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.
May 19, 2014

Downtown Brooklyn Continues to Boom: Tallest Residential Tower in the Borough Now 50 Percent Leased

Downtown Brooklyn is booming across the board, and buyers are keen to get in on the changes afoot. Five months after hitting the market, Brooklyn’s tallest tower is filling out fast, with half of the units now leased. The SLCE Architects-designed residential skyscraper at 388 Bridge Street rises 590 feet, with 234 rentals and 144 […]

May 16, 2014

Market Snapshot: The Week of May 16, 2014

Flatiron and Midtown West have seen dramatic neighborhood price increases over the last 90 days. And surprise, surprise, sales in One Madison and the uber pricey, uber tall One57 are the two forces driving the change. Azad Ali talks about two decades spent preserving and restoring old homes in Prospect Park South, Ditmas Park and Midwood in Brooklyn. Fans of Breakfast at Tiffany’s will want to check out the $10 million listing for that little townhouse where fictional Holly Golightly entertained her many suitors. Learn about Mexico-born Ismael Leyva, the workhorse architect who has risen to prominence designing interiors for Related Companies projects like One Carnegie Hill, the TriBeCa Royale and The Brompton.   For market trends, cool listings and interesting tidbits about New York's most noteworthy buildings and neighborhoods, we turn to CityRealty‘s Weekly Market Snapshot for the scoop.
Get the full report here
May 14, 2014

Studio Gang’s Razor-Edged Glass Tower for the High Line Gets the Green Light

Studio Gang's bold move to open an office in NYC couldn't have come at a better time. The much admired studio led by Jeanne Gang just got the green light for their stunning angular glass structure, which will be sited right along the High Line on 10th Avenue between 13th and 14th streets. Dubbed the 'Solar Carve', the new construction will be designated for office and retail use, housing 10 stories behind a glassy serrated edge and asymmetrical curves. The design, in true Studio Gang fashion, keeps sustainability in mind, and the building's geometric form does follow function. The unique shape mitigates solar gain while taking advantage of the views between the High Line and the Hudson. A planted roof will also help cool the Solar Carve on hot days.
More renderings of Gang's first NYC project here
May 13, 2014

Works Commence on the BAM North and South Towers in Fort Greene

It's going to be a noisy summer for those living in the BAM Cultural District. Works have started on not one, but two of the glassy towers planned for the area. The two towers will be located at 286 Ashland Place and 590 Fulton Street, and are designed by Ten Arquitectos and FXFOWLE, respectively. Heavy machinery was recently delivered to the sites and excavation has begun. The two projects are part of a major re-haul of the area around BAM into a new cultural hub for Brooklyn.
More on the two towers here
May 9, 2014

A Look Inside Demi Moore’s Much Talked About San Remo Triplex

Demi Moore made news this week when word got out that she would be putting her San Remo triplex up for sale for a whopping $75 million. While no listing or photos of the 7,000-square-foot 145 Central Park West space have surfaced (apparently Moore is quietly showing it), one of 6sqft's reporters did some sleuthing and found these old black and whites from the Museum of the City of New York which pretty much meet the specs: of the two triplexes in San Remo today, one was made combining the only two-story unit in the building and the mechanical space above it. Moore and then hubby Bruce combined a two-story unit with the space above it... Though we're sure the decor has changed since the Spring of 1937 when it was occupied by Theodore C. Wiehe, with a little bit of imagination we bet you can fill in the gaps. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this blast from the past. And if you've got some money to spend, make Ms. Moore an offer. You'll also be granted the record of "the person to have spent the most money on a co-op ever". A win?
Inside the historic apartment
May 9, 2014

Market Snapshot: The Week of May 9, 2014

In the race to the top, which "blue chip" condominium building can call itself the best of the best? 15 Central Park West? One Madison? Or Does Donald Trump's tower along 5th Avenue reign supreme? Multi-tasking: Janet Jackson may soon be able to add the title ‘landlord’ to her resume. Which neighborhood has the most coveted real estate? Tribeca, the Flatiron District, Soho, or the West Village? Give us your best guess in the comments, and find out what buyers have been willing to fork over per square foot in our report.   For top sales, celebrity moves, and neighborhood market news, we turn to CityRealty's CR100 Quarterly Report for the scoop.
Check out the full report for the latest
May 6, 2014

UES Penthouse with East River Views in Every Room Sells for $14.9 Million to Former Presidential Hopeful

Who knew bloggers could afford $14.9 million apartments? David Alan Stockman, of David Stockman's Contra Corner (and other things discussed after the break), and his wife Jennifer, an art collector and the current president of the Guggenheim Foundation’s board of trustees, have just purchased a 5BR/6.5BA penthouse at 170 East End Avenue through brokers Andrea Wohl Lucas and Bruce Lucas of Corcoran. Though the building itself isn't much to look at, this 4,902-square-foot penthouse makes up for its stark, stacked exterior with a well-thought-out floor plan designed to make the most of the location's natural light and sweeping views of the East River, neighboring Carl Schurz Park, and the cityscape.
Have a look inside
May 1, 2014

NYC Condos Designed by Pritzker Prize Winners

The Pritzker Architecture Prize is architecture’s most acclaimed honor. Since 1979, the award has been given away annually to honor one living architect whose built work demonstrates consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment. New York City is home to structures built by 12 of the 36 past winners — ranging from Philip Johnson to I.M. Pei to this year's winner, Shigeru Ban — and currently holds 14 residential examples of their work. One other fascinating tidbit is that condos designed by Pritzker Prize winning architects are selling on average a whopping 44% higher (price/square foot) than those their respective neighborhoods, and 47.5% higher than the Manhattan market average. But are they worth the money? Learn more about them all ahead.
Are these Pritzker Laureate-designed condos worth their markup?
April 30, 2014

Modern Dance Legend Joan Miller’s Soho Loft Studio Sells for $1.5 Million

The late modern dance choreographer Joan Miller's Soho loft was just purchased for $1.5 million by film director Chiara Clemente and her partner Tyler John Thompson. The spacious, sun-filled loft is situated in a boutique, prewar, six-story co-op at the corner of Crosby and Grand Streets. The hip locale perfectly suits Clemente and Thompson's M.O. — the duo have been featured in all the coolest mags and sites, from Purple to W magazine to Opening Ceremony. Clemente has even worked with legendary photographer Bruce Weber.
Take a peek inside this stunning studio
April 30, 2014

Tishman-Speyer Pays $438 Million for Multiple Hudson Yards Parcels

Manhattan-based owner/developer Sherwood Equities has sold multiple Hudson Yards parcels to Tishman-Speyer for $200 million, reports Jeffrey Katz, Sherwood president, in a press release today. The sites are situated at the southeast corner of West 34th Street and Hudson Yards Boulevard, and at West 35th Street and Tenth Avenue, and neighbors another parcel purchased by […]

April 29, 2014

Explore the Homes of Brooklyn’s Most Interesting Residents on This Year’s Fort Greene House Tour

Fort Greene is easily one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in all of Brooklyn. With tree-lined streets and plenty of historic homes and churches throughout, just strolling its blocks will usually send you into a state of architectural splendor. This weekend is your chance to take a look inside these incredible spaces. Sponsored by the Fort Greene Association, this ambitious self-guided walking tour offers unique insights into the neighborhood's thriving new cultural district, as well as its coveted homes. See an assortment of townhouses and private residences, including a quirky brownstone featured in an episode of HBO’s hit series Girls!
Find out where to get tickets here
April 28, 2014

George Stephanopoulos Snags Another Apartment in His Lennox Hill Co-op for $2.2 Million

According to property records filed with the city in Friday, it appears that George Stephanopoulos is moving on up in his 30 East 72nd Street co-op! The Good Morning America co-anchor and his comedian wife, Alexandra “Ali” Wentworth, purchased a sizeable 2BR/2BA apartment located on the 10th floor of their current building for $2.2 million. The pair already own a 3,300-square-foot, ninth-floor apartment at the same property, purchased for $6.5 million in 2010. Word is that the couple will merge the two apartments into one luxurious home.
More on the deal here
April 24, 2014

Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy Scoop Up Painter David Deutsch’s Turtle Bay Townhome for $13.5 Million

After nearly nine months on the market, painter David Deutsch's Turtle Bay Gardens townhouse has been sold. Property records filed today show that Mary-Kate Olsen and her beau, Olivier Sarkozy, are the lucky buyers to scoop up Deutsch's beauty, paying $13.5 million for the home located at 226-228 East 49th Street. Deutsch's offer came in $3 million short of his $16.5 million ask, but it's worth mentioning that he bought the townhouse for just $2.45 million in 1997.
See more photos here
April 24, 2014

Artist Kara Walker’s Provocative New Exhibit Will Allow You to Tour the Domino Sugar Factory

Prolific artist, and Banksy-homage payee, Kara Walker will be kicking off her new show at the Domino Sugar refinery on Saturday, May 10th. Walker, who is best known for creating room-size tableaux of black cut-paper silhouettes that explore everything from race, gender, sexuality, and violence, will take over the 90,000-square-foot space for what’s to be her first large-scale public installation. […]

April 21, 2014

Condos at the Shigeru Ban-Designed Cast Iron House Now Up for Sale!

Want to live in a Pritzker prize winning architect-designed condo? Five units in the Shigeru Ban-designed Cast Iron House were placed on the market today, including the East penthouse. Designs for the 67 Franklin Street structure were approved two years ago, accompanied by plenty of accolades from community members and architecture enthusiasts alike. And now that Ban has added '2014 Pritzker Prize Laureate' to his resume, we expect these beauties to fly off the shelves in the coming months (You have heard of the Pritzker Prize-effect, right?). As it stands, the 2,990-square-foot 3BR/3BA on the second floor has an asking price of $4.975 million, while the 3,809-square-foot 4BR with 1,531-square-foot terrace East penthouse, has been listed for a cool $13 million.
More photos and floor plans ahead
April 18, 2014

Construction Begins on Manhattan’s Tallest Condominium Tower

Construction on the SHoP Architects-designed tower at 111 West 57th Street has finally begun! Yesterday evening, one of 6sqft's reporters walked past the site and took a quick snap of the newly arrived construction vehicles and equipment. The Manhattan giant, which will also be the world's slenderest tower, will rise 1,300-feet high, above a floor plate of around 60-feet wide. The building will host three elevators and each floor will be its own 5,000-square-foot apartment with 15-foot ceilings. And for those worried how wind load will affect the 76-story structure, a huge steel weight will be suspended within the top of the building to keep it from swaying (yikes).
More on the tower
April 17, 2014

Chelsea’s Walker Tower Finally Getting Its Finishing Touches

One of our intrepid reports stopped by the Walker Tower earlier today to check out how things are coming along at the 212 West 18th Street landmark. The tower — which has drawn buyers ranging from Cameron Diaz to Mike Thorne (that guy who discovered the Sex Pistols) — had its scaffolding removed just seven months ago and has already set new sales records for Downtown Manhattan (this includes an impressive $50.9 million deal for the 6,000-square-foot 5BR/5.5BA penthouse). The conversion of the former Verizon building into luxury condos has been underway since 2011, but word is that construction on the interior will be wrapped up in the coming weeks. Let's take a look at what's been completed so far.
More photos here
April 5, 2014

Sky High Living: Inside the Penthouses of 10 of Manhattan’s Supertalls

Manhattan is known for hosting more than a handful of the world's most luxurious homes — many of which are perched hundreds if not thousands of feet above ground. Though few folks will ever get to see the interior of anything higher than their 5-story walk-up, we're offering up a look into how New York's loftiest live. From the "smallest" to the tallest, take a peek into the penthouses of 10 of Manhattan's supertall condos ahead. And just to give you a little more context, the Empire State Building soars 1,250 feet high.
It's a tall, tall world
April 2, 2014

Want to Smell Like the Hudson Yards? There’s a Perfume for That

Downtown perfumery Bond No. 9 has just released their latest fragrance — a perfume created to embody the spirit of one of the biggest development projects currently underway: the Hudson Yards. Though the name will most likely make you think of a sweaty construction site, apparently Hudson Yards the fragrance isn't as stomach-churning as it sounds. See some video reactions after the break.
more on Bond No. 9's Hudson yards
March 24, 2014

Santiago Calatrava’s Winged ‘Oculus’ WTC Transportation Hub Takes Shape

It's unfortunate that Santiago Calatrava's original design for the WTC Transportation Hub got scrapped for a shrunken, more watered-down version. But the cost saving measures that transformed his beautiful "bird" into what some critics have dubbed as a "rack of lamb" didn't completely destroy the majestic spirit of the original design. Construction images recently released by the Port Authority of NY & NJ reveal that the Oculus is finally taking shape, emerging from its WTC site as something that could very well be quite iconic.
More incredible photos ahead