September 10, 2014

Anatomy of a Killer Flip: The Townhouse Everybody Wanted Heads Back to the Market

In January of 2013, in the dead of winter, an 1899 detail-laden Italianate townhouse fixer-upper at 102 Gates Avenue hit an inventory-starved rising market. The listing price of $1.295 million, was a double-take for many, even though it was less than what properties like it were selling for in the area. Fast forward to September 2014, where renovations, which commenced almost immediately after the sale, are nearing completion (and according to reports, they’ve been done right). Word is that the house is about to head back to the market—at more than twice its winter selling price.
Find out why 375 people waited in the cold for the first open house
September 10, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Time to Claim Your .NYC Domain; Artists Sue Mobile-Library Nonprofit Booklyn Shuttle

Starting next month you can claim your .NYC domain! Booklyn is as cool as Brooklyn. According to the New York Post, a group of book-boosting artists from Booklyn Artists Alliance (spelled with no “r”) is suing the new mobile-library nonprofit Booklyn Shuttle over unauthorized use of its name. City Lab reports on why it’s important that people in […]

September 10, 2014

You May be Able to Print Your Own Solar Panels Soon

Are you one of the many eagerly awaiting the iPhone 6 and iWatch? Well, pretty soon, you may be able to print your very own solar panel to serve as an energy-generating skin or case for your new device. Scientists at CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, along with those at Melbourne and Monash universities, report that they hope to offer the printed solar panels for low-power applications within the next few years. Printed on plastic--and faster, cheaper, and easier to use than traditional silicon panels--they could mean big things for a gadget-obsessed world, as well as for simple building and design applications.
More on the technology here
September 10, 2014

Whimsical Chelsea Duplex with Hot Tub Asks $3.9 Million

There’s something about the grotto-esque garden duplex at 121 West 15th Street that makes us feel like we just stepped into a Disney movie. Perhaps it’s the soft edges and delightfully crooked banisters, or the whimsical fireman’s pole—yes, there’s a fireman’s pole. Whatever the case, this magical apartment may not be “the happiest place on earth,” but it will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.
Take a look inside here
September 9, 2014

Junior’s Isn’t Going Anywhere, Owner Turns Down a $45M Offer to the Dismay of a Hungry Developer

Lovers of cheescake, rejoice! Downtown Brooklyn's Junior's diner will stay put. According to the New York Times, the restaurant's owner, Alan Rosen, has turned away all offers for the space located at the corner of Flatbush Avenue Extension and Dekalb Avenue. Rosen put the property on the market back in February and, unsurprisingly, was met with plenty of interest from hungry developers looking to build luxury condos atop site. After a summer of sleepless nights and much agonizing over his decision, Rosen has shot down the offers, including a whopping $45 million bid. Why? Sentimental value.
More on Rosen's heartfelt decision
September 9, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Mac Sillick and Sandy Hall of Black Tree, the LES ‘Farm to Sandwich’ Favorite

Plenty of new restaurants and bars have been popping up on the Lower East Side over the last few years, but one of the more recent standout eateries to appear is Black Tree. This Brooklyn transplant has only been around for a little more than a year, but their incredible menu has drawn in everyone from food critics at the Wall Street Journal and Zagat to Guy Fieri—who by the way can be seen dusting Black Tree sandwich crumbs from his goatee in an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We recently caught up with Mac Sillick and Sandy Hall, the owners and culinary creatives behind the delicious Downtown venture, to chat about their business. Find out about their "farm to sandwich" approach, why they only use locally sourced food, and why they moved their business from Crown Heights to the Lower East Side. **GIVEAWAY**: The fellas are also offering up one lucky reader 'drinks for two' at the Black Tree bar. Keep reading to find out how you can enjoy some organic cocktails on the house!
The interview and giveaway here
September 9, 2014

Bushwick is the 7th Coolest Neighborhood in the World According to Vogue

Bushwick's star continues to rise amongst fashionistas. Not only does the neighborhood have its own candle, but Vogue magazine just named it the 7th coolest neighborhood in the world. The article, which appears in the September issue, cites cutting-edge art galleries, "Jay Z–approved restaurants" like Roberta’s, and quirky pop-ups in unexpected spaces as some of the items drawing cool kids in. Centro in Sao Paolo, Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, and Brera in Milan are just a few of the other nabes that round out the top 15. Another silly list, yes, but the story does beg the question: Has Anna Wintour even been to Brooklyn?
What do you think? Weigh in here
September 9, 2014

New Adaptive Architecture Project Explores How Physical Spaces Can Morph Based on Heat

Generally, if a building starts moving, it's a very bad thing. But a new shape-shifting architecture concept from the students at Barcelona’s Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunya proves otherwise. Responding to the notion that as buildings become smarter and greener they should also be responsive to their external environments, the project, dubbed Translated Geometries, explores how physical spaces could someday morph based on various environmental inputs.
More on the new technology here
September 9, 2014

The Met Museum Officially Opens Its Newly Renovated $65 Million Plaza

A dramatically redesigned plaza in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue was dedicated today and named in honor of its sole donor, David H. Koch. The four-block long plaza, which flanks the museum’s famous entrance steps, includes two fountains, alleys of trees, new paving and red, angular canopies/parasols over seating benches. The redesign of the plaza space was two years in the making and cost $65 million, contributed entirely by Mr. Koch, a trustee of the museum. In his remarks inside the museum at the Temple of Dendur, Mr. Koch said that when Daniel Brodsky, the museum’s chairman, asked how the new plaza was going to be paid for he said he “had a good idea – why don’t I do it?!” Mr. Koch, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Julia, and three children, said that the plaza “became a passion for me.” He had lived nearby when it was under discussion and he said he hoped it will last for 50 years until a future philanthropist funds another renovation.
More from the event here
September 9, 2014

Cobblestone Quaintness and Modern Comforts Await Tribeca Penthouse’s Lucky New Owner

It never ceases to amaze us how effortlessly one can “time travel” from the sleek, steel, and thoroughly modern skyscrapers of Manhattan to the old-time charm of places like 463 Greenwich Street, otherwise known as The Romanoff. We guess that's part of New York City's magic, and it casts its spell on us daily as we meander through one of the most diverse real estate markets in the world. The idyllic cobblestone streets that greet you as you make your way to this triple-mint, full-floor penthouse loft in Tribeca offer a study in contrast to the contemporary tone of the exquisite four-bedroom home inside. Original details like exposed brick and ceiling beams combine with modern comforts and stunning finishes to perfectly bridge the home’s turn-of-the-century roots with its 21st century incarnation. The flawless design by Turett Collaborative Architects features soaring 17-foot ceilings, an abundance of wood-framed windows, and custom Arrigoni wide-plank Bavarian oak floors, all enveloping a vast open entertaining expanse.
See more of where this home's cobblestone streets lead
September 9, 2014

Studio Garneau Creates a Morphing Home from a Tired Prewar Apartment

Why settle for a boring one-bedroom when you can live in a home that morphs to create different rooms? Inhabitat NYC recently featured Studio Garneau‘s Transformer, a cool mini-loft that can, you guessed it, transform to fit its tenants’ needs. The NYC-based architecture firm started with a dilapidated, multi-room prewar apartment, knocked down the walls, and then built a large, track-mounted sliding wall that acts as […]

September 9, 2014

Regal Penthouse at 1185 Park Avenue Returns, Asking $25 Million

The impressive penthouse at 1185 Park Avenue is back on the market. The palatial estate was listed last year, asking $27.5 million. However, buyers apparently felt that price was too expensive for a sprawling five-bedroom duplex with an astounding 2,850-square-foot wrap-around terrace. So, the Carnegie Hill prewar pad has returned with a $2.5 million discount and high hopes that history won’t repeat itself.
Take a look inside the pristine pad, here
September 9, 2014

REVEALED: $210 Million Upgrade for Grand Central’s Subway Station As Part of One Vanderbilt Tower

As part of a five-year, $210 million plan to significantly upgrade Grand Central's subway station, developer SL Green hopes to install new staircases to the train platforms, two new street-level entrances and a refurbished mezzanine level, and a 4,000-square-foot ground-level commuter waiting area. The improvements were conceived in conjunction with the MTA and the de Blasio administration earlier this year as the first component of the Midtown East Rezoning project. The transit upgrades must all be completed before tenants can occupy One Vanderbilt (planned for completion in January 2020), SL Green's new 65-story office tower planned for the entire block west of Grand Central and north of East 42nd Street. Designed by Kohn Pederson Fox, the tower will be the second-tallest building in the city when completed.
More on the upgrades ahead
September 8, 2014

Cliffs Notes on New York’s Most Famous Storied Residential Buildings

The newest apartment houses, be it now or some 150 years ago has always been of great interest to New York buyers and renters. And like today, their appeal make sell-outs as easy as pie. From Manhattan's very first apartment building to those that followed a decade or so later, those initial projects continue to remain the city's most coveted digs—not to mention the city’s most expensive. But what stands out among these famous buildings as the years passed was the introduction of not-yet-available services—ranging from running water and elevators to electricity and communal amenities. Whether we are talking about the Dakota or the luxurious the Osborne Flats, learn why these century-plus-old buildings continue to enchant the rich, the famous, and the rest of us.
Click here for Cliffs Notes on NYC's most historic homes
September 8, 2014

A Chef and a Sculptor Balance Work and Home in This Elizabeth Roberts-Designed Williamsburg Loft

After years of searching for an industrial space to use as a studio and a comfortable home, a married couple—he's a chef and food writer, she's a sculptor—transformed this 3,500 square-foot ground-floor Williamsburg Loft into a well-balanced live/work space that includes a top tier kitchen and plenty of light and space for creating art.
See how a creative couple makes use of this versatile, comfortable space
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September 8, 2014

Torafu’s Koloro is a Cute and Functional Office Wrapped Up in a Compact Desk

If you work from home, you know how difficult it is to separate personal and professional life. But not if you have something like this—a desk that you can just turn over when you finish work, leaving all the clutter and to-do lists behind. The cute Kororodesuku (Koloro desk) is a brilliantly simple design by Japanese designers Torafu studio; it's made from wood and comes in any color you like.
Learn more about this cute little desk
September 8, 2014

Rare Full-Floor Loft in Tribeca is a Work of Art by Famed Norwegian Architectural Firm Tupelo

Artists seem to find inspiration everywhere, often taking even the simplest of ideas and turning them into striking masterpieces. Well, whoever winds up living in this rare full-floor artists loft at 144 Franklin Street in Tribeca will hit the inspiration jackpot. Norwegian architectural firm Tupelo has indeed turned its simple industrial form replete with massive cast iron columns, beamed ceilings, hand-oiled maple floors, and custom oversized double-glazed windows into a beautiful work of art. This stunning, 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom loft was created for-and-by artists, which is evident the moment you step from the key-locked elevator through the original factory door and witness the seamless combination of spectacular modern design with Tribeca’s industrial history.
Get inspired by more of this masterpiece here
September 8, 2014

Frank Gehry Bounces Back from WTC Snub with New Construction Technology Endeavor

It was big news last week that Frank Gehry's designed plans for the Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center were axed by execs of the site. Though he may have felt slightly snubbed, based on quotes he provided to the New York Times, Gehry seemed unaffected overall. His mellow reaction toward the dis is now further substantiated by news that his IT company Gehry Technologies has been acquired by American location technology firm Trimble (the owner of 3D drawing software SketchUp) in order to "transform the construction industry by further connecting the office to on-site construction technologies," according to Trimble.
More on the starchitect's new partnership here
September 8, 2014

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s Greenwich Village Townhouse Back on the Market for $22M

Everybody's favorite Sex and the City star and her hubby just put their Greenwich Village townhouse back on the market for $22 million. After a brief disappearance in April, a new listing, held by none other than Million Dollar Listing's Frederik Eklund and John Gomes, has emerged with a small price chop, down $3 million from its previous ask. The beautiful five-bedroom home at 20 East 10th Street is certainly fit for a star, measuring 6,800 square feet and boasting seven fireplaces, a private garden with a Juliet balcony, two oversized skylights, 50' long bookcases, and a full floor master bedroom with terrace—amongst many, many other luxuries. The townhouse, of course, also comes with two Carrie-worthy walk-in closets, which are worth a peek just to see what SJP has stored away.
Take a tour of the incredible home here
September 8, 2014

REVEALED: New Skyline Renderings for Nordstrom Tower at 217 West 57th Street

Back in July, we learned that Extell's Nordstrom Tower will rise 1,775 feet–just one foot shorter than One World Trade Center, making it the tallest residential building in the world. Now, New York YIMBY has released renderings of how the 92-story supertall will look against the rest of the skyline. Though official images from Extell haven't been released, these preliminary sneak peeks are pretty impressive.
More on the new development here
September 8, 2014

This Art-Filled West Village Penthouse Also Features an Unbelievable Rooftop Terrace

It looks like the penthouse at 221 West 13th Street had a bit of trouble selling back in 2011, which is good news for some lucky prospective renters because the beautifully decorated West Village duplex is now available, fully furnished, for $25,000 per month. We’re pretty sure there’s a saying for that: one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. Apparently, the space was originally designed as two separate residences, which may have had something to do with its trouble finding a new owner… well, that and the fact that price kept increasing. Whatever the case, this three-bedroom townhouse has quite a few surprises up its sleeve.
Take a look inside here
September 7, 2014

MESH Architectures’ Atrium House Will Have You Saying “Toto, I Don’t Think We’re in Williamsburg Anymore”

You're not dreaming; this house is in Williamsburg. In fact, it harkens back to the neighborhood's industrial roots and stays true to the low-scale character of the area. The navy blue cube was originally built as a garage that occupied the entire 22’ x 100’ lot, but when converted to residential use in 2011, NYC zoning regulations mandated that a certain percentage of the site be reserved for a yard. Enter MESH Architectures, the creative firm that devised a genius plan to incorporate the required outdoor space as an inner atrium, letting the outside in while still maintaining a sense of privacy. The central space is composed of two volumes - a double-height great room and the courtyard surrounded by folding-glass doors on three sides. The great room, master bedroom, and bathroom sit behind these glass walls, seamlessly blending the indoors with the zen, outdoor area.
Take a look inside this architectural marvel here
September 6, 2014

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff

We talk to Sue Chin, the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Chief Architect, about designing for a very different clientele–tiger, sharks, gorillas, and more. We’ve got the dirt on Frank Gehry’s Ground Zero Performing Arts Center rejection. Coffee Culture: Are neighborhood cafes the first sign of gentrification? Travel back in time to Radio Row, the city’s original […]

September 5, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Sue Chin on Designing for a Very Different Type of Client at the Wildlife Conservation Society

Susan (Sue) A. Chin, FAIA is an architect and designer with a very different type of clientele. Currently, her roster includes tigers, gorillas, and sharks, all of whom have very specific design needs. As the Vice President of Planning & Design and Chief Architect at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Sue oversees the architectural and design needs of the Society's zoos and parks (Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo), as well as their conservation work around the globe. The organization currently has about 500 projects in 65 countries, which means her work is showcased as far away as Madagascar. 6sqft recently spoke with Sue about WCS, how she got into the field as a teenager, her clients (both human and non), and the exciting new exhibit under construction at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island.
Read our full interview with Sue here
September 5, 2014

Gorgeous Upper East Side Townhouse is Looking for Its Forever Owner

With all the hubbub over Common Core these days (have you seen the NEW math?), it’s nice to know that some things simply add up the way they should – like this incredible 4,125-square-foot single-family townhouse located at 506 East 87th Street. Situated on a tree-lined street near Carl Schurz Park, this beautifully renovated residence built in 1899 was purchased in April 2013 for $7.99 million, but then sold in January 2014 for $6.85 million, a pretty steep drop for just eight months. It's now back on the market for $7.75 million, so here’s hoping the third time’s the charm and the new owners will spend many years enjoying all that this home has to offer.
Take a peek inside this incredible home
September 5, 2014

Real Estate Wire: $190M for America’s Dirtiest Hotel; How High Tech Investors Live

An image of what could go up at the long-stalled Kedem winery site in south Williamsburg. [Brownstoner] They’re just like us? The super-rich buy super-expensive apartments and fill them with super-expensive furniture but never actually occupy them. [NYDN] The priciest properties belonging to tech investors, entrepreneurs and CEOs. [TRD/Business Insider] Joseph Chetrit has agreed to pay $190 […]

September 5, 2014

Chiat Beach House by HS2 Architecture was Built with an 18th Century Barn Frame

Since it looks like New York's summer heat wave came a little late this year, we decided to feature one of our most swoon-worthy seaside dwellings. The Chiat Beach House by HS2 Architecture is located in the small Southampton town of Sagaponack, notable for being the country's most expensive zip code back in 2009. And though this home might not scream "million dollar listing," it most certainly is something to see, as it's built around an 18th century Vermont barn frame that was salvaged, restored, and re-erected to create the home's striking "great room."
Take a tour around the property
September 5, 2014

Splinter Works’ Futuristic Carbon Fiber Bathtub Hangs Like a Hammock

Extremely strong and light, carbon fiber is used in many applications, including aerospace and automotive parts, sporting goods, and structural engineering works. So we were struck when we spotted these sculptural bathtubs made from the material. Elegant, beautiful, and strong, the Vessel Series by Splinter Works brings the relaxing experience of lounging in a hammock to the everyday cleansing ritual.
Learn more about this luxurious sculptural design
September 5, 2014

Jimmy Fallon Buys a Fifth Apartment in His Gramercy Park Building

The Fallon family's collection of 34 Gramercy Park East apartments continues to grow. According to the Wall Street Journal, Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon just purchased a cozy, top-floor studio in the famed residence for $725,000. The small space neighbors his four-bedroom apartment, which he also recently bought for $1.35 million back in April. No word on whether the units will be combined, but either way, the petite pad is pretty nice as is.
Take a look inside here
September 5, 2014

How to Turn Two Distinct Spaces Into One Unique Terrace to Rival the High Line

You would think creating an outdoor space right by the High Line would be counterproductive, but after you see this beautiful creation Blondie’s Treehouse built for clients in the Meatpacking District, you’ll think otherwise. Working with 3,000 square feet of contiguous exterior space, Blondie’s designers, Tina Dituri and Charles Casanova were tasked with combining the two distinct areas into […]

September 5, 2014

Museum of the City of New York to Premiere Documentary “Rebuilding the World Trade Center”

In advance of the 13th anniversary of 9/11, the Museum of the City of New York will be premiering the documentary Rebuilding the World Trade Center. The 62-minute film features footage shot over the past eight years by artist Marcus Robinson, documenting the work at Ground Zero through the eyes of the construction workers, "from the site managers to those who dug the building’s foundations and the ironworkers who assembled its steel frames." The film will premier at the museum on the evening of Tuesday, September 9th and will be followed by a panel discussion with New York Times reporter James Glanz. It will then premier nationally on the History Channel on September 11th at 6 pm.
More on the documentary and upcoming event
September 5, 2014

Massive Midtown West Artists’ Loft Combo Comes Complete with a Darkroom

Artists looking for a place to work and play will love this two-loft combo at 361 West 36th Street. The industrial chic apartment is the ideal live/work setup with 4,800 square feet of space. It’s a full-floor flexible combination of two units and comes complete with a darkroom and more than enough legroom to get your creative juices flowing. And with so many possibilities, this loft is the perfect canvas for a creative person looking to put their personal stamp on a premier pad.
Take a look inside this spacious pad, here
September 4, 2014

Frank Gehry’s Decade-Old Design for the WTC Performing Arts Center Gets Dumped by Officials

Frank Gehry continues to fall out of favor with New Yorkers as execs of the Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center have officially shelved the starchitect's design planned for Ground Zero. Gehry drew up plans for the art center over a decade ago and very few moves were made to bring the project to fruition—in part due to stalled fund-raising and delays to the construction of the transit hub which sits under site. The snub, which actually wasn't communicated to the architect directly, seems to not have affected him much, but he had some choice words directed towards the board's president, Maggie Boepple.
More on the drama here
September 4, 2014

$1.2M Picture Perfect Penthouse on the Upper West Side Features Two Private Rooftop Terraces

Did you ever see a piece of art and feel immediately drawn to it? Well, that’s exactly how we felt the first time we laid eyes on this turn-of-the-century townhouse at 134 West 88th Street. From its beautiful cornice and decorative façade to the lovely planters overflowing with greenery that adorn each window, it sits majestically among its peers on one of the Upper West Side’s most beautiful tree-lined blocks. And this picture perfect one-bedroom penthouse situated on the building’s top two floors is everything you’d expect – and more. While there’s certainly an abundance of charm in the original exposed brick, wood beamed ceilings, and top-nailed, wide-plank hardwood floors, the home exudes a decidedly modern rustic appeal.
See what makes this home so breathtaking
September 4, 2014

Katz’s Deli Co-Owner Jake Dell Nabs $1.9 Million Greenwich Village Pad

The Lower East Side's iconic Katz's Deli was the talk of the town recently when it came to light that the neighborhood institution had sold its air rights. It's speculated that a parcel of adjacent buildings will be demolished to make way for a new cantilevered building. Jake Dell, the third-generation co-owner of the 126-year-old pastrami mainstay, has been quoted as saying that the sale will not affect the deli in any way, though he didn't cite specifics of the deal. But regardless of the details, it looks like Dell made out pretty well for himself, as he's just scooped up a $1,899,000 apartment at 808 Broadway in the heart of Greenwich Village. Just a short walk from Katz's, his new pad is described as a "Park Avenue-inspired home."
Take a look inside the pastrami king's new digs
September 4, 2014

Archdiocese of New York Sells off St. Patrick’s School in Little Italy for $32M, Makes Way for Condos

On Christmas Eve 2013, the cash-strapped Archdiocese of New York put St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral School on the market for $29 million. Now it looks like Time Equities has purchased the Little Italy property, throwing down $32 million, according to city records filed today (233 Mott and 32 Prince). Plans to turn the school into condos have been in the works since October 2013, when it was reported that the building was in the process of being sold off to Hamlin Ventures, with re-vamps provided by Marvel Architects. Though records show Time as the buyer, the two developers are joining forces to turn the sprawling 14,925-square-foot former orphanage/convent/school into two single-family homes and eight luxury condos.
READ MORE
September 4, 2014

Ryall Porter Sheridan’s Hamptons Pavilion is Clad in Spanish Cedar

It must be hard to come up with a design to complement an existing log house, but Ryall Porter Sheridan succeeded with their Spanish cedar-clad Hamptons Pavilion. Interestingly, this material is neither Spanish nor cedar, but rather from an evergreen tree in the mahogany family. It's also the traditional material used for making cigar boxes. But despite its confusing moniker, the paneling creates a structure that is both modern and organically connected to the surrounding landscape.
More details on the Hamptons Pavilion right this way
September 4, 2014

Nucleo’s Jade Stools Crystallize 200-Year-Old Oak Branches

Turin, Italy-based design collective Nucleo has developed a series of extraordinary stools they called "Jade." Created by director Piergiorgio Robino, these unique cubic pieces were made by submerging organic material into a mold full of a liquid polymer. The technique evolved from the studio’s previous works, but the difference lies in the precious color and the embedded log, which was part of a 200-year-old oak tree.
Learn more about this crystallized Jade stool
September 4, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Final Section of the High Line Will Open 9/21; Whole Foods is Now Considered “Cheap”

FastCo.Design spotlights a report found by Capital New York that subway train platforms are extremely stuffy and hot because the original designs didn’t plan for a modern, hotter (ahem, global warming) era – and it’s only going to get worse. Grab your picnic baskets, Friends of the High Line announced today that the final section of the park will […]

September 4, 2014

Unique South Slope Loft Breaks the Mold with a Steel Mezzanine

On a quiet tree-lined block, among the rowhouses of South Slope, you’ll find 459 12th Street. Being a mid-century loft surrounded by turn-of-the-century conversions might already set this building apart from the rest. Yet, unit #3D takes it to the next level, as a previous owner decided to make the most of the high ceilings… and added an entire second floor.
Take a look inside this quirky loft, here
September 4, 2014

Penthouse Perfection: Peeking into Manhattan’s Top Sky-High Listings

The penthouse craze began in the early 20th century thanks to media tycoon William Randolph Hearst. He took up residence in a three-floor apartment at the Clarendon at 137 Riverside Drive and, when his landlord refused to let him expand further, Hearst bought the entire building, adding two new floors to the top of his mansion, crowned by a new copper mansard roof. Now, 100 years later, the rich and famous are still making headlines with their pricey penthouse purchases. Fellow media mogul Rupert Murdoch recently purchased a $57.25 million triplex penthouse, along with an additional full-floor unit (because why stop at just three?) at One Madison. His bachelor pad totals more than 10,000 square feet of interior space, wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass. Is this the new standard for penthouse living? We're taking a look at some of the top sky-high listings in Manhattan to find out.
Don't miss these incredible penthouse stunners
September 3, 2014

Coffee Culture: Are Neighborhood Cafes the First Sign of Gentrification?

From “coffices” to lab-like minimalist gourmet coffee meccas to cozy neighborhood hangouts, neighborhood cafes are a fine example of the essential “third place” mentioned in discussions of community dynamics: that place, neither work nor home, where regulars gather and everyone’s welcome. Along with yoga studios, art galleries, community gardens, vintage clothing shops, restaurants with pedigreed owners and adventurous menus and, some say, a change in the offerings on local grocery shelves, cafes are often the earliest sign of neighborhood change. The neighborhood cafe serves as a testing ground for community cohesiveness while adventurous entrepreneurs test the still-unfamiliar waters around them. Beyond the literal gesture of offering sustenance, cafes provide a place where you can actually see who your neighbors are and appreciate the fact that at least some of them are willing to make an investment locally.
Get a fleeting glimpse of old New York City cafe culture in the West Village, meet the future of coffee distribution in Red Hook.
September 3, 2014

Real Estate Wire: The Helmsley Building Could Hit the Market for $1.5B; Carnegie Park Going Co-Op

The Commercial Observer interviews Gary Barnett of Extell. The developer discusses everything from his aggressive development stance to the “poor door” controversy that’s gotten everyone all riled up. [CO] An epic tale of murder at 31 Bond Street—the site of new condos coming to the NoHo market. [NYT] The “Gossip Girl Penthouse” at 1136 Fifth Avenue sold […]

September 3, 2014

Your Home Can Smell Like Bushwick for Just $81

You may have scoffed at the $200 Hudson Yards fragrance released earlier this year, but this “smell like an up-and-coming neighborhood” trend seems to be catching on. NYC fashion brand OAK has just released a brand new candle that will fill your home up with the scent of Bushwick. Mmmmm? Aptly titled ‘Mckibben + Bogart 03’ (named after the […]

September 3, 2014

Olivier Van Herpt Crafts Beautifully Functional 3D-Printed Ceramics

Dutch designer Olivier Van Herpt has been experimenting with 3D printing for many years. But it wasn't until he made his own machine that he managed to craft the imposing designs he imagined. Olivier created his own extruder and experimented with different types of clay before coming up with his stunning Functional 3D Printed Ceramics collection.
Learn more about this 3D-printed ceramics collection

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