Manhattan

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.
Take the tour
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.
Look around
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.
See it all here
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.
See inside
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.
See the whole place
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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September 21, 2021

Asking $4.2M, this Billionaires’ Row condo is one of only two One57 units with a private balcony

One57 was the first supertall (and super pricey) tower to rise below Central Park on 57th Street, leading to an influx of similar developments and the creation of "Billionaires' Row." At the OG tower, only two of its nearly 100 units have private balconies, and one of these coveted condos just hit the market for $4,200,000 (a relative bargain for this location). The one-bedroom has a 30-foot-long, 400-square-foot terrace that sits behind One57's signature curving glass and offers amazing southern city views.
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September 20, 2021

Supermodel Karolina Kurkova lists Tribeca loft with Hudson River views for $4.7M

It's been 16 years since supermodel Karolina Kurkova bought this Tribeca loft for $2.3 million, but she's now ready to unload it, listing the apartment for $4.7 million. Kurkova worked with architect and former model Robin Osler to completely redesign the space, with interior design by Interior Marketing Group. Located at the celeb-heavy River Lofts condominium at 92 Laight Street, the two-bedroom home has stylish, custom features like a cowhide wall, an entry foyer that doubles as an art gallery, and, of course, some really serious closets.
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September 17, 2021

‘Biggest Loser’ host Bob Harper lists moody, industrial-style Chelsea condo for $2.3M

Personal trainer Bob Harper took over as the host of "The Biggest Loser" in 2015, the same year he bought this one-bedroom condo at Chelsea's 124 West 24th Street for $1,875,000. He's now put the loft-like home back on the market for $2,295,000. According to the listing, Harper underwent "an extensive cosmetic renovation on the property," which included darkening the hardwood floors, redoing the kitchen, and replacing all fixtures. Coupled with the space's exposed brick walls and wood beams, the place is super stylish with a cool moody-industrial vibe.
Check it out
September 16, 2021

New rooftop terrace with glass pavilion and one-acre farm opens at the Javits Center

A one-acre working farm opened at the Javits Center rooftop this week, providing a genuine farm-to-table experience for visitors of the convention center. The farm will include over 50 crops and 40,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, which will be used in meals served on-site. The 200,000-square-foot rooftop, which also includes an enclosed glass pavilion, outdoor terrace, and a solar farm, is part of a $1.5 billion expansion project that has added a total of 1.2 million square feet of event space at the Javits Center.
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September 15, 2021

See the elevated pedestrian pathway that will connect the High Line to Moynihan Train Hall

Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled designs for a 1,200-foot-long elevated pedestrian pathway that will connect the High Line to the recently opened Moynihan Train Hall. The $50 million project will also connect Chelsea with other West Side destinations like Hudson Yards, Manhattan West, Penn Station, and the Javits Center. The plan was first floated by former Governor Andrew Cuomo in January as part of his extremely ambitious agenda to redevelop Midtown West. Under the direction of Governor Hochul, the pathway is expected to be completed by Spring 2023.
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September 14, 2021

Ryan Serhant unveils SERHANT. House NYC, high-tech ‘brokerage of the future’ office in Soho

One year ago, celebrity real estate broker Ryan Serhant launched his own brokerage. Since then, SERHANT. has grown to more than 55 agents and over 30 full-time employees, representing some of NYC's biggest listings, including the current most expensive apartment. The growing firm is now settling into its new home in Soho, a 15,000-square-foot real estate office "designed for the brokerage of the future." Dubbed SERHANT. House NYC, it's located in a four-story cast-iron building on the corner of West Broadway and Broome Street and has been outfitted with Herman Miller and Design Within Reach furniture, Bang & Olufsen speakers, and modern functional spaces like a film studio, podcast studio, client lounge, high-tech conference rooms, and coworking-style space for agents.
Take a tour here
September 14, 2021

Summit One Vanderbilt reveals 1,000-foot-high mirrored art experience

Tickets officially go on sale today for Summit One Vanderbilt, the Midtown East tower's 1,000+ foot observation deck. Previously, we got a look at the two skyboxes that allow guests to stand on completely transparent glass 1,063 feet above Madison Avenue, and now developer SL Green has revealed even more of the sky-high attractions, including an all-glass outdoor elevator (yes, even the floor!) that travels up the side of the building to over 1,200 feet. But perhaps most mesmerizing is an art installation called Air created by Kenzo Digital. Covered on three sides, along with the floor and ceiling, in mirrors, the multisensory experience challenges one's perception of space and immerses the guest within the fabric of the skyline. 
See it all here
September 10, 2021

Colorful ‘Soundsuits’ mosaics by Nick Cave revealed at 42nd Street Shuttle passageway

Artist Nick Cave is best known for his Soundsuits, wearable sculptures made of natural materials like dyed human hair and feathers that make noise when worn. For his latest endeavor, creating a public art piece for the passageway that connects the B, D, F, and M trains to the 42nd Street shuttle, Cave translated his Soundsuits into colorful, energetic mosaics of dancers in Soundsuits made of raffia and fur. According to the New York Times, the $1.8M project was commissioned by MTA Arts & Design as part of the larger $250 million undertaking to revamp the shuttle. In addition to more than 24 intricate mosaics, Cave's piece, titled "Every One," includes a series of 11 digital screens that play videos of people in actual Soundsuits dancing.
See the mosaics here
September 10, 2021

See the new observation deck and rooftop ride proposed for 30 Rock

One of the city's most popular observation decks could be getting a facelift. Tishman Speyer Properties has proposed several enhancements to the Top of the Rock deck at landmarked 30 Rockefeller Plaza, including a rotating attraction that lets visitors recreate the iconic "Lunch atop a Skyscraper" photo, a kinetic globe, and a new viewing platform on the 70th floor. The proposal was recommended for approval by Manhattan Community Board 5 last week and will be heard by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday.
See more here
September 9, 2021

With Norman Foster back as the architect, 2 WTC construction could begin soon

Twenty years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan's World Trade Center complex is nearly complete. But one tower still hasn't got off the ground. After architecture firm changes and financing problems, developer Silverstein Properties said construction is set to begin in the coming months on 2 World Trade Center with a new design from Norman Foster's Foster + Partners. As first reported by Commercial Observer, the developer is close to securing an anchor tenant, which would lead to a construction loan and the start of work within "the next six to 12 months."
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September 9, 2021

I.M. Pei’s Sutton Place townhouse sells for $8.6M

The New York City home where the late renowned architect I.M. Pei lived for 45 years has found a buyer. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal and confirmed by property records, the four-story home at 11 Sutton Place sold for $8,600,000, an increase from the initial 2019 asking price of $8,000,000. Pei, the mastermind behind the Louvre's glass pyramid and countless other projects, bought the home in the early 1970s with his wife, Eileen, for just $215,000, according to the newspaper.
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September 8, 2021

World Trade Center’s St. Nicholas National Shrine will be lit for the first time this week

On September 11, 2001, a Greek Orthodox church on Cedar Street was destroyed, resulting in plans to rebuild the structure at a new location on Liberty Street. Construction finally began on this new Santiago Calatrava-designed church, St. Nicholas National Shrine, in 2015, and though there were some hurdles along the way, the domed building will finally be lit for the first time. The church will commence the 20th-anniversary remembrance of 9/11 with a memorial service and the inaugural lighting of the Saint Nicholas National Shrine this Friday evening.
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