6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

Visits to Governors Island may be up, but few businesses are interested in setting up shop there. [WSJ] A beautiful Beaux Arts bank on Gates in Bed-Stuy will be turned into apartments. [Curbed] With Manhattan prices climbing sky high, investors are turning to Northern New Jersey for new opportunities. [TRD] The City Council has approved a […]

Real Estate Trends

August 20, 2014

Sands Point Renovation by CDR Studio Architects is Clad in Charred Cedar

Can't you smell the musky cedar just by looking at this rustic dwelling? Located in a rural community on the edge of the Long Island Sound, this Sands Point home was renovated by CDR Studio Architects to both preserve and refine the structure that had been present on the site since 1961. To achieve this balance, the firm retained the house's frame, but added large expanses of open windows and a more seamless roofline. The dilapidated skin was replaced with a highly insulated, open-joined rain screen made of cedar boards charred using the traditional Japanese burning method of Shou-sugi-ban, an environmentally friendly way to preserve the timber.
See more of this vision in cedar

August 20, 2014

Flux Chair: A Colorful Plastic Seat That Can Fold Up in Just 10 Seconds

The Flux Chair might look like a giant plastic envelope, but it's actually a surprising seat that can be assembled in about ten seconds. Design by Dutch duo Douwe Jacobs and Tom Schouten, it's made from recyclable plastic and comes in eight different colors. Flat-pack, space saving, and durable, this clever product can quickly become a comfortable, graceful seat.
More about this fantastic plastic seat here

August 20, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Find Out What It’s Like To Inspect A Tenement; The Story Behind Your Favorite Brooklyn Heights Restaurants

If You’re Not In Brooklyn, You Can’t Be “Brooklyn Made”: This is for all the posers out there capitalizing on the made-in-Brooklyn trend. AM NY reports that the Brooklyn Commerce will now be certifying big and small companies in King County that are “Brooklyn born and made.” Restaurants in the Heights History: Brooklyn Heights Blog […]

Uncategorized

August 20, 2014

With New Transparent Solar Concentrators, Glass Towers Can Generate Solar Energy

It's no secret that super tall, glassy towers are the go-to architectural style for many of today's leading starchitects. But environmentalists worry that the huge expanses of curtain wall windows are not very eco-friendly. A new product, though, just might satisfy those on both ends of this debate. Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new transparent luminescent solar concentrator that creates solar energy when placed over a window. The exciting part is that the product is totally translucent, so people can still see through the window while the green technology is working. The concentrators can also be placed on cell phones or any device with a flat, clear surface.
Learn more about the solar cells here

August 20, 2014

Watch Charles and Ray Eames Unveil Their Iconic Lounger on NBC’s ‘Home’ Show

Few chairs are as recognizable as those designed by Charles and Ray Eames. And though Modernist duo were pioneers in the creation of quality furniture, both easily produced and sold at affordable prices (though you wouldn't exactly guess that now), did you know that their lounger was their first foray into the high-end furniture market? Officially titled Eames Lounge (670) and Ottoman (671), the chair was originally designed for Herman Miller back in 1956, and when it was released, Charles and Ray were already household names counting nearly 1 million chairs in homes across the country. To that end, when the pair were ready to debut this latest luxury creation, NBC's Home show invited them to come on and talk about their design. Anyone who admires the Eames will without question love this video featuring the adorable twosome modestly taking compliments from host Arlene Francis while discussing everything from their plywood chair, to their precedent home in Los Angeles, to their lounger, which in the segment gets a comically dramatic unveiling complete with curtains, lights and music.
Watch the video here

August 20, 2014

Adorable Park Slope Apartment Comes With Its Very Own Pied-à-Terre (Sort of)

Homes like this adorably perfect apartment don't come on the market all that often in this neck of the woods -- because who would ever want to leave? Even if Park Slope hadn't been "New York" magazine's choice for the 'Most Livable Neighborhood' in the city in 2010, one would have to look no further than its charming, small-town feel and notable residents (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kerry Russell and Steve Buscemi, to name a few) to know they hit the neighborhood jackpot. Plus, this gem of a home located at 99 Berkeley Place has a fun bonus all its own. We'll get to that a little later on.
This way for a great apartment in a great neighborhood

Distinctive Homes

August 20, 2014

Forget the Crayon Box: Scribble Pen Draws in 16 Million Colors

It's hard to even imagine 16 million colors, let alone draw in them, but the Scribble pen does just that. The first-of-its-kind creation, developed by the San Francisco-based startup Scribble Technology, scans colors and transfers them either to paper or a mobile device. See a paint hue you just love or want to capture the shade of a dress in a store window? Just tap your pen on the wall or object and, voila, you can draw in that color.
More about the new technology

Distinctive Homes

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

Filmmaker John Sayles' former Hoboken townhouse lists for $2.5M

Amy Schumer paid $6.25M for Central Park West condo

Trump's childhood home in Queens back on the market for $2.3M after gut renovation

Greenwich Village townhouse where Oscar Wilde once stayed asks $7.45M

This $3.7M Greenwich Village co-op puts the 'classic' in classic seven

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

Live in a former Park Slope bank for $5.5M

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

Asking $1.3M, this historic Newburgh home has designer interiors and dramatic Hudson River views

VIEW ALL

August 19, 2014

Quirky West Village Co-Op Has Beams Made from Salvaged Ship Parts

By Aisha Carter

For some bizarre reason the owner of this remarkable home decided to put her stamp on it, then vacate. Well, life’s too short to contemplate all of its mysteries. Instead we’ll just accept this twist of fate as the perfect opportunity to take a glimpse behind the private gate on Greenwich Street, and inside a truly unique West Village co-op. You’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop the minute you step inside this 3,000-square-foot, oversized playhouse at 719 Greenwich Street. Unit 1S is filled with whimsy, from the salvaged sailing ship beams that adorn its nearly 13-foot ceilings, to the international door collection, which includes a few beveled glass models from a hotel in Fleury, France.
Take a look inside this charismatic loft here

August 19, 2014

From Swamps to Swank: A Brief History of Gramercy Park Hotel and the Garden’s Highly Coveted Keys

By Lauren Price

With a prime location overlooking Gramercy Park, accessible solely to those with keys, the 183-year-old Renaissance revival Gramercy Park Hotel was built on the site of infamous architect Stanford White’s home (which had replaced the house where novelist Edith Wharton was born) nearly 90 years ago. The neighborhood, the park, and the hotel date as far back as the 1830s, when more than 60 swampy lots were allocated to developers looking to lure downtown city folks to a new “uptown” community. In time, those lots were transformed into what is now 39 dwellings surrounding a leafy park reserved for a select few lucky enough to live in luxurious homes framing the two-acre park between 20th and 21st Streets at Irving Place. But it wasn't until 1925 that the stately hotel opened its doors at 2 Lexington Avenue. By 1930, it was extended westward along the park frontage on 21st street, and today it is one of the city's most coveted quarters.
More on the history of Gramercy Park Hotel here

History

August 19, 2014

Real Estate Wire: East NY Residents Weigh In On the City’s Revitalization Plans; A Father and Son’s Land-Use Legacy

Residents of East New York react to the city’s revitalization plan for their neighborhood. [WSJ] A developer’s best friends: The father and son law team who have worked for decades to secure changes to properties’ permitted use or size. [WSJ] Renzo Piano’s design for the new Whitney Museum along the High Line is almost complete. [Curbed] A […]

Real Estate Trends

August 19, 2014

Levenbetts’ CCO1 House Leaves a Modern Mark on an Upstate Agricultural Field

When you think farmhouse, images of red barns and wooden fences probably come to mind. But the CCO1 House by Levenbetts couldn't stray farther from this nostalgic vision; and that's a good thing. Built in the middle of an agricultural field in Columbia County, New York, this contemporary home was designed to work around the site's existing linear grooves, etched into the rolling hills from years of farming. The organization, cladding, and details all take the topography into account, and the house steps up from east to west to follow the contour of the land.
Plenty more design details are ahead

August 19, 2014

Federica Bubani’s Wood and Ceramic Nordic Lamp is Beautifully Strange

Italian designer Federica Bubani is constantly researching and experimenting with new materials, but she especially loves ceramics. One of her latest designs, the beautifully strange Nordic Lamp, was the result of one of her explorations. The lamp consists of two parts made from the earthen material, which together with the wooden parts and grey cable give the design a cool Scandinavian appearance.
More details on this beautifully simple Nordic Lamp here

August 19, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Drones Recording and Flying Over Your City; Balancing Good Design and Security In US Embassies

99 Problems with NYC, But Love Ain’t One: There’s only so much love you can give to the city. You’ll find yourself nodding at basically all of these gripes Thrillist rounded up about life in NYC. Drones Were Recording Your City And You Probably Didn’t Even Know: Team BlackSheep released their drones in cities to […]

Uncategorized

August 19, 2014

Soho Loft with Taxidermy Tendencies Sells for $4.7M

We were quite astounded when, earlier this summer, we came across a taxidermy-filled apartment on Central Park West (there's a first time for everything!). And now, in an even more surprising twist, we've stumbled upon another "stuffed animal" loving pad. Though not filled to the brims like our first find, this apartment at 465 West Broadway will still make you look twice. The three-bedroom unit has been picked up by jewelry designer and artist Lisa Pevaroff for $4.7 million. Likely selling points include 15 windows, four exposures, and an easily convertible floor plan.
Check out the rest of this funky home

August 19, 2014

Stunning…Exquisite…Classic…We’re Running Out of Adjectives for this $16M Brooklyn Heights Townhouse

We have never been more thankful for the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words." And though we may have expressed this sentiment before when bringing you other properties, we are pretty sure our words for this $16,000,000 townhouse at 192 Columbia Heights may fall a wee bit short. Fortunately, we have lots of lovely photos in our gallery to ensure you are properly astonished. We had our pick of beautiful Brooklyn residences to share with you today, but this one called to us. It wasn't a "Pick me, pick me!" kind of calling, but more of a "Could this home be anymore beautiful?" type of calling. In our humble opinion the answer is "no."
Come see why this home spoke to us, and in turn, left us speechless

Steven Harris Architects’ West 87th Street Townhouse is a True Urban Sanctuary

Walking down West 87th Street past the stately brick and brownstone townhouses, a stunning white home with huge picture windows stands out as something special. The magic really starts, though, upon entering the house. Renovated by Steven Harris Architects, this striking townhouse not only provides a spacious layout filled with tasteful contemporary furniture, but the firm's work retains historic details like ornate crown moldings and the original, commanding staircase. The highlight of the townhouse is the oversized windows, which let in plenty of natural light, offer cross ventilation, and open to an abundance of outdoor space.
Tour the rest of this Upper West Side beauty

August 18, 2014

Morpholio’s Innovative Mood Board App Lets You Design Your Entire Apartment on an iPad

The brilliant minds over at The Morpholio Project are at again, and this time they've introduced a real doozy to their already impressive suite of design apps. Devised for interior design professionals and design enthusiasts alike, this ground-breaking new application is pretty much like Pinterest on steroids, but made for the tech savvy who never stop creating. Featuring an incredible cloud library of over 1,000 top-notch curated design products and a highly refined suite of editing tools, this powerful app allows you to pull images of everything from furniture to materials to complete backdrops, onto a digital board that can be manipulated and transformed into a one of a kind vision: your own. The app was launched today and is now available at the Apple store for free!
More on this game-changing design app here

August 18, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Are Open Plans Falling Out of Favor?; The Sultan of Brunei Is Hotel Shopping in NYC

A developer is demanding volunteers pay $1M if they want to keep their community garden. [NYP] The Sultan of Brunei is hotel shopping in NYC and London and is reported to have has his eyes set on The Plaza. [WSJ] A campaign to build a light rail system on Staten Island has been relaunched—nearly 10 […]

Real Estate Trends

August 18, 2014

This West Village Remodel by HS2 Architecture Wows with a Greenhouse Dining Room

By Aisha Carter

It’s rare that you see a townhouse as grand and spacious as this 6,500-square-foot West Village dwelling. So, it’s no wonder the team at HS2 Architecture was delighted for the opportunity to renovate the historic house of their clients, the family of a work-from-home author. The goal was to create a home that reflected the clients’ lifestyle, transforming the space into a residence that makes a strong architectural statement while maintaining a level of comfort and functionality.
Take a look inside this Greenwich Village remodel here

August 18, 2014

Amazing NYC Office Interiors That Inspire and Promote Innovation

By Jason Carpenter

Workplace designers are always trying to find new ways to make offices a more inspiring and productive place, especially for professional creatives. A beautiful work space can keep employees excited when they clock in every day, and make sure that the water cooler talk is about new ideas, not the shoddy carpet. These new NYC offices are pretty to look at and to work in.
See our gallery of amazing workplaces here

August 18, 2014

90% of NYC Buildings Fail to Meet Energy Codes

In early 2014, the Department of Buildings (DOB) set up a permanent audit unit and started reviewing the architectural plans for thousands of new and renovated buildings. What they've found is alarming; nine out of every ten office and/or residential buildings failed to meet the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC). The energy standards were implemented over 30 years ago, but are just now being enforced. And while environmentalists welcome the stricter monitoring, some building owners and construction companies are nervous about the potential increased costs of compliance, both in terms of money and time.
More on the city's energy codes and how they're being updated

August 18, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Mapping Jewish Literature in NYC; Make Your Way Through Derek Jeter’s Head Maze

A Detailed Map of Jewish Literature: Take an adventure through the city and schlep to these landmarks found in Jewish literatur. See the full map on Tablet. Google Street View With Sound: Because as if Google Street View isn’t creepy enough, one company decided to add sounds to certain scenes like pigeons flying overhead, street performers and babies […]

Events & Things To Do

August 18, 2014

Trapezoidal Pool by Susan Wisniewski Landscape Completes the Greene County Residence

In typical rural esthetic, the grounds of the Greene County Residence are rolling and untamed. To work with this natural terrain, as well as juxtapose it, Susan Wisniewski Landscape created an angular outdoor pool setting that is both traditional and modern. The flat, rustic pavers surrounding the watering hole fit with the conventional barn, but the pool's trapezoidal shape adds a geometric punch to the otherwise organic setting.
More about the outdoor design here

Architecture And Design

August 18, 2014

Let the Sunlight In and Save Up to 70% on Energy Costs with the Lightcatcher Solar Dome

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

In theory, it seems silly to pay for light bulbs and electricity when natural sunlight is free, and now this eco-fantasy is becoming a real possibility. Developed by EcoNation and installed on the roof, Lightcatcher is a sun-tracking solar dome that uses a mirror and technology-based system to generate green energy, bring light indoors, and mitigate temperature fluctuations. The sensors and motorized mirror and lenses harvest sunlight, reducing energy costs and environmental impact eight times more than solar panels, according to EcoNation. The company also claims that Lightcatcher can provide sufficient light for up to ten hours per day, using only 1-3% of roof surface area.
More details on the new technology

THE 6SQFT SHOP

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

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15 quintessential NYC gifts for the New Yorker in your life

Raising chickens in NYC: Laws, tips, and everything else you need to know

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

August 18, 2014

Fully Furnished Upper West Side Rental Has Everything You Need and More

Personally, this 2,500-square-foot triplex at 108 West 78th Street in the Broadway Corridor had us at its gorgeous exposed brick walls, but there’s plenty else to get hooked on even without its close proximity to some of the best New York City has to offer. What makes it even better? This beautifully appointed and fully-furnished rental can be yours (in a manner of speaking) for only $16,500 a month.
Exposed brick and more right this way

Distinctive Homes

August 17, 2014

Tower House by Gluck+ is a Stairway to the Treetops in the Catskills

Though you may not be as limber as you once were, there's still hope that you can climb to the top of a tree. Well, sort of. Rising above the Ulster County landscape is a uniquely glazed home that was designed as a stairway to the top of its surrounding landscape. Created by New York-based architecture firm Gluck+, the contemporary Tower House works as both a viewing platform and a functional home, sitting atop a plateau on the 19-acre property. Its unusual, cantilevered shape causes minimal impact on the ground and provides inhabitants with amazing views of virtually the entire Catskill mountain range.
Learn more about the Tower House and peek inside

August 17, 2014

My Gay Summer: Maybe We Are Moving Forward After All

By Andrew Cotto

Last Saturday, I walked out of a Fire Island Pines liquor store just as a friend was walking in. “Hello, handsome,” I said without pause. My friend was less decorous. “What the f*%k are you doing here?!?” He asked, his face flushed with wonder. It was a legitimate question since The Pines is famously gay, and I’m neither famous nor gay; but, considering my summer so far, me in the company of gay men no longer seems wonder inducing to me.
Andrew's revelations this way

City Living

August 15, 2014

The Nearly Fatal Design Flaw That Could Have Sent the Citigroup Center Skyscraper Crumbling

By Jason Carpenter

When it comes to skyscrapers, we put a lot of trust in architects. We have to trust that they know what they're doing, and these seemingly impossible buildings are safe to be in and around. It's even harder to trust what used to be known as the Citicorp or Citigroup Center, now 601 Lexington Avenue, whose bottom floors are like four stilts, holding 50 stories of building above them. It looks like a strong wind would blow the whole structure over. And when the building was constructed in 1977, before some emergency repairs, that was true.
The dangerous details after the break

August 15, 2014

Stereotank’s Taku Tanku is a Floating Sleeping Shelter Made From Recycled Water Tanks

Light enough to be towed by a car or bicycle, or even carried by hand, the Taku Tanku shelter will change the way you camp, travel, and prepare for possible disasters. Created by the architecture firm Stereotank, along with Japanese designer Takahiro Fukuda, the portable, floating structure is made from two 3,000-liter recycled water tanks connected by a wood-framed entrance. It has sleeping space for two or three people, but the designers also envision it as a sculpture that "celebrates the vital role of water in our lives."
Learn more about this convenient, eco-friendly pod

Neighborhood Tours

August 15, 2014

Architecture Day Trip: Visit the Mansions of Gatsby’s “Gold Coast”

By Jason Carpenter

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is an immortal novel about Long Island millionaires in the Roaring Twenties, inspired by actual parties Fitzgerald attended at the time. The Jazz Age mansions of Long Island's "Gold Coast" certainly represent a bygone era, but you can still visit several of these Gatsby-esque architectural relics today.
Plan your architecture day trip here

August 15, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Sales Launch at the Soori High Line Condos; Crown Heights Rents See a Spike

Sales have launched at the Soori High Line condos. Three of the building’s 27 units are currently listed, and two of them have heated pools. The cheapest, pool-less unit is asking $3.7M; and the steepest, which comes with a 24-foot-long pool, is asking $10.995M. [Curbed] Rents in Crown Heights have jumped 17.5% in a year. [Brownstoner] […]

Real Estate Trends

August 15, 2014

Aureola is an Elegant, Stackable Tea Set Inspired by Russian Nomadic Traditions

The beautiful Aureola tea set was born out of a collaborative effort between a Venetian and a Russian designer. Luca Nichetto and Lera Moiseeva created the elegant set from two noble materials, porcelain and wood. The inspiration comes from traditional objects used by ancient Russian nomads and consists of a stackable teapot and cups that can be carried with just one hand.
More about the Russian-inspired tea set here

August 15, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Smithsonian Steampunk-Inspired Prints Created Into GIFs; Vintage Photos of New York City

New Yorkers Like To Stay In New York: Why would you ever want to leave this great state?! The New York Times’ Upshot features interactive graphs that show where the people in your state were born. The second largest group of people to live in New York were born internationally – not surprising. Old Museum […]

Uncategorized

August 15, 2014

19th-Century-Schoolhouse Turned 21st-Century-Co-op in Cobble Hill Gets an A+ in Our Book

While we can’t quite own up to being a star student, we were definitely excited to learn a little more about this hidden gem located at 199 Warren Street in a late 1880’s landmarked schoolhouse. Rest assured, you won’t find any blackboards here – though they probably wouldn’t seem out of place given this home’s curious aesthetic. Each room has a distinct personality that offers a wonderful lesson (see what we did just there?) in the charm of eclectic design.
See why this co-op more than makes the grade

Distinctive Homes

August 15, 2014

Technicon Design’s IXION Windowless Jet Offers Panoramic Views of What’s Outside

Admit it--you've perfected your selfie pose. And now that you've got the duck face and skinny arm down pat, why not explore the art of the skyline selfie? We're not talking an upward-gazing shot of the Empire State Building or semi-panoramic view of Manhattan; we mean full-on aerial photos taken from 40,000 feet up in the air. That's exactly what the IXION windowless jet from Technicon Design is doing. The firm's groundbreaking new design has removed windows from the cabin and, using near-future technology, displays the surrounding environment on interior cabin surfaces via external cameras. Not only does this provide incredible views, but greens the aircraft by reducing weight (thereby requiring less fuel and maintenance), simplifying construction, and opening doors for a variety of design possibilities. To boot, expansive solar panels would power the on-board, low-voltage systems, creating a one-of-a-kind visual for the jet's exterior body.
More on the sky-high design here

August 15, 2014

Jed Johnson-Designed Prewar Stunner Sells for $10.3 Million to Hedge Funder David Steinhardt

By Aisha Carter

Dune Realty CEO Daniel Neidich has just sold his gorgeous six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath Yorkville apartment for $10.25 million to David Steinhardt, the son of "Wall Street's greatest trader", Michael Steinhardt, according to city records filed yesterday. This Austere apartment is certainly a sight to behold with its spectacular finishes and expansive views. Designed by such notable names as Jed Johnson, along with Alan Wanzenberg and Thad Hayes, its no wonder this home is the perfect blend of formal entertaining and luxurious living.
Trust us. You want to take a look inside this home...

August 15, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Chloe Stinetorf on Her Delectable Cookie Dough Delivery Upstart, Chloe Doughy

By Susan Cohen

Chloe Stinetorf is the New York City cookie fairy. Each month, her company Chloe Doughy delivers two tubs of cookie dough to apartments and offices across Manhattan and in parts of Brooklyn. And while she doesn’t fly with sparkly wings to make deliveries, her staff can be found riding around on Citi Bikes. In return for her delectable service, all she asks is that New Yorkers focus on the important part of baking: being with friends and family. Of course, Chloe also wants bakers to enjoy all the fun that comes from scooping dough, eagerly waiting as the cookies bake, and that first fresh-out-of-the-oven bite. Thanks to Chloe Doughy’s membership delivery service, New Yorkers—who want to bake at midnight, need cookies for their children's school, or have to prepare dessert for that last minute-dinner party—can now bake without the hassle. Over iced teas in Chelsea, 6sqft spoke with Chloe and learned how Chloe Doughy is changing the way the city bakes cookies.
Read our interview with Chloe

August 15, 2014

$3M Turn-of-the-Century Clinton Hill Brownstone is Not Updated or Modern – and Absolutely Stunning

The minute we laid eyes on the interior of this 4,400-square-foot home at 331 Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill we knew we happened upon something special. While it’s true the million dollar listings we typically feature boast some of the most gorgeously renovated spaces in the city, there’s no denying the timeless beauty of this turn-of-the-century residence built in 1899. Located in the heart of the Clinton Hill Historic District, the dramatic scale and original details at every turn evoke the grandeur of Brooklyn’s most prestigious homes. The gracious parlor entrance with an original pier mirror and striking dark wood staircase sets the tone for the rest of the interior. Sure the treads on the stairs are worn and tattered, but look at that gorgeous wood; a little refinishing and your entryway will be transformed into a magnificent first impression.
Check out the incredible home here

Distinctive Homes

August 15, 2014

NYC Events 8/15: Run Free Down Park Avenue; Sip Cocktails with Architects or Party with Artists in Red Hook

By Lori Zimmer

Another summer weekend is upon us and we can't wait to get out the office and into the city. This weekend Manhattan's Summer Streets is back, and New Yorkers are invited to stroll (or bike) up and down Park Avenue, which will not only be closed to moving traffic, but jam packed with countless activities, music and food the whole way through. And if you decide to take this car-free jaunt, be sure to check out Ewerdt Hilgemann's sparkling sculptures along the pedestrian median. Once you've got your fair share if sunshine, head on over to the AIA NY's happy hour and mingle with architects and their fans. If art is more your thing, get to know Newark's public art community and their ideas over drinks at the NeWWalls mixer. And finally, for graffiti art and heady assemblages pay visits to the exhibitions at Tabla Rasa Gallery and Pioneer Works in Red Hook—the latter followed with a wild after party, of course.
More details on all the best events here

August 14, 2014

The Architecture of Cesar Pelli: How a Sense of Place Left a Lasting Mark on the NYC Skyline

Growing up just west of the Andes Mountains in the small town of Tucumán in northwest Argentina, Cesar Pelli wasn't exposed to the vibrant cityscapes that he today helps to shape. He got his start designing low-cost, affordable housing for the Argentine government, which helped him develop an appreciation for each project's unique sense of place. Breaking from the traditional mold of many world-famous architects, he designed buildings as a response to their neighborhoods, not as a preconceived signature aesthetic. Now, with a long list of acclaimed international projects to his name, Pelli is lauded for creating structures that honor a city's history and enrich the local landscape. And here in New York City, home to some of his most celebrated works, the Pelli mark has making an indelible impression on the architecture and real estate fields.
We dive deeper into Cesar Pelli's past, present, and future

Morningside Heights: From Revolutionary Battle to Columbia University Campus

Bloomingdale Road (now Broadway) and 114th Street in 1895

August 14, 2014

Morningside Heights: From Revolutionary Battle to Columbia University Campus

By Michelle Young

Today, it's hard to imagine Morningside Heights without the flurry of students hurrying to class at Columbia University. It may be even harder to imagine it without some of its signature architecture: the gothic Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest cathedral in the world, Riverside Church, with its former bowling alley, or Grant's Tomb along the Hudson River. But Morningside Heights got an exciting start in the history of New York City (and America, as it turns out)!
The incredible story of Morningside Heights, from past to present, this way

August 14, 2014

Real Estate Wire: A Record Breaking Sale at the San Remo; NYC Gets Its First Enclosed Mall in Over 40 Years

The Greenwich by Rafael Vinoly

A combo 6,000 square-foot luxury pad at the San Remo just sold for a record-breaking $26.4 million. [NYO] A 33-story tower designed by Woods Bagot is coming to Downtown Brooklyn. The new building will include a hotel and 381 apartments. [Curbed] More buyers are heading to Harlem in search of seeking cheaper luxury apartments. [Crain’s] The Mall at […]

Real Estate Trends

125 Greenwich Street

Financial District

The new altitude of downtown living

studios starting at $1,110,000
1 beds starting at $1,495,000
2 beds starting at $2,785,000
3 beds starting at $3,600,000

Learn More

August 14, 2014

Jonathan Adler’s Shelter Island Vacation Home is Part Modernist Fantasy Part Rustic Beach Retreat

This beautiful Shelter Island vacation home is the place where two of New York City’s most creative minds take a break from it all. We're of course talking about interior designer Jonathan Adler and fashion guru Simon Doonan, who with the help of Gray Organschi Architectural Studio created their dream seafront property by mixing rustic and contemporary designs to create a truly stylish aesthetic. Located in a secluded area on Crab Creek, this lush retreat is modernist expression with an explosion of color inside.
Learn more about this celebrity vacation home here

August 14, 2014

When Looking at Manhattan’s Condo Sales the Downtown Market Reigns Supreme

Though everything seems to slow to a glacial pace during the summertime months, a sluggish market wasn't the case for condo sales the week of July 14th. Buyers steadily scooped up prime properties with the city so far recording 249 condo and co-op sales. Manhattan's biggest buys came via the usual suspects—Flatiron's One Madison, and uptown faves Carnegie Hill and the Arpthorp—with deals ranging from $10.1 million up to $14.5 million. According to CityRealty's Market Insight report, although the city's top exchanges registered above 23rd Street, when eyeing contracts closed over the last 90 days, it looks like Downtown Manhattan reigned supreme when it came to the highest number of units sold (337), and the top prices garnered per square foot ($2,077 and $2,047 in the West Village and Soho, respectively). Overall, the area recorded an impressive $1 billion in total sales over the last three months.
All the details in graph form here

Real Estate Trends

August 14, 2014

Daily Link Fix: ‘Dream, Girl’ Wants To Change The Image of A Boss; Upcycled Bicycle Seats Transformed Into Mini Green Spaces

Channel Your Inner Beach Bum: If you’re thinking, “Where am I supposed to learn how to surf in the NYC area that doesn’t require me to go to Long Island?” That’s where Rockaway Beach and Locals Surf School come in. Cool Hunting features the year-round school founded by two former competitive surfers Support Girls’ Dreams […]

Events & Things To Do

August 14, 2014

Jonah Hill Puts Soho Loft on the Market for $3.8 Million, Looking to Make a $1 Million Profit

Looks like celebrities like flipping, too. Just two years after Jonah Hill bought his Soho loft at 27 Howard Street for $2.65 million, he's put it back on the market for over a million dollars more. Now listed at $3,795,00, this full-floor, 2,000-square-foot pad was originally a two-bedroom when Hill moved in, but it's currently configured as a massive one-bedroom space. And with an estimated net worth of $30 million, why not spread out and live the good life?
Check out the rest of this A-lister's digs here

August 14, 2014

Extra! Extra! Read All About.…This Exquisite Newswalk Condo in Prospect Heights