All articles by Michelle Cohen

Michelle is a New York-based writer and content strategist who has worked extensively with lifestyle brands like Seventeen, Country Living, Harper’s Bazaar and iVillage. In addition to being a copywriter for a digital media agency she writes about culture, New York City neighborhoods, real estate, style, design and technology among other topics. She has lived in a number of major US cities on both coasts and in between and loves all things relating to urbanism and culture.

This $12.5M Chelsea carriage house has a garage, three outdoor spaces, and a two-bedroom flat

Photo credit: Hayley Ellen Day and Joel Pitra of DDreps

March 4, 2024

This $12.5M Chelsea carriage house has a garage, three outdoor spaces, and a two-bedroom flat

By Michelle Cohen

Spring will soon be in the air, and warmer weather brings dreams of al fresco dining and backyard entertaining for fortunate city dwellers with patios, decks, and private gardens. This four-story carriage house at 313 West 20th Street has three separate outdoor spaces–and a spacious garage, right in the heart of Chelsea. Asking $12,500,000, the historic home, built circa 1900, is a 25-foot-wide Manhattan mansion–with the option of a top floor apartment for rental income.
take the carriage house tour

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Tiffany-blue walls and de Gournay designs surround a $1M UES co-op with Deco-era glamour

Photo credit: Al Siedman/VHT for The Corcoran Group

March 1, 2024

Tiffany-blue walls and de Gournay designs surround a $1M UES co-op with Deco-era glamour

By Michelle Cohen

While this jewel box of an Upper East Side co-op may not be vast, it embodies the dream of a classic Manhattan pre-war apartment. Asking $1,085,000, the beautifully renovated one-bedroom co-op at 175 East 79th Street would make the perfect pied-à-terre (they're allowed, with board approval), from the subtle blue hue of the living room walls to the elegant hand-painted de Gournay wall covering in the foyer–and the 1928 bones that frame the entire space.
take the tour

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For $55K, spend a post-modernist summer in a designer’s Long Island home and studio

Photo credit: VHT Studios

February 29, 2024

For $55K, spend a post-modernist summer in a designer’s Long Island home and studio

By Michelle Cohen

In Flanders, N.Y., where Long Island's North and South Forks meet, this striking two-bedroom home–recently featured in Cottages & Gardens–belongs to noted interior designer Anthony Baratta. For $55,000, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the house, studio, and pool at 707 Pleasure Drive can be your design-immersive summer retreat. The home's dazzling curves and angles, bright colors, and pattern details reflect the designer's eye, and the pool and grounds offer endless opportunities for entertaining and enjoying the season.
welcome to pleasure drive

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Cozy Brooklyn Heights co-op has pre-war charm and a bright, sunny kitchen for $1.5M

Photo credit: Tim Waltman of Evan Joseph

February 28, 2024

Cozy Brooklyn Heights co-op has pre-war charm and a bright, sunny kitchen for $1.5M

By Michelle Cohen

In a classic pre-war building at 161 Henry Street in historic Brooklyn Heights, just a few blocks from the Promenade and Brooklyn Bridge Park, this two-bedroom co-op has a bright disposition, and not just in the sun-washed south-facing kitchen. Asking $1,500,000, the cozy 1,000-square-foot apartment has 10-foot ceilings, two full bathrooms, a washer/dryer, and treetop views from three exposures.
have a closer look

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This $3.25M Gramercy two-bedroom comes with expansion potential–and a key to the park

Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman

February 22, 2024

This $3.25M Gramercy two-bedroom comes with expansion potential–and a key to the park

By Michelle Cohen

This two-bedroom apartment on a high floor at 50 Gramercy Park North, asking $3,250,000, is spacious enough in its current form. Making use of a sprawling great room, a third large bedroom can be created, adding value and livability. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the classic Manhattan neighborhood. Even better: Proximity to Gramercy Park means lucky residents get coveted keys to the private park.
Get a closer look

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Asking $20M, a university president’s Greenwich Village residence enters a new chapter

Photo credit: Eitan Gamliely for Sotheby’s International Realty

February 20, 2024

Asking $20M, a university president’s Greenwich Village residence enters a new chapter

By Michelle Cohen

This circa 1850 Greek Revival Federal Style townhouse at 21 West 11th Street on a postcard-perfect Greenwich Village block has the distinction of having been the official president's residence at the New School in Manhattan for four decades. As mentioned in a recent New York Times feature highlighting the listing, the elegant home, like many similar university residences, is considered by some to be an incongruous symbol of opulence–and smaller schools throughout the nation are growing more mindful of their bottom line. The home is now on the market for $20,000,000.
find out more

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Daring details add a spark of personality to a classic $2.35M Village co-op

Photo credit: Tim Waltman with Evan Joseph Photography

February 16, 2024

Daring details add a spark of personality to a classic $2.35M Village co-op

By Michelle Cohen

On a Gold Coast block, this vibrant Village apartment at 2 Fifth Avenue stands out against a classic co-op setting. A thorough renovation by interior designer Sasha Bikoff leaves no corner untouched by creative detail and adventurous design. Asking $2,350,000, the two-bedroom home has a private balcony and unrivaled views down the Avenue.
get a closer look

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Gaze at the sun, moon, and stars above from this $5.45M Tribeca penthouse

Photo courtesy of SERHANT. Studios

February 15, 2024

Gaze at the sun, moon, and stars above from this $5.45M Tribeca penthouse

By Michelle Cohen

With a private terrace, fireplaces, open city views, and a front-row seat to the sky above, you could definitely call this sprawling three-bedroom condo at 459 Washington Street a trophy pad. Asking $5,450,000, this downtown Manhattan home boasts plenty of living and entertaining space along with modern design details and amenities exactly where you need them.
take the penthouse tour

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Love is a large, lovely $2.9M Lispenard Street loft

Photo credit: Hayley Ellen Day/DDReps

February 14, 2024

Love is a large, lovely $2.9M Lispenard Street loft

By Michelle Cohen

Love takes many forms, and the perfect lower Manhattan home base will warm your heart for years to come. This two-bedroom co-op at 45 Lispenard Street in the heart of Tribeca, asking $2,900,000, is a chance to live the loft life, overlooking the iconic neighborhood while entertaining on the building's landscaped roof deck.
Love, loft style, this way

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This $7M limestone townhouse brings restored Park Slope perfection to historic beauty

Photo credit: Shannon Dupree/DDReps for The Corcoran Group

February 13, 2024

This $7M limestone townhouse brings restored Park Slope perfection to historic beauty

By Michelle Cohen

The stately limestone townhouse at 615 Third Street embodies the dream of Park Slope living within the landmarked, historic blocks that surround Prospect Park. Asking $6,995,000, the four-story single-family home spans 4,550 square feet, including a triplex anchored by a ground-floor apartment. Built in 1899, this iconic property is filled with meticulously restored historic details that form a backdrop for equally considered top-of-the-line renovations.
Take the townhouse tour

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Popular Articles

Bed-Stuy brownstone living in a compact condo for $725K

Photos courtesy of Francisco Rosario from DD Reps

February 9, 2024

Bed-Stuy brownstone living in a compact condo for $725K

By Michelle Cohen

On a historic block on the Clinton Hill-Bed-Stuy border, this top-floor home at 190 Lefferts Place offers townhouse living and modern condo convenience. On the highest floor of a beautifully restored four-unit brick-and-stone townhouse, this one-bedroom home, asking $725,000, blends pre-war details with 21st-century additions like central air, a newly-minted kitchen and bathroom, and a washer/dryer.
Get a closer look

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22 unexpected NYC date ideas for the offbeat romantic

Photo courtesy of The Museum of Sex

February 8, 2024

22 unexpected NYC date ideas for the offbeat romantic

By Michelle Cohen

When February arrives, we're reminded that love is, in fact, in the air, filling our inboxes with a never-ending litany of ways to summon Cupid's attention, from expensive restaurant seatings to every bloom and bonbon that will fit in a heart-shaped box. If you're looking for a romantic New York City (or nearby) date idea with a bit more thought behind it, check out our love-infused list.
Think out of the (Heart-shaped) box

Events & Things To Do

Look out on the city from high above the Lower East Side in this $3.8M penthouse

All photos courtesy of Rise Media

February 1, 2024

Look out on the city from high above the Lower East Side in this $3.8M penthouse

By Michelle Cohen

Manhattan's Lower East Side is enjoying a true 21st-century glow-up; this three-bedroom penthouse atop 196 Orchard Street embodies the layers of luxury that now define the storied neighborhood. The 1,925-square-foot condo offers an iconic city perch surrounded by 18-foot ceilings and views of downtown Manhattan through bronze-edged casement windows.
downtown penthouse living, this way

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This $9.75M East Village duplex has Cape Cod-style charm topped by a rooftop cottage

Aerial photo: DroneHub Media

January 29, 2024

This $9.75M East Village duplex has Cape Cod-style charm topped by a rooftop cottage

By Michelle Cohen

As one of Manhattan's coveted properties with quaint rooftop cottages and cabins, the duplex condo at 72 East 1st Street isn't merely a quirky curiosity. The two-floor-plus-studio apartment has all of the perks of penthouse living. The thoroughly renovated home, asking $9,750,000, has the feel of an English country manor throughout, while offering modern style and convenience in its details and construction. At its apex, a Cape Cod-style shingled cottage and terrace provide a unique outdoor experience, in a neighborhood that's as urban as it gets.
Get a closer look at this rare NYC refuge

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Enjoy a short commute to the office in this $2.85M Nomad loft

Photo credit: Eitan Gamliely for Sotheby’s International Realty

January 26, 2024

Enjoy a short commute to the office in this $2.85M Nomad loft

By Michelle Cohen

This three-bedroom loft at 130 West 24th Street is perfect for both work and play. In addition to its four bedrooms, the classic Manhattan co-op, asking $2,850,000, comes with an office space across the hall. The top-floor apartment has loft details like high ceilings, wood beams, restored original hardwood flooring, painted brick walls, and tin ceilings; arched windows join metal skylights to keep the space light-filled. There's plenty of space for entertaining in addition to the abundant private workspace.
loft living, this way

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Modern architectural details make this $2.75M West Village co-op a turnkey urban refuge

Photo credit: Brown Harris Stevens

January 25, 2024

Modern architectural details make this $2.75M West Village co-op a turnkey urban refuge

By Michelle Cohen

This exceptional corner loft at 2 Jane Street is blessed with a combination of form and function rarely found in a city apartment, especially in the covetable West Village neighborhood. The architect-designed co-op, asking $2,750,000, features an open layout that confers privacy, light, and living space as well as a wealth of custom finishes and modern conveniences.
Take the tour

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Neighborhood insider: Lyon Porter on Williamsburg’s evolving identity and enduring charm

January 24, 2024

Neighborhood insider: Lyon Porter on Williamsburg’s evolving identity and enduring charm

By Michelle Cohen

New York City's most successful real estate agents make it their business to know the city's highlights, hot spots, secrets, and specialties; many are NYC natives or longtime residents whose love for the city's streets and avenues predated their career choice. We've asked top agents to tell us about their favorite neighborhoods and share their insider picks. Read on for a longtime resident's view of Williamsburg: Lyon Porter, Associate Real Estate Broker with Compass, explains how the popular Brooklyn neighborhood has grown and evolved with him.
Find out more

Beneath 16-foot ceilings, this $4M Tribeca loft condo has unexpected Gothic details

All photos courtesy of Oleg Davidoff

January 23, 2024

Beneath 16-foot ceilings, this $4M Tribeca loft condo has unexpected Gothic details

By Michelle Cohen

This three-bedroom condo at The Tribeca Lofts at 79 Worth Street, asking $3,995,000, is, at first look, everything we love about authentic loft living, with ceilings of over 16 feet, exposed brick and columns and more than 3,400 square feet of interior space. Beyond the raw industrial feel of most lofts in the neighborhood, this home contains a collection of details that range from modern design to vintage gothic.
Take the tour

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For $4.75M, this Williamsburg condo wraps 21st-century living in glass, with a priceless view

Photo Credit: DDReps

January 19, 2024

For $4.75M, this Williamsburg condo wraps 21st-century living in glass, with a priceless view

By Michelle Cohen

If you love the idea of modern Williamsburg living, with every convenience within and neighborhood views–including the landmarked Russian Orthodox Cathedral–as far as the eye can see, this four-bedroom duplex at 201 North 11th Street is worth a visit. Spanning the fifth and sixth floors of a four-unit condominium building, the 2,100-square-foot home has elevator access to each floor and a private rooftop patio above. The $4,750,000 ask also includes four private outdoor spaces and a private garage with an electric car charging station.
Modern brooklyn living, this way

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This $5M Riverdale home is like a house in the Hamptons without the crowded commute

Photo courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

January 17, 2024

This $5M Riverdale home is like a house in the Hamptons without the crowded commute

By Michelle Cohen

The shingle-style home at 5031 Grosvenor Avenue in the sought-after Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale was designed in the 1890s style often associated with the architects McKim, Mead & White. Atop a stone bluff overlooking Riverdale and neighboring Fieldston, the five-bedroom house, asking $4,900,000, has family-sized charm, an elevator, a pool, and outdoor living spaces, adding up to the subtle grandeur of homes much further afield, without the hassle of a traffic-filled commute.
Find out more

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$450K Bay Ridge co-op has a beach house vibe in a waterfront neighborhood

Photo credit: Allyson Lubow for The Corcoran Group

January 16, 2024

$450K Bay Ridge co-op has a beach house vibe in a waterfront neighborhood

By Michelle Cohen

Located in the waterfront neighborhood of Bay Ridge, surrounded by parks, Verazzano Bridge views and a convenient ferry landing, this two-bedroom, two-bath co-op at 191 73rd Street is filled with laid-back, beachy details not often found in a city apartment. With plenty of light and space and recently renovated interiors, this 800-square-foot home is asking $450,000.
check it out

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This $3.5M Harlem townhouse has stylish new interiors, outdoor space, and lots of options

Photo courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

January 12, 2024

This $3.5M Harlem townhouse has stylish new interiors, outdoor space, and lots of options

By Michelle Cohen

Among the stately brownstones and historic buildings that line this Harlem block, the 19-foot-wide home at 23 East 127th Street holds its own. Within the classic 3,460-square-foot two-family townhouse are sparkling new interiors and luxurious finishes combined with original details. Set up as a triplex over a garden unit, the home, asking $3,475,000, offers coveted outdoor spaces that include a deck and a landscaped back garden.
Take the townhouse tour

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$3.65M Soho loft has a just-right layout, with two bedrooms, a den, and closets everywhere

Photo credit: Russ Ross for Compass

January 11, 2024

$3.65M Soho loft has a just-right layout, with two bedrooms, a den, and closets everywhere

By Michelle Cohen

Every bit the classic Soho loft, this 2,500-square-foot co-op at 438 Broome Street has none of the raw space drawbacks that often come with industrial charm. The pre-war property, asking $3,650,000, starts with private elevator service and turns the key on a renovated and updated home with 11-foot ceilings and flexible spaces that include two bedrooms, two baths, and a den/lounge room.
21st century loft living ahead

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This $1.3M Carroll Gardens loft has a warm industrial vibe and condo convenience

Photo credit: DDReps courtesy of Compass

January 10, 2024

This $1.3M Carroll Gardens loft has a warm industrial vibe and condo convenience

By Michelle Cohen

Straddling the classic Brooklyn neighborhoods of Carroll Gardens and Gowanus, the Mill Building, a former jute factory at 376 President Street, adds a loft aesthetic to the low-rise brick-and-industrial enclave. Asking $1,299,000, this two-bedroom condominium residence offers vintage industrial details, plenty of windows, and a balcony, along with condo conveniences like on-site parking.
take the tour

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This $3.4M Village co-op feels like a sky garden with a solarium and a terrace

Photo credit: Nina Poon for The Corcoran Group

January 8, 2024

This $3.4M Village co-op feels like a sky garden with a solarium and a terrace

By Michelle Cohen

Located on a high floor of the Brevoort East, a classic postwar terraced building at 20 East 9th Street, this two-bedroom co-op offers indoor-outdoor living in the heart of Greenwich Village near Washington Square Park. Asking $3,370,000, this designer-renovated home offers iconic Manhattan views from within. A glass-enclosed solarium and a spacious terrace offer unique spaces for enjoying those views and a big dose of daily sunlight.
get a closer look

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