6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

Earlier this year, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) unveiled new ideas for public housing--in a parking lot on its Atlanta campus. SCADpads, as they're called, reimagined the common public park space as a solution to the growing need for sustainable, efficient housing worldwide. Now, a team of architect-fellows at the Institute for Public Architecture are building on the same idea, proposing ways to turn unused public parking spaces in New York City into housing, co-working spaces, bike-share stations, playgrounds, and farmers markets. The group is called 9 x 18, the size of a typical parking spot, and they have reevaluated the current zoning laws surrounding parking and affordable housing, using the Carver Houses in East Harlem neighborhood as a case study.
More about the new ideas

August 14, 2014

A Garden in the East Village? This $1.9 Million Condo Has Two

A lucky new owner just nabbed a charming little oasis in the heart of the East Village for $1.9 million, according to city records. And while you might be thinking an “East Village oasis” is a blatant oxymoron, this quiet little condo begs to differ. The property is almost like a secret garden in the city; hidden in a bustling neighborhood as opposed to being among the grounds of a vast manor. In fact, take a look inside this cozy unit, and you might forget all about the throngs of college students frequenting the bars right around the corner. Now that’s pretty impressive.
Find out more of this condo's secrets, here

August 13, 2014

Curb Appeal: The Psychology of Moving Buyers from Cab to Curb to Contract

By Lauren Price

Great neighborhood? Check. Great apartment? Check. Curb appeal? Killer first impressions can be long lasting — and whether it’s a newly advertised flavor of Ben & Jerry’s, an ad for Tory Burch’s latest shoe collection —or finding new digs, “love at first sight” spot-on marketing moments play a sizeable role in how we make our decisions. Industry experts note that a large percentage of a house hunter's decision to explore a property further than the curb is based the project’s “wow” factor. Truth is, it sets the “perception” stage of what’s to come beyond a grand entrance or swanky lobby that was designed to provide a sense of arrival and belonging. Obviously, at the end of the day, a building’s outside will only persuade potential buyers to see more, and first impressions can vary from one individual to the next, but the “I was meant to live here” moment is fairly universal.
How a building's design tugs at your desire to 'be someone'

August 13, 2014

Live in the Plywood Version of Philip Johnson’s Glass House for $1.6M

Philip Johnson is best known for his use of glass, and his iconic Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, is without question his most famous work. But did you know that Johnson also dabbled in plywood construction? In fact, the architect designed several wood homes in the forestlands of Connecticut, including the Wiley Speculative House. The home was the first (and ultimately, only) of Johnson's "speculative houses" planned for a large scale residential development headed by the Wiley Development Corporation in 1954. Though built without a hitch, and despite Wiley's willingness to replicate the home for anyone, anywhere in Connecticut's Fairfield County, Wiley's hope for a Johnson-designed development flopped as nobody wanted to pay $45,000 to live in one of the houses. As a result, the Wiley Speculative House saw a somewhat sad fate and remained under the ownership of Wiley's trust until it was sold off a year later. Since then, the home has changed hands at least nine times, and now nearly 60 years later it's for grabs again, this time for $1.575 million.
More on the lesser-known Johnson house here

August 13, 2014

Real Estate Wire: What Lies Behind the Pepsi Sign; NYC Construction Spending Jumps 50%

Tour the new Long Island City residential building that sits behind the Pepsi sign. [Curbed] Extell is bringing a 52-story, 710,907-square-foot residential building to 41st Street and 5th Avenue. The company spent $16.46M on the development and to acquire the air rights from nearby St. Raphael’s Church. [CO] Spending on NYC residential construction has jumped […]

Real Estate Trends

August 13, 2014

Colorful Shelter Island Pavilion is a Sustainable Take on Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion

Keeping the plan of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion in mind, New York-based architects Stamberg Aferiat created an eye-catching, colorful home. Built using industrially produced materials and current sustainable principles, the home features seemingly disjointed planes that create the overall geometry of the structure. Located in the island with the same name, the Shelter Island Pavilion is an experiment in color, shape, and sustainability.
Learn more about this striking sustainable home here

August 13, 2014

Fort Greene Co-op Puts You Squarely in the Middle of Brownstone Paradise

By Stephanie Hoina

There’s a reason Forgotten New York toyed with the label “Brownstone Paradise” for Fort Greene’s South Portland Avenue and Time Out New York named it one of the “50 Best Blocks in NYC”: living here is like owning a little slice of heaven. When you think of a classic brownstone, 21 South Portland Avenue is exactly what comes to mind – along with all of its similar-looking neighbors on both sides of the street. On closer inspection, the varying ornamentation becomes apparent, and each building exudes its own distinct personality, contributing to the street’s reputation as one of Brooklyn’s most coveted and gorgeous.
Check out what's inside this beautiful brownstone

Distinctive Homes

August 13, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Boomf Makes Your Instagram Snaps A Little Sweeter; From Ugly Broken Pot to Lovely Fairy Garden

Have A Picnic in Grand Central Station: Gothamist reports Starting next Monday in GCT’s Vanderbilt Hall, you’ll be able to chow down on lunch or a snack from local food vendors like Zaro’s and Ciao Bella Gelato. Also consider this a dinner-theater because a couple of Broadway show casts will be doing a little song […]

Uncategorized

Distinctive Homes

This $4.5M Lenox Hill duplex combines pre-war elegance with architectural drama

Tribeca's iconic skybridge property is back on the market for $30M

For $949K, this Village co-op has a Gold Coast address, prewar charm and a splash of color

This $1.5M Woodstock compound was a recording studio for rock icons from Ozzy Osbourne to R.E.M.

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

$4M Prospect Heights penthouse has three bedrooms, a wraparound terrace, and views in every direction

Asking $2.8M, this two-family Bed-Stuy townhouse looks like a good place to spend a sunny afternoon

A long-neglected Clinton Hill townhouse gets a total glow-up and a $5.5M ask

World's highest duplex lists for $128M at Central Park Tower

From the pool to the pergola, this $1.1M Hudson Valley home blends Colonial with contemporary

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August 13, 2014

Spanx Founder Sara Blakely Makes $18 Million Profit on 15 Central Park West Apartment Sale

By Annie Doge

That's right, $18 million. According to city records, Spanx founder and self-made billionaire Sara Blakely sold her apartment at 15 Central Park West for $30 million, almost triple the $12.11 million she paid for it in 2008. The sale comes on the heels of CityRealty releasing its CityRealty 100 list of most expensive homes in the city, on which 15 Central Park West is listed first. The prestigious, Robert A.M. Stern-designed building has an average price per square foot of $6,288 (the Time Warner Center, which came in second has an average of $4,689) and it also holds the priciest condo sale through the second quarter of 2014 at $48 million.
More about Blakely's highly profitable sale

August 13, 2014

454 Rugby Road Joins the Million-Dollar-Sale Club in Victorian Flatbush

We tend to feature a lot of historic townhouses, and while we love these brownstone beauties, it's always a treat when we come across the less-common Victorian home. Not surprisingly, this charming, free-standing house is located in Ditmas Park West, part of what is known as Victorian Flatbush. Built in 1905, the home at 454 Rugby Road recently sold for $1,975,000 million according to city records, almost $100,000 above the asking price and not far behind another recent Rugby Road sale that was one of the most expensive in the neighborhood to date.
See why this painted lady is a deserving member of Victorian Flatbush's Million-Dollar Club

August 13, 2014

Michael Douglas Gets a New Neighbor with the Sale of This $8.6 Million Kenilworth Co-Op

Andrea Stern, daughter of real estate developer Leonard Stern, has just sold her ‘70s chic apartment in the Kenilworth for $8.575 million, according to city records. The new residents will not only be able to enjoy living in a home that looks like a pared down set for Behind the Candelabra; they’ll actually be able to call the made-for-TV movie’s star Michael Douglas, and his wife Catherine Zeta Jones, neighbors. But, as impressive as that sounds, we’re pretty sure the eight-room, corner apartment on the Gold Coast of Central Park West speaks for itself.
Take a look inside this throwback chic pad...

August 13, 2014

Gastro-Architecture Looks at Landmarks Through a Culinary Lense

Foodies are rampant in today's urban metropolises, but this time, instead of talking fish tacos and foie gras, we're talking buildings. Nicholas Blechman, art director for the New York Times Book Review, has reimagined some of the world's most famous landmarks as food in his delightful series Gastro-Architecture. From drawing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica as a lemon juicer to noting the striking resemblance of Kohn Pedersen Fox's Shanghai World Financial Center to a can opener, Blechman has created an entirely new type of architectural review.
Check out our favorite NYC illustrations from Gastro-Architecture

Architecture And Design

August 12, 2014

Jeffrey S. Poss’ Double-Gable Woodland Dwelling Shelters Guests and a Sculpture Studio Inside

No, you are not seeing double, at least not quite. This sweet woodland shelter was created for two different functions, hence its unique double-gable design. Called the Polygon Sculpture Studio, this shelter in Hague, New York, doubles as a guesthouse and small work studio. It was designed by architect Jeffrey S. Poss and offers a comfortable, light-filled space for guests, as well as a great environment for artistic creation.
Learn more about this woodland shelter here

August 12, 2014

Real Estate Wire: How Many Jeans Do You Need to Sell to Afford Williamsburg’s Retail Rents?

How many jeans will Diesel need to sell to make rent at 101 Bedford? Greenpoint’s Andy Smith does a quick and dirty calculation. [Tremr] New York has only the 6th highest rents in the country. Apparently we lag behind behind San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Washington DC and Boston. Surprised? [Brokelyn] The 10 biggest real estate projects filed in […]

Real Estate Trends

August 12, 2014

Bright and Beautiful Loft on a “Great Street” in Noho

By Stephanie Hoina

Location, location, location. Well, this large and sunny loft is located, quite literally, on a "great street" – 43 Great Jones Street, to be exact. And though the classic exterior of the building looks much as it did when first constructed in 1920, its interior has been beautifully renovated, blending many of the original industrial details with more refined modern touches.
Right this way to see more of this "great" loft

Distinctive Homes

August 12, 2014

Daily Link Fix: The Super Sleek “Bike of the Future”; 140 Characters About Life in NYC

Where Can We Get Our Hands On This ‘Bike Of The Future’?: TEAGUE and SIZEMORE BICYCLE teamed up for the Oregon Manifest Bike Design Project competition and won with their ingenious design of the ‘Denny’ bike. Huff Post reports that its sleek design, handlebar slash bike lock and automatic gears are making cyclists beg for bike to go […]

Uncategorized

August 12, 2014

New Knicks President Phil Jackson Buys $5 Million Apartment at the Osborne

When he hasn't been busy revamping the New York Knicks, Phil Jackson has been scoping out NYC real estate. And according to city records, the Knicks President purchased an apartment at the Osborne, 205 West 57th Street, for $4.85 million. Considered one of the greatest NBA coaches in history, Jackson spent many years with both the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers, but now he's jumping back into the New York City scene head first, having gotten his start with the Knicks in 1967 as a player. His new home was meticulously renovated by Ferguson and Shamamian Architects to preserve the original details of the landmarked 1883 building. Hand-carved mahogany pocket doors, inlaid oak and cherry floors, and stained glass transom windows are just some of the historic accents that make this three-bedroom apartment a true masterpiece.
Tour the rest of this basketball legend's new digs

This Charming Lincoln Center Studio is the Perfect Pied–à–Terre for an Expat

For those of you who adore the movie Amélie, you're certain to fall in love with this quirky Lincoln Center studio, which we think would make the perfect pied–à–terre for the fabuleux French dreamer if she were ever to moonlight in Manhattan. Situated in a pristine townhouse located at 136 West 70th Street, this little beauty has all the grandeur of its sprawling neighbors, but offers plenty more charm with its lofty living space and beautiful rust-colored tin ceiling.
More on this special studio here

Distinctive Homes

August 12, 2014

Sunbreak Shades Could Control Skyscraper Temperatures Right From an iPhone

You know the drill, wear a wool sweater to work in the summer and layer with a thin t-shirt in the winter. It's the curse of working in a tall, glassy, climate-controlled building. But a new shading prototype called Sunbreak, created by the architects at NBBJ, acts as a skyscraper skin that adjusts on a window-by-window basis depending on the angle of the sun, conserving energy and allowing workers to control office temperatures. Sounds like just what we've been waiting for, huh?
More about the proposed product

August 12, 2014

Live in the Penthouse of Starchitect Jean Nouvel’s 100 Eleventh Avenue for $45K/Month

Starchitect Jean Nouvel’s 100 Eleventh Avenue may have received mixed reviews—which is made even more evident when you look at its rocky listing history—but that doesn’t change the fact that this pad is a clear showstopper. Not only does the stunning full-floor penthouse offer 360 degrees of stellar views through 150 linear feet of floor-to-ceiling windows; have a sprawling layout and two terraces; and reside on one of New York’s most recognizable blocks, surrounded by buildings designed by Pritzker Prize winners like Frank Gehry and Shigeru Ban; but this unit also has recently renovated interiors courtesy of Jennifer Post, one of Architectural Digest’s top 100 designers. Bottom line, if you’re a big name-dropper, this $45,000/month rental has your name written all over it.
Check out the views from this incredible home here

August 12, 2014

Billionaire Peter Brant Buys an Incredible Converted Con-Ed Substation for $27M

It's a common saying that money can't buy good taste, but Peter Brant proves that old adage doesn't apply to billionaires. According to city records, the American industrialist and businessman just closed on a former Con-Ed substation located at 421 East 6th Street for $27 million—$2 million above asking. Constructed in 1920 to serve the city's power needs, the building was altered in the 60s and again in the 80s to accommodate a live-work space for a famed sculptor Walter de Maria. Even with more than a century of history behind it, today the structure still keeps many of its original relics and the overall gritty aesthetic of its industrial past. As a lover of art himself, we're curious to know how Brant will go about redesigning the space—if he does. Brant, who also happens to be married to supermodel Stephanie Seymour, is the publisher of both Interview and Art in America magazines and has been previously been called a "Donald Trump with taste" by the New York Times.
learn more about the building here

August 11, 2014

Scoping Out Staten Island: New Developments in the Oft-Forgotten Borough

You won't find any Staten Island jokes or snarky references to secession here. No, we're celebrating the borough that so easily gets forgotten amid the shiny new towers of Manhattan and trendy culture waves of Brooklyn. But just because it might not make daily headlines, doesn't mean that Staten Island isn't in the middle of some pretty amazing developments. From the Staten Island Ferris Wheel to the borough becoming the next great tech hub, we've rounded up the cultural, economic, and architectural projects that are going to make you want to board the Staten Island Ferry in pursuit of your new home.
Check out our list and get ready to start packing

August 11, 2014

Light at the End of the Tunnel: The Second Avenue Subway Already Sending Real Estate Prices Soaring

By Lauren Price

Plans for a Second Avenue subway have been on the drawing boards since flapper dresses were all the rage. But not until now has this pipeline dream started to take shape. One of the hottest discussions among the locals is undoubtedly the new line, and according to the MTA, 65 percent of Phase I is now complete. When it debuts in December 2016, it is slated to carry 200,000 straphangers, which in turn will reduce overcrowding on the Lexington Avenue Line by as much as 13 percent (that’s 23,500 fewer passengers on an average weekday). Phase II will extend the line from 96th to 125th Street, and the MTA just announced that $1.5 billion (only a third of the total estimated cost) is now set aside with the hope that the federal government will chip in, too. But those who wonder when the 8.5-mile stretch of tracks (125th Street to Hanover Square), you’d better hold onto your hat—it's 2029! Though this is still 15 years away, that hasn't stopped the prices of properties flanking the SAS from riding high in anticipation.
Why buyers are looking at construction workers starry-eyed

August 11, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Puff Daddy Price Chops His Park Imperial Haven; More New Yorkers Installing Solar Panels

Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Sean Combs—whatever you want to call him—has re-listed his 2,292-square-foot Park Imperial loft for $7.9M. The new listing sees a $500K price reduction. [Curbed] New York is lagging other major cities in its pace of residential construction. Permits for 17,995 new housing units were issued in 2013—a little more than half […]

Real Estate Trends

August 11, 2014

The ‘Secret’ Is Out: Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo May Be Heading to Soho

Despite apparent attempts to remain discreet, word has gotten out that Adam Levine and his Victoria’s Secret model wife Behati Prinsloo may be purchasing a new Manhattan home, according to the NY Daily News. This development comes soon after the couple returned from their Mexico honeymoon and just months after they were seen scoping out Soho for a new nest egg. Well, the house hunt appears to have gone well, because they may have just landed a gorgeous loft in the boutique historical cast iron building at 112 Greene Street.
Take a look inside the star couple's new pad, here

August 11, 2014

Ocean Guest House by Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects Uses Shifted Volumes to Shield from the Elements

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

The allure of living ocean side can come with its own set of challenges, including intense direct sunlight, heavy rains, and strong sea breezes. Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects built their Ocean Guest House with these weather-related qualms in mind, utilizing geometric, shifted volumes to create a functional and visually stunning structure. Situated on the street side of this ocean-front property, the guest house is a simple, two-story, two-bedroom structure. The apartment resides on the second floor, while a garage and storage/laundry space occupy the ground floor.
Find out all the guest house's tricks here

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August 11, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Finding Peace and Quiet in NYC; In-Store 3D-Printed Earphones Customized for Your Ear

Finding A Quiet Respite In The Loud, Busy City: As part of Narratively and WNYC’s “My Secret New York Sanctuary,” one New Yorker shares her secret place to recharge and think when things in the city get a bit too hectic. Submit Your Birdhouse Design To NEST: Calling all architects and designers! NEST is looking for […]

Architecture And Design

August 11, 2014

Sabin Design Lab’s 3D-Printed, Ceramic PolyBricks Eliminate Construction Waste

3D printing has been making the design rounds lately, popping up as the construction method of choice for many new furniture pieces. Now, though, a team of researchers has created a 3D-printed product that can be used to construct entire buildings. Developed by the Sabin Design Lab in collaboration with Cornell and Jenny Sabin Studio, the ceramic bricks are interlocking and require no mortar, the first of their kind. Additionally, the technology eliminates construction waste completely.
More about the one-of-a-kind product here

August 11, 2014

Retractable Garage-Style Door Transforms This Chelsea Apartment in an Innovative Way

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

Distinctive Homes

August 11, 2014

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

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

August 11, 2014

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

By Stephanie Hoina

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

Distinctive Homes

August 10, 2014

How a ‘Buona Forchetta’ Stays Trim in NYC

By Andrew Cotto

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

August 9, 2014

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

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

August 8, 2014

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

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

Real Estate Trends

August 8, 2014

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

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

August 8, 2014

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

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

August 8, 2014

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

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

Uncategorized

August 8, 2014

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

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

Distinctive Homes

August 8, 2014

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

By Lori Zimmer

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

August 8, 2014

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

By Annie Doge

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

August 8, 2014

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

By Susan Cohen

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

August 8, 2014

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

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

August 7, 2014

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

By Lauren Price

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

August 7, 2014

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

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

720 West End Avenue

Upper West Side

Serene Upper West Side homes near Riverside Park

1 beds starting at $1,005,000
2 beds starting at $2,495,000
3 beds starting at $3,495,000
4 beds starting at $5,850,000

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August 7, 2014

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

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

Real Estate Trends

August 7, 2014

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

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

August 7, 2014

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

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

August 7, 2014

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

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

August 7, 2014

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