All articles by Diane Pham

Diane is the founder and Editorial Director of 6sqft. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Real Estate Finance & Development and a minor in Architecture, she enjoyed stints at SCI-Arc, the A+D Museum Los Angeles, Perkins Eastman Architects and Resolution 4: Architecture. She also previously served as Senior Editor of Inhabitat.com and spent several years as an analyst at CB Richard Ellis Investments in Milan, Italy.
Real Estate Wire: NYC is Filled with Illegal Greenhouses; Elle Macpherson UES Apartment
October 17, 2014

Real Estate Wire: NYC is Filled with Illegal Greenhouses; Elle Macpherson UES Apartment

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Is your apartment greenhouse illegal? Some New Yorkers are turning their greenhouses into extended indoor living spaces. [NYT] Elle Macpherson sells her pied-à-terre at East 68th Street for $2.4 million. [WSJ] More developments are coming to Renwick Street in northern Tribeca and people are loving it. [WSJ] Durst Organization is officially the new builder of Hallets […]

Mayor De Blasio Finds a Tenant for His Park Slope Home
October 17, 2014

Mayor De Blasio Finds a Tenant for His Park Slope Home

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All the buzz surrounding Mayor De Blasio's home has yielded some great results for NYC's First Family. Bill and his wife Chirlane McCray have rented their house to the first folks who came to check out the property located at 442 11th Street. De Blasio listed the Park Slope home less than two weeks ago through Brooklyn Properties for $4,975 a month. Let's take a look inside...
Find out more
New Proposal Could Pave the Way for a Harlem High Line Park
October 16, 2014

New Proposal Could Pave the Way for a Harlem High Line Park

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The success of the High Line Park continues to inspire all corners of the world—including Queens—and now the latest neighborhood to jump on the elevated park bandwagon is Harlem. DNA Info reports a nonprofit called the Housing Partnership has proposed a plan to bring 2,000 affordable housing units and $170 million dedicated to public projects in Hamilton Heights. The new park encompassed within the nonprofit's 'Harlem Promenade' plan would run alongside the West Side Highway atop a portion of Amtrak rail lines.
More on the proposed harlem high line project here
Real Estate Wire: 99-Year Lease Inked for Ice-Rink in the Bronx Armory; Campbell’s Soup Heiress Buys a New Pad
October 16, 2014

Real Estate Wire: 99-Year Lease Inked for Ice-Rink in the Bronx Armory; Campbell’s Soup Heiress Buys a New Pad

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80-year-old Campbell’s soup heiress Hope van Beuren bought a $5M home at 1 East 66th Street. [NYDN] The city has signed a 99-year lease for the Bronx’ Kingsbridge National Ice Center, the highly anticipated ice-rink planned for the Bronx Armory. [CO] American Idol creator Rich Fuller sells two of his Plaza apartments for $38M. [NYP] Neiman Marcus CEO Karen […]

75% of Grand Central’s $210M Renovation Money Will Go to the 4, 5, 6 Trains
October 15, 2014

75% of Grand Central’s $210M Renovation Money Will Go to the 4, 5, 6 Trains

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New York City's most taxed line is about to get a sizable cash infusion. Of the $210 million that developer SL Green Realty has budgeted for improving Grand Central's subway station for the green light to construct a 65-story office tower next door, more than 75% will go toward the Lexington Avenue line, Crain's reports. Yesterday, a 63-page study was delivered to Manhattan's Community Board 5 and to transportation advocates who have called for Midtown East's rezoning to include improvements to transportation infrastructure to meet current demand as well as the influx of nearly 16,000 workers as new lines are drawn. So where exactly will the money go?
Where will the money will go?
Real Estate Wire: NYU’s $6B Expansion Moves Forward; All the Places That Have Been Compared to Brooklyn
October 14, 2014

Real Estate Wire: NYU’s $6B Expansion Moves Forward; All the Places That Have Been Compared to Brooklyn

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NYU just got the green light for its $6B expansion. [DNA Info] All the places the New York Times has compared Brooklyn to. [City Lab] Just six months after buying a $99 million Williamsburg retail and residential property, developer Joel Schreiber has flipped for $106 million. [TRD] The 346 Broadway conversion will include a snazzy penthouse. […]

After a Major Makeover, Gorgeous Clinton Hill Townhouse Lists for $3.35M
October 14, 2014

After a Major Makeover, Gorgeous Clinton Hill Townhouse Lists for $3.35M

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About a month ago we reported on the renovation of a Clinton Hill townhouse underway. Now it looks like the home has gotten its final wash of paint and the owners have put their pad on the market for cool $3.35 million. This fancy flip returns after having undergone quite a bit of work—and it's been bumped up from its $1.555 million closing price last winter (it was originally listed at $1.295 million). New bells and whistles include energy efficient boilers, two refurbished wood burning fireplaces, and a custom neo-angle chefs kitchen.
Look inside the updated digs here
IKEA’s ‘Life at Home’ Project Offers a Crazy Detailed Look Into New Yorkers’ Mornings
October 13, 2014

IKEA’s ‘Life at Home’ Project Offers a Crazy Detailed Look Into New Yorkers’ Mornings

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IKEA has made their way into homes across the world, but with their latest project 'Life at Home' the furniture giant finds themselves square at our breakfast tables. Although you may think that your mornings aren't all that different from someone in say Paris or London (or in the next cubicle for that matter), as New Yorkers we're pretty distinct in how we wake up, how we dress ourselves, and even how long we shower. The company's Life at Home report is the first of what will be a series of studies geared towards developing new home products in line with a particular city's waking habits. The report covers seven other cities, including Paris, Berlin, London, Moscow, but of course, we're going to bring you the top findings from their NYC study. Many of these were surprising...
How New Yorkers spend their mornings this way
Real Estate Wire: 432 Park Officially Tops Out Next Week; Don’t Blame Foreigners for Rising Prices
October 10, 2014

Real Estate Wire: 432 Park Officially Tops Out Next Week; Don’t Blame Foreigners for Rising Prices

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The Vinloly-designed tower at 432 Park Avenue will officially top out next week. The buidling is the tallest residential tower in the Western Hemisphere, and the second tallest tower in NYC. [Crain’s] BIG’s pyramid at 625 West 57th Street will also top out in the coming weeks. [NYDN] Foreign investors aren’t driving real estate prices up, […]

Real Estate Wire: ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Selling His Tribeca Home; $533 Domino Factory Rentals
October 8, 2014

Real Estate Wire: ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Selling His Tribeca Home; $533 Domino Factory Rentals

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The real-life “Wolf of Wall Street”, Alan Wilzig, is trying to sell his $4.5M Tribeca home on his own. [TRD] Domino’s first affordable rentals will be priced at $533 a month. [Brownstoner] Brandeis University is selling its Vanderbilt mansion for $33M. [WSJ] The landmark Lucerne Hotel will be getting a 13-story brick/limestone/terracotta-clad condo neighbor. [Curbed] Alan Wilzig […]

<b>INTERVIEW: Architect Andrew Franz, A Modernist But Not a Minimalist</b>
October 7, 2014

INTERVIEW: Architect Andrew Franz, A Modernist But Not a Minimalist

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Architect Andrew Franz first caught our eye when we spotted his incredible renovation of a West Village townhouse just months ago. Since then, we've often found ourselves ogling his site for design inspiration, further falling in love with his ability to blend the old with the new through thoughtful material choices and a unique use of light and space. It goes without saying Andrew is a standout amongst the city's seemingly inexhaustible supply of homogeneous architects. We recently caught up with Andrew to find out about some of his latest projects, how collaboration plays into his process, and how he approaches the design of homes and buildings in a dynamic and storied environment such as New York City. Keep reading to find out what he had to share with us.
Read our interview with Andrew here
Karim Rashid’s East Harlem HAP Building Gets a New Color Scheme After Much Opposition
October 7, 2014

Karim Rashid’s East Harlem HAP Building Gets a New Color Scheme After Much Opposition

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After much outcry, the Karim Rashid-designed residential building at 329 Pleasant Avenue in Harlem will be getting a new color scheme. According to the WSJ, locals have voted to scrap HAP Five's color-blocked magenta and turquoise design for a facade of simple white balconies with a less audacious “translucent cirrus with [a] graduated magenta balcony trim”.
Find out more here
Voyeuristic West Village Penthouse with See-Thru Tub Isn’t for Shy Inhabitants
October 6, 2014

Voyeuristic West Village Penthouse with See-Thru Tub Isn’t for Shy Inhabitants

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We recently caught up with architect Adam Kushner who's currently in the process of building the world's first 3D-printed estate up in Gardiner, New York. Though this project is what's garnered him the most attention lately, Kushner has always been one to experiment with new materials and methods of construction. One of his earliest projects is this modern duplex penthouse located in the heart of the West Village. Once home to Kushner himself, this pad—which has previously been called both "sexy" and "unconventional"—is all about pushing boundaries, and includes some surprising details that, well, we'll just say aren't for shy folks afraid of showing a little skin.
Tour this unique West Village penthouse
Real Estate Wire: Residential Developers Pulling Out of the Game; Rockaway Boardwalk Renewal Delayed
October 3, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Residential Developers Pulling Out of the Game; Rockaway Boardwalk Renewal Delayed

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Related Companies is the latest landlord to ask property managers to turn in tenants for listing their apartments on AirBnb. [TRD] Another potential residential development site in Tribeca could fetch $50M. [Crain’s] A Hudson Yards strip club may be turned into a 46-story residential tower. [TRD] Are too many luxury buildings being constructed? Some developers are opting to […]

One57’s First Flip Sees a $3.5 Million Profit Just Five Months Later
October 3, 2014

One57’s First Flip Sees a $3.5 Million Profit Just Five Months Later

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The first of what's sure to be many flips at One57 has just netted its seller a respectable $3.45 million profit, just five months after its purchase. According to NYDN, the former owner, Investor Sso Enterprises, paid $30.55 million for the 58th-floor three-bedroom back in May, now selling it off for $34 million to hedge fund manager Harvey Sandler and his wife.
Inside the massive apartment
Real Estate Wire: Karim Rashid’s HAP Four Hits a Pricey Snag; More High Line Condos Coming
September 30, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Karim Rashid’s HAP Four Hits a Pricey Snag; More High Line Condos Coming

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HAP Investment Developers’ plans for a Karim Rashid-designed rental at 653-667 West 187th Street have hit a bump in the road—they’re missing the parcel at 653 West 187th Street. [TRD] 36 new condos are coming to the High Line and they’ll be designed by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld. [Curbed] A downtown development site at 112, 114, 116 and 118 […]

NYC Buildings That Add Solar Panels Will Now Get an Even Bigger Tax Break
September 30, 2014

NYC Buildings That Add Solar Panels Will Now Get an Even Bigger Tax Break

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New York is serious about going green and Governor Cuomo just signed into law a bill to extend—and double—the possible tax breaks given to those who install solar panels on their properties. A press release notes that the break will offer a rebate of 5 percent on either the solar panel installation cost; property taxes the year panels are installed; or $62,500—whichever is less. The new bill is meant to offset the 25 percent higher cost of installing solar systems in the city due to stringent regulations and the complexity of building sites.
Find out more on here
Real Estate Wire: Robert A.M. Stern’s “Scaled-Down” Luxury; Controversial Astoria Cove Project Approved
September 29, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Robert A.M. Stern’s “Scaled-Down” Luxury; Controversial Astoria Cove Project Approved

By

Robert A.M. Stern, the architect behind 15 Central Park West, is bringing a new 17-story tower to 20 East End Avenue. The building—said to be less pricey than Stern’s others—will have 43 units starting at $4.5M. Penthouses will go for $20M. [NYT] New renderings and listings appear for One John Street. [Brownstoner] East New York’s rapidly rising […]

Even Wackier Design Emerges for an Earthship Home at 61 Pitt Street
September 29, 2014

Even Wackier Design Emerges for an Earthship Home at 61 Pitt Street

By
Some of you may remember a proposal from 3+ years ago to bring a sustainable Earthship home to 61 Pitt Street—a vacant Lower East Side lot zoned for a twelve-story building. The proposed design was the brainchild New Mexico-based architect Michael Reynolds and backed by local resident Ken Ruck who championed for its construction with the LES' Community Board 3. Surprisingly, the board wasn't against it, nor was the site's owner, but Ruck and Reynolds didn't make much headway beyond that meeting and quietly disappeared without any word on what would come next. Now fast forward to 2014, and Mr. Reynolds is back with a new and improved (but equally out-of-this-world) iteration that employs the popular floor-maximizing cantilever taking our city by storm.
More on the updated here
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