Manhattan

When you've got billions what's $11.3 million spent on some prime NYC real estate? According to city records filed this morning, Italian billionaire (the 1,067th in the world, and the 22nd in Italy) Pier Luigi Loro Piana just purchased a stunning Carnegie Hill co-op at 980 Fifth Avenue through a listing held by Sotheby's. The Italian fashion magnate crossed the billionaire's mark just last July when he and his brother sold an 80% stake in the Loro Piana fashion line to French billionaire Bernard Arnault's LVMH for $2.6 billion. With plenty of closets in this 3BR/3.5BA, including a 100-square-foot dressing room, the Pianas will have lots of room to store some of the luxurious cashmere and wool suits and sweaters that brought their family such great wealth today. The beautiful home also boasts stunning views of Central Park, and the building itself sparked quite a bit of controversy back in 1966 when it was constructed.
More details this way

May 29, 2014

Fifth Avenue Apartment with Views of the Met Changes Hands from One Financial Pro to Another

Crunching numbers all day as one of the leading financial advisors at USB can't be an easy task, so it makes perfect sense why Louise F. Gunderson chose to make this tranquil, inviting apartment her new home. The crystal-clear views of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park Reservoir probably don't hurt either. Ms. Gunderson purchased a unit at 1035 Fifth Avenue for $4.75 million through a listing held by Lisa K. Lippman and Scott Moore at Brown Harris Stevens. The seller, Sylvan Schefler, head of the Investment Banking Department at Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., likely had the same idea when he acquired the co-op in 1999. The large single-pane tilt and turn windows of this 2BR/3BA home let in tons of natural light and perfectly frame the uniquely Upper East Side views. High ceilings and hardwood flooring throughout are two of the lovely prewar details, while updated touches like custom built-in shelving and charming window seats create a modern, urban feel.
More on the apartment right this way

May 28, 2014

Thorndale: Turn of the 20th Century Carriage House Becomes Perfect 21st Century Home

At the turn of the 20th century, the first Model T Ford was still almost a decade from leaving the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company’s Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan and horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation. Carriage houses, like the one at 406 West 45th Street, built in 1905 for Oakleigh Thorne, owner of Thorndale Farms in Dutchess County, were necessary to properly store the carriages and associated equipment, such as saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, harnesses, etc. By 1927, over 15 million Model T-Fords had been produced and the horse and buggy was on its way to being a novelty from a simpler time, and carriage houses were eventually given second lives as garages, offices, workshops, restaurants and, as in the case of the aptly named Thorndale, beautiful residences.
Take a look at the gorgeous conversion

Distinctive Homes

May 28, 2014

Wall Street Banker Buys Premier Park Avenue Duplex for $8.495 Million

Wall Street banker Brian Kelly and his wife Robin Foley have just purchased a gorgeous Upper East Side duplex at 830 Park Avenue for $8.495 million. Apartment 9/10B is reminiscent of a home in an Edith Wharton novel, which is appropriate because it’s managed to maintain much of its early 20th century charm even as it boasts some of the most modern finishes.
Check out this beautiful duplex here

May 28, 2014

The Hidden City in Manhattan’s “Other” Skyline

As any fan of Spiderman knows, the “corridors” created by Manhattan’s tall buildings are a perfect way to beat traffic through a little web-swinging. But look more closely and Spiderman’s transportation of choice reveals a secret city like none other. One of the most famous and ubiquitous skylines in the world has seen its share of changes — most recently the rise of the Freedom Tower in place of the twin towers of the original World Trade Center — but has remained one of the most recognizable. Yet hidden among New York's tallest buildings is another skyline as unique as the city itself created by the negative air space formed between the granite and steel structures reaching for the sky on each side of the street.
READ MORE

May 28, 2014

Loft in Former Celeb Haven at 30 Crosby Street Finds a Buyer for $7.8 Million

Alicia Keys hired a crane when she moved out; Lenny Kravitz reportedly liked to show off his abs to his neighbors; Courtney Love allegedly had a little too much fun in the lobby — this is just some of the gossip from the former rich-and-famous tenants of 30 Crosby Street. In recent years, though, the residents have shifted from A-list celebrities to "everyday millionaires", and instead of Grammy-winning singers and hard-partying actresses, the Nolita building is now home to rich guys like the recent buyer of unit 3B, Justin Leverenz, Director of Emerging Market Equities at Oppenheimer, who purchased the apartment for $7.8 million, according to city records filed yesterday afternoon. The seller was music industry executive Daniel Pelson who paid $2.55 million for the home in 2001. Mr. Pelson listed the property through Town Residential’s Tinnie Sassano. What Mr. Leverenz acquired is a 4,164-square-foot, 3BR/3BA loft full of original historic details, including 19th century rough-hewn wooden columns, pinewood flooring, and exposed brick walls, mixed with contemporary additions like an Italian limestone wood-burning fireplace and a sleek, retro kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances and slab marble countertops.
Check out the rest of the digs this way

May 27, 2014

One-of-a-Kind TriBeCa Loft at 474 Greenwich Street Is Waiting for One-of-a-Kind Owner

Situated in an 1880s factory building, this intriguing 1-bedroom, 2-bath home at 474 Greenwich Street offers surprises at every turn. From its adorable checkered kitchen floor to the exposed beam ceilings, every room is a conversation starter. We aren’t sure what the exposed brick walls would say if they could talk (that’s over 100 years of secrets hidden away!) but we certainly have a lot to tell.
See what there is to talk about!

Distinctive Homes

May 27, 2014

Your Daily Link Fix: A Catalog of Manhattan’s Subway Tiles; A Sexy New Addition For Your Kitchen

A Catalog of Manhattan’s Subway Tile Mosaics: Last summer Adam Chang lived every New Yorker’s nightmare – he spent 20 hours on the MTA, stopping at every stop and photographing the mosaic signs. Citylab has more on the beautiful result of his sheer insanity. Man Seen Flying Kite from the Bowery: Let’s go fly a […]

Uncategorized

May 27, 2014

See New Renderings of Fortis’s Waterfront Residential and Hotel Development at 151 Maiden Lane

New renderings of Fortis Property Group’s mixed-use development at 151 Maiden Lane have been revealed! As reported by New York YIMBY, permits were filed last week for the new tower which will sit upon a 281,000-square-foot waterfront development site that the company purchased back in August of last year. Fortis’s new residential project will boast a 161,000-square-foot, 52-story luxury condominium with […]

May 27, 2014

Diane von Furstenberg’s Penthouse Sparkles Above Her Meatpacking HQ

The headquarters of the "Queen of the Wrap Dress" (ladies, you know what I'm talking about if you've ever stood in line for one of these sample sales!) is well known for the big, geometric glass structure that sits perched atop the traditional Meatpacking District building. Not so well known, though, is that inside this rooftop crystal is Ms. von Furstenberg's penthouse apartment. And just as you'd expect, the space is full of all of the sleek, yet glamorous style that the designer expresses in her clothing. Conceptualized by Work Architecture, the Diane von Furstenberg headquarters was adapted from this landmarked meat market building to house the firm's flagship store, administrative offices, and production space. The re-imagined rooftop is not only an apartment, but a garden oasis. The staircase, dubbed the "stairdelier" by the architects since it is lined with Swarovski crystals, ties the live/work space together and is its crowning jewel. Descending diagonally through the building's six stories, it reflects light throughout the entire interior.
More about the sparkling staircase and all of the interior eye candy this way

May 23, 2014

The Most Gorgeous New York City Hotel Interiors

By Jason Carpenter

Design is on display in New York's luxury hotels, where the interior look and feel is as important as where it's located. From the lobbies that welcome guests on their first steps into the building to the bars and dining areas later at night, some of a hotel's best design work lays outside the guests' rooms. Here are just a few of our favorite hotel interiors.
See more amazing hotel lobbies here

May 23, 2014

Seaport City: Neighborhood Built on Landfill May Be Coming to the East River

Though bearing little resemblance to its quaint East River neighbor, “Seaport City” could become a reality based on a new study released yesterday by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. But don’t bank on a new set of sought after residential and commercial river views just yet. Seaport City is only one of a number of options presented to the city as part of former mayor Michael Bloomberg's 257-point, post-Hurricane Sandy resiliency plan – and it’s the most challenging on the list.
Find out more about the plan to protect the lower east side

May 23, 2014

Two Penthouses in Chelsea’s Walker Tower Sell for “Just” $30.75M

One lucky (European) buyer scooped up not one but two penthouses in Chelsea’s Walker Tower yesterday for $30.75 million, in what could easily be considered the real estate steal of the year. Toni Haber of Douglas Elliman, who represented the buyer, told the Wall Street Journal that her client “got a really good deal”, as the two units […]

Real Estate Trends

May 23, 2014

American Thread Building Triplex Has Luxury Living and an Original Keith Haring Mural

Standing inside the palatial (trust us, this is not an understatement) 45' x 45' entertaining space in this magnificent triplex at 260 West Broadway, with its soaring arched windows, 26+ foot ceilings and beautifully detailed cast iron columns, you can’t help but feel a cool ocean breeze (Miami anyone?) gently soothe your soul. One could hardly blame you if you decided to stay right there and soak in the sun all weekend long. But that’s like choosing a 4-day getaway when you’ve won an around-the-world adventure because every room in this 8,000 square foot Tribeca residence offers an extraordinary experience for those lucky enough to call it home. It’s hard to know where to begin on the itinerary.
Come on an adventure with us

Distinctive Homes

May 22, 2014

Gorgeous Soho Loft Survived Plans for Lower Manhattan Expressway

It’s hard to imagine that in the mid-20th century the quaint little street known as Broome was the proposed site for the ten-lane Lower Manhattan Expressway, replacing all of the buildings on its north side — including this beautiful charmer at #456. Thankfully those plans never came to fruition and this stunning home with towering 14-foot ceilings, wide plank floors, and intentionally distressed exposed brick walls survived to welcome a new generation of New Yorkers into its midst.
See what survived those expressway plans

Distinctive Homes

May 22, 2014

Memorial Day Events for the New Yorker Who Wants to Stay Local

By Katrina Otuonye

Memorial Day is just a few days away, and if you're like us, you can't wait to take a break from the daily grind. While many have made plans that will sweep them off to far flung places like Paris, for those looking to stay local, there are plenty of incredible events going on across all of NYC's boroughs — rain or shine. Keep reading for our top events to check out this Memorial Day weekend. It’s going to be a busy few days!
All the events this way

Events & Things To Do

May 22, 2014

15 Broad Street: FiDi’s Downtown by Starck is Anything But

The year is 1928: Scotch tape is first marketed by 3M, the first air-conditioned building opens in San Antonio, the clip-on tie is designed, the NY Yankees sweep the Cards in the 25th World series – and the Equitable Trust Building at 15 Broad Street was completed. For nearly 80 years the L-shaped grey brick stone building would house some of the most influential financial companies in the world, until developer A.I. & Boymelgreen rescued it from certain demolition in 2003 and tasked French architect Phillipe Starck to turn it into a luxury condominium worthy of the financial capital of the world.
Check out #2412 at 15 Broad Street

Distinctive Homes

May 22, 2014

Developer Harry Macklowe Pays $585 Million for the Bank of New York Tower

According to the Wall Street Journal, a group of investors, led by developer Harry Macklowe, has just paid $585 Million for One Wall Street, the headquarters of Bank of New York Mellon Corp. A spokesman for Macklowe declined to disclose what the developer plans to do with the 50-story tower, but word is that other bidders for […]

New Developments

May 22, 2014

Light-Filled Lincoln Center Apartment Gets Lucky New Buyer

At 3 Lincoln Center (a.k.a. 160 West 66th Street), residents have the bragging rights of living in the only residential building in the Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts complex. And wouldn't you brag too if right outside your window was the Metropolitan Opera House and Juilliard? Apartment 46A is home to the most recent boaster. Sold for $3.9 million, the 1,562-square-foot unit has splendid north - and west - facing panoramic views that can be taken in through the huge, wraparound windows. The 9.5-foot ceilings add to the bright openness of this 2BD/2.5BA apartment.
Check out all the magnificent views and interiors this way

May 21, 2014

Derek Lam Scoops Up a Light-Filled Apartment in Gramercy Park North for $4.8 Million

Hot off the sale of their Soho loft, fashion designer Derek Lam and his partner Jan-Hendrik Schlottmann just closed on a $4.8 million 3BR/3.5BA pad at 50 Gramercy Park North, according to city records filed this afternoon. The home, which was listed by Kirk and Paige at Douglas Elliman, boasts a 40-foot expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows that give the home a decidedly modern California aesthetic that is very much in the vein of a Neutra icon. Though the current decor is quite subdued, if Lam's F/W'15 line is any indication of his preferred palette, we expect that this new space will be accented with plenty of rich blues, greens, and a bit of orange.
Have a look inside the stunning apartment

May 21, 2014

$13 Million Central Park West Pad Will Make Your Head Swim

Well, if you were getting your finances together to buy the $13 million apartment at 15 Central Park West, you can get off the phone with your accountant because it's sold. Unfortunately for you, Noel Berk of Mercedes/Berk has sold the Upper West Side stunner to someone else for $13.075 million. But that’s not going to stop us from writing about it, so sit back and take in the splendor that is the apartment you just barely missed out on. Unit 15K is an absolutely astounding 3BR/3.5BA beauty, with giant windows that bathe the entire apartment with light. Upon entry to this 2,500 square-foot haven, you’re greeted with a gorgeous foyer with Venetian plaster walls. This leads to a spacious living room with huge windows so as not to obstruct your view of the Lincoln Center. There’s a dining room situated right off the living room, a perfect place to seat your guests as they spend too much time oohing and ahhing over your apartment to remember to eat. And speaking of food, let’s take a trip into this kitchen.
You won't believe your eyes when you see the view from this gorgeous kitchen, here

May 21, 2014

Beautiful Eco-Friendly Loft on Watts Street Sells

It looks like Town Residential’s Danny Davis has done it again. He has made someone fall in love with another apartment, this time at 125 Watts Street. Unit #4 is the quintessential loft experience with high ceilings, white brick walls and tons of light. This historic, pre-war building is perfectly situated in Northwest Tribeca, right on the edge of Soho. This area has those desirable cobblestone streets, not to mention having plenty of dining and shopping to appeal to your chic side, while still being situated right near Hudson River Park and Pier 25 to appeal to your athletic side. You know what they call that? Nirvana.
See what Nirvana looks like here

May 21, 2014

Plans Filed for the SOM-designed Apartment Tower at 401 West 31st Street

Brookfield Office Properties filed its first plans yesterday for their SOM-designed residential tower located at 401 West 31st Street, adjacent to all the Hudson Yards hoopla. The 756,674-square-foot, 702-foot-tall tower will host 790 apartments with 3,438 square feet of retail on its ground level. The design sits within a grouping of glass towers and a low slung, tapering structure. The […]

May 21, 2014

Five Opulent and Ornate Spaces Looking for an Occupant

Anyone who's gone apartment hunting in Manhattan knows it can get a little monotonous — the bone-white walls, standard hardwood floors, and typical layouts. Sometimes the blank canvas just isn't enough; sometimes you need a little oomph. For those of you who enjoy ogling beautiful homes that have been carefully designed and expertly decorated, we've rounded up five opulent and ornate spaces currently looking for an occupant.
See all the stunning spaces this way!

10 New York Neighborhoods for Artists Now

Update: Check out our 2017 edition for the latest!

May 20, 2014

10 New York Neighborhoods for Artists Now

It’s become all too common in New York City — artists move into a neighborhood, make it trendy and culturally vibrant, and then are forced out by rising rents. It happened in Greenwich Village, Soho, the East Village, DUMBO, and Williamsburg. Do not be disheartened, though, there are still plenty of artist enclaves with thriving creative communities. Ahead are our ten current frontrunners — some may surprise you!
Where the artists are flocking

Events & Things To Do

May 20, 2014

The Historic Worth Building Gets a Few New Residents