6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

Some might argue that the best kind of apartment is one that provides a great balance between living and entertaining. And we all want a nice large space to accommodate guests; one complete with an open layout and natural light, no less. Well, this particular Chelsea apartment renovated by set design Philip Messina takes it to the next level. If a large gathering of admiring guests becomes too congested, creating a need for more space, this loft has a pretty interesting way to add some square footage to the already sizable entertaining space.
Find out more here

Distinctive Homes

August 11, 2014

Bloomberg L.P. CEO Dan Doctoroff Sells Upper West Side Mansion for $11 Million

Looks like the De Blasios aren't the only mayoral figures making moves. Dan Doctoroff, former Deputy Mayor and current President & CEO of Bloomberg L.P., has sold his Upper West Side townhouse at 309 West 91st Street for $11.25 million, slightly less than the $13 million asking price from when the home went on the market in November 2013. He and his wife Alisa purchased the mini mansion in 1994 for $1 million out of foreclosure and then put millions into a gut renovation. The five-story, stately townhouse was built in 1896 by Clarence True, one of the most prominent architects on the Upper West Side around the turn of the century. It is one of a row of seven limestone masterpieces that feature True's signature low-stoop façade. The Doctoroffs had the home impeccably restored by architect Oliver Cope and designer Victoria Hagan, down to every last elegant detail, including four wood-burning fireplaces, a winding sky-lit staircase, and spectacular crown moldings.
Check out more of the 6,400-square-foot townhouse

August 11, 2014

Tudor City “Castle in the Sky” is Worth a King’s Ransom

By Stephanie Hoina

Even in a city filled with stunning multimillion-dollar residences it is rare to find one that is equally impressive inside as it is out. Well, look no further this two bedroom penthouse at Windsor Tower, 5 Tudor City Place.
Read on to see why the outside of this home rivals its inside

Distinctive Homes

August 10, 2014

How a ‘Buona Forchetta’ Stays Trim in NYC

By Andrew Cotto

Having just returned to New York City from another extended stay in Italy, I’m often asked about how I ate during my trip. I’m happy to accommodate such requests since I’m what Italians call a “Buona Forchetta” or “Good Fork” — someone who loves and knows food. Talking about food is one of my favorite things to do; it’s up there with eating food. And my passionate and detailed conversations about the food I’ve recently eaten often segues into curious inquiries about my somewhat surprising physique.
Read more of Andrew's story here

August 9, 2014

Fishers Island House’s Modern Extension by Ryall Porter Sheridan is Built With Recycled Newspaper

Here at 6sqft we are big fans of Manhattan-based Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects. We love the way they often use reclaimed and recycled materials for the creation of simple but beautiful eco-homes. To build their very unique Fishers Island House extension, the firm used a surprising, environmentally friendly and very affordable material: recycled newsprint.
Learn more about the recycled newspaper extension here

August 8, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Hyatt Pays $390M for Full Stake in One57; Two Trees to Spend $10M to Preserve Domino Factory Relics

Two Trees Management is throwing down $10M to salvage industrial artifacts from the Domino Sugar Factory. [Curbed] A look inside Brooklyn’s John Street Condos. [Curbed] PRD Realty is trying once again to file a mixed-use rental plan for a site near the Barclays Center. The developer was rebuffed two years ago by neighbors who were against […]

Real Estate Trends

August 8, 2014

#sofa4manhattan was Crowd-Crafted for a New Yorker’s Lifestyle

Couch shopping in New York is not as simple as one may think. The furniture has to be petite enough not to overpower a small space, fit through the doorway, and make it around the sharp walk-up turns (remember the "pivot" scene from Friends?). And with those challenges in mind, Berto and Design-Apart brought together 11 New York-based designers and Italian designer Luca Nichetto to crowd-craft the ideal sofa for Manhattanites. Design-Apart produced one of the three designs from the workshop. Called #sofa4manhattan, the selected concept is a contemporary work that unites a number of different pieces.
More about the project and sofa

August 8, 2014

Lego Architecture Studio is a Grown-Up Version of the Famous Building Blocks

We'll now have an excuse to relive one of our favorite childhood pastimes. Danish toy company Lego has taken its world-famous building blocks to the next level, giving the children's toy a sophisticated update geared toward architects and designers. Lego Architecture Studio is the first set of the plastic, snap-together blocks to come without instructions. Comprised of more than 1,200 pieces of 76 different unique shapes, options range from standard bricks to chamfered wedge-shaped blocks.
More about how Lego Architecture Studio will “allow you to explore the ideas and principles of architecture”

Distinctive Homes

At former Streit's Matzo Factory, a Lower East Side penthouse with two terraces asks $4.35M

Look out on the city from high above the Lower East Side in this $3.8M penthouse

Step from the glass-clad conservatory onto a magical tea porch in this $7.25M Brooklyn Heights townhouse

This new $14.75M Cobble Hill townhouse looks like it's been standing for a century

Landmarked Boerum Hill townhouse owned by 90s designer Daryl K asks $6M

This $1.4M Astoria home is all about flexible, fabulous, and fun townhouse living

Live like royalty on the Upper East Side for $5.8M

Love is a large, lovely $2.9M Lispenard Street loft

Tiffany-blue walls and de Gournay designs surround a $1M UES co-op with Deco-era glamour

This $5.75M Clinton Hill two-family home is five floors of brownstone perfection

VIEW ALL

August 8, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Plans for Phase 2 of the Second Ave Subway; A Zero Energy Clay Refrigerator

Avoid Sketchy Areas with This New App: You know that weird vibe you get when walking down a shady street? Now there’s to help you navigate those mixed emotions! Crains reports that SketchFactor, launched yesterday for iPhones, uses crowdsourced tips to warn users of areas that are less-than-desirable. How Rooftops Went from Servant Quarters to a […]

Uncategorized

August 8, 2014

See Why This Delightful Upper West Side Pad Could Be Our “Favorite Place”

Whether you like inspirational quotes on the walls or puppets bungee jumping in front of windows overlooking Central Park, you'll love this two bedroom, two bathroom Upper West Side prewar co-op in The Bolivar. In fact, inspiration and celebration are rather fitting when you consider the one-of-a-kind nature of this beautiful pad in a building that shares a name with a South American liberator. The Central Park views from this apartment are so mesmerizing, even the Queen of England would have to stop and catch her breath. And by the looks of these pictures, she may have. So, let's take a quick little tour, so you can see exactly why it might be well worth it to “skid in broadside” to claim this $2.9 million prize.
Ready to be inspired? Click here

Distinctive Homes

August 8, 2014

NYC Events 8/8: Tour a Post-Disaster Housing Prototype; NYC’s First Art Deco Scavenger Hunt

By Lori Zimmer

Most gallery owners have closed up shop for the season, likely heading to the Hamptons for some well-deserved R&R. But New Yorkers staying in town can still enjoy fine art (beyond one of our lovely air conditioned museums). Head to Brooklyn's Metrotech campus to enjoy the Public Art Fund's newest project—a mirage of color and shape by Sam Falls that will change over time as the sun and rain beat down on it (so check it out while it is brand-spanking-new!)—or to a nature-inspired opening at Ouchi Gallery. If architecture is more your thing, join the AIA NY for a private tour of the OEM Disaster Housing Prototype, or gather a group of arch-nerd friends for the first ever Art Deco Society of New York Scavenger Hunt. If you can't stand the heat, tuck into the theaters at MoMA to catch a classic silent film, or enjoy the shade of the High Line over head at the Abington House's weekly Wednesday parties.
All the best events here

August 8, 2014

Olympic Figure Skater Sasha Cohen Snags a Pretty Plain Waverly Place Pad for $1.6M

By Annie Doge

It looks like Olympic figure skater Sasha Cohen will be boxing up all her medals for a move to the West Village. According to city records, Cohen is leaving her Times Square pad for a corner one-bedroom apartment at 136 Waverly Place. Cohen dropped $1.595 million for the pre-war digs, which are much more quaint and simple that what we'd expect for the skating star who had a Project Runway episode dedicated to designing a skating dress just for her.
Peek inside the home here

August 8, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Danny Wasserman of Tip Top Shoes, a Mom & Pop Outfitting the UWS for More than 50 Years

By Susan Cohen

Years ago, shoemaking was a family business handed down from one generation to the next. And while there may not be as many old school shoemakers practicing their craft in the city today, there is the Wasserman family and their Upper West Side shoe store. Tip Top Shoes, located on 72nd between Amsterdam and Columbus, has been taking care of New York's footwear needs since it first opened in 1940. Although the Wassermans are not the original owners, it's been in the family since Danny Wasserman's father purchased the store fifty years ago, continuing a family tradition that began in Europe. When Danny began working alongside his father, he was the third generation in the shoe business. His son and daughter are now the fourth. Together, Danny and his children are making sure customers have access to both classic shoes and the latest trends. Wearing a pair of Birkenstocks I purchased at Tip Top Shoes, I met with Danny to learn more about the family business.
Read our full interview with Danny

August 8, 2014

Humberto Leon is Second Opening Ceremony Cofounder in a Week to Buy a Brooklyn Townhouse

Last week we learned that Opening Ceremony cofounder Carol Lim picked up a $3.43 million Prospect Heights townhouse, and it looks like her partner Humberto Leon got a bit of apartment envy, because he too just purchased a brownstone in nearby Park Slope. The two fashion magnates met 19 years ago at the University of California, Berkeley and have been joined at the hip ever since, turning their brand into an international destination for streetwise style. So it's no wonder that their homes share a few similarities; both are four stories, have picturesque backyard spaces, and retain a good amount of historic details. According to city records, Leon nabbed his new digs at 758 Union Street for the asking price of $2.85 million.
READ MORE

August 7, 2014

The Wilson Hunt House: The History of a Rare 19th Century House Towed to Tribeca by Truck

By Lauren Price

In the 1970s, after obtaining landmark status in 1969, three 19th century houses were actually towed by truck from a no-longer-existing stretch of Washington Street to avoid demolition in the Washington Market Urban Renewal area (a 38-acre site planned by the city’s Housing and Development Administration during the 1960s and 1970s, 10 blocks north of what would become the World Trade Center). Their final destination? Next to three already existing townhouses on Harrison Street, a quiet site that was once the well-known farm of alleged skirt lifter, and one of NYC's first settlers, Annetje Jans. In 1976, New York City put them up for sale (from $35,000 to $75,000) following a restoration by Oppenheimer, Brady & Vogelstein the year before. And more recently, nearly four decades after the sale, CORE brokers Tom Postilio and Mickey Conlon exclusively listed 37 Harrison Street with surprising results.
Fast forward to present day to find out what happened to The Wilson Hunt House

August 7, 2014

Leading with LEED: A Look at NYC’s Eco-Friendly Housing

Radiant Orchid may be Pantone's color of the year, but here in New York City we think green is the hot hue of the moment. Eco-friendly design features and sustainable buildings are sprouting up faster than ever, and buyers are seeking out the next best green amenity, from Vitamin C-filtered showers to electric vehicle charging stations. And thanks to some A-list support from the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, environmentally friendly design is being embraced by developers and real estate professionals alike. Last week, we took a look at Battery Park City, the largest green neighborhood in the world, which is often credited with launching New York City's modern sustainable movement. And now we're exploring some of the latest eco-friendly buildings to follow in its footsteps and take advantage of contemporary environmental technologies.
Read about these green developments here

August 7, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Dedicated Graffiti Space on the Condos Replacing 5Pointz; New Brooklyn Bridge Park Towers Get the Go Ahead

14 new proposals were unveiled for Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park yesterday, and despite local outrage over the development’s inclusion of affordable housing, the project will move ahead. [Curbed] 5Pointz site owners Jerry Wolkoff and his son David have released images of the space they’ve reserved for graffiti art. But will artists abide to […]

Real Estate Trends

Tranquil Wooden Cottage by Gray Organschi Architecture is Topped by a Lush, Moss Roof

Perched atop an upland meadow in Guilford, Connecticut is a charming wooden guesthouse growing lush, fluffy moss on its roof. Designed by Gray Organschi Architecture, the Cottage is a small but brilliant dwelling, designed to optimize the visual and environmental qualities of the area. Featuring panoramic views of the Long Island Sound and Thimble Islands, this tranquil shelter is a successful experiment in architecture and sustainable design.
Learn more about this green-roofed guesthouse here

August 7, 2014

Beatrice Trussardi Buys Appropriately Fashionable Police Building Pad for $2 Million

Beatrice Trussardi does much more than sit alongside the runways at Fashion Week. In addition to running the internationally successful, Italian fashion label Trussardi that her late father Nicola Trussardi founded, she heads the Nicola Trussardi Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes contemporary art and culture. And now she can add "New York City homeowner" to her roster of titles. Ms. Trussardi just snatched up unit 3K at 240 Centre Street, the historic landmark known as the Police Building, for $2,147,500, according to city records. The one-bedroom Nolita apartment is chic and contemporary, and we'd expect no less for such a fashion-forward gal.
Check out the fashionable digs

August 7, 2014

The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls is a Former Industrial Site Turned Locally Designed Getaway

There's so much talk these days about the happenings up in Beacon, New York, from the Dia:Beacon, undoubtedly the area's biggest attraction, to the locally sourced restaurants lining the Hudson. And if you're hoping to make this upstate getaway longer than just a day trip, the Roundhouse at Beacon Falls can accommodate much more than just your overnight stay. Aryeh Siegel, unofficial "architect of Beacon," was enlisted by developer Robert A. McAlpine to restore and adaptively resue the buildings on this 9-acre, 19th century industrial site located on the Fishkill Creek. They were transformed into a complex including a hotel, restaurant, and event space. Historically appropriate, modern private residences were added, and the former power house is being reconstructed to provide hydro-electric power, which will account for 60% of the hotel's energy. The Rockwell Group outfitted the hotel and restaurant interiors with a contemporary yet rustic design esthetic, incorporating pieces from local artisans.
Take a tour through this gorgeous getaway

August 7, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Map of the Languages Spoken in the City; The History of the Billboard Next to Macy’s

A Map That Shows The Languages Spoken In NYC, Excluding Spanish: Unsurprisingly, the languages spoken in the city are just as diverse as the people. Take a look at Business Insider’s alternative map that shows the most common languages spoken, besides Spanish. The Secret Behind The Billboard Next To Macy’s: Maybe you avoid Herald Square […]

Uncategorized

August 7, 2014

A Subjective Map of New York City: Dutch Graphic Artist Takes Virtual Check-Ins to a New Level

By Stephanie Hoina

Social media has certainly made it easier to take a nostalgic look back in time; a quick perusal of one’s past Facebook statuses or Twitter feeds is all it takes to remind us of what we were doing last week, month, or even last year. (Yes, we know some of those photos are cringe-worthy; we have them too.) Consider all of the different places those statuses and tweets were generated from, and imagine what it might look like if you tracked all of those locations on a map of the city – a literal "walk" down memory lane, if you will. That’s exactly what Dutch graphic designer Vincent Meertens and his girlfriend did between March 2012 and January 2013, using an application called OpenPaths. The result? An intricate series of dots and lines (10,760 data points in all) representing all of their movements through New York City.
More details ahead

Policy

August 7, 2014

Map Out Your New Home or Art Gallery in This $20M Upper East Side Co-Op

Surely by now you’ve noticed the abundance of cartography in this apartment, (and you’ve probably accurately guessed that this article will be filled with its fair share of map references), but the new owner of this Upper East Side home will be invited to do a completely different kind of exploration. The fact is, this second-floor unit at 31 East 72nd Street has a great deal of potential, either as a commercial or residential space, and its spacious layout leaves room for plenty of creativity.
Take a look inside here

Distinctive Homes

August 7, 2014

Kim Kardashian Eyeing This $50M Eco-Friendly Delos Penthouse with Dramatic Staircase

By Annie Doge

Mr. and Mrs. Kardashian... Er, we mean Kim and Kanye West may be moving their brood to the East Side of Manhattan. Kim, along with Mamma Jenner and her little sis Kendall, were recently spotted looking at the penthouse at the eco-friendly Delos at 66 East 11th Street—a sprawling 7,693-square-foot unit that features a handcrafted "floating" metal staircase and a beautiful glass atrium ceiling. The unit is currently going for $50 million, not a steal by any means, but surely just a drop in the bucket for the power couple whose combined net worth approaches $200 million. Other famous residents of the Delos include Leonardo DiCaprio, who owns a $10 million two-bedroom unit.
Inside the penthouse here

August 6, 2014

14 New Designs Proposed for Brooklyn Bridge Park Project – BIG, Asymptote and FXFOWLE on the Roster

The city has just received 14 new design proposals for the two remaining housing developments on the southern edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park, a site that has been the focus of a contentious affordable housing debate; namely whether such units should be added to the coveted waterfront site. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp., which runs the park, will discuss the new proposals in a meeting today.
See all 14 proposals here

August 6, 2014

Real Estate Wire: 15 Hudson Yards Gets a Makeover; Tips for Buying Waterfront Property in NYC

Everything you need to know about affordable housing: applying, getting in, and staying put

Diller Scofidio + Renfro gives 15 Hudson Yards gets a makeover, taking away some of its flair. [NY YIMBY] 9 things you should know before buying a waterfront property in NYC. [DNA Info] A map of the 1,100 affordable housing units coming to Downtown Brooklyn. [DNA Info] The nation of Qatar has backed out of a […]

Real Estate Trends

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August 6, 2014

Mojo Stumer’s East Hampton Home is a Contemporary Take on the Traditional Seaside Residence

When the owner of this East Hampton property decided to undertake a renovation of their home, they wanted to veer from the traditional beach style of shingled Hamptons homes. Mojo Stumer Associates approached their client's desires thoughtfully, utilizing the existing building for economic and time efficiency and creating the contemporary East Hampton residence that makes the most of the space's modest footprint.
Tour the modern getaway

Architecture And Design

August 6, 2014

Freshwest Studio’s Brave New World Lamp was Created Like a Childhood Construction Game

The Brave New World Lamp, a complex design made from simple materials, was envisioned by award-winning UK design duo Freshwest after hours of experimentation. Its sculptural shape is a result of random, thought-initiated constructions approached without an initial plan, just like those childhood creations made of Meccano or LEGO.
More details on the Brave New World Lamp here

August 6, 2014

Liberty Lofts Penthouse with Massive Master Suite Sells for $6 Million

Compromise is so overrated. Why not just have it all? Well, when you live half a block from New York City’s most iconic park and equally close to the city’s cultural hub, having it all is more than just a dream. It’s a reality. And it appears that two New Yorkers have decided it’s a reality they want a piece of, because according to city records, they just paid $6 million for the Liberty Lofts Penthouse 9B.
See what having it all looks like, here

August 6, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Artist Turns People Into NYC Landmarks; Wearing This Pendant Can Convert Kinetic Energy into Electricity

Artist Camouflages Her Human Canvases In NYC Scenescapes: You’ve never seen body art like this. Daily Mail features Trina Merry making people practically disappear in Central Park, in front of the Gugg, and on bridges. Domino Sugars Sign Will Be Relocated: NYDN reports that the iconic sign will be taken down this month, but then […]

August 6, 2014

Modern Meets Rustic in This Tribeca Home at the Cobblestone Lofts

If you’re thinking how nice it would be to leave the office at the end of a long day and stroll down a quaint cobblestone street to your beautiful Tribeca loft, you’re in the right spot. Because today we’re going to take a look at a residence inside Tribeca’s Cobblestone Lofts. The former site of a 19th century warehouses, the four red-brick buildings that make up the Cobblestone Lofts was once owned by Trinity Episcopal Church. However, in 2001 CMS Design architect Chris Smith came through and converted the buildings into 32 condominiums. It appears it was during this time that the current owners snatched up unit 3A, so we’re feeling pretty lucky for the chance to take a peek inside the 3,300-square-foot gem nearly 13 years later.
Let's take a look inside...

Distinctive Homes

August 6, 2014

Performance Artist Marina Abramović Sells her Urban Glass House Apartment for $3 Million

You might have expected the apartment of Marina Abramović to be intense and dark with large, empty spaces for the world-renowned performance artist to create her highly experimental work, but instead her home is pleasant and light-filled with contemporary furnishings and pops of color. She's leaving the two-bedroom, corner unit at the Urban Glass House, though, as it's sold for $2.995 million, according to city records.
Take a look at the apartment here

August 6, 2014

AquaFence Flood Barriers Pop Up at NYC Waterfront Buildings

Nearing the two-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, developers, architects, and building owners are still wrestling with how to keep their waterfront properties safe from any future storms that may wash up on New York's shores. Some have moved mechanical systems above ground, white others have installed heavy duty generators and emergency lighting and elevator systems. But a popular preventative mechanism among the posh residences of the West Village and Lower Manhattan is AquaFence, a portable, temporary flood barrier system that can defend structures from flood heights of up to eight feet.
See how this product is constructed and installed

Policy

August 5, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Ismael Leyva’s Design for a High Line Condo; Bed-Stuy Real Estate is Red Hot

First look at the Ismael Leyva-designed, Related Companies-developed condominium planned for West 30th Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, a site that overlooks the High Line Park. [Curbed] Jonathan Miller pinpoints two new records for NYC: The average sales price for NYC residential real estate (co-ops, condos and 1-3 family sales) reached a record $975,441 for 2Q 2014; […]

Real Estate Trends

August 5, 2014

Cameron Sinclair Launches ‘Dead Prize’ Competition Honoring Architecture That’s Caused Remarkable Environmental Harm

Architects and designers love getting and giving accolades, and rightly so—there are some stellar projects out there transforming the world that deserve recognition. However, Cameron Sinclair, the Executive Director of the Jolie-Pitt Foundation and co-founder of Architecture for Humanity, seems to be fed up with the lack of discourse when it comes bad design, and in response he's just kicked off a new competition that aims to "honor" works that have inflicted serious harm on our environment. Called "Dead Prize", Sinclair hopes that this award will recognize the bad, point out the failures, and hopefully inspire individuals to do something to rectify these designs against humanity.
More on the competition here

Architecture And Design

August 5, 2014

Rianne Koens’ Modular Otura Furniture Takes Inspiration from Her Turkish In-Laws

Dutch designer Rianne Koens' latest furniture collection was inspired by the friendliness and warm hospitality of the her own Turkish in-laws. Named after a combination of the Turkish words 'otur' (sit) and 'oturak' (stool), the Otura family has a flexible design that can easily adapt to any occasion. Separate stackable drawers, cabinets, tables and stools, all made from wood, were designed to be arranged and rearranged in an easy functional way.
about this versatile furniture here

August 5, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Snooze in a Honeycomb Pod; Revel in the Beauty of Summer in NYC

Honeycomb Sleeping Pods For Music Festival-Goers: Wired features B-And-Bee, the winning design for a Belgium competition for sustainable entrepreneurship. Believe it or not, each pod is big enough to fit a king size bed! Where do we sign up? There’s No Place Like NYC In The Summer: Summer Fridays, Saturday afternoons laying out in Sheep Meadow, outdoor dining […]

Architecture And Design

August 5, 2014

Studio Modh Transforms Former Servants’ Quarters Into a Modern Light-Filled Space

Back in the day, in even the most luxurious of homes, sleeping quarters reserved for servants weren't much more than cramped, musty spaces that lacked light. Though the top floor of this landmarked Brooklyn Heights mansion probably hasn't seen a feather duster in years (a Dyson, maybe) this newly renovated space is anything but dim and dank. A total revamp undertaken by Studio Modh Archtecture, this modern apartment is the seamless fusion of two formerly disparate spaces that have been reconfigured to create a bright, beautiful and serene home.
Check out how Studio Modh Updated the space

Distinctive Homes

August 5, 2014

Spray-Painted Solar Cells Get One Step Closer to Reality

You may have heard last year that scientists began exploring the idea of spray-paintable solar cells, and now researchers at Sheffield University in England have made a breakthrough that could bring this green energy dream one step closer to reality. The advance comes from the use of organometal halide perkovskite, a mineral/crystal, organic/metal hydra, which offers the potential to combine high-performing, mature solar cell technologies with organic photovoltaics that have a low embedded energy cost.
More on the technology ahead

August 5, 2014

This Unbelievable $11.5 Million Penthouse Offers 3,000 Square Feet… of Rooftop Terrace

No, that wasn’t a typo in the title. This penthouse apartment at 655 Park Avenue is more than just 3,300 square feet of interior space. It also has a 3,000-square-foot rooftop garden so amazing, even the statues are luxuriating on it. But if you’ve been reading this blog you know it’s not our style to go straight to the mind-blowing terrace. Let’s take a tour through the rest of this premier pad first. Trust us. You won’t be disappointed.
Let's take a look inside this magnificent penthouse...

Distinctive Homes

August 5, 2014

CB4 Housing Plan Calls for 11,000 Units of Affordable Housing

Mayor de Blasio called for all 59 New York City community boards to propose ways to increase the number of affordable housing units within their district, and CB4, which covers Chelsea, Clinton, and Hell's Kitchen, is the first to respond. The Manhattan District Board 4 Affordable Housing Plan was voted on internally by the board on July 23, but is expected to be officially presented to the city on August 8th. The 81-page plan, which could influence affordable housing policy throughout the city, focuses on six major themes that will outline how the west side neighborhoods tackle the addition of 11,000 units of affordable housing.
We break down the themes

August 4, 2014

Mythbusters: Shedding Light on 80/20 Affordable Housing and ‘Poor Doors’

By Lauren Price

There’s been lots of chatter on the street and in the media on the subject of “poor doors” in new developments for those who have qualified for affordable housing. And though this subject has created quite a bit of controversy, it's actually not quite what it seems. Rather than being outraged that our city allows real estate developers to “discriminate” against those who could never consider paying for the privilege of residing in their latest and greatest luxury building, naysayers should think about reading up on exactly what affordable housing is and isn’t—“rich” home seekers having an edge over the so-called “poor.”
We look at 80/20 and the 'poor door' controversy here

August 4, 2014

Real Estate Wire: A Walker Tower Flipper Eyeing a 75% Profit; The Top 300 US Architecture Firms

The owner of a 3BR/4.5BA duplex with a terrace in the Walker Tower is looking to sell their $14.26M duplex for $25M. [Curbed] Architectural Record has released its annual list of the “Top 300 Architecture Firms” in the United States. Results are based on architectural revenue from 2013. [Architecture Record] Developers are having trouble filling […]

Real Estate Trends

August 4, 2014

Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects Wrap a Pristine White Studio with a Beautifully Aged Wood Skin

We recently featured how Ryall Porter Sheridan renovated a 1970s house into a beautiful green retreat using Passive House standards. In a similar vein, the Manhattan-based architects have created a small artist's shelter with comparable aesthetic, employing many of the same sustainable strategies throughout. Called 'Orient Artist Studio', this project on the north-fork of Long Island is clad in a beautifully aged timber envelope that protects its pristine white interiors.
Learn more about this Passive artist studio here

1289 Lexington Avenue

Carnegie Hill

Refined living on the Upper East Side

2 beds starting at $2,495,000
3 beds starting at $4,995,000
4 beds starting at $5,250,000
5 beds starting at $8,995,000

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August 4, 2014

Design Trust for Public Space Announces Winning Ideas to Redefine NYC Public Spaces

Ever walk by an area with park benches, plantings, or public art, and think that something's missing... oh yeah, there's no people. Though positive in theory, some urban public spaces don't engage their communities and aren't efficiently designed. To address this issue, the Design Trust for Public Space held a competition, The Energetic City: Connectivity in the Public Realm, that requested project proposals to seed and develop projects that redefine New York City's public space. Four winning ideas were selected, and their implementation will begin immediately through a design prototype, pilot intervention, public artwork, and research, planning, or public outreach stages.
Check out the winning designs

Architecture And Design

August 4, 2014

Summer Sculptures: Where to See Larger Than Life Art in the Parks

By Jason Carpenter

The NYC parks system gives artists a public canvas for their sculpture and design work, and there are so many great artworks on display this summer. From abstract sculptures to innovative park design, here are just a few of the interesting sculptures and design exhibits you can see in New York City parks this last month of summer.
Find the best public sculptures here

August 4, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Stay Active and Keep Your Phone Charged with Cycling Bike; Spray Can Cake Batter (Yes, Really)

Iron Man Suits Make A Debut In South Korean Shipyards: Super strength suits are no longer just for those Marvel films. New Scientist reports that engineers in South Korea have built an exoskeleton that shipyard workers can use to lift up to 66 pounds. Cycle While You Work: Because standing desks are boring and treadmill […]

Architecture And Design

August 4, 2014

Philanthropists Joe and Carol Reich Sell Central Park West Condo for $16M

Philanthropists Joe and Carol Reich have sold their Central Park West condo, according to city records, and when we say this place is fit for a king, we’re not exaggerating. The couple’s $16 million former duplex actually resides in the Prasada, which is one of the most prominent buildings in the city and one of the three buildings that solidified Central Park West as a prestigious avenue. In fact, this Beaux-Arts beauty—designed by architectural duo Charles W. Romeyn and Henry R. Wynne—was one of the first high rises to attract wealthy New Yorkers back around the turn of the century when townhouse living was the norm. But what else would you expect from a place that was commissioned by the King of Spain? See? We told you we weren’t exaggerating.
Take a look inside this royal estate here

August 4, 2014

$20 Million Chelsea Penthouse Has Its Own Garage… in the Sky