Search Results for: times square

A Madcap Engineer Wanted to Pave Over the East River to Create a “Mega-Manhattan”

Part of the proposal, “A Really Greater New York”, that shows the East River infill and southern Manhattan peninsula

January 14, 2015

A Madcap Engineer Wanted to Pave Over the East River to Create a “Mega-Manhattan”

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The East River may not be the most beautiful body of water we've ever witnessed, but that certainly doesn't mean we'd like to see it paved over. That's exactly what T. Kennard Thomson, an engineer and planner, proposed in 1911, hoping to create a mega-Manhattan. Plus, he wanted to add a long hunk of infill at the southern tip of Manhattan, creating a new peninsula bolstered by Governor's Island, add more new land in the Hudson between Bayonne and Manhattan, and relocated the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Let's take a closer look at this ambitious, but never realized, plan
Traditional Westchester Estate Gets a Glassy Modernist Addition and Green Roof
January 14, 2015

Traditional Westchester Estate Gets a Glassy Modernist Addition and Green Roof

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AbelowSherman Architects have given an historic mansion in Westchester a unique facelift, covering both ends of the architectural spectrum by adding a traditional conservatory and a modern glassy addition. The 16,000-square-foot gut renovation also added a flashy Corten steel staircase and concrete pool cabana to the sumptuous property. From the front, the home is stately and elegant, but a surprising modern twist awaits in the rear.
Tour the property here
EVENT: Is the Vanderbilt Corridor the Future of East Midtown?
January 12, 2015

EVENT: Is the Vanderbilt Corridor the Future of East Midtown?

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The proposed East Midtown Rezoning has been a hotly debated issue over the past few years. First introduced by Mayor Bloomberg, and backed by Mayor de Blasio, the rezoning would allow developers to build larger and taller than the current Grand Central Terminal district zoning allows in exchange for financial contributions to the area's infrastructure needs. The Department of City Planning feels the rezoning would ensure that the area maintains its spot as a global business center, but others think it would forever ruin the historic nature of the neighborhood. One of the most major components of the project is One Vanderbilt, a 68-story, 1,514-foot zigzag tower that will stand adjacent to Grand Central. Along with the building comes a reconfiguration of the Vanderbilt Corridor, the streetscape around the Terminal. A panel discussion at the Museum of the City of New York on January 20th will examine both the tower and the corridor and what they mean for Midtown East.
More about the event here
Checking In on 56 Leonard: The Rising Star in the Downtown Skyline
January 12, 2015

Checking In on 56 Leonard: The Rising Star in the Downtown Skyline

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Esteemed architect and historian Robert A.M. Stern once said that "New York is a constellation of magic moments. No city as complex as New York rebuilds itself so often, and often so well." Two stars are being born in that nebula of irregular streets we call Downtown. The taller of the two, 30 Park Place, is designed by the famed starchitect himself, and has recently surpassed its neighbor, the Woolworth Building, to soon take its place as the tallest residential perch in the district. The other star, 56 Leonard, may still shine brighter, however. While absent any height superlatives, 56 Leonard may very well end up being the most interesting skyscraper Downtown has produced in decades. Nicknamed the "Jenga-building" and the "tower of penthouses," 56 Leonard's design comes from the Swiss architectural firm of Herzog & de Meuron while working with the residential know-it-alls at Goldstein Hill & West. Currently, the concrete frame is approximately 700 feet tall with little more than 100 feet to rise before topping off. The floors progressively stagger at varying configurations creating cantilevered interior spaces as well as outdoor balconies for each of the residences.
More details ahead
The Lena Dunham Real Estate Effect: Looking at the Homes of the Stars of ‘Girls’
January 8, 2015

The Lena Dunham Real Estate Effect: Looking at the Homes of the Stars of ‘Girls’

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One of the reasons Girls became such an instant hit is because it was lauded as the anti-Sex & the City. Its characters live in Greenpoint, not the Upper West Side; they wear Converse instead of Manolos; they struggle to pay the rent rather than living in completely unrealistic apartments. But when it comes to their real lives in New York City, the cast of the HBO show is definitely not struggling to make ends meet, as is evidenced by their impressive collection of real estate. So, in anticipation for this Sunday's season four premier, let's take a look at how Lena Dunham and her posse actually live in the city, as compared with their characters' fictional digs.
See where the stars of 'Girls' live on and off the screen
158-Year-Old Legally-Embattled Building on Leonard Street Finally Sells for $11.2 Million

Image via Tribeca Trib

January 7, 2015

158-Year-Old Legally-Embattled Building on Leonard Street Finally Sells for $11.2 Million

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It's been a rough year for an even rougher 158-year-old structure located at 17 Leonard Street. Since 2013, there's been an ongoing dispute over damage in the building that caused an evacuation ordered by the Depart­ment of Buildings. Owner Christopher Rolf has been feuding with his next-door neighbor, Steven Schnall, who is constructing a seven-story condo build­ing with a two-story penthouse next door at 15 Leonard. The dispute concerns the cause of several giant cracks that Rolf alleged appeared once Schnall started construction. Rolf claimed Schnall's project was the reason for the damage, while Schnall insisted that the old structure was already in shambles long before he even broke ground. The drama has dragged on for over a year, but a recent sale points to the end of the saga at 17 Leonard—at least for Rolf. According to public records, Rolf has finally parted ways with the property, striking a deal with an undisclosed buyer (listed simply as "17 Leonard Properties, LLC") for $11.165 million.
More details here
Looking Back and Forecasting What’s to Come in the 2015 NYC Real Estate Market
January 1, 2015

Looking Back and Forecasting What’s to Come in the 2015 NYC Real Estate Market

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It's that time of year when we take a look back at the biggest stories of the year and look ahead at what's to come. And if 2014 was the year of the ultra-luxury listing, 2015 shows no sign of cooling down. This past year saw major increases from 2013, with $16.8 billion in residential sales, over 17 percent of which was accounted for by purchases over $10 million. Plus, the top 25 sales of the year all closed for over $25 million. News of big sales at One57 will likely continue, with 520 Park Avenue vying for the title of most-talked-about building. We'll also start hearing more from 30 Park Place, 432 Park Avenue, and the Woolworth Residences. To help you visualize all of these high-rolling record setters and predictions, the folks at CityRealty have put together some handy charts and infographics.
Check out the year in review and 2015 predictions here
Soap Opera Star Wants $17M for Stunning Gramercy Townhouse Once Priced at $1.6M
December 31, 2014

Soap Opera Star Wants $17M for Stunning Gramercy Townhouse Once Priced at $1.6M

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Actress Noelle Beck and her husband Eric Petterson are looking to unload their stunning four-story townhouse on Stuyvesant Square for $17 million. To give that price tag some perspective, the couple purchased the home in 1997 for just $1.6 million. That’s right, if all goes according to plan, these two could walk away with close to 20 times the amount they paid for their Gramercy pad. Now, how’s that for a dramatic plot twist?
Take a look inside here
Real Estate Wire: Luxury Development Hitting the West 90s; 70,000 People Apply for 38 Affordable Apartments in Williamsburg
December 30, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Luxury Development Hitting the West 90s; 70,000 People Apply for 38 Affordable Apartments in Williamsburg

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The West 90s, long considered the more affordable part of the Upper West Side, is seeing an influx of luxury development. [NYT] 70,000 people applied for 38 affordable apartments in Williamsburg at 59 Frost Street. [DNAinfo] Not everyone agrees with the Times endorsement of the QueensWay. [2nd Ave. Sagas] Soap opera star Noelle Beck lists […]

As the Met Prepares to Move into the Whitney’s Old Building, A Madison Avenue Block Is Transformed
December 26, 2014

As the Met Prepares to Move into the Whitney’s Old Building, A Madison Avenue Block Is Transformed

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All eyes have been on the construction of Renzo Piano's new downtown home for the Whitney Museum, set to open in May. But let's not forget about what's happening to the Whitney's old Marcel Breuer-designed building on Madison Avenue and 75th Street. The Brutalist building opened in 1966 and has since dominated its Upper East Side surroundings. It's set to be taken over as a satellite location for the Metropolitan Museum of Art to showcase their contemporary and modern art collections when it reopens in March 2016. And though the Met will not alter the façade of the landmarked museum building, its surroundings will certainly look different than in the Whitney's days. The biggest changes are happening right next door, where the row of six 19th-century Italianate and Greek Revival brownstones on Madison Avenue and two townhouses on East 74th Street are being reimagined as condos and retail space by developer and healthcare entrepreneur Daniel Straus, who bought the properties from the Whitney in 2010 for $95 million and subsequently was granted approval by the Landmarks Preservation Commission for their new design by Beyer Blinder Belle. According to the Times, who profiled the development, the flurry of construction could be considered "the Met effect."
More on the development here
Real Estate Wire: Williamsburg Development Site Sells for Record-Setting $40M; Plaza Condo Drops Price by $15M
December 26, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Williamsburg Development Site Sells for Record-Setting $40M; Plaza Condo Drops Price by $15M

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Sale of two Williamsburg buildings on Bedford Avenue for $40 million sets a new record. [Crain’s] Extell employs holograms to market its One Riverside Park condominium. [NYT] Google is expanding its footprint in Chelsea, creating a 3.5-million-square-foot urban tech campus. [WSJ] Art Deco Plaza condo drops asking price by $15 million. [Curbed] Images: Rendering of the new […]

Get Your Chef On in Restaurateur Keith McNally’s Greenwich Village Townhouse for $25K/Month
December 23, 2014

Get Your Chef On in Restaurateur Keith McNally’s Greenwich Village Townhouse for $25K/Month

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Restaurateur Keith McNally is offering up his Greenwich Village townhouse again, fully furnished, for $25,000 per month. The four-story, 3,600-square-foot space is brimming with charm and features four bedrooms and a separate studio. Best of all, it’s the place to bring your foodie friends to dine in the house that celebrated restaurants like Balthazar, Odeon, Café Luxembourg, Schiller’s, and Minetta Tavern built.
Take a closer look, here
So You Think You Know Everything About One57?
December 22, 2014

So You Think You Know Everything About One57?

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Well, you might want to think twice. Even though the city's most expensive condo building is also perhaps the most written-about (even the Times has run out of ways to describe it), there are still plenty of little-known facts about the 1,005-foot-tall tower. One57 is considered the crown jewel of what's been dubbed "Billionaire's Row," and can also be credited with launching the ultra-luxury building boom. Developed by Extell's Gary Barnett and designed by Pritzker-winning architect Christian de Portzamparc, the sleek tower is currently the second tallest structure in the city. And that's just the beginning.
Bone up on your One57 factoids here
REVEALED: NoMad Tower by FR-EE; Is It a Cowbell, Exclamation Point, or Cheese Grater?
December 19, 2014

REVEALED: NoMad Tower by FR-EE; Is It a Cowbell, Exclamation Point, or Cheese Grater?

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Another exclamation point in a year of seemingly endless skyscraper unveilings has appeared on the city's "to-build list" with a possible rendering of a long-proposed mixed-use tower slated for the heart of NoMad. This exclamatory statement comes from the Mexico-based office of Fernando Romero EnterprisE (FR-EE). Never heard of them? Then check out their website and browse the bold work we New Yorkers too often miss out on. If the selection of FR-EE is official, Ziel Feldman’s HFZ Capital would join a growing list of New York developers bitten by the design bug. Developers like Hines, Rosen, Related, and Extell have led the way in commissioning big name, often foreign, architects to pen skyline-shifting projects aimed at the top of the market. HFZ also commissioned British-based David Chipperfield Architects to design a dignified 30-story tower along the southern edge of Bryant Park.
More details on the 50-story tower here
Vote for 2014’s Building of the Year!
December 17, 2014

Vote for 2014’s Building of the Year!

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There is no shortage of towers on the rise in Manhattan, but amongst these glass and stone beauties are a handful that stand head and shoulders (and several hundred feet) above the rest. A red hot real estate market and cutting edge building technology have paved the way for towers of both unprecedented heights and prices. But worthy of equal credit are the visionary developers and architects who dare to change the NYC skyline. Here we've handpicked 12 of the most newsworthy buildings of 2014; these towers boast groundbreaking designs and record-breaking (or soon to be record-breaking) prices. But we ask you: Out of the dozen, which deserves the title "Building of the Year?" Cast a vote above to help us decide which is 2014's most important tower! Extended by popular demand… Voting ends TODAY, December 12th at 11:59 PM WEDNESDAY, December 17th at 11:59 PM and we’ll reveal the winner on Friday, December 19th. And if you’re still torn between two (or all), jump ahead for the low-down on each, from height to 2014 news highlights.
More on each of the buildings here
EVENT: Here’s Your Chance to Check Out Billionaire Peter Brant’s Converted Con Ed Station
December 15, 2014

EVENT: Here’s Your Chance to Check Out Billionaire Peter Brant’s Converted Con Ed Station

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Now's your chance to get a look into one of the city's coolest spaces. EV Grieve tells us that from now through Sunday, the curious yellow brick building located at 421 East 6th Street will open its doors to the public for its first art show featuring Dan Colen. The former Con Ed substation was recently purchased for $27 million by billionaire Peter Brant from the estate of the late Walter de Maria, the famed sculptor who converted the 16,402-square-foot structure into an incredible home and studio back in the '80s. The event is sure to delight, if not for the artist's work (which ARTnews dubs "deeply mediocre"), then at least for the chance to get a first glimpse into the extraordinary space. Nondescript and gritty on the outside, the building’s cavernous interior spaces boast ceilings as high as 32 feet, and plenty of the near-century-old substation's original details remain intact.
Find out more here
$2M Victorian Diamond in the Rough Could Be Your Next Dream Home
December 12, 2014

$2M Victorian Diamond in the Rough Could Be Your Next Dream Home

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Sometimes finding your dream home starts with a diamond in the rough. For those willing to put in a little sweat equity, that grubby little rock can be polished to perfection, revealing a rare gem. Okay, this home isn’t exactly a grubby little rock. It’s actually a stately Victorian on one of Ditmas Park’s best blocks. The $2.199 million house is on the market for the first time in 24 years—and it definitely looks like it hasn’t been updated during that time. But in every ugly duckling there’s a beautiful swan and this five-bedroom home's potential is undeniable.
Take a look, here
14 Hip Holiday Markets and Indie Pop-Up Shops in NYC

Capsule Market Square.

December 5, 2014

14 Hip Holiday Markets and Indie Pop-Up Shops in NYC

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As December dawns, the holiday gift markets roll in, and it’s harder than ever to turn around in NYC without encountering a pop-up shop or makeshift mall offering everything anyone could ever want–whether they know it yet or not–for the body, mind, soul and home. We've assembled a list of smaller, cooler pop-ups and holiday markets that mix music, food and fun freebies like haircuts, goodie bags and beer with this year’s selection of clever, crafty gifts.
Find out where to get the goods, this way
Walk This Way: How Observant Jews Shop for Real Estate with the Torah in Mind
December 4, 2014

Walk This Way: How Observant Jews Shop for Real Estate with the Torah in Mind

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Certain neighborhoods are becoming increasingly sought after by observant Jews—but in keeping with what is written in the Torah, apartment hunting can be a formidable undertaking. Observant Jews not only have to deal with New York City’s low vacancy rate but they need to find a home that, most importantly, is within walking distance to shul (synagogue) from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday and some Jewish holidays—owing to the fact that Sabbath obligations, of which there are a lot, do not allow one to drive a car. It goes against what’s written in the Torah to start or extinguish fires during the Sabbath, and, well, cars burn fuel. And by the way, this also means cooking only one, single, solitary item.
Find out more here
Roman and Williams-Designed Brooklyn Brownstone is an Eclectic Mix of Curiosities
December 3, 2014

Roman and Williams-Designed Brooklyn Brownstone is an Eclectic Mix of Curiosities

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Interior design buffs are undoubtedly familiar with J. Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons's former home; it was featured in countless magazines and blogs, hailed for its mix of traditional pieces with mid-century modern and pops of color. But in 2012, after a bidding war that included prospective buyers being asked to write personal essays, she sold the 19th century Park Slope pad for $4 million to Vince Clarke, founder of Depeche Mode, and his wife Tracy Martin, CEO of the Morbid Anatomy Museum. And needless to say, they gave the 4,000-square-foot home quite the overhaul, infusing it with a mix of historic styles and curious touches that could serve double duty in Martin's taxidermy-filled museum. The masterminds behind the transformation were Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, the founders of design firm Roman and Williams, who created a home that looks like it was furnished in the last century. Their goal was to embrace the home’s historic details while achieving an idiosyncratic and moody approach.
Tour the curiosity-filled home here
10 Sullivan Street Leads Western Soho Residential Development
December 1, 2014

10 Sullivan Street Leads Western Soho Residential Development

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Back in June, units at 10 Sullivan Street in Soho hit the market. The 16-story, Cary Tamarkin-designed building is shaped like a mini Flatiron Building, and due to its height and scale, many consider it grossly out of place. But regardless of one's opinion, the scheduled completion of the triangular condo in late 2015 will cement western Soho's turn from primarily commercial to residential, a trend shared with adjacent neighborhood Hudson Square.
More on 10 Sullivan Street and western Soho's transformation
Real Estate Wire: Is Jersey City the Next Cultural Hub?; Landmarks Denies Glass Topper for Tammany Hall
November 26, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Is Jersey City the Next Cultural Hub?; Landmarks Denies Glass Topper for Tammany Hall

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Taking a look at the cultural rise of Jersey City. [NYT] Why are Brooklyn neighborhoods getting so hard to tell apart? [NYO] Landmarks Preservation Commission denies BKSK Architect’s glass topper proposal for Tammany Hall. [Curbed] Manhattan’s getting 14 million square feet of office space by 2019. [WSJ] Images: Jersey City via Singing With Light via photopin […]

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Sell Their Charming Bedford Farmhouse for $7.5M
November 24, 2014

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Sell Their Charming Bedford Farmhouse for $7.5M

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It looks like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are bidding adieu to their "tiny" six-bedroom, six-bath brick Colonial up in Bedford. According to the LA Times, the couple have just sold the home for $7.5 million—a bit under their $8.1M August asking price, but well above the $5.1 million they originally paid for it. Bedford residents, however, shouldn't say their goodbyes just yet; Michael and Catherine will still be staying in the area. In October, after ending their separation, the pair snagged a $11.25 million, 15,458-square-foot stunner boasting eight bedrooms, 13.5 baths and 13 acres (Talk about a fresh start!). While the recently-sold home is quite demure when compared to their new estate, the updated 1930s farmhouse has plenty of charm and comes complete with 5.7 bucolic acres of its own, surrounded by a horse farm on three sides.
More inside here
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