Sells for $6.3 Million

After nearly four years on the market, international businessman Antonio Lobon took his $7 million Tribeca loft off the market. Earlier this year, the Hudson Street condo made its triumphant return to the market with new representation in Douglas Elliman agents Nicole Krinick and Frances Katzen, new photos, and a lower asking price of $6.5 million. It worked. 195 Hudson Street #6B officially closed for just $200 thousand below asking, and the new owners are none other than the previous owners of this gorgeous, recently sold apartment at the historic Worth Building.
Find your center with more photos of this Zen loft here
June 9, 2014

Country-Chic Apartment in Village Townhouse Finds a Buyer for $1.8M

No, we didn't get these pictures from the pages of Country Living magazine, but this stylish home most certainly could grace its cover.  The 3BR/2BA apartment in a Greenwich Village Greek Revival townhouse recently sold for $1.795 million through a listing held by Corcoran.  Apartment 3FR at 288 West 12th Street is a 950-square-foot, floor-through unit that has been thoughtfully restored to emphasize the home's pre-war character.  Original details include three wood-burning fireplaces, wide-plank yellow pine floors, and leaded-glass windows.
Right this way for more design details
June 6, 2014

Egypt’s Richest Man Scoops Up the City’s Most Expensive Co-op for $70 Million

David Geffen has been dethroned as the person to have spent the most on a co-op in NYC, ever. Egyptian billionaire, a.k.a. the richest man in Egypt, Nassef Sawiris closed on the pad at 960 Fifth Avenue this afternoon through a listing held by Brown Harris Stevens. The penthouse apartment was originally going for $65 million earlier this spring, but power brokers Mary Rutherfurd and Leslie Coleman of Brown Harris Stevens managed to squeeze an extra $5 million out of Sawiris in a bidding war. Funnily enough, 960 has been cited as one of the city's 'A-plus' buildings, and in 1997 a New York Times article wrote that most residents in the building "are worth over $100 million" and that apartments cost about $15 million — my how times have changed!
Take a look inside the opulent apartment here
June 6, 2014

Greenwich Village Star Asks $6.95 Million

Greenwich Village has long been touted as one of Manhattan’s most expensive neighborhoods, and a haven for the Hollywood A-List, with residents like Liv Tyler; Julianne Moore; and New York’s sweetheart, Sarah Jessica Parker. Well, the dazzling townhouse at 9 Commerce Street is ready for her close-up, and with assets like hers, Platinum Properties agents Tony Leondis and Daniel Hedaya are likely to attract a lot of attention. The GRADE Architecture + Interior Design renovated home boasts 3 stories and a basement, with outdoor space on 3 different levels.
Take a Look inside this Greenwich Village star here
June 6, 2014

Historic Townhouse with Rear Carriage House Finds a Buyer for $6.25M

In one of the city's most charming residential pockets, a turn-of-the-century townhouse with a lovely combination of historic details and modern touches has sold for $6.25 million through a listing held by the Corcoran Group. 251 East 61st Street is a four-story brick home with an exceptionally rare two-story rear carriage house.  The 5BR/3.5BA townhouse went through a recent renovation that included refinishing the hardwood floors and repainting the front facade and interior walls.
See what else this beauty has in store
June 5, 2014

A Closer Look at NoMad – Manhattan’s “New” Neighborhood

New York's ever-changing culture is reflected in the surge of new neighborhood names that have sprung up recently — LeDel (below Delancey Street), RAMBO (right around the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), or, one of the most inventive, BoCoCa (the area that is intersected by Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens). Fortunately or unfortunately, none of these creative monikers have stuck. One that has, though, is NoMad (north of Madison Square Park), bound by 25th Street, 30th Street, Avenue of the Americas, and Lexington Avenue. NoMad has become a go-to place for culture, food, business, and residential opportunities. During the last five years, the neighborhood has seen price-per-square-foot averages rise by 40 percent; the average price per square foot for a condo is now $1,791 compared with $1,279 in 2010.
How did this transformation in NoMad occur? Find out here.
June 5, 2014

Gorgeous Gramercy Park Townhouse Fuses History with Modern Design

Turning a grand three-loft townhouse into a functional two-family home was no easy task for the architects at Fractal Construction. Built in 1848 and owned by the Isaly family, the Gramercy building was steeped in history and the many problems that come with old age. Not only did Fractal's Ulises Liceaga have to re-design the former triplex into two dwellings, he also had to replace the basics, like the electrical and plumbing systems. Liceaga added an entire new floor to make sure each family had enough space and gave each apartment open floor plans that connected the living room, kitchen and dining room.
Check out more photos of the transformation here
June 5, 2014

Rooms with a View: Sprawling West Village Penthouse Hits the Market for the First Time at $12.25M

Virtually every inch of this distinctively laid out 3,600-square-foot duplex at 140 Charles Street showcases some of New York’s most coveted views: the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Freedom Tower, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Hudson River unfold before you in all their majestic splendor. It’s no wonder this home hasn’t been on the market since it was built as part of the The Memphis Downtown (designed by RKTB Architects) in 1985. Perched on the 21st and 22nd floors of the West Village’s tallest condominium, this dramatic residence was professionally designed by award-winning architect Henry Myerberg, founder of HMA2, and those exterior views are yours forever thanks to the visionary work of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.
See the rooms, see the views
June 4, 2014

An 80-Foot Slide Winds Through This Whimsical FiDi Penthouse

One of New York’s oldest landmarks is home to the city’s coolest apartment. Completed in 1896, 150 Nassau Street was originally designed as the headquarters for the American Tract Society. The religious printing house moved out of the beautiful Beaux Art skyscraper in 1914 and like a lot of historic New York City buildings, it has since been transformed into luxury condos. As with all penthouses, the top floor of the 23-story structure — appropriately dubbed the SkyHouse — boasts stunning views of the Big Apple’s most beloved landmarks, including the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. What sets the four-story home apart, however, is its distinct layout and one-of-a-kind accents, courtesy of architect David Hotson and interior designer Ghislaine Viñas.
Take a tour of the cool FiDi penthouse
June 4, 2014

Join Us on a Tour of Battery Park City’s Brand New Mega Food Hall Hudson Eats

If you haven't been downtown recently, you might want to make the trek. Hudson Eats — the just-opened food hall at 200 Vesey Street — is turning a once sleepy corner of Battery Park City into a culinary destination. Located on the second floor of Brookfield Place (formerly World Financial Center), the gleaming, white-tiled emporium is one of many new additions helping to revitalize Lower Manhattan. Along with the trendy restaurants that now call the neighborhood home — like Danny Meyer's North End Grill and Stephen Starr's new El Vez — there's also the recent debut of the 9/11 Memorial Museum and eventual moves from media powerhouses Condé Nast and Time Inc.
See more pictures of the stunning food court
June 4, 2014

Art Collector Sells Massive SoHo Simplex for $4.5 Million to Reportedly Pesky Neighbors

It's New York. We live in close proximity and have all had those annoying neighbors — the man that moves his furniture around in the middle of the night, the college students that blast electronic music, and the couple with the dog that never stops howling. It's not every day, though, that you get neighbors operating a full-on filming studio out of their home, but that's exactly what Chelsea residents accused interior designer Betsy Morgan and her husband Jonathan Cary of, according to the New York Post. It was reported that Morgan was illegally advertising her $6 million West 21st Street townhouse on numerous websites for film locations and photography shoots at the rate of $850 per day, the ruckus from which did not make neighbors happy. The couple is now making headlines again by purchasing the city's largest available simplex at 84 Mercer Street. The $4.5 million, 9,000-square-foot loft is definitely camera worthy with its original wooden beams and columns, huge open layout, and remarkable potential for displaying art, but let's hope Ms. Morgan will not be bringing any outside cameras into her new pad.
More about the artsy past owners and the gorgeous digs this way