Manhattan

When you look at these New York buildings, it’s hard to imagine there’s space for a 7,000-square-foot loft inside. Well, the former home of Justin and Nicole Ehrlich is one of those spaces. 20 Greene Street #6A is definitely deserving of an Academy award with its dramatic tall ceilings and oversized windows. And it just sold to the tune of $14.5 million. This Soho loft, listed by Douglas Elliman, doesn’t do anything halfway. Its giant living room is large enough to be its own apartment, for starters.
Take a closer look at this glamorous loft here

June 2, 2014

“Grand” 27 Wooster Street Penthouse Finally on the Market – Asks for $28.5M

An empty corner lot in one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the city? Now that doesn’t come along every day. When presented with this rare blank slate in 2012, the architects at Kohn Pederson Fox went to work creating an elegant, contemporary building that blends seamlessly with its SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District environs. The result: a luxurious, window-filled residential condominium at 27 Wooster Street in Soho, complete with Thomas Juul-Hansen-designed interiors, a host of upscale amenities, and — wait for it — parking.
Get a first glimpse inside this gorgeous penthouse

Distinctive Homes

June 2, 2014

Set Designer for Saturday Night Live Buys Artsy SoHo Loft

Leo Yoshimura, a set designer and art director for late night television shows like Saturday Night Live and the Late Show with Conan O'Brien, has purchased unit 5W at SoHo's 565 Broadway for $4.2 million through a listing held by Keller Williams. This is a D2 class/artist in residence building, meaning it's a former industrial site that was converted to residential and now its apartments must be inhabited by a certified artist. The artistically designed loft seamlessly blends historic character with sleek modernism. Original columns punctuate the 2,740-square-foot 3BR/3BA space, which retains its large windows and high ceilings. The interior window cutouts let natural light traverse the entire unit, as does the contemporary frosted glass divider that leads into the boldly painted red den.
More details this way

May 31, 2014

Lower East Side Rental Oozes Rustic Charm

One look at this delightful apartment at 141 Attorney Street and you will be hooked. The bright sunshine flowing in from the north, south and west exposures perfectly showcases distinctive details like the exposed brick walls, gorgeous hardwood floors, custom built-ins, a wide-plank wooden wall, and even a fun over-sized “barn door” (yes, it’s red!).
See more charm!

Distinctive Homes

May 30, 2014

Take a Peek Inside Resolution: 4 Architecture’s Stunning Loft High Above Union Square

By Patty Lee

Closet space isn’t easy to come by in New York City, so when the owners of this stunning Union Square loft remodeled their apartment a few years back, storage was on the top of their to-do list. With help from Robert Luntz and Joseph Tanney of Resolution: 4 Architecture, the family transformed their newly-expanded apartment into a sleek, modern home with plenty of cabinets and shelves.
See more of the impressive, storage-friendly apartment

Distinctive Homes

May 30, 2014

This Upper East Side Duplex is So Big You Might Need a GPS

Bigger is better so the saying goes, and you’ll get no argument from this nearly 8,000-square-foot duplex at 28 East 70th Street. Luckily, you have us to navigate the way through the 20+ rooms that make this home a truly remarkable residence. The most difficult part of our journey? Where to start! So grab your key (for the elevator) and step right into this stunning condo’s marble-floored reception foyer and spacious entry gallery, ensuring complete privacy for the rest of the home’s wings. Yes, wing is a totally appropriate description to use with a residence of this size.
Enter your destination and away we go

Distinctive Homes

May 30, 2014

One Vanderbilt: New 65-Story Tower Near Grand Central to Stand Taller Than the Chrysler Building

It looks like the Chrysler Building is about to get a new neighbor. According to the New York Times, SL Green has reportedly proposed the development of a 1,200-foot, 65-story tower that would occupy the block between 42nd and 43rd Streets, and Vanderbilt and Madison Avenues. This proposal will have to undergo a review process as part of a new de Blasio administration plan to rezone an area of Vanderbilt Avenue for larger buildings. De Blasio’s proposal is a 2.0 version of a failed bid by Michael Bloomberg that would rezone an area around Grand Central Terminal. Bloomberg’s proposal – which would affect a 73-block area around the terminal - concerned officials and preservationists, who were concerned that the plan would add to the congestion in the area. Fulfilling one of his campaign promises, de Blasio has devised a plan to mitigate those issues as well as keep the city competitive for decades to come, by creating more office space in the prime business location.
Learn more about the iconic tower's new neighbor

Real Estate Trends

May 30, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Photographer Barry Rosenthal on Living in the Financial District and Finding Inspiration in Nature

By Susan Cohen

Photographer and artist Barry Rosenthal is inspired by nature. His latest series, Found in Nature, is a response to what he was seeing and feeling while out on beaches. Barry, whose pieces can be found in the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York City and the Springfield Museum of Fine Art in Springfield, Massachusetts, is himself being found through Found in Nature. The series was recently featured in Brazil's National Geographic Magazine. Although Barry works in nature, he has lived in the caverns of the Financial District since 1987. Long before the neighborhood would become popular with young professionals and families, Barry and his wife, Elyn, found that the area — then made up primarily of office buildings — had just what they were looking for: space. Over the last 25 years, they and their daughter Macie, now 18, made the Financial District their home. The family was certainly ahead of the curve. As a New Yorker, I was curious to learn more about Barry. What was it like living in this neighborhood back in the '80s, especially from the perspective of a photographer and artist with a keen eye for observing the world? Why did he decide to head out of his studio and work in nature?
READ THE INTERVIEW WITH BARRY ROSENTHAL HERE

May 29, 2014

Green City: Eight of the Biggest Eco-Friendly Developments Happening Right Now in NYC

By Jason Carpenter

While going green has more or less become the norm in most modern day construction in New York, some projects have really outdone themselves from the ingenuity of design to the sheer scale of size. This is a city where the new police academy will harness the power of re-usable rainwater, and where the Barclays Center's arena roof is being covered with 130,000 square feet of new garden space. New York is placing itself at the forefront of green design and green construction, and here are just eight of the biggest green projects happening right now.
The top green developments in the city this way

May 29, 2014

Straus Park Stunner with Striking Balcony Asks $4.65 Million

One of the most sought after units in the exclusive Straus Park condominium is back on the market. The Opus'#18B has changed hands a lot over the past few years but like many others, she has learned that you have to kiss a few frogs to meet your prince. Well, she’s ready to meet her prince - or princess - and she's enlisted Corcoran agent Greg Kammerer to help. The 2,241-square-foot condo may sit at the top of a 22-story building but her giant windows bring the city to her fingertips. And that might be all you need of the Big Apple, because with all that this 4BR/3BA condo has to offer you could find yourself vacationing in your own home.
Take a look inside this pretty penthouse here

Distinctive Homes

May 29, 2014

Ensoleillé! Soleado! Soleggiato! Yes, This Chelsea Condo at 520 West 19th Street is Sunny

No matter how you say it there’s no denying the bright and airy appeal of this sun-filled home at 520 West 19th Street courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows in just about every room and its very own 48-foot long landscaped terrace. But if you’re looking to soak up your Vitamin D another way, you’re in luck because this Annabelle Selldorf-designed building is perfectly situated between the High Line and the 550 acre Hudson River Park. So whether you’re in the mood to stretch your legs, picnic, sail, kayak, or paddle-board, you’re covered.
See how sunny living here can be!

Distinctive Homes

May 29, 2014

Billionaire Pier Luigi Loro Piana Buys a Glamourous Carnegie Hill Apartment for $11.3 Million

By Diane Pham

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

By Diane Pham

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

By Diane Pham

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