6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

Another iteration of a towering addition to a landmarked NoMad building has emerged from the 3-D visualization wizzes at Avoid Obvious. YIMBY broke the news back in March of a 20-story tower designed by the Spector Group and Think Architecture atop a charming commercial building at the northwest corner of West 27th Street and Broadway. Both iterations of Spector Group's design reveal a clean visual break between old and new: a restored neoclassical façade juxtaposed with a setback glassy prism rising above. The new reveal shows a more sculptural and chiseled tower rather than a Trump SoHo-like prism of clean vertical lines. It's unclear if this proposal is still on the table and if the Spector Group remains involved.
More on the design here

October 8, 2014

Real Estate Wire: ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Selling His Tribeca Home; $533 Domino Factory Rentals

The real-life “Wolf of Wall Street”, Alan Wilzig, is trying to sell his $4.5M Tribeca home on his own. [TRD] Domino’s first affordable rentals will be priced at $533 a month. [Brownstoner] Brandeis University is selling its Vanderbilt mansion for $33M. [WSJ] The landmark Lucerne Hotel will be getting a 13-story brick/limestone/terracotta-clad condo neighbor. [Curbed] Alan Wilzig […]

Real Estate Trends

October 8, 2014

Orwell Hybrid Bed-Sofa-Cabin Recaptures the Intimacy of Home

By Rebecca Paul

The Orwell is a delightful design that combines the best of a sofa, bed, and cabin into one well-rounded piece of furniture. Designers Pablo Figuera and Álvaro Goula selected the name Orwell in reference to the surname of the '1984' writer and the impetus of the product idea "to recapture the intimacy which can sometimes be lost, even within our own homes." The piece is not only a place to sit or lie down, but it's also an invitation to climb inside and revisit the pillow-fort of your childhood.
More on the design

October 8, 2014

House in the Berkshires by David Hotson Is Made of Two Shed-Roofed Bars

This eco-friendly home in the Berkshires was designed by architect David Hotson to serve two functions-- a private getaway for the client (a couple with grown children) and a summer and winter vacation house to accommodate large family gatherings. And it's just about that time when the owners will have to start planning for their holiday get-togethers, which is likely a bit less stressful since the dwelling was built with these events in mind. The house is perched on a wooded hillside that slopes down toward an open clearing. It's composed of two long, parallel shed-roofed bars that run east to west, perpendicular to the site's slope.
More on the innovative design

October 8, 2014

Bunny Mellon’s Incredible Upper East Side Mansion Finds a Buyer for $41M

After a year on the market, this incredible Upper East Side mansion designed by Bunny Mellon has finally found a family ready to call it home. According to the Observer, the 1960s townhouse currently owned by Irish businessman Tony White and his wife Clare just went into contract for $41 million. The couple originally paid $22.5 million for it in 2006, and when it came time to resell last year, they asked an impressive $46 million. Pricey? Yes. But given its darling location and architectural splendor, why this beauty didn't fly off the shelf is a bit of a surprise to us. Just have a look inside and you'll immediately understand why.
Tour the stunning estate

October 8, 2014

Daily Link Fix: A Look at the 5Pointz Demolition; Pickle Day Returns to the LES

Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York documents the demolition of beloved graffiti mecca 5Pointz in Long Island City. Calling all picklers! The Lower East Side’s Pickle Day is back on October 19th. According to the event website, “it’s kind of a big dill.” An algorithm can predict a neighborhood’s crime rate based on Google Street View images, […]

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October 8, 2014

New App Lets Users Send 20th Century Postcards with a Then-and-Now Feature

Perusing those bins of vintage postcards at flea markets is always a treat, but who wants to mail and part ways with such fun pieces of nostalgia? A new app called ScenePast: Americana Road Trip, however, lets users send 20th century postcards digitally, so you can share your favorite scenes without tapping into your personal collection. If that wasn't enough, ScenePast also has a feature that provides the current-day view of the streetscape depicted on the postcard--a fun tool that is sure to prove addictive for history buffs.
More on the app here

Distinctive Homes

Amy Schumer paid $6.25M for Central Park West condo

For $2.25M, a historic timber and stone cottage in Southampton

From cozy to bold, this $10M Soho condo embodies post-loft luxury

Once a parking garage, this $85M Village penthouse is now in line to break neighborhood sales records

This $9.75M Harlem brownstone reflects neighborhood history with five floors of 19th-century elegance

For $6.75M, everything you'd want in a Park Slope brownstone

This $2.7M Chelsea duplex condo feels like a modern house with a private back garden

Location, location, location–and a pretty renovation–make up for square footage in this $620K East Village co-op

This $2.85M Crown Heights townhouse is an unspoiled historic beauty on an extra-long lot

Steve Madden's former Trump Palace pad lists for $11.5M

VIEW ALL

October 8, 2014

$6.4M Penthouse at the Renwick Modern Offers City Views from Five Different Terraces

Nest Seekers' Ryan Serhant may have just found his nest egg at the Renwick Modern, but that doesn’t mean he’s slowing down at all. The star broker is now hard at work on the listing for the neighboring Penthouse 1, which is asking $6.35 million. This luxurious loft-like condo stuns with a sprawling 2,700 square feet of never-before-lived-in interior space and an additional 1,380 square feet of outdoor space in the form of a roof deck and four separate terraces. Sound impressive? Let’s take a closer look.
See More of this Modern pad, here

Distinctive Homes

October 7, 2014

45 Park Place: Tribeca’s Latest Condo Tower Could be an Architectural Stunner

New images have been uncovered of an upcoming 39-story condominium tower poised to rise from a storied site in Tribeca. Curbed first broke the rendering reveal back in July and a representative of the developers noted that tower depicted in renderings are not quite final. Nevertheless new images posted on of SOMA Architects' website give us additional glimpses of what the project could be. Simply known as 45 Park Place (for now), the development is comprised of a 665-foot tower luxury tower and an Islamic museum, is being developed by a consortium led by Soho Properties, headed by Sharif El-Gamal. The tower is being crafted by Michel Abboud of SOMA Architects, with Ismael Leyva serving as the architect of record. Renderings posted on SOMA's website convey a light, airy tower composed of stem-like volumes bundled by delicate bands of lattice-like mullions. The ground-level view gives us our first glimpse of the adjacent Islamic museum and prayer space reportedly designed by Pritzker Prize–winning French architect Jean Nouvel. A small plaza fronting the museum will expose a vegetated side wall of the neighboring building that houses popular downtown grocer Amish Market.
More on the development here

October 7, 2014

Million Dollar Listing’s Ryan Serhant Nabs a Love Nest at the Renwick for $3.7M

It looks like Ryan Serhant of Million Dollar Listing fame is preparing for his upcoming nuptials by buying a lofty love nest atop the Renwick Modern. According to The Real Deal, the reality TV star just closed on the full 9th floor penthouse at the 22 Renwick Street building for $3.7 million. The 1,895-square-foot apartment hosts three bedrooms, a home office, a top of the line kitchen, and keyed elevator access. And for that little bit of extra oomph, the kitchen cabinets are clad in leather.
Inside the home here

October 7, 2014

INTERVIEW: Architect Andrew Franz, A Modernist But Not a Minimalist

Architect Andrew Franz first caught our eye when we spotted his incredible renovation of a West Village townhouse just months ago. Since then, we've often found ourselves ogling his site for design inspiration, further falling in love with his ability to blend the old with the new through thoughtful material choices and a unique use of light and space. It goes without saying Andrew is a standout amongst the city's seemingly inexhaustible supply of homogeneous architects. We recently caught up with Andrew to find out about some of his latest projects, how collaboration plays into his process, and how he approaches the design of homes and buildings in a dynamic and storied environment such as New York City. Keep reading to find out what he had to share with us.
Read our interview with Andrew here

October 7, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Harlem’s Upcoming Tallest Building; Graffiti on the Rise Across NYC

Harlem’s soon-to-be tallest building at 1800 Park Avenue gets a new look. [YIMBY] Sunnyside residents want to add a bridge of affordable housing to join two halves of their neighborhood currently bisected by the LIRR and freight rail yards. [Curbed] Graffiti is back. More and more tags are appearing overnight across the city and graffiti-related […]

Real Estate Trends

October 7, 2014

Nobu, A Transforming Desk-Shelf Inspired by Vintage Carrycases

By Rebecca Paul

For many living in New York City, or other densely populated communities, space is considered a treasured resource not to be squandered. In these situations efficiency is key, which is why we welcome with open arms Nubo, the 2.0 version of the traditional wall shelf. This bubble shaped shelf transforms from a utilitarian wall shelf or desk, into a treasure-box-bulletin-board—reminiscent of a vintage travel case, like the blue Pan-Am case of the 1960s. The Nobu was designed by the Italian-Danish duo known as GamFratesi, and first presented at imm Cologne.
READ MORE

October 7, 2014

openhousenewyork Weekend App Will Enhance Your Touring Experience

As if we weren't looking forward to openhousenewyork Weekend enough, a new app to help guide and organize tour goers has us even more excited. Created through a partnership with dsgnfix, the free, location-based iPhone app "enables users to search, discover, and share design destinations and experiences." During OHNY weekend (October 11-12) those with the app downloaded will be able to scroll through all of the 150 free Open Access sites, organized by the user's real-time location.
More on the OHNY Weekend App

October 7, 2014

Own a Romantic One-Bedroom in Park Slope’s Iconic Chiclet Mansion

By Rebecca Paul

Part of what makes New York City so romantic are the picturesque historic buildings that have been maintained over the past few centuries. Now you can live this romance all day, everyday, in this 600-square-foot one-bedroom located at 115 Eighth Avenue in the Park Slope's iconic Chiclet Mansion (yes, a mansion designed for the gum magnate). Co-ops like this are very rarely available, and with its current listing price at $549,000 this one will not be on the market for very long.
Take a peek inside

October 7, 2014

Daily Link Fix: A Lamp That Changes Color to Match Its Surroundings; 35 NYC Parks to Get Upgrades

During the first ever Madison Avenue Fashion Heritage Week, 16 stores along the world-famous shopping corridor will turn their storefronts into displays about their brand’s history, reports Racked NY. Feeling blue? Pink? Yellow? Whatever color you’re in the mood for, the colorup table lamp by PEGA D&E can match it. Designboom explains that the fixture mimics the hues of anything […]

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Karim Rashid’s East Harlem HAP Building Gets a New Color Scheme After Much Opposition

After much outcry, the Karim Rashid-designed residential building at 329 Pleasant Avenue in Harlem will be getting a new color scheme. According to the WSJ, locals have voted to scrap HAP Five's color-blocked magenta and turquoise design for a facade of simple white balconies with a less audacious “translucent cirrus with [a] graduated magenta balcony trim”.
Find out more here

October 7, 2014

Unique $2.5 Million East Village Loft Boasts Barrel-Vaulted Ceilings and Loads of Character

The two-bedroom apartment at 59 Fourth Avenue is still sitting on the market six months after it first popped up. After an unfruitful summer and several price chops from its $3 million price tag, today the seller is asking a reduced $2.5 million for the East Village pad. While the loft has some interesting dimensions, it still has much in the way of character, and the flexible layout allows for creative adjustments. Add to that a sublime roof deck and a prime location at the intersection of Greenwich Village, East Village and Union Square, and this unique unit could be a winner. But we’ll let you be the judge.
Let's take a look inside

Distinctive Homes

16-Story Residential Sliver Building to Rise Near Union Square

Existing three-story building at the site occupied by the Catholic Medical Mission Board

October 7, 2014

16-Story Residential Sliver Building to Rise Near Union Square

**UPDATE 10/10/2014: We've been informed that the Spector Group is no longer involved in this project. Beyer Blinder Belle has taken over the design. We will provide new renderings of the project when available. A new 16-story residential sliver tower will squeeze its way skyward from a narrow lot at 10 West 17th Street, situated just a block from foodie-hub Union Square in the Ladies' Mile Historical District. Permits filed with the NYC Department of Buildings call for a 47,000-square-foot residential building with 15 units. The architect of record is Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, a firm well adept in crafting developments in historically sensitive locations and navigating the city's Landmark's approval process. The majority of units in 10 West 17th will likely be full-floor apartments. The renderings shown here are designs from the Spector Group website, but it's unknown if they are still involved in the project.
More on the plans here

October 6, 2014

Rent the Ultra-Opulent Plaza Pad of Kazakhstan President’s Nephew for $55K a Month

Daniyar Nazarbayev, the ultra-rich nephew of Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, is now leasing his equally ultra-luxurious four-bedroom at The Plaza Hotel for $55,000 a month, reports the NYDN. The beautiful 4,200 square foot home is certainly of a presidential caliber and comes dripping with the ornate features and finishes that have become so synonymous with the storied Plaza. With sunny Central Park views from every room and expansive north and west exposures, this home also hosts ceilings highlighted with mosaic stained glass and crystal chandeliers, artistically detailed moldings, a formal dining room, marble entry foyer, and much more—including a helluva lot of international drama to boot.
Inside the embroiled plaza home here

Distinctive Homes

October 6, 2014

Hilton to Sell the Waldorf Astoria Hotel to Chinese Insurance Company for $1.95 Billion

It's where the Waldorf salad was invented; it was the first hotel to offer room service; and it has its own railway platform to Grand Central, large enough to fit FDR's car. The historic tidbits about the Waldorf Astoria are plenty, but now the world-famous hotel is making big changes to its future. Hilton Worldwide Holdings, who has officially owned the Art Deco landmark since 1972, has agreed to sell the 1,232-room hotel to the Anbang Insurance Group Co., a financial and insurance company based in Beijing, for $1.95 billion. Hilton, the world's largest publicly traded hotel operator, will continue to manage the property under a "strategic partnership."
More on the plans here

October 6, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Eichner’s Supertall Gets a Cash Infusion; Is Gowanus the Next DUMBO?

Bruce Eichner has secured $420 million in financing for his 777-foot-tall Flatiron tower at 45 East 22nd Street. [WSJ] Is Gowanus the next DUMBO? [NYT] Sales launch at 173 Amity Street in Cobble Hill. [6sqft inbox] Say goodbye to the White Castle on Myrtle Avenue. Greystone has just acquired this and another Clinton Hill site for condos. […]

Real Estate Trends

October 6, 2014

Fashion Designer Elie Tahari Buys Two Units at 15 Central Park West for $25M

Israeli-American fashion designer Elie Tahari has snatched up two units at famed, Robert A.M. Stern- designed 15 Central Park West for a combined $25.25 million, according to city records released today. The pair of adjacent apartments was originally marketed for a total of $29 million. Tahari had previously been renting a three-bedroom unit in the star-studded building for $30,000 a month, but it looks like he's decided to make his stay more permanent, now occupying an entire private floor. Unit 9m has two bedrooms, 1,862 square feet of interior space, and 1,619 square feet of outdoor space. Unit 9G is a three-bedroom unit with 2,237 square feet inside and a spectacular 1,700-square-foot terrace. Both spaces appear to offer a pretty clean slate, perfect for the creative new owner to imbue his signature tailored, modern vibe.
Check out Tahari's new purchases

October 6, 2014

You’ll Feel Right at Home in This Elegant $3.2M Apartment at the Dorilton

By Stephanie Hoina

Sometimes it takes a while to settle into a new place, but the minute we saw this spectacular residence on the market for $3.2 million in the Dorilton at 171 West 71st Street, it felt like home. While it’s true the landmarked building’s elaborate Edwardian façade could seem a little imposing, the warmth emanating from this immaculate, five-room Upper West Side home more than makes up for any airs the grand and gated entrance might convey.
See why this home will capture your heart

Distinctive Homes

October 6, 2014

Voyeuristic West Village Penthouse with See-Thru Tub Isn’t for Shy Inhabitants

Snag the Greenest Seat in Town: Gufram's 1972 Pratone Chair is Shaped Like a Patch of Grass

We recently caught up with architect Adam Kushner who's currently in the process of building the world's first 3D-printed estate up in Gardiner, New York. Though this project is what's garnered him the most attention lately, Kushner has always been one to experiment with new materials and methods of construction. One of his earliest projects is this modern duplex penthouse located in the heart of the West Village. Once home to Kushner himself, this pad—which has previously been called both "sexy" and "unconventional"—is all about pushing boundaries, and includes some surprising details that, well, we'll just say aren't for shy folks afraid of showing a little skin.
Tour this unique West Village penthouse

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

10 best plants for apartment dwellers

New York City's best holiday markets of 2023

VIEW ALL

October 6, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Beaux-Arts Subway Tile Round Up; Work on Your Six Pack with a Balancing Chair

A little flattery never hurt anyone…artist Leah Harper is installing a compliment-giving toy dispenser under the High Line. DNAinfo has the scoop. Untapped Cities shares some of its favorite Arts and Crafts/Beaux Arts-style ceramics in NYC subway stations. Dan Marker Moore’s urban time-lapse photography is pretty amazing. Head over to Fubiz to check it out. You […]

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October 6, 2014

LAST CHANCE: Win Two Tickets to Dwell on Design New York!

By Alyssa Alimurung

In just a few days, Archtober will bring us one of the biggest architecture and design events of the year: Dwell on Design. Curated by the editors of Dwell magazine, DOD will fill 82 Mercer in SoHo with 5,000 renowned creatives ready to showcase and chat about new design ideas, products, and services. There will also […]

October 6, 2014

Live like You’re in Paris in This $2M Gramercy Park Co-Op

The listing says it best: "Left Bank meets East side of Gramercy Park." This beautiful apartment at 34 Gramercy Park East offers a modern take on nineteenth century Paris, as well as keys to the private Gramercy Park-- the best of both worlds for New York-based Francophiles. Located in the 1883-built, landmarked Queen Anne building known as "the Gramercy" (the oldest co-op in New York), this two-bedroom home features ten windows with north, east, and west facing exposures, as well as the perfect combination of historic details and modern touches.
Tour the $2 million apartment here

Distinctive Homes

October 6, 2014

Slade Architecture Creatively Uses Freestanding Units to Divide This Soho Loft into Livable Spaces

When Slade Architecture was commissioned to transform a 3,000-square-foot commercial loft space into the ultimate Soho residence, their goal was to create a functional space that capitalized on an open, airy, light-flooded interior. They achieved this by incorporating three eight-foot tall freestanding volumes to separate the 100-foot deep loft into three different sections ideal for both living and entertaining.
See more of the remodel, here

October 5, 2014

Luderowski Architect’s Pagoda-Shaped Stunner is Not Your Average Treehouse

By Patty Lee

This ain't your average treehouse. While the ones of our childhood dreams are usually simple little structures patched together with pieces from dad's leftover lumber piles, this eye-catching structure is more of a floating adult oasis. Shaped like a piercing pagoda, the honey-yellow treehouse seems like it was taken from the forests of Kyoto and carefully unloaded in Long Lake, NY, a picturesque town nestled in the Adirondack Mountains.
See more pictures straight ahead

October 4, 2014

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff

Living in the clouds: the top 26 tallest skyscrapers coming to NYC. Tour Mayor de Blasio’s Park Slope home, now renting at $4,975 a month. Before there was sports bars and college dorms, there was bratwurst and shooting clubs. We take a look back at Kleindeutschland, the East Village’s “Little Germany.” Historic districts and landmarking: […]

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October 3, 2014

Fort Greene Apartment in Former Seminary Has Us Praising Its Incredible Windows

By Stephanie Hoina

Formerly a seminary, the gothic-style structure sitting in Fort Greene at the crossroads of Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill was reborn as Cathedral Condominiums, and this 1,100-square-foot home within is certainly one to be worshipped. No matter what your religious persuasion there’s no denying the windows in this stunning condo at 555 Washington Avenue are a blessing.
See why this condo has us singing its praises

October 3, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Leslie Edelman of Tiny Doll House on Furnishing NY’s Smallest Spaces

By Susan Cohen

On a quiet block on the Upper East Side, there are elaborate houses and grandiose rooms. However, these stately dwellings are not townhouses, but instead the kind that live inside them, filled with miniature plates, plants, and pets. If you haven’t guessed, we’re talking about dollhouses, and they can be found at Tiny Doll House, a store devoted to dollhouses and all things miniature. For almost 25 years, Leslie Edelman has owned and run the store. With a background in interior design for full-scale homes and humans, he has miniaturized his skill set and passion at Tiny Doll House, where New Yorkers of all ages can fulfill their architecture and interior design fantasies for much less than the price of a Park Avenue townhouse. 6sqft recently spoke with Leslie to learn more about his store, and the care and attention to detail New Yorkers bring to their dollhouses.
Our interview with Leslie here

October 3, 2014

The Flowerbox Building: A Sustainable Gem in a Storied Setting

By Michelle Cohen

Built in 2007, The Flowerbox condo building at 259 East Seventh Street, about mid-way between Avenues C and D, is considered by many to be one of the city’s most beautiful new developments–and definitely a neighborhood standout, featuring a vertical garden that waters itself. The building boom that started with the 21st century and has continued apace since the end of the most recent economic downturn has given Downtown Manhattan an impressive collection of starchitect-designed creations, complete with Sky Garages, Boxwood Mazes and plenty of glass curtain walls. But the Flowerbox Building continues to charm with its design, quality and curb appeal.
Find out about the vertical

October 3, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Residential Developers Pulling Out of the Game; Rockaway Boardwalk Renewal Delayed

Related Companies is the latest landlord to ask property managers to turn in tenants for listing their apartments on AirBnb. [TRD] Another potential residential development site in Tribeca could fetch $50M. [Crain’s] A Hudson Yards strip club may be turned into a 46-story residential tower. [TRD] Are too many luxury buildings being constructed? Some developers are opting to […]

Real Estate Trends

October 3, 2014

Nir Meiri’s Seaweed Marine Lights Bring the Ocean Indoors

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

Tel Aviv-based Nir Meiri Design Studio has an unconventional approach to everyday objects. With a special love for raw, wild materials, this studio creates high quality handcrafted designs that are surprising yet minimal. The Marine Light is one of their latest creations—a design that uses seaweed for a lampshade that gives off an emerald gleam.
Find out more about this fishy design

October 3, 2014

Incorporated Architecture & Design’s Sixteen Doors House is “In” the Landscape

With sixteen transparent windows/doors, it's no wonder Incorporated Architecture & Design bills their Sixteen Doors House as being "in" the surrounding landscape. The rural retreat in a forest clearing in Hillsdale, New York gives the feeling of being in a completely transparent glass box, but still incorporates a warm wooden frame and privacy measures. The contemporary house is one of three upstate projects by the firm that arose from studies of the traditional, loft-like cow barns that are found throughout the local farmland.
Learn more about the design here

Architecture And Design

October 3, 2014

Daily Link Fix: e-Carriages to Replace Horses Hit the Streets; Baby DJ School Opens on the UES

Forgotten New York uncovers the past of the Civil War-era wooden houses on East 92nd Street. The battery-powered e-Carriage that may replace the Central Park horses is roaming the streets…and you don’t have to pick up after it. Check it out on Daily Intelligencer. J’adore les librairies! You love bookstores? You speak French? Visit Albertine, New […]

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October 3, 2014

One57’s First Flip Sees a $3.5 Million Profit Just Five Months Later

The first of what's sure to be many flips at One57 has just netted its seller a respectable $3.45 million profit, just five months after its purchase. According to NYDN, the former owner, Investor Sso Enterprises, paid $30.55 million for the 58th-floor three-bedroom back in May, now selling it off for $34 million to hedge fund manager Harvey Sandler and his wife.
Inside the massive apartment

Real Estate Trends

October 3, 2014

Following Demo of 5Pointz, New Group DEFACED Seeks to Preserve Artistic Relics

We were pretty bummed over the summer when we heard that Long Island City graffiti mecca 5Pointz was being torn down and replaced with condos. But now that the site has officially been razed, a group of architects are taking this crime against architecture and using it to fuel their mission of preserving the city's unofficial artistic and cultural landmarks. Arianna Armelli, Ishaan Kumar, David Sepulveda, and Wagdy Moussa created DEFACED as a group that "values artistic freedom and expression, protecting the cultural relics of New York City refusing to witness the complete disregard for the history of New York." As their first order of business, they've created a proposal to buy back the 5Pointz site from developers and build a creative oasis that includes an urban rooftop with rainwater collection system, artist gallery, and recycling center.
More on DEFACED and its proposal

October 3, 2014

Wonderful East Village Penthouse Has a Vegetable Garden

Just this August we took a glimpse inside an adorable East Village apartment at 217 2nd Avenue with not one, but two gardens. Now, the penthouse of the same building is on the market, asking $2.8 million; and just like its neighbor, this apartment charms from start to finish. This full-floor condo manages to seamlessly blend old-world New York with rustic touches such as wide plank pine floors, vintage oak cabinets and a “lovingly worn” marble sink. Enter the home to find the industrial chic commercial grade kitchen with a skylight and a spiral staircase, which we’ll get to later.
Take a look inside, here

Distinctive Homes

October 2, 2014

Living in the Clouds: 50 New York Residential Towers Poised to Scrape the Sky (Part I)

It seems like every week a new residential skyscraper is being announced in New York City, just earlier this week the New York Times noted that a partnership between Steven Witkoff and Harry Macklowe is moving ahead with a redevelopment of the Park Lane Hotel at 36 Central Park West with an 850-foot tower. With the mind-boggling amount of residential spires poised to pierce the sky, here's a quick rundown of the tallest of the tall--the spindly bunch set to soar higher than 700 feet. Keep in mind that just 30 years ago, the tallest residence in the city was perched atop the 664-foot Trump Tower. Today, buildings are on the drawing board for more than twice that height.
See our list of the 26 tallest towers

October 2, 2014

Tour Mayor de Blasio’s Park Slope Home Now Renting at $4,975 a Month

Mayor de Blasio's Park Slope clapboard house, located at 442 11th Street, has hit the rental market today, asking $4,975 a month. The 100-year-old, three-story home has a private backyard (complete with herb garden and crab apple tree) and three bedrooms...but only one bathroom, which is up on the third floor. Chiara and Dante definitely had a hand in painting their bedrooms (photos and video after the break), and the dwelling retains some of its original, historic details. It may not be Gracie Mansion, but according to its broker, this mayoral abode offers a lot for it's price.
Let's see for ourselves in the video after the break

255 East 77th Street

Lenox Hill

Upper East Side condos with Central Park views

3 beds starting at $5,300,000
4 beds starting at $7,400,000
5 beds starting at $8,750,000

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October 2, 2014

Kleindeutschland: The History of the East Village’s Little Germany

Before there were sports bars and college dorms, there were bratwurst and shooting clubs. In 1855, New York had the third largest German-speaking population in the world, outside of Vienna and Berlin, and the majority of these immigrants settled in what is today the heart of the East Village. Known as "Little Germany" or Kleindeutschland (or Dutchtown by the Irish), the area comprised roughly 400 blocks, with Tompkins Square Park at the center. Avenue B was called German Broadway and was the main commercial artery of the neighborhood. Every building along the avenue followed a similar pattern--workshop in the basement, retail store on the first floor, and markets along the partly roofed sidewalk. Thousands of beer halls, oyster saloons, and grocery stores lined Avenue A, and the Bowery, the western terminus of Little Germany, was filled with theaters. The bustling neighborhood began to lose its German residents in the late nineteenth century when Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe move in, and a horrific disaster in 1904 sealed the community's fate.
Read our full history of Kleindeutschland

History

October 2, 2014

Colorful Loft by Ghislaine Vinas Will Have You Feeling Young at Heart

By Stephanie Hoina

Sure, this beautiful Tribeca loft by designer Ghislaine Viñas has the requisite “grown up” touches. One look at the soothing palette and economy of design in the master bedroom and the word sanctuary easily comes to mind. Similarly, the kitchen’s clean lines and austere finishes are decidedly adult. But make no mistake; this is very much a family home. Skillfully combining stark white furnishings with bursts of bright color, Viñas clearly had fun ensuring this home’s youngest inhabitants felt, well…at home.
See why children and adults alike will feel right at home

October 2, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Listings Hit for 160 Imlay; Mega Mixed-Use Development Coming to Sunset Park

Listings hit for 160 Imlay, the Morris Adjmi-designed conversion in Red Hook. [Brownstoner] Commercial building sales expected to top $52 billion this year, the highest since 2007. [Daily News] Jets owner Woody Johnson lists 834 Fifth Avenue duplex for $75 million. [New York Post] Developers bring back plans for mixed-use complex in Sunset Park. [Brooklyn Paper] […]

Real Estate Trends

October 2, 2014

Iconic Rainbow Room Reopens with All Its Former Glitz and Glamour

The Rainbow Room served its first guests on October 3, 1934, and now, almost 80 years later to the day, the historic restaurant and event space has reopened after a restoration by Gabellini Sheppard Architects. Located on the 65th floor of the Raymond Hood-designed 30 Rockefeller Plaza (30 Rock), it was the first restaurant located in a high-rise building and for decades was the highest restaurant in the country. Suffering from a decline in business, the fine-dining establishment closed its doors in 2009. But in 2012, the Rainbow Room was declared an official interior landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), and a year later it was announced that the storied space would reopen this fall. Right on schedule, the new incarnation of the venue opened last night for a preview by the Sir John Soanes Museum Foundation.
Ogle the landmarked restaurant here

October 2, 2014

Leroy Street Studio’s Stone House Estate Is the Ideal Mother-Daughter Retreat