All articles by Emily Nonko

Emily is a Brooklyn-based writer who has covered New York City real estate, architecture and design for Brownstoner, The Wall Street Journal, Dwell and other publications. You can follow her on Twitter @EmilyNonko.
Rare and Spectacular Light-Filled Penthouse Overlooking Gramercy Park Asks $2.5M
May 6, 2016

Rare and Spectacular Light-Filled Penthouse Overlooking Gramercy Park Asks $2.5M

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From the outside, the Gramercy Park townhouse at 132 East 19th Street is immediately impressive. According to this Streetscapes column, it was a brownstone completely redesigned in 1908 by the innovative architect Frederick Sterner. Now the facade boasts a light stucco and huge windows that lend to lovely, bright apartments. The building's penthouse unit has hit the market and is showing off massive floor-to-ceiling clerestory windows, under 14-foot ceilings, that offer a view over the other landmarked townhouses of Gramercy Park.
Take a look
Hula-Hoop Master Lists Colorful and Quirky Financial District Condo for $2.2M
May 5, 2016

Hula-Hoop Master Lists Colorful and Quirky Financial District Condo for $2.2M

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In the midst of New York's gray and rainy weather, this apartment is sure to brighten your day. Located at 111 Fulton Street in the Financial District, it belongs to Stefan Pildes, a hula-hoop instructor and the president of Groovehoops, a performance troupe of hula-hoop entertainers. (He bought it in 2009 for a little over $1 million.) The 1,738-square-foot apartment already has good bones -- eight-foot windows, 11-foot ceilings -- but it's been completely decked out with wallpaper, colorful furniture and art, and custom lighting.
Take the grand tour
An Option to Buy or Rent a Historic Renwick Triangle Townhouse in the East Village
May 4, 2016

An Option to Buy or Rent a Historic Renwick Triangle Townhouse in the East Village

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Just because the East Village isn't known for its townhouse stock doesn't mean there aren't wonderful, historic (and expensive) houses to move into there. Take this one, at 114 East 10th Street, which is part of the Renwick Triangle in the St. Marks Historic District. The triangle gets its name from architect James Renwick Jr., who designed it with rows of Anglo-Italianate single-family homes. This house was on the market two years back asking $7.5 million and it sold for $7.606 million. Now you can either buy or rent it, for $9.85 million or $50K a month.
See the historic interior details
Three Floors, Three Amazing Terraces at This $6.4M Tribeca Penthouse Loft
May 3, 2016

Three Floors, Three Amazing Terraces at This $6.4M Tribeca Penthouse Loft

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If you couldn't afford the penthouse unit at 153 Chambers Street in Tribeca the first time it hit the market, now it's back with a nearly $1 million price chop. Last year, the impressive pad hit the market asking $7.25 million and now it's down to $6.4 million. Most notable about this triplex space are the three different terraces, decked out with a hot tub, hidden outdoor shower, landscaping and impressive views of the Freedom Tower. With summer approaching, these are some of the most envy-inducing terraces we've ever seen...
Check them out
Two Buildings and a Central Courtyard Make Up This $2.6M Williamsburg Property
May 2, 2016

Two Buildings and a Central Courtyard Make Up This $2.6M Williamsburg Property

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It's a two-for-one deal at a Williamsburg townhouse property at 164 Ainslie Street. The lot holds both front and back buildings separated by a large, south-facing garden courtyard. They've been broken up into apartments with a total of 20 rooms, 11 bedrooms and six full bathrooms. And there are still some great historic details preserved inside, like fireplaces and carved wood mantlepieces.
Take a tour
Live in a Lofty Triplex Apartment at a Former 1880s Firehouse for $4,500/Month
April 28, 2016

Live in a Lofty Triplex Apartment at a Former 1880s Firehouse for $4,500/Month

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Before 735 Dean Street was anybody's home, it was the post of Engine Company 219, who moved in when the firehouse was built in 1880. The historic structure in Prospect Heights has since been converted to apartments, one of which is this 1,400-square-foot triplex being offered for rent. From the inside, though, you wouldn't guess this was in an old fire station; it looks like your typical Brooklyn loft.
See more
Exclusive Photos: Tour the Lavish South Wing of the Gilded Age Villard Houses
April 27, 2016

Exclusive Photos: Tour the Lavish South Wing of the Gilded Age Villard Houses

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The Gilded Age mansions that once stood along 5th Avenue -- nicknamed Millionaire's Row -- have mostly met the wrecking ball. But the Villard Houses remain remarkably preserved since their construction in 1884. The famed architecture firm McKim, Mead and White designed this visionary six-house complex for Henry Villard, a railroad magnate whose empire began to crumble as construction wrapped. Today -- after many changes in ownership and a landmark designation -- the buildings stand as the entrance to the Lotte Palace Hotel. The hotel has just offered several rooms inside the south wing of the property, the former home of Villard himself, up for lease, offering a rare look into the lavish interior that's hardly changed since it was designed over 100 years ago.
More history and lots of interior photos this way
Another Stubby Shotgun House Hits the Market in Brooklyn, This One Asking $999K
April 26, 2016

Another Stubby Shotgun House Hits the Market in Brooklyn, This One Asking $999K

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This shotgun house in East Bed Stuy (asking $775K last December) needs to move over: there's another stubby property in town. And by town, we mean the neighborhood of Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn, located just south of Park Slope. The two-story home comes with two bedrooms, one-and-a-half bathroom and the opportunity to expand. The question is, would you pay just under $1 million for it?
Take a look
Award-Winning Contemporary Townhouse on the Columbia Street Waterfront Asks $3M
April 25, 2016

Award-Winning Contemporary Townhouse on the Columbia Street Waterfront Asks $3M

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The Columbia Street Waterfront is a quiet and historic waterfront enclave, just west of Cobble Hill, that's filled with small businesses and lined with cobblestone streets. Despite it's old-time Brooklyn vibe, it's home to at least one very contemporary townhouse at 48 Tiffany Place. The single-family, three-story home underwent a reno in 2013 and recently won the Remodelista Considered Design Award for its unique and dramatic interior.
See more
Live in a Swanky Former East Village Synagogue for $30K a Month
April 22, 2016

Live in a Swanky Former East Village Synagogue for $30K a Month

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Just in time for Passover, this historic East Village synagogue turned residence has reappeared on the rental market. Known as the 8th Street Shul, there was a long battle to keep the building preserved as a synagogue after it was damaged by a fire in 1982. Ultimately, the building, at 317 East 8th Street, was turned over to real estate interests and converted into a single-family luxury home. It's been on the rental market before, asking $25,000 a month, and now it's back at a higher price.
Some of the synagogue details remain
Enjoy the Sunlight Inside and Out at This $1M Clinton Hill Co-op
April 21, 2016

Enjoy the Sunlight Inside and Out at This $1M Clinton Hill Co-op

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If you're the type of apartment dweller who wants their living space flooded in light, look no further than this Clinton Hill co-op at 451 Clinton Avenue. The two-bedroom unit comes from a prewar, landmarked building that offers gracious floorplans with nice big rooms. Large windows are nearly everywhere you turn, with views out onto the treetops. This apartment is probably looking picture-perfect with the sun out in full force this week.
See the interior
‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Apartment With a Tricked-Out Private Garage Asks $25M
April 20, 2016

‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Apartment With a Tricked-Out Private Garage Asks $25M

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This Tribeca property isn't the kind that hits the market everyday. It belongs to Alan Wilzig, who was a character in "The Wolf of Wall Street," introducing Leonardo DiCaprio's character to the woman who becomes his wife. Wilzig is an entrepreneur and semi-professional racecar driver, meaning that his three-story, 6,500-square-foot condo at 7 Hubert Street comes with a very tricked-out garage. This unit has been on and off the market since 2014, asking as much as $44 million, and now it's down to $24,885,000.
Take a tour
Creator of the Lowline Designed a Secret Door in This Sleek Tribeca Rental
April 19, 2016

Creator of the Lowline Designed a Secret Door in This Sleek Tribeca Rental

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James Ramsey is the man behind Raad Studio, the design firm well known for its proposal to build out the Lowline on the Lower East Side. The firm is also known for its kooky, unique interiors, and it's given this two-bedroom apartment at Tribeca's 151 Hudson Street plenty of personality. Prewar details are paired with contemporary features like a glass-walled wet bar, built-in shelving, and even a custom bookcase that hides a secret door into one of the bedrooms.
Check it out
$1.4M Parlor-Level Co-op Looks Pretty and Roomy in Clinton Hill
April 18, 2016

$1.4M Parlor-Level Co-op Looks Pretty and Roomy in Clinton Hill

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This apartment at 385 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill calls itself a parlor-floor co-op, but it's not actually in a brownstone. The apartment comes from a 16-unit co-op, with the listing boasting that it's "much larger and brighter than a brownstone floor-through." Indeed, it has three large bedrooms, an office and windows throughout this pretty, historic space.
Check out the rest
Funky Rockaway Houseboat Dubbed ‘Ziggy Stardust’ Now Renting for $850/Night
April 14, 2016

Funky Rockaway Houseboat Dubbed ‘Ziggy Stardust’ Now Renting for $850/Night

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For $850 a night you could nab a room at the iconic Plaza Hotel or something much, much less traditional: a houseboat in the waters of Far Rockaway owned by a Vermont hipster. That's right, this kooky houseboat, dubbed the Ziggy Stardust, is up for rent at the aforementioned nightly price through Airbnb. It is pretty decked out inside with surfboards, guitars, and pieces of reclaimed driftwood. We'll go out on a limb and say it's one of the most unique places to spend a night in New York City.
Take a tour of the boat
East Village Speakeasy Turned Condo Building Has a Duplex Up for Rent
April 13, 2016

East Village Speakeasy Turned Condo Building Has a Duplex Up for Rent

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Many, many years ago, the East Village building at 12 Avenue A was a speakeasy and dancehall. Today, it's a luxury condo with a very pricey unit up for rent—a four-bedroom duplex asking a hefty $24,500/month. The owner is looking for a short- or long-term renter to enjoy this lofty, open space. Its days as a dance hall are long gone, as the sleek interior is now decked out with modern artwork, a private roof deck and fancy finishes like Carrara marble and dark oak floors.
Take the tour
$3.8M Soho Pad Boasts a Townhouse Design in a Condo Building
April 12, 2016

$3.8M Soho Pad Boasts a Townhouse Design in a Condo Building

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You don't find many townhouses in Soho, a neighborhood better known for its massive warehouses converted to lofty apartments. The next best thing? This triplex condo at 29 King Street that feels a whole lot like a townhouse. Each of the three floors is accessed by a private elevator, with a double-height living room that looks out onto the unit's 900-square-foot garden. The townhouse layout then comes with condo perks like a full-time super, laundry room and storage.
See more
One of Manhattan’s Last Wood Frame Homes Is Up For Rent Asking $13K/Month
April 11, 2016

One of Manhattan’s Last Wood Frame Homes Is Up For Rent Asking $13K/Month

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There are very few wood frame homes remaining in Manhattan -- with some sprinkled throughout neighborhoods like the Upper East Side and the Village -- but here's one at 312 East 53rd Street, in Turtle Bay. It was constructed in 1866, right before the city prohibited further construction of wooden buildings due to the fire hazard. Since then, this home, and its wood-framed neighbor next door, amazingly still stand. Residents of both homes can be traced all the way back to 1866 -- No. 312 was once occupied by Lincoln Kirstein, who would go on to found the New York City Ballet. Its latest owners are Jessica and Robert Nacheman, a principal at the engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti, who bought it back in 2012 for $2.275 million and put it up for rent.
See more of the interior
$1.6M Studio at the Glass Farmhouse Condo Boasts Open-Concept Design
April 8, 2016

$1.6M Studio at the Glass Farmhouse Condo Boasts Open-Concept Design

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This apartment may be a studio, but don't be fooled into thinking it's a compact space. This is a large, open concept apartment that comes in at 1,500 square feet. The Midtown West building, at 448 West 37th Street, is known as the Glass Farmhouse and was converted to condos back in 1982. (This unit last sold in 1999 for a mere $422,500!) Here, the 12-foot ceilings leave plenty of space for eye-popping, vintage artwork.
Check it out
This Junior One Bedroom, Custom Designed By Architect, Is True Blue in Soho
April 7, 2016

This Junior One Bedroom, Custom Designed By Architect, Is True Blue in Soho

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Looking for a starter apartment with personality? This junior one bedroom, located at the prewar Soho co-op 124 Thompson Street, is now on the market asking $785,000. The corner unit was carefully designed by an architect back in 2011, but recently changed hands, selling to actress Kay Story in 2015 for $780,000. It's being offered to a new buyer with all sorts of fun perks, like a bar and wine fridge, customized closets and soundproof windows.
It's also decked out in blue
1846 Townhouse Featured on the Brooklyn Heights House Tour Asks $4.95 Million
April 6, 2016

1846 Townhouse Featured on the Brooklyn Heights House Tour Asks $4.95 Million

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This picture-perfect Brooklyn Heights townhouse, at 2 Sidney Place, has been around since 1846 but is still in great shape. Since then, it's gone through a major remodel and modernization although it retains six of its fireplace mantels, all of which add an elegant and historic touch. The landmarked townhouse, in fact, is impressive enough to be featured on the popular Brooklyn Heights House Tour. But now the question is if it'll impress a buyer enough to bring in nearly $5 million.
Take a look around
Tribeca Condo With Two Voyeuristic Glass-Enclosed Bedrooms Asks $4.75M
April 5, 2016

Tribeca Condo With Two Voyeuristic Glass-Enclosed Bedrooms Asks $4.75M

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This Tribeca condo at 195 Hudson Street is officially listed as a one-bedroom apartment, but the current owners have fully taken advantage of the 2,325-square-foot space and added a glass-enclosed sleeping area. It doesn't have a window—or much privacy—but feels anything from dark and cramped due to those see-through walls. The windowed bedroom, too, is separated from the apartment by nothing more than floor-to-ceiling glass. Who needs privacy, anyway, when the apartment looks this nice?
Check out the rest
For $1.5 Million, Live in an Upstate Red Victorian Lighthouse
April 4, 2016

For $1.5 Million, Live in an Upstate Red Victorian Lighthouse

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New York City has its own Little Red Lighthouse, but it's definitely not a place you could live in. You'd have to go way upstate for that -- this historic red lighthouse, perched on the shores of Lake Ontario in Hilton, New York, is now on the market for $1.5 million. (Surprisingly, it's not the only lighthouse property that's been offered as living quarters!) Known as the Braddock Point Lighthouse, it was built in 1896 and fell into disrepair in the 1950s. A buyer eventually restored the building to its original Victorian glory and the lighthouse has since been occupied by only three families. You might be tempted to be the next.
See the restored interior
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