All articles by Dana Schulz

Dana is a writer and preservationist with a passion for all things New York.  After graduating from New York University with a BA in Urban Design & Architecture Studies, she worked at the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, where she planned the organization's public programs and wrote for their blog Off the Grid. In her free time, she leads walking tours about the social and cultural history of city neighborhoods. Follow her on Twitter @danaschulzNYC.
BOUNCE Collection by Véronique Baer Will Make Your Foam Matress Jealous
June 23, 2014

BOUNCE Collection by Véronique Baer Will Make Your Foam Matress Jealous

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Comfy foam is not just for mattresses and your grandma's slippers anymore.  The BOUNCE Collection by Véronique Baer is made up of sculptural foam seating that can be adapted as chairs, stools, ottomans, and even chaise lounges.  The quilted pieces transform to the body that sits on them, and when that person gets up they bounce back to their original form. Véronique Baer had three goals when creating the BOUNCE collection: to create an adaptable seat that would offer maximum comfort; keep production simple and the product affordable; and bring joy to the user.
More about the joyful collection this way
OKUM’s oon Power Outlet Makes the Boring Extension Cord Fun
June 23, 2014

OKUM’s oon Power Outlet Makes the Boring Extension Cord Fun

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Next to the desk at which I'm currently sitting is an unattractive, jumbled mess of extension cords. I've always figured this was an inevitable way of life, until I saw the oon power outlet by OKUM.  The fun and functional product is a flexible, cloth-covered cable that stretches up to six feet and has painted wooden blocks strung on it.  Made of Connecticut hard maple, three cubes are outfitted with sockets that can be rotated to accommodate blocky adapters, while smooth spheres prevent tangling.
Say goodbye to your white extension cord and learn more about oon here
Here Comes the Sun…In This Industrial Tribeca Loft Complete with Artist’s Studio
June 20, 2014

Here Comes the Sun…In This Industrial Tribeca Loft Complete with Artist’s Studio

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That's right, little darling, we have here a sun-soaked duplex apartment that will make you want to belt out Beatles' tunes.  The 2BR/1BA apartment at 74 Reade Street comes complete with 3,000 square feet of flexible space and a live/work permit — the perfect combination for an artist or entrepreneur looking to personalize their home. Apartment 1E is listed for $3.1 million. Its selling point is most definitely the abundance of natural light that shines in through the full wall of double-height windows on the first floor and large, geometric skylights that grace each bedroom.  The open floor plan, huge exposed brick walls, and 15-foot tin ceilings add to the bright, airy feel of the apartment.
sun, sun, sun...more this way
Brownstone of Park Slope’s “Original Gentrifiers” Sells for $3 Million
June 19, 2014

Brownstone of Park Slope’s “Original Gentrifiers” Sells for $3 Million

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When Evelyn and Everett Ortner bought their Park Slope brownstone at 272 Berkeley Place in 1963 for $32,000 they probably never imaged it would sell 50 years later for over $3 million.  But it was their own historically sensitive and forward-looking vision that helped revitalize the area and make it a much-sought-after Brooklyn neighborhood. The Ortners moved to Park Slope when brownstones were unfashionable and the rich turned their noses down at the area.  They convinced their friends to also buy brownstones in the neighborhood. Evelyn was an interior designer specializing in period interiors, and the couple meticulously restored their home down to every last historic detail.  After a 25th anniversary trip to France, where they were inspired by local preservationists working to conserve a crumbling castle in Normandy, Mr. and Mrs. Ortner dedicated themselves to historic preservation efforts in Park Slope until their deaths in 2006 and 2012.
See the results of the couple's tireless passion
Printhouse Lofts are Ready to Make Their Mark on the Williamsburg Real Estate Scene
June 18, 2014

Printhouse Lofts are Ready to Make Their Mark on the Williamsburg Real Estate Scene

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If you follow Williamsburg real estate news, you likely read about a lot of glassy waterfront towers and swanky hotels.  It's refreshing, therefore, to hear about the Printhouse Lofts, a new residential development housed in a 104-year-old manufacturing building that seamlessly blends historic character with modern design. Located at 139 North 10th Street, the site originally housed a printmaking company and was later a toy factory.  After failed conversion attempts by two different developers, Greystone bought the property last year for $15.8 million and undertook an adaptive reuse project that resulted in 36 fabulous apartments.
Take a tour through one of these stunners
Time Warner V.P. Unloads Upper West Side Condo for $4.3 Million
June 17, 2014

Time Warner V.P. Unloads Upper West Side Condo for $4.3 Million

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A strikingly elegant co-op apartment at 375 West End Avenue has for $4.3 million, according to city records.  The seller, Paul T. Cappuccio, Vice President and General Counsel at Time Warner, Inc., bought the 5BR/3.5BA unit in July 2011 for $3.5 million, netting him an almost $1 million profit. The handsome, 2,400-square-foot space is a mix of traditional design and convenient, modern touches.  Stunning, detailed moldings and shiny herringbone hardwood floors work alongside barely-there recessed lighting and a contemporary, marble bathroom.  Ten-foot ceilings and large windows framed by panel molding are decorative elements that harken back to the building's prewar construction, while custom walk-in closets and a laundry room with full-size washer/dryer are 21st-century touches.
Take a look at the rest of this swoon-worthy pad
Downtown Flips: Four of the Biggest Moneymakers of All Time
June 13, 2014

Downtown Flips: Four of the Biggest Moneymakers of All Time

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At any given hour when you turn on a home design television channel you have about a 50% chance of landing on a realty show about flipping houses.  In real life, though, it's not all hunky property brothers and fairy tale endings; trying to flip a house is a gamble, which is why oftentimes the most successful flippers are those on the inside, like real estate developers and seasoned brokers. For anyone looking to make a flip, New York is ripe with opportunity thanks to low inventory and a constant race to be bigger and better.  Within the city, Downtown Manhattan is the ripest fruit on the vine.  Full of highly desirable, trendy neighborhoods, it's a hot bed for investors.  There's no textbook definition of a flip, but it's generally thought of as a three-year turnover.  Downtown there have been 58 apartment swaps within the past three years.  We take a look at some of the greatest hits.
This way for all the triumphant flips
Tribeca Loft That Wouldn’t Sell Will Be Just as Happy as a $45K/Month Rental
June 12, 2014

Tribeca Loft That Wouldn’t Sell Will Be Just as Happy as a $45K/Month Rental

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When the going gets tough...put your massive Tribeca condo on the rental market for $45,000/month.  Well, at least that's what the owners of Apartment 1 at 16 Jay Street recently did after trying to sell the pad since April 2011.  Available immediately, the space can come furnished or unfurnished. Known in the design community for its sweeping cast-iron and mahogany staircase that was welded together inside the home in the shape of a double ellipsis, this floor-through apartment occupies the entire 4,200 square feet of 16 Jay Street's first floor.  It has 3BR/3BA and a 900-square-foot patio that contains a 25-foot-high sculpture and heated limestone flooring.
The interior excitement continues here
Five NYC Firms Named to Van Alen Institute’s International Council of Architecture & Urban Design
June 11, 2014

Five NYC Firms Named to Van Alen Institute’s International Council of Architecture & Urban Design

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The Van Alen Institute has convened its new International Council of architecture, planning, and design leaders in Venice, Italy during the Biennale this month.  The inaugural group represents 13 firms from across more than 17 cities and ten countries.  Five of these Council members have offices in NYC — Allied Works Architecture, BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), Jan Gehl Architects, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, and Snohetta.
More details here
Philip Johnson-Designed Sony Building to Get 96 Luxury Condos by Chetrit Group
June 10, 2014

Philip Johnson-Designed Sony Building to Get 96 Luxury Condos by Chetrit Group

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The Philip Johnson-designed Sony Tower at 550 Madison Avenue, one of the most notable postmodern office towers in New York City, is set to be partially converted to high-end condos, as states planes filed by developer Chetrit Group.  It's not known which of the building's 37 floors the residential units will occupy, but Chetrit, led by Joseph Chetrit, has said in the past that it will convert the upper floors and either keep the lower floors as offices or turn them into a luxury hotel. Construction likely won't begin for at least one to two years since Sony still leases office space.  When the developer purchased the building from Sony in 2013 for $1.1 billion at auction, Sony committed to remaining in the offices for around three years until moving to a new space near Madison Square.  Chetrit outbid 21 rivals and paid $685 million more for the building than Sony did in 2002.
Find out more about the development here
Country-Chic Apartment in Village Townhouse Finds a Buyer for $1.8M
June 9, 2014

Country-Chic Apartment in Village Townhouse Finds a Buyer for $1.8M

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No, we didn't get these pictures from the pages of Country Living magazine, but this stylish home most certainly could grace its cover.  The 3BR/2BA apartment in a Greenwich Village Greek Revival townhouse recently sold for $1.795 million through a listing held by Corcoran.  Apartment 3FR at 288 West 12th Street is a 950-square-foot, floor-through unit that has been thoughtfully restored to emphasize the home's pre-war character.  Original details include three wood-burning fireplaces, wide-plank yellow pine floors, and leaded-glass windows.
Right this way for more design details
Palaces for the People: Where to See the Timeless Tiled Works of Guastavino in NYC

Photo by John-Paul Palescandolo 

June 7, 2014

Palaces for the People: Where to See the Timeless Tiled Works of Guastavino in NYC

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In New York, many of the grand Beaux-Arts masterpieces — Grand Central Terminal, the Queensboro Bridge, the City Hall subway station, Columbia University, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine — have one striking element in common: Guastavino tiles. Spanish architect and builder Rafael Guastavino and his son Rafael Jr. brought with them to New York at the end of the 19th century a Mediterranean design technique from the 14th century for thin-tile structural vaulting. The expertly engineered and architecturally beautiful vaults were lightweight, fireproof, load-bearing, cost-efficient, and able to span large interior areas. Today there are over 250 Guastavino works in New York City alone, not to mention the 1,000 throughout the U.S. The Museum of the City of New York's current exhibition, Palaces for the People: Guastavino and the Art of Structural Tile, explores Guastavinos's spaces in New York and showcases "never-before-seen objects, artifacts, photographs, and documents." We couldn't help doing a little Guastavino exploration ourselves, and have put together some of our favorite tiled sites that you can actually visit.
See our picks right this way
Historic Townhouse with Rear Carriage House Finds a Buyer for $6.25M
June 6, 2014

Historic Townhouse with Rear Carriage House Finds a Buyer for $6.25M

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In one of the city's most charming residential pockets, a turn-of-the-century townhouse with a lovely combination of historic details and modern touches has sold for $6.25 million through a listing held by the Corcoran Group. 251 East 61st Street is a four-story brick home with an exceptionally rare two-story rear carriage house.  The 5BR/3.5BA townhouse went through a recent renovation that included refinishing the hardwood floors and repainting the front facade and interior walls.
See what else this beauty has in store
A Closer Look at NoMad – Manhattan’s “New” Neighborhood
June 5, 2014

A Closer Look at NoMad – Manhattan’s “New” Neighborhood

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New York's ever-changing culture is reflected in the surge of new neighborhood names that have sprung up recently — LeDel (below Delancey Street), RAMBO (right around the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), or, one of the most inventive, BoCoCa (the area that is intersected by Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens). Fortunately or unfortunately, none of these creative monikers have stuck. One that has, though, is NoMad (north of Madison Square Park), bound by 25th Street, 30th Street, Avenue of the Americas, and Lexington Avenue. NoMad has become a go-to place for culture, food, business, and residential opportunities. During the last five years, the neighborhood has seen price-per-square-foot averages rise by 40 percent; the average price per square foot for a condo is now $1,791 compared with $1,279 in 2010.
How did this transformation in NoMad occur? Find out here.
Art Collector Sells Massive SoHo Simplex for $4.5 Million to Reportedly Pesky Neighbors
June 4, 2014

Art Collector Sells Massive SoHo Simplex for $4.5 Million to Reportedly Pesky Neighbors

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It's New York. We live in close proximity and have all had those annoying neighbors — the man that moves his furniture around in the middle of the night, the college students that blast electronic music, and the couple with the dog that never stops howling. It's not every day, though, that you get neighbors operating a full-on filming studio out of their home, but that's exactly what Chelsea residents accused interior designer Betsy Morgan and her husband Jonathan Cary of, according to the New York Post. It was reported that Morgan was illegally advertising her $6 million West 21st Street townhouse on numerous websites for film locations and photography shoots at the rate of $850 per day, the ruckus from which did not make neighbors happy. The couple is now making headlines again by purchasing the city's largest available simplex at 84 Mercer Street. The $4.5 million, 9,000-square-foot loft is definitely camera worthy with its original wooden beams and columns, huge open layout, and remarkable potential for displaying art, but let's hope Ms. Morgan will not be bringing any outside cameras into her new pad.
More about the artsy past owners and the gorgeous digs this way
Perfectly Picturesque Tribeca Penthouse is Off the Market
June 3, 2014

Perfectly Picturesque Tribeca Penthouse is Off the Market

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Finding your perfect apartment is much like selecting a significant other--it needs to be comforting, make you feel happy and safe, jive with your lifestyle, and, most importantly, be so attractive you can't keep your hands off it. We'd bet that the new owners of the penthouse at 47 Murray Street are currently in the honeymoon phase with their new digs.  They snatched up the 3BR/3BA home for $4.76 million through a listing with Douglas Elliman, and what they received is a 2,825-square-foot duplex loft with two terraces, 13-foot ceilings, 9.5-foot windows, modern finishes, and plenty of wall space for an art display.
The love story continues here
Set Designer for Saturday Night Live Buys Artsy SoHo Loft
June 2, 2014

Set Designer for Saturday Night Live Buys Artsy SoHo Loft

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Leo Yoshimura, a set designer and art director for late night television shows like Saturday Night Live and the Late Show with Conan O'Brien, has purchased unit 5W at SoHo's 565 Broadway for $4.2 million through a listing held by Keller Williams.  This is a D2 class/artist in residence building, meaning it's a former industrial site that was converted to residential and now its apartments must be inhabited by a certified artist. The artistically designed loft seamlessly blends historic character with sleek modernism.  Original columns punctuate the 2,740-square-foot 3BR/3BA space, which retains its large windows and high ceilings.  The interior window cutouts let natural light traverse the entire unit, as does the contemporary frosted glass divider that leads into the boldly painted red den.
More details this way
The Great Outdoors: 6 Luxurious NYC Penthouses with Envy-Inducing Outdoor Spaces to Boot
May 30, 2014

The Great Outdoors: 6 Luxurious NYC Penthouses with Envy-Inducing Outdoor Spaces to Boot

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Warmer temperatures are finally here, and New Yorkers are well on their way to planning their summer trips — to the Hamptons, Berkshires, Jersey Shore, and any other location where they can relax and soak up the sun. The one problem with all of these destinations, though, is the travel. No one wants to wait in traffic on the Jersey Turnpike or sit on a crowded Jitney bus. So wouldn't it be nice if you could enjoy the nice weather without leaving home? At these six stunning penthouses you can, thanks to their beautiful outdoor spaces.
All the urban oases right this way
Fifth Avenue Apartment with Views of the Met Changes Hands from One Financial Pro to Another
May 29, 2014

Fifth Avenue Apartment with Views of the Met Changes Hands from One Financial Pro to Another

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Crunching numbers all day as one of the leading financial advisors at USB can't be an easy task, so it makes perfect sense why Louise F. Gunderson chose to make this tranquil, inviting apartment her new home. The crystal-clear views of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park Reservoir probably don't hurt either. Ms. Gunderson purchased a unit at 1035 Fifth Avenue for $4.75 million through a listing held by Lisa K. Lippman and Scott Moore at Brown Harris Stevens. The seller, Sylvan Schefler, head of the Investment Banking Department at Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., likely had the same idea when he acquired the co-op in 1999. The large single-pane tilt and turn windows of this 2BR/3BA home let in tons of natural light and perfectly frame the uniquely Upper East Side views. High ceilings and hardwood flooring throughout are two of the lovely prewar details, while updated touches like custom built-in shelving and charming window seats create a modern, urban feel.
More on the apartment right this way
Loft in Former Celeb Haven at 30 Crosby Street Finds a Buyer for $7.8 Million
May 28, 2014

Loft in Former Celeb Haven at 30 Crosby Street Finds a Buyer for $7.8 Million

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Alicia Keys hired a crane when she moved out; Lenny Kravitz reportedly liked to show off his abs to his neighbors; Courtney Love allegedly had a little too much fun in the lobby — this is just some of the gossip from the former rich-and-famous tenants of 30 Crosby Street. In recent years, though, the residents have shifted from A-list celebrities to "everyday millionaires", and instead of Grammy-winning singers and hard-partying actresses, the Nolita building is now home to rich guys like the recent buyer of unit 3B, Justin Leverenz, Director of Emerging Market Equities at Oppenheimer, who purchased the apartment for $7.8 million, according to city records filed yesterday afternoon. The seller was music industry executive Daniel Pelson who paid $2.55 million for the home in 2001. Mr. Pelson listed the property through Town Residential’s Tinnie Sassano. What Mr. Leverenz acquired is a 4,164-square-foot, 3BR/3BA loft full of original historic details, including 19th century rough-hewn wooden columns, pinewood flooring, and exposed brick walls, mixed with contemporary additions like an Italian limestone wood-burning fireplace and a sleek, retro kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances and slab marble countertops.
Check out the rest of the digs this way
Diane von Furstenberg’s Penthouse Sparkles Above Her Meatpacking HQ
May 27, 2014

Diane von Furstenberg’s Penthouse Sparkles Above Her Meatpacking HQ

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The headquarters of the "Queen of the Wrap Dress" (ladies, you know what I'm talking about if you've ever stood in line for one of these sample sales!) is well known for the big, geometric glass structure that sits perched atop the traditional Meatpacking District building. Not so well known, though, is that inside this rooftop crystal is Ms. von Furstenberg's penthouse apartment.  And just as you'd expect, the space is full of all of the sleek, yet glamorous style that the designer expresses in her clothing. Conceptualized by Work Architecture, the Diane von Furstenberg headquarters was adapted from this landmarked meat market building to house the firm's flagship store, administrative offices, and production space. The re-imagined rooftop is not only an apartment, but a garden oasis. The staircase, dubbed the "stairdelier" by the architects since it is lined with Swarovski crystals, ties the live/work space together and is its crowning jewel. Descending diagonally through the building's six stories, it reflects light throughout the entire interior.
More about the sparkling staircase and all of the interior eye candy this way
Light-Filled Lincoln Center Apartment Gets Lucky New Buyer
May 22, 2014

Light-Filled Lincoln Center Apartment Gets Lucky New Buyer

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At 3 Lincoln Center (a.k.a. 160 West 66th Street), residents have the bragging rights of living in the only residential building in the Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts complex. And wouldn't you brag too if right outside your window was the Metropolitan Opera House and Juilliard? Apartment 46A is home to the most recent boaster. Sold for $3.9 million, the 1,562-square-foot unit has splendid north - and west - facing panoramic views that can be taken in through the huge, wraparound windows. The 9.5-foot ceilings add to the bright openness of this 2BD/2.5BA apartment.
Check out all the magnificent views and interiors this way
Five Opulent and Ornate Spaces Looking for an Occupant
May 21, 2014

Five Opulent and Ornate Spaces Looking for an Occupant

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Anyone who's gone apartment hunting in Manhattan knows it can get a little monotonous — the bone-white walls, standard hardwood floors, and typical layouts. Sometimes the blank canvas just isn't enough; sometimes you need a little oomph. For those of you who enjoy ogling beautiful homes that have been carefully designed and expertly decorated, we've rounded up five opulent and ornate spaces currently looking for an occupant.
See all the stunning spaces this way!
10 New York Neighborhoods for Artists Now

Update: Check out our 2017 edition for the latest!

May 20, 2014

10 New York Neighborhoods for Artists Now

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It’s become all too common in New York City — artists move into a neighborhood, make it trendy and culturally vibrant, and then are forced out by rising rents. It happened in Greenwich Village, Soho, the East Village, DUMBO, and Williamsburg. Do not be disheartened, though, there are still plenty of artist enclaves with thriving creative communities. Ahead are our ten current frontrunners — some may surprise you!
Where the artists are flocking
Picture-Perfect Apartment in the Trump International Finds a Buyer
May 20, 2014

Picture-Perfect Apartment in the Trump International Finds a Buyer

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The Donald has no shortage of high-rise real estate accolades, but the Trump International Hotel & Tower, located at 1 Central Park West, is considered by many one of his most successful developments. Adapted from a former office tower in 1997, it soars 44 stories above Columbus Circle with stunning views of Central Park and the Hudson River. The lower 22 floors are occupied by a hotel, while the upper 22 contain 158 modern, sunny private residences that are nothing short of trump-tacular. Unit 23D, which recently sold for $8.55 million through Ido Berniker at Mercer Partners, is no exception to the billionaire-worthy design. The 3BR/3.5BA apartment has 10-foot ceilings, as well as sleek modern finishes that really make the interior shine.
More about the spectacular home this way
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