Search Results for: green roof

<b>Home and Away: Is Airbnb a Threat to the Affordable Housing Market?</b>

Photo courtesy of Airbnb via Facebook.

November 10, 2014

Home and Away: Is Airbnb a Threat to the Affordable Housing Market?

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Controversial room-sharing startup Airbnb, one of the most visible players in what is being called the “sharing economy,” has recently awakened the innovation vs. regulation argument in all the usual ways–and a few new ones, including the accusation that these short-term rentals are depleting the already-scarce affordable housing stock in pricey metro areas like San Francisco and New York City.
What the latest data reveals–and what's being done about it
Luxury Hudson Square Loft with Multiple Decks Asks $11 Million
November 10, 2014

Luxury Hudson Square Loft with Multiple Decks Asks $11 Million

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It’s hard to believe this customizable penthouse at 481 Greenwich Street has been having a rough time on the market since January 2013. The striking duplex, asking $10.75 million, is the definition of luxury loft living in one of downtown Manhattan’s hottest new neighborhoods, no less. There are quite a few details that set this loft apart from the rest, but we’ll start with the sheer enormity of its size. We’re talking 4,500 square feet of interior space and an additional 3,000 square feet of multi-level rooftop terrace. Add to that floor-to ceiling windows and Hudson River views and you just might find yourself experiencing love at first sight.
More photos inside
Tsao & McKown’s Half-Buried Home Tackles the Human Desire for Open and Private Living Space
November 9, 2014

Tsao & McKown’s Half-Buried Home Tackles the Human Desire for Open and Private Living Space

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Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown, partners of Tsao & McKown, designed a stunning minimalist home in Wainscott, New York–a community planned by Richard Meier. The Sagaponac House was created for a hypothetical client, and due to an alteration to the terrain the home is partially underground. This roots it in the landscape while offering both privacy and openness toward the young forest around it.
Learn more about this half-buried home
<b>New York City’s Residential Skyscraper Boom: Living in the Sky Part II</b>
November 6, 2014

New York City’s Residential Skyscraper Boom: Living in the Sky Part II

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You've probably realized that New York is in the midst of a skyscraper boom, but if the ubiquitous scaffolding and sidewalk detours haven't given it away, we bring you further proof — with part two of our series detailing the tallest residential towers set to rise high above the city, forever changing New York's skyline. Compared to the previous 26 projects — the tallest of the tall that included ultra-luxury and super-tall towers such as 432 Park Avenue and 125 Greenwich Street — this second batch is composed of smaller buildings ranging from 500 to 700 feet tall and features greater geographical diversity and lots more rentals. With developers scouring the city for less expensive areas to assemble properties, these often-controversial projects are slated to rise in some of our more human-scaled 'hoods such as East Harlem, South Street Seaport, and Williamsburg.
Will they all get built? Unlikely, but in any case here's our list
Lenox Hill Townhouse Near Andy Warhol’s Last Residence Asks $14.5M
November 6, 2014

Lenox Hill Townhouse Near Andy Warhol’s Last Residence Asks $14.5M

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Superstar broker Ryan Serhant has just listed a five-story townhouse at 56 East 66th Street, asking $14.49 million. This multi-family home has a lot going for it with a prime gold coast location, beautiful original details, and the potential to become a colossal 8,032-square-foot single-family conversion. So grab your architect and a little imagination because this prewar pad is just waiting to become somebody’s dream home.
See what else this mega-home has to offer
BKSK Proposes an Undulating Glass Topper for the Landmarked Tammany Hall
November 6, 2014

BKSK Proposes an Undulating Glass Topper for the Landmarked Tammany Hall

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The landmarked Tammany Hall at 44 Union Square East could be getting a modern makeover in the form of a restored facade, brand new storefront, 27,000 square feet of office space, and, most notably, a two-story glass dome topper that would bring the height of the building up to 85 feet. BKSK Architects presented their plans to gut and revamp the historic building this week to the Community Board 5’s Landmarks Committee. And though no one could argue with the design's glassy allure, board members were otherwise not all that thrilled.
Find out more here
Andrew Franz Transforms an Old Soap Factory into a Tranquil Tribeca Oasis
November 5, 2014

Andrew Franz Transforms an Old Soap Factory into a Tranquil Tribeca Oasis

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Architect Andrew Franz is known for his nature-inspired designs, and he has successfully infused his signature aesthetic into the tranquil interior of this Tribeca home. Franz transformed a 19th century Manhattan soap factory into what is now a gorgeous example of adaptive reuse. The designer's goal for this project was to create the feeling of being outdoors when inside the walls of the Romanesque Revival building, while also maintaining as much of the original structure as possible. By combining modern clean lines and open spaces with rustic wooden columns and raw brick walls, Franz creates a visual narrative celebrating the preservation of something old in the creation of something new and beautiful.
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Bates Masi’s Northwest Harbor Residence Rises on 16 Piles above a Floodplain Terrain
November 4, 2014

Bates Masi’s Northwest Harbor Residence Rises on 16 Piles above a Floodplain Terrain

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In a post-Sandy world, waterfront residents are faced with the choice of whether or not to raise their homes. Some may worry about the esthetics of this type of renovation, but Bates Masi + Architects' Northwest Harbor residence shows that raised homes can be strikingly beautiful. The green-minded firm works with the environment and not against it. Instead of modifying this East Hampton terrain, they allowed the natural landscape to take the lead. The stunning result is supported by 16 sturdy stilts that raise this wooden dwelling right above an unsettling floodplain terrain while improving the overall environmental quality of the unique wooden home.
Learn more about this stunning high up home
<b>And About That Grecian Temple on the Henry Hudson Parkway…</b>
November 2, 2014

And About That Grecian Temple on the Henry Hudson Parkway…

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New York City is filled with an abundance of structural treasures that are hard to miss. From the Brooklyn Bridge to the Chrysler Building to the soon-to-be-opened Freedom Tower, there is no shortage of architectural eye candy vying for your attention. Which means some pretty spectacular little gems get lost in the shuffle. Like the curious white, Doric-columned structure located off the Henry Hudson Parkway near West 190th Street. Part of Fort Washington Park, this scenic overlook perched over 100 feet above the Henry Hudson River is known as Inspiration Point – a perfect moniker given its breathtaking vistas of the river, George Washington Bridge, and the majestic Palisades in neighboring New Jersey.
Learn more here
<b>Lights, Camera, Annoyance: Why NYC Is the New Hollywood and Not Everyone’s Happy About It</b>
October 27, 2014

Lights, Camera, Annoyance: Why NYC Is the New Hollywood and Not Everyone’s Happy About It

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Film crews on your block: Yet another thing New Yorkers love to hate, whether it’s a case of grumble-brag or a genuine inconvenience. Some people love the opportunity to watch their favorite shows being made (and maybe get a peek at their favorite stars) and argue that it boosts the local economy. Others give the whole gig a big two thumbs down.
Find out who’s filming, where and when–and how you can make the most of it.
Has the Failed B2 Tower Ruined Large-Scale Prefab Housing for the City?

Photo © Field Condition

October 27, 2014

Has the Failed B2 Tower Ruined Large-Scale Prefab Housing for the City?

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Prefab housing has taken the world by storm in the last years, lauded for its low cost and flexibility, with buildings ranging from single-family homes to art schools popping up across the globe. But not until Forest City Ratner's plan for B2 BKLYN have we seen an attempt to build a large-scale module tower topping out at 32-stories—the world's tallest prefab tower. It's well known that the project has been a big flop; construction was far slower than originally projected and was halted in August amidst disputes between the builder, Skansa USA, and the developer, Forest City Ratner. In September lawsuits went flying, both pointing fingers as to why the whole thing failed. Forest City blamed the execution of the plan, while Skanska said the design was flawed. Fast-forward to today, and the work on the tower has been shut down with only 10 stories erected. A recent WSJ article looks at where the whole thing went awry, and more importantly: Is pre-fab construction even feasible at such a scale?
READ MORE
Old World Charm and 21st Century Finishes Combine Seamlessly in This Spectacular Tribeca Penthouse
October 23, 2014

Old World Charm and 21st Century Finishes Combine Seamlessly in This Spectacular Tribeca Penthouse

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Located at 55 North Moore Street, in a prewar building dating to the 1800's on one of the most charming cobblestone streets in the heart of Tribeca, and impeccably renovated in 2007, this gorgeous four-bedroom penthouse boasts the kind of quintessential old-world charm that will never go out of style. An abundance of exposed brick walls (we can’t get enough of them), elegant white tin ceilings (truly exquisite), and original wood beams, columns, and ceiling rafters (gorgeously rustic) immediately set a cozy and welcoming tone.
See how 19th-century charm merged with 21st-century finishes in this penthouse
<b>Living on Hallowed Ground: NYC Religious Buildings Being Converted to Luxury Housing</b>

The Anshei Meseritz
 Temple soon to be turned into condos © LuciaM via Panoramio

October 10, 2014

Living on Hallowed Ground: NYC Religious Buildings Being Converted to Luxury Housing

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New Yorkers know it often takes some divine intervention to land a great apartment. Luckily, with dozens of churches and synagogues now being partially or totally converted into luxury residential buildings, high-end apartment hunters can go straight to the source. As congregations grapple with changing demographics, shrinking memberships, and costly upkeep of historic buildings, many religious institutions are concluding that it makes better financial sense to sell off a portion of their development rights, relocate to a more affordable site, or even close their doors for good.
Here's a look at New York’s hottest and holiest developments
<b>Sukkot Architecture: New York City’s Sukkahs Come in All Shapes, Sizes, and Locations</b>

Photo © Paul Clemence

October 9, 2014

Sukkot Architecture: New York City’s Sukkahs Come in All Shapes, Sizes, and Locations

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The Jewish holiday Sukkot, which began on Wednesday evening, has architecture, construction, and design built into the festival. To observe the holiday, Jews around the world build and decorate temporary "booths" known as sukkahs, and spend Sukkot's eight days eating meals with friends and family inside them. Depending on one's level of observance, some individuals sleep in them as well. When it comes to sukkahs in New York, where backyards are few and far between, institutions and individuals take advantage of the space available to them. This includes having sukkahs in parks or courtyards, on roofs and balconies, and even on the sidewalk dining area of a restaurant. We wanted to highlight a few of the city's sukkahs with particular interest to either their location, design, or both.
See sukkahs we've spotted around the city
Unique $2.5 Million East Village Loft Boasts Barrel-Vaulted Ceilings and Loads of Character
October 7, 2014

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

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The two-bedroom apartment at 59 Fourth Avenue is still sitting on the market six months after it first popped up. After an unfruitful summer and several price chops from its $3 million price tag, today the seller is asking a reduced $2.5 million for the East Village pad. While the loft has some interesting dimensions, it still has much in the way of character, and the flexible layout allows for creative adjustments. Add to that a sublime roof deck and a prime location at the intersection of Greenwich Village, East Village and Union Square, and this unique unit could be a winner. But we’ll let you be the judge.
Let's take a look inside
<b>Living in the Clouds: 50 New York Residential Towers Poised to Scrape the Sky (Part I)</b>
October 2, 2014

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

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It seems like every week a new residential skyscraper is being announced in New York City, just earlier this week the New York Times noted that a partnership between Steven Witkoff and Harry Macklowe is moving ahead with a redevelopment of the Park Lane Hotel at 36 Central Park West with an 850-foot tower. With the mind-boggling amount of residential spires poised to pierce the sky, here's a quick rundown of the tallest of the tall--the spindly bunch set to soar higher than 700 feet. Keep in mind that just 30 years ago, the tallest residence in the city was perched atop the 664-foot Trump Tower. Today, buildings are on the drawing board for more than twice that height.
See our list of the 26 tallest towers
Leroy Street Studio’s Stone House Estate Is the Ideal Mother-Daughter Retreat
October 2, 2014

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

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If this mother-daughter client was nervous about going in on a weekend retreat together, Leroy Street Studio's design probably eased any anxieties they had. Located in East Hampton, the Stone Houses sit on a flat, open 12-acre site full of lush greenery. The clients requested that their homes have great expanses of glass to take in the views, as well as that the buildings were low-maintenance and incorporated Westchester granite. Sticking to this plan, the firm created two buildings that "together create an abstract composition of planar materials which redefine the property  as a series of internal and external courtyards spaces for the family."
See more of this beautiful retreat
Earth-Sheltered Home Uses Surroundings to Save on Energy
October 1, 2014

Earth-Sheltered Home Uses Surroundings to Save on Energy

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We’ve featured plenty of beautiful sustainable homes here on 6sqft, many of which include some pretty hi-tech gadgets from geothermal wells to highly reflective roofing materials. But John Grzibowski decided to just use what’s available in nature. He built an Earth-sheltered home in Newburgh, New York that strategically uses the surrounding landscape to insulate itself. The […]

<b>Makeshift Mansions: How Today’s Filthy Rich are Creating Homes of Epic Proportions</b>
September 30, 2014

Makeshift Mansions: How Today’s Filthy Rich are Creating Homes of Epic Proportions

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For Manhattan’s jet-set crowd, the 2010s are starting to look an awful lot like the 1900s. New York’s upper crust are embracing a return to the Gilded Age, moving out of their fancy penthouses, co-ops and lofts and into opulent single-family mansions. From Aby Rosen’s quest to build the largest private mansion on Park Avenue to Jared Kushner’s conversion of three former Brooklyn Law School buildings into single-family townhouses—the most affluent buyers are now on the hunt for New York’s ultimate trophy prize.
More on makeshift mansions
$6.4M Loft on the Williamsburg Waterfront Is Rough-Around-the-Edges But Unique Nonetheless
September 30, 2014

$6.4M Loft on the Williamsburg Waterfront Is Rough-Around-the-Edges But Unique Nonetheless

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Every once in a while a real estate opportunity comes along that is too good to pass up, and this former firehouse at 411 Kent Avenue on the Williamsburg waterfront is a perfect example. The very definition of a creative Brooklyn loft, the existing 3,300-square foot, two-story building features massive open spaces, high ceilings, huge windows, multiple skylights, original wood floors, exposed brick, and completely exposed wood ceiling joists.
See what investing in Brooklyn's hottest neighborhood looks like
<b>The Top 15 Family-Friendly Buildings in NYC</b>
September 29, 2014

The Top 15 Family-Friendly Buildings in NYC

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Last week, we talked to five families currently raising children in New York City’s many diverse and multifaceted neighborhoods about why they pick city living over the suburbs, and most of our readers agreed that they prefer an urban upbringing to the more "traditional" suburban childhood. But once you've decided to raise your children in the Big Apple, it can be tough deciding which neighborhood is best for your family. Many factors come into play: What are the best schools in the area? What amenities does the building offer? Are there playgrounds nearby? How secure is the building? And the list goes on. But to make the process a little easier, we've rounded up 15 of the best family-friendly buildings in New York City.
Check out our list here
Ultra Modern Condo in the Asymptote-Designed 166 Perry Street Asks $3 Million
September 29, 2014

Ultra Modern Condo in the Asymptote-Designed 166 Perry Street Asks $3 Million

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Superstar broker Fredrik Eklund has a new listing for a two-bedroom condo in the Asymptote Architecture-designed 166 Perry Street, asking $2.995 million. The avant-garde structure with its sleek angled glassy façade began turning heads long before its 2009 completion. It resides in the desirable far West Village, with a few equally stunning Richard Meier structures close by. So let’s take a look behind the intriguing mirrored exterior and see what the inside of this apartment has to offer.
Check it out here
<b>City Kids: Why Parents Pick City Living Over the Suburbs</b>
September 23, 2014

City Kids: Why Parents Pick City Living Over the Suburbs

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The 'American Dream' may have dominated the last few decades, causing a mass exodus to the suburbs, but today's families are reversing the trend and turning their attention back to the city. The reasons are many: An appreciation for cultural offerings, the camaraderie and creative cross-pollination of networks of colleagues, friends and family, the convenience of being able to walk or bike to school, work or child care without a long commute—just to name a few. New York City has always been a haven for the forward-thinking, albeit a challenging one. And its newly-”discovered” outer boroughs as well as an unprecedentedly low crime rate have made the city a prime choice for family living. But what is it about those city kids—the ones with parents who planned from the start to raise their kids in a non-stop urban environment? We interrupted the busy schedules of five families currently raising school-age (or soon-to-be) children in New York City's many diverse and multifaceted neighborhoods to get some insight about why they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hear what five parents of city kids have to say
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