Manhattan

October 6, 2021

Manhattan apartment sales hit a 32-year high

More apartments sold in Manhattan in the third quarter of 2021 than at any point during the last 30+ years of tracking, a new real estate market report says. According to a Douglas Elliman report published this week, there were 4,523 closed co-op and condos sales in the quarter, more than triple the same period last year and 76.5 percent higher than the same time in 2019. Even more indicative of the market turnaround following Covid-19, this quarter passed the previous sales record of 3,939 reported in the second quarter of 2007. And in its own market report, The Corcoran Group found sales volume in Manhattan topped $9.5 billion, the highest quarterly volume total ever recorded. This passes the previous record of $8.54 billion set in the second quarter of 2019.
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October 6, 2021

NYC commits $170M to preserve Chinatown’s historic 70 Mulberry Street after fire

The city will nearly double its investment in the restoration of a historic Chinatown building that was destroyed in a fire last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. After committing $80 million last July to the rebuilding of 70 Mulberry Street, a former public school constructed in the 1890s, the mayor said the city will tack on another $90 million, for a total of $170 million. In January 2020, a fire significantly damaged the site, forcing out five nonprofit organizations. According to the city, all of the groups will be welcomed back as tenants.
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October 5, 2021

The 2021 Village Halloween Parade is officially back on

The Village Halloween Parade is officially back this year thanks to a major donation. The beloved event was scheduled to return after a pandemic-related hiatus, but a lack of funds threatened to cancel the 2021 parade, according to organizers. The parade set a fundraising goal of $150,000 by October 5, and with the help of 183 donors who contributed over $11,000 and Jason Feldman and his wife Missy who made up the difference, the spooky show will go on.
Details here
October 4, 2021

Zig-zagging office tower in Greenwich Village’s ‘Silicon Alley’ nabe nears completion

The new modern office building that replaced the St. Denis Hotel in Greenwich Village is nearing completion. The ground-up development 799 Broadway sits where the Village and Union Square meet, a burgeoning tech hub known as "Silicon Alley." As a majority of construction work on the building wraps up in the coming weeks, Columbia Property Trust, Inc. announced on Monday it has secured its first lease at the building.
Details here
October 4, 2021

After 30+ years, Andy Warhol’s art director lists Noho penthouse for $6M

Marc Balet was the longtime art director for Andy Warhol's Interview Magazine, as well as for his talk show 15 Minutes that aired on MTV from 1985 to 1987. Around this same time, in the late '80s, he purchased a three-floor loft at 620 Broadway in Noho that was used as a dance studio. He transformed it into a beautiful, light-filled live-work home, even calling on his friend Fran Lebowitz to have her father, who owned a furniture store, create custom curtains for the 17-foot-tall space. The window treatments remain today, as do many other personal mementos, including lava lamps gifted by Pee-Wee Herman and a huge wall of celebrity photographs. Balet has now decided to put the home on the market for $5,995,000 and considering it also has an incredible amount of outdoor space, it's a place not to be missed.
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October 1, 2021

Asking $4.3M, this historic Harlem brownstone is move-in ready and dressed to impress

This gorgeous Neo-Grec home in Harlem's coveted Mount Morris Park Historic District is perfectly preserved on the exterior, and the interiors, though they've been somewhat updated, retain much of their old-world charm. Located at 102 West 123rd Street and on the market for $4,295,000, the home is composed of an owner's triplex plus ground-floor apartment. Throughout, you'll find loads of original paneling, moldings, and stained glass transoms along with stylish but period-appropriate upgrades.
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September 30, 2021

A 24-ton stone sphere is hanging in the lobby of Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue tower

A massive blue spherical stone now hangs in the lobby of the landmarked office building 550 Madison Avenue, part of a broader project to revitalize Philip Johnson's postmodern gem. The Olayan Group on Wednesday unveiled the renovated space, a project which included preserving the 110-foot arched entry, adding a multi-story window across from the entrance with views through to the new garden, still under construction, and the centerpiece art commission. Designed by artist Alicja Kwade, who had a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's roof garden in 2019, the art installation includes a 24-ton Azul Macaubas stone sphere hanging from ten polished stainless steel chains only 12 feet above the floor.
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September 30, 2021

Asking $17.95M, this stately Carnegie Hill brownstone has a brick solarium and magical garden

The brownstones of Carnegie Hill are some of the most regal on the Upper East Side, and this seven-bedroom stunner at 25 East 92nd Street is definitely no exception. Listed for $17,950,000, the 100-year-old house has over 7,000 square feet of interior space and 944 square feet of beautiful planted gardens and terraces. A unique brick solarium, tons of wood built-ins, and a wine cellar are just some of the special features you'll find here.
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September 29, 2021

Comedian Keegan-Michael Key sells his condo in NYC’s ‘Jenga’ tower for $5M

Actor-comedian Keegan-Michael Key has sold his Tribeca apartment for $5,000,000, less than the original asking price of $5,495,000. As the New York Post first reported, the two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath condo is located at 56 Leonard Street, better known as the "Jenga Building" because of each floor's unique layout.
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September 29, 2021

Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner’s rental townhouse in Greenwich Village hits the market for $26.5M

Over the summer, rapper Travis Scott was renting this massive Greenwich Village townhouse at 80 Washington Place, where his girlfriend Kylie Jenner, who's pregnant with the couple's second child, would come to stay. The home was designed by the firm Clodagh, and it's a whopping 8,700 square feet spread across six stories. There are six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a custom glass elevator, roof deck, backyard with an outdoor kitchen, terrace hot tub, and a wine cellar and tasting lounge. Another fun fact? The home was once owned by composer John Philip Sousa, known for his famous military marches. It's now hit the market for $26.5 million.
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September 28, 2021

Mixed-use development Manhattan West officially opens today, revealing restaurants, open space, and more

Following more than 30 years of planning, Brookfield Properties' eight-acre mixed-use development Manhattan West officially opens today. Located on the blocks between 32nd and 33rd Streets and Ninth and Tenth Avenues, the $4.5 billion project serves as a much-needed link on the far west side, bordered by the new Moynihan Train Hall to the east, Hudson Yards to the West, and the High Line to the south. Manhattan West's master plan was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and consists of six buildings--four office, one residential, and one boutique hotel. There's also a 2.5-acre public plaza designed by James Corner Field Operations, as well as a Whole Foods, immersive retail, and tons of restaurants including two from Danny Meyer.
See it all here
September 28, 2021

NYC’s Governors Island will be open year-round for the first time

Starting November 1, Governors Island will be open to the public year-round for the first time in its history, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. Located in the heart of New York Harbor, the 172-acre island has typically had a limited season that ran between May and October but plans to make the site a 24/7 community have been in the works for nearly two decades. With the island open all year, the city also announced it will make Governors Island a daily stop on NYC Ferry, as well as launch a new route that departs from the Lower East Side.
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September 28, 2021

Waldorf Astoria launches 90th anniversary oral history project

October 1 marks 90 years since the Waldorf Astoria opened its doors on Park Avenue. It was the world's tallest hotel for 32 years and became perhaps the most famous hotel on the globe, too, attracting Hollywood’s elite, world leaders, and famed cultural events and galas. Since 2016, the landmark has been closed for a restoration and reimagination that will bring 375 hotel rooms and suites, along with 375 luxury condos as part of The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria. In anticipation of the reopening in early 2023, and to mark its nine-decade-long history, a new website called Waldorf Stories will "honor, document, and preserve the oral history of the world’s most famous hotel through stories told by the people that lived them."
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September 28, 2021

$7.95M penthouse overlooking St. Marks Church has a Spanish Mission feel atop the East Village

This penthouse in the East Village is stunningly gorgeous, there's no arguing that. But the exact style is so unique it's hard to pinpoint. The current owner, interior designer Alfredo Paredes (a 33-year veteran of Ralph Lauren Corp.) describes his oasis as "bohemian, yet industrial," though we're also getting major Spanish Mission/Santa Barbara vibes. Located at 235 East 11th Street, the two-bedroom duplex has treetop views of St. Mark's Church in the Bowery across the street, as well as a 960-square-foot terrace from which to enjoy them.
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September 27, 2021

Fun food festivals are coming to the Upper West Side and South Street Seaport this month

This weekend, Taste of the Upper West Side returns, with more than 80 chefs, restaurants, and culinary personalities celebrating the neighborhood and offering up unlimited food, wine, beer, and spirits. And later this month, Taste of the Seaport will take place at Piers 16 and 17, where over 30 Lower Manhattan restaurants will participate, along with live music and art and a special kids' zone.
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September 27, 2021

This $1.57M East Village loft has original tin ceilings and Tompkins Square Park views

There's so much about this full-floor loft that feels like the old-school East Village, starting with the treetop views of Tompkins Square Park. The three-bed, two-bath co-op at 313 East 10th Street was redesigned by architecture firm AvroKo, who preserved much of the pre-war charm including tin ceilings, reclaimed wide plank oak floors, exposed brick, and two decorative mantels. They also added modern conveniences like handsome, floor-to-ceiling closets and contemporary shelving units. At 1,400 square feet, it's asking $1,575,000.
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September 24, 2021

For $650K, this salon-style Midtown studio has a ritzy kitchen and Parisian vibes

By the looks of this beautiful kitchen, you'd never know the apartment is only a studio. Instead of the usual cramped, galley kitchen, this one is large, high-end, and even has space for a full-size dining table. The entire place has been finished in a Parisian, salon-style, complete with delicate panel moldings and ceiling medallions, black-and-white marble floors, textured wall and ceiling treatments, and a claw-foot tub. Located at 372 Fifth Avenue, it's on the market for $650,000.
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September 24, 2021

Apply for 30 affordable units at new Hudson Square tower with amazing views, from $1,224/month

The cool, geometric rental tower at 111 Varick Street was just completed this year, and now it's opened an affordable housing lottery for 30 of its 100 apartments. The units are available to those earning 70, 80, or 130 percent of the area median income and range from $1,224/month studios to $3,219/month two-bedrooms. By comparison, the market-rate units start around $4,000/month for studios. Located in the burgeoning Hudson Square neighborhood, bordering the southern edge of Soho, this 30-story tower was designed by S9 Architecture with a unique undulating precast concrete facade. Because of where it's sited, the building offers incredible views of the Hudson River and skyline.
Find out if you qualify
September 24, 2021

MTA unveils colorful new subway mosaics at Bedford and 1st Avenue L train stations

This week, the MTA unveiled two new mosaic series at the 1st Avenue and Bedford Avenue L train stations. In the East Village, artist Katherine Bradford created Queens of the Night, a fanciful tribute to the creatives and essential workers (depicted as superheroes) who ride the L train. And in Williamsburg, artist Marcel Dzama created No Less Than Everything Comes Together, a collection of theatric fairytale-like figures under the sun and moon.
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September 23, 2021

Tribeca’s tricked-out ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ townhouse returns for $10M

The Tribeca townhouse-condo that's come to be known as the "Wolf of Wall Street apartment" is back on the market for $10 million. It's owned by race car-driving ex-banker Alan Wilzig, who inspired the character in the movie who introduces Leonardo DiCaprio's character to his future wife. Wilzig bought the three-bedroom maisonette for $3.35 million in the mid-2000s. Located at 7 Hubert Street, the home is its own townhouse, complete with a backyard patio and jacuzzi, street-level garage, and 2,200-square-foot private roof deck. Other tricked-out features include a home gym, movie theater, sauna, massive closets, and access to the condo building's amenities.
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September 22, 2021

New members-only bar in Flatiron is located inside a 19th-century church

New York City's latest hot spot is in a church. Opening this week, Chapel Bar is a members-only bar located inside a stunning 19th-century chapel in the Flatiron District that has been transformed into a dreamy cocktail spot, decked out with jewel tones and velvet. Tucked away inside the lobby of the Swedish photography museum Fotografiska, the watering hole is only open to members of the museum or NeueHouse, a company that provides workspaces for creatives.
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September 22, 2021

Supersized origami sculptures land in NYC’s Garment District

Seven supersized origami-inspired sculptures are now on display in Midtown Manhattan as part of the neighborhood's latest public art exhibit. Installed by the Garment District Alliance and the Department of Transportation, the exhibition, Hacer: Transformations, features brightly colored steel sculptures of animals that vary in size and resemble the paper-folding art. Created by California-based artist Hacer, the installation will be on display along Broadway between 36th and 39th Streets through November 23.
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September 22, 2021

On Washington Heights’ hidden Sylvan Terrace, a modernized wooden rowhouse asks $1.8M

New York City has a few hidden mews sprinkled throughout, one of which is Sylvan Terrace in Washington Heights. The one-block cobblestone stretch was originally the carriage drive for the adjacent Morris Jumel Mansion, and in the 1880s, 20 wooden rowhouses were constructed along it to serve as housing for working-class locals. A rare opportunity, the home at number 8 has just hit the market for $1,795,000. The current owner, who bought the property back in 1998 for just $135,000, is designer Tom Givone, who modernized the two-bedroom house to have a rustic-contemporary style that's even been featured in Dwell.
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September 22, 2021

Upper East Side mansion with three-car garage lists for only the second time in 100 years, asking $12M

This 100-year-old house at 182 East 64th Street is extra in every sense of the word. At 25 feet, it's extra wide; with 8,500 square feet, it's extra spacious; with 14 rooms and six bathrooms, it's extra roomy; and with a private three-car garage, it's extra covetable. In addition to its sheer size, the private residence also has a noteworthy pedigree. It was once home to John Hay "Jock" Whitney and is currently owned by the estate of the late Jayne Wrightsman. It's now for sale for only the second time in 100 years, asking $12 million.
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September 21, 2021

First look at Robert A.M. Stern and Olson Kundig’s new Chelsea condo tower on the Hudson

The renowned teams of Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) and Olson Kundig have teamed up for a new condo project in Chelsea and ahead of its official launch later this fall, we're getting a first look inside. Located across the street from Hudson River Park at 555 West 22nd Street, The Cortland is a 25-story building with 144 total units. RAMSA designed the exterior of the condo and Olson Kundig handled the interiors, combining their distinguished architecture styles in one impressive waterfront development.
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September 21, 2021

Google will buy St. John’s Terminal building in Hudson Square for $2.1B

Google will buy the Manhattan office building it currently leases for $2.1 billion next year. The tech giant announced on Tuesday plans to purchase St. John's Terminal at 550 Washington Street in Hudson Square during the first quarter of 2022. Google already leases the former freight terminal, which is currently undergoing a major renovation and addition as part of the company's new 1.7 million-square-foot campus in the neighborhood. As the Wall Street Journal first reported, the deal marks the priciest sale of a single office building in the United States since the start of the pandemic, as well as one of the most expensive ever recorded.
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September 21, 2021

Famed London steakhouse Hawksmoor opens in Gramercy’s historic United Charities Building

"Our job was easy – restore the building to its former glory and use reclaimed building materials and antique lighting to create a restaurant and bar that feel like they really belong in the space," says Huw Gott, co-owner of the NYC outpost of London's popular steakhouse Hawksmoor, referring to its location in Gramercy's historic United Charities Building. The restaurant is located in the landmarked building's grand Assembly Hall, under the original 30-foot vaulted ceiling. It's the perfect place to enjoy one of Hawksmoor's famous dry-aged steaks that are cooked over live charcoal. Ahead, see more of the stunning space and hear about the project firsthand from Gott.
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