September 20, 2014

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff

The East River Skyway is revealed, and it could bring commuters from Brooklyn to Manhattan in under four minutes. Could it be the solution for increasing public transportation congestion? We talk to architect Adam Kushner about building the world’s first 3D-printed estate. See how a former Tribeca automotive garage was transformed into a space for living, art, and commerce. Sunset […]

September 19, 2014

INTERVIEW: Architect Adam Kushner on Building the World’s First 3D-Printed Estate

3D printing has been making the design and tech rounds lately, from ceramics and construction bricks to cars and mini castles. But there's one project in the works that's looking to blow the rest out of the water. New York City-based architect and contractor Adam Kushner of KUSHNER Studios plans to build the world's first 3D-printed estate in Gardiner, New York, which will include a pool, pool house, and 2,400-square-foot main house--all of which will be constructed using this new technology. Kushner has teamed up with Italian inventor and engineer Enrico Dini, who will ship a modified version of his D-Shape printer to New York in January. Dini's printer uses his patented magnesium-based binding process combined with a material like sand to render stone-like objects. Kushner also teamed up with Enrico's local contact James Wolff, co-founder of Deep Space Industries, which works with NASA on asteroid prospecting, mining, and processing. The three men, along with Nigel Woods, founded D-Shape Enterprises New York. Adam's construction company In House Group, Inc. will hire D-Shape Enterprises to build the estate.
Read our interview with Adam Kushner and get an inside take on the project
September 19, 2014

Kelly Ripa’s Soho Penthouse Sells at a $4.5 Million Discount

Kelly Ripa has officially unloaded her Soho penthouse, according to city records filed today. The five-bedroom beauty at 76 Crosby Street sold for $20 million, $4.5 million less than what she was asking when she first listed it in January last year. Though Ripa came up a little short, it's worth noting that her and hubby Mark Consuelos paid just $9.5 million for it in 2005. Today's sale is also the 6th highest ever recorded in Soho, according to CityRealty.
Photos here
September 19, 2014

Mapping the Evolution of the Lower East Side Through a Jewish Lens, 1880-2014

Long considered the capital of Jewish America, this overpoweringly cramped neighborhood was considered by many to be the greatest concentration of Jewish life in nearly 2,000 years. Between 1880 and 1924, 2.5 million mostly-impoverished Ashkenazi Jews came to the US and nearly 75 percent took up residence on the Lower East Side. According to the Library of Congress, by 1900, more than 700 people per acre were settling in a neighborhood lined with tenements and factories. And as quickly as they descended on the streets, all sharing a common language (mostly Yiddish) and most certainly, similar backgrounds, they quickly established synagogues as early as 1865 (the landmarked Bialystoker Synagogue, whose congregants were mostly Polish immigrants from Bailystok), small shops, pushcarts teeming with goods, social clubs and even financial-aid societies. By 1910, the Lower East Side’s population was well over the five million mark, but sadly, such congestion habitually caused havoc.
Learn more about the history of the LES here
September 19, 2014

NYC Gets a New Neighborhood Map from the City Planning Department

Every few years the New York City Department of City Planning releases a new map to document changes in demographics, geographic profiles and neighborhood boundaries. The maps have been produced since 1994, and following its 2010 update, the City has just released a 2014 version. In addition to offering some insight into the current socio-economic makeup of our […]

September 19, 2014

Real Estate Wire: State Seizes Seven Properties for the Atlantic Yards; BAM Cultural District Gets $131M

The state has gotten approval to seize seven sites for Forest City Ratner’s Pacific Park Brooklyn project (previously named Atlantic Yards). Tenants now have 90 days to vacate their units. [DNA Info] The $1B three-tower expansion for Silvercup West is back on track. [Curbed] Most of the world’s billionaires call NYC home. [TRD] Winston Von […]

September 19, 2014

Brooklyn Loft in a Former Die Casting Factory Gets an Eye-Popping Upgrade by SABO Project

We've looked at a number of industrial renovations in the past, but this gut renovation recently completed by SABO Project definitely tops our list as one of the most inventive. The 'Doehler' loft is located within a 1913 building and was first renovated during the 80s. At the time, industrial chic wasn't quite as admired as it is today, and the developer opted to hide all of the structure's original details, encasing the columns and ceilings in lackluster drywall. When SABO took on the project last year, they knew that the home's historic roots as a former die casting factory was the magic of the space, and with that, they stripped the entire loft and constructed modern features that could complement the old.
Explore the incredible home here
September 19, 2014

Floris Wubben’s Eyrie Bench is a Human Nest Inspired by Eagles

The noun Eyrie is "a large nest of an eagle or other bird of prey, built high in a tree or on a cliff." Take it poetically or quite literarily, like this Dutch design studio recently did. The Eyrie Bench by Floris Wubben is a cumulus of interconnected wooden ash slats resting on tree branches that form its legs. Sculptural and natural, this seat works as a human nest inviting you to sit back and take a rest.
Learn more about this wooden human nest
September 19, 2014

Norman Foster-Designed Yacht is a Sleek Way to Cruise the Open Seas

Norman Foster has designed some of the most futuristic structures in the world. From the Gherkin in London to the Heart Tower in New York, his creations are unexpected and tech-focused. But did you know that Foster + Partners dabbles in boat design? They've just launched (no pun intended) the new Alen Yacht 68. The sleek schooner is not quite as ground-breaking as the firm's architectural works, but it "combines the elegant social spaces of a cruising yacht with the fun of a day boat."
See what this expertly-designed yacht has to offer
September 19, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Hamster Wheel Desk Enters the Office; Owners of St. Mark’s Bookshop on Their Historic East Village Location

The beauty of…basements? That’s right, a new photo series explores the city’s underground digs, where superintendents often live with their families. More on Co.Design. Want to live next to Sandra Bullock in Soho? Soho Strut has the details. The SS Columbia, the oldest US passenger steamer, is returning home to New York from Detroit, reports […]

September 19, 2014

William Noble’s Private Central Park West Residence Is on the Market…Again

William Noble would roll over in his grave if he knew the fate of his beloved private residence. The prominent developer built a cluster of spec homes toward the end of the 19th century and chose 247 Central Park West for himself. This 10,745-square-foot home’s impressive history continues as it was once the home of Walt Disney’s grandniece and it remains one of the few single-family homes on Central Park. However, history turns a bit sour beginning in 2006 when Keith Monda, president of Coach, purchased the home and spent a year renovating it as a gallery for his art. He sold the remodeled home to Ukrainian businessman Igor Iankovsky in 2012. Iankovsky apparently never moved in, preferring his French residence instead, and he has been trying to sell the home ever since. We’re not sure if it’s the renovation’s mixed reviews or the sky-high prices, but for some reason this home toggles back and forth on the sales and rental markets. Well, now it’s back with another price drop, asking $27.75 million or $65,000 a month.
Let's take a look inside
September 19, 2014

REVEALED: Skyline Views of KPF’s One Vanderbilt Near Grand Central

We've been keeping a close eye on One Vanderbilt, SL Green's new 65-story office tower planned for the entire block west of Grand Central and north of East 42nd Street. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, it will be the second-tallest building in the city when completed. Now, Yimby has hot-off-the-press skyline views of One Vanderbilt from KPF, and the newest NYC supertall certainly stands out amongst the nearby Empire State Building and Chrysler Building.
READ MORE
September 19, 2014

Jackson Pollock’s Former Greenwich Village Apartment Hits the Market for $1.25M

You won't find any paint-splattered masterpieces here, but you will get the exclusive bragging rights of saying you live in the former home of Jackson Pollock at 46 Carmine Street. And if that wasn't enough of a conversation starter, the Greenwich Village building was once owned by Aaron Burr. Million Dollar Listing New York star Luis D. Ortiz announced the $1.25 million listing via Instagram, which is not surprising considering how photogenic this one-bedroom, top-floor unit is. The 800-square-foot home boats 14-foot, Tudor-style beamed ceilings with skylights; exposed whitewashed brick walls; and a cozy fireplace.
Tour the former Pollock pad
September 18, 2014

Glass vs. Stone: An Epic Architecture Battle

Decisions, decisions...sometimes there's just far too many in New York City. Thai or Chinese takeout? Subway or bus? Central Park or the High Line? The list goes on. And one of the most grueling decisions we make as New Yorkers is where to live. From choosing a borough and neighborhood to deciding on a price point, it's quite the undertaking. But what about the most elementary component of the building in which we decide to live--it's material. To be more exact, glass or stone. Glass tower dwellers are often drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows, panoramic views, and clean lines, whereas buyers of apartments in stone buildings prefer a more traditional feel, with pre-war-style layouts that provide great separation of spaces. And some of the city's most prominent architects have become synonymous with one style or the other. Think Richard Meier for glass and Robert A.M. Stern for stone. CityRealty decided to take a closer look at this epic battle and see how pairs of glass and stone developments fared across the city.
See how these buildings battle it out
September 18, 2014

From Four-Family to One: MAS Architectures’ Unique Carlton Avenue Conversion in Fort Greene

When tasked with converting this historic brownstone on Carlton Avenue in Fort Greene from an existing four-family residence to a single home for a growing brood, MANIFOLD Architecture Studio (MAS) appears to have focused on the one item that unified the building from the start – the stairway.
See more of MAS' Carlton Street conversion
September 18, 2014

Classic Loft in Soho’s Cast Iron Historic District Wants $3.25 Million

A sprawling one-bedroom loft in the heart of Soho’s Cast Iron Historic District just popped up on the market, asking $3.25 million. This co-op at 85 Mercer Street is quite the looker with original pressed tin ceilings, cast iron columns, and plenty of light. But the most interesting feature of this modernized prewar loft is probably where you’ll be laying your head at night.
Take a look inside, here
September 18, 2014

POP: Scandi-Thai Bamboo Lights by Ljung & Ljung Are a Sophisticated Take on Paper Lanterns

Greta Ljung & Martin Hedenstöm Ljung from Swedish Studio Ljung & Ljung travelled the world and created these wonderful luminaires. POP combines a Scadinavian minimalistic shape with a fresh edge given by waved bamboo stripes. Produced in Thailand, they offer a sophisticated take on paper Chinese lanterns.
Learn more about this Scandi-Thai design
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September 18, 2014

Beautiful Dutchess Country Home Comes with 17-Acre Farm and Neighbor Kevin Bacon

With fall inching closer, thoughts of sitting fireside with a cup of tea have started to fill our heads. And while the city is a splendid place in the autumn, nothing beats taking in the country air and the crunch of leaves beneath ones feet. Now up for auction is this perfect fall escape (or full time home)—an incredible property located in the town of Amenia in Dutchess County. The sprawling 17-acre property, a.k.a. Meri-Mac Farm, comes with four bedrooms, 8,500-square-foot farmhouse, a three-stall stable, a horse pasture, pool, poolhouse and a separate guest house with two-bedrooms. Another fun bonus? You can claim one degree of Kevin Bacon—and Meryl Streep—who live nearby.
Explore the beautiful country home and farm
September 18, 2014

Construction on Jean Nouvel’s MoMA Tower will Finally Move Forward!

Hot off the purchase of $85 million in air rights, and with a new construction loan of $860 million in tow, Hines is back on track to bring the Jean Nouvel-designed MoMA residential tower to fruition. According to TRD, Hines just closed on two deals to buy more than 240,000 square feet of development rights from MoMA and the St. Thomas Episcopal Church for $85.3 million.
more here
September 18, 2014

Daily Link Fix: The World’s Tallest Buildings in One Handy Infographic; A Jacket to Ward Off Transit Germs

Never worry about working late again. At 6:00pm the desks retract up to the ceiling in this Amsterdam office. Get ready to be jealous when you watch the video on Co. Exist. Architizer shares the super informative infographic, “The World’s Tallest Buildings.” Subway-riding germaphobes can rest easy this flu season. Gravitytank and Betabrand have released the […]

September 18, 2014

A La Sagrada Familia in Manhattan? See the Unbuilt NYC GaudĂ­

Atoni Gaudí was a brilliant and polarizing architect. Whereas most architects will see their works compared and contrasted against others in their field, even the most knowledgeable architectural critics will look at Gaudí's work and throw up their hands and say it must be something alien. The organic curves and mounds of Gaudí's designs look hundreds of years ahead of their time. But Gaudí worked mostly around his home region of Catalonia, and the businesslike skyscrapers of Manhattan have never looked anything like the the architect's designs. However, there was a time when a Gaudí NYC skyscraper almost came to be.
See the proposed GaudĂ­ building here
September 18, 2014

Will a New Waldorf School at Ben Shaoul’s Bloom 62 Attract Spendy Families?

Back in 2012, when Magnum Real Estate's Ben Shaoul announced plans to turn the Cabrini nursing home in the East Village into condos, more than a handful of "Sledgehammer Shaoul" flags went up in protest. Plans moved ahead despite public outcry, and now more than two years later, the former nursing home has transformed into a luxury residential building called Bloom 62. Although not much has been done to dress up the exterior, the 26-unit condo is no slouch and boasts a number of enviable luxuries, including a landscaped roof deck and gym. But Bloom 62's most valuable amenity may be what sits on its ground floor: a school.
More on the benefits to be reaped here
September 18, 2014

Is Jennifer Lopez Moving Into Chelsea’s Walker Tower?

Jenny from the Block could be looking to move to Chelsea’s Walker Tower. According to the NYP, Jennifer Lopez was spotted scoping out apartments alongside celebrity broker Fredrik Eklund. The pair reportedly checked out an unlisted apartment and eyed the floor plans of several other units over lunch. The Post notes that J Lo’s budget is […]

September 17, 2014

Sunset Park: How Creativity and Commerce are Transforming This Waterfront Neighborhood

With plans in place that call for a public waterfront bustling with creative industry and commerce rather than luxury residential developments, Sunset Park is not on its way to becoming the next hip NYC residential neighborhood–and that’s a good thing. Located on Brooklyn's western waterfront flank, there are really two sides to Sunset Park. The neighborhood, generally defined as the area between 65th Street, the Prospect Expressway, Eighth Avenue and the East River, has long been a thriving residential community. Sunset Park is also home to about 15 million square feet of warehouse and light industrial space. The key to the neighborhood’s future may be the point at which the two meet.
Find Out How Fashion May Give Sunset Park a Chance to Shine As the New Garment District
September 17, 2014

Truly Exquisite West Village Rental with Historic Details Will Leave You Lusting for More

han never to have loved at all.” We’re pretty sure poet Lord Tennyson wasn’t talking about West Village apartments when he wrote those immortal words, but we can’t help but feel they are more than appropriate in the case of this three-bedroom charmer at 23 Bank Street. While the home is only available as a rental, one look will tell you that loving it and then losing it upon lease end is definitely better than never having experienced its classic beauty at all.
Read on to see if you'd be able to love it and leave it
September 17, 2014

Beautiful Brownstone Mansion on Prospect Park Asks $7 Million

What if you had the opportunity to live in a 7,000-square-foot brownstone mansion on a picturesque block just a stone’s throw away from Prospect Park? That’s just a taste of what 312 Garfield Place has to offer, for $6.995 million. It is believed that the brilliant home was built by developer William Flannigan for New York businessman J. J Galligan sometime during the turn of the 20th century. The resulting five-story building has a distinct Victorian charm with a light Renaissance touch.
Take a look inside, here
September 17, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Trump Soho Off to the Auction Block; Moynihan Station Project Gets $40M in Federal Funding

Unsellable condos at the Trump Soho have sent the building into foreclosure and off to the auction block. [WSJ] The Federal Transit Administration handed out $1.9B for Sandy-related upgrades, yesterday. $40M of the available funds will go towards the Moynihan Station and about $13 million will go to the planned $700 million second phase of the project that will turn the […]

September 17, 2014

Carlo Sampietro Brings the Iconic NYC Street Barrier Indoors with the Police Table

Have a teenager who you're looking to keep out of trouble? This piece of furniture may be just the daily reminder he or she needs to stay on the straight and narrow. The custom-made Police Table Masterpiece by Carlo Sampietro is an elegant reinterpretation of the iconic and unique New York City police barrier. It also doubles as an ambient lamp.
More on the table here
September 17, 2014

Get Your Tickets for the Architecture & Design Film Festival

For the sixth year, the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF) will take over the screens at Tribeca Cinemas, offering guests access to a special lineup of over 25 curated films from around the world. Running from October 15-19, this year's festival features an impressive panel of distinguished speakers, Q&A's, and special parties. It also will host the U.S. premier of Cathedrals of Culture, a 3D film project by German filmmaker Wim Wenders. Tickets go on sale today.
More details on this year's festival
September 17, 2014

Gamer Zach Gage Nabs Penthouse with Futuristic Rooftop Watchtower for $3.9M

Forbes' 30 under 30 in video games, Zach Gage, is cashing in on his success. The gamer and conceptual artist just picked up this sweet Chinatown penthouse at 18 Orchard Street for $3.9 million, according to city records filed today. The 28-year old, who has developed games such as SpellTower, Ridiculous Fishing, and Lose/Lose, and been exhibited at venues like the Venice Biennale, the MoMA, and in Apple stores worldwide, seems to not have strayed far from his edgy sensibilities. His new three-bedroom duplex features a rooftop catwalk, some killer lights, and a futuristic watchtower with "a transcendent view of the sunset and cityscape".
Tour the home here
September 17, 2014

World’s First OLED Panel Will Bring Buildings 40,000+ Hours of Energy-Efficient Lighting

New York buildings racking up big energy bills may soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks to new OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology, lighting will be getting greener, healthier and much more energy efficient. This November, LG Chem, Korea's largest chemical company, will bring their new OLED panels into production. The new panels will boast 100 lumens per watt, a life of 40,000+ hours (a world's best, outperforming Osram, Philips, and Panasonic; and almost on par with conventional LEDs), and be flexible enough to be used in everything from automotive to architecture. Currently plans are to focus distribution on markets in North America and Europe, and so far LG Chem has secured contracts with more than 50 lighting companies, including Atlanta-based Acuity Lighting.
More on the technology here
September 17, 2014

POLL: Is the East River Skyway the future of NYC transportation?

Yesterday, Dan Levy, the president and CEO of CityRealty, presented his proposal for the ‘East River Skyway,’ an aerial gondola system that would run along the Brooklyn waterfront and into Manhattan, bringing commuters over the river in just 3.5 minutes. Now, we want to know what you think about the idea. Images: East River Skyway, courtesy of CityRealty […]

September 17, 2014

Robert De Niro Moves into $125K-Per-Month Rental at 15 Central Park West

Robert De Niro's new home may not be in his beloved Tribeca, but the full-floor pad at 15 Central Park West is one of the city's most expensive rentals. Unit 35AB is two separate condos combined into one on the 35th floor. The 6,000-square-foot, five-bedroom apartment is owned by steel magnate Leroy Schecter, who purchased the property in 2008 for $18.9 million. He originally put the condo on the market in 2012 for $95 million, then reduced it to $85 million in April 2013, and once again to $70 million in November. De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower were displaced in 2012 when a fire ripped through their triplex at the Brentmore, 88 Central Park West. The couple has been renting in the West Village, but it looks like they wanted to return to the Upper West Side while renovations are completed on their permanent home. And they're in good company; Alex Rodriguez and investor Henry Silverman have rented the same unit in the past.
Take a look inside the new De Niro digs
September 17, 2014

ANNOUNCED: Hudson Companies Will Buy Brooklyn Heights Library for $52M, Add Luxury Rental Complex

Just yesterday, the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library announced that they will sell their building to the Hudson Companies for $52 million, along with the promise of 114 affordable housing units to be built at a different location in the neighborhood. The developer, who won the bid over 14 others, will convert the city-owned building at 280 Cadman Plaza West into a 20-story luxury rental complex with a new 21,000-square-foot library on the ground floor.
More details here
September 17, 2014

Highlights: What Real Estate Big Wigs Have to Say About Brooklyn and Its Future

Brooklyn real estate is hot, very hot, and there’s no cooling off in sight, according to most speakers at yesterday's sold-out Brooklyn Real Estate Summit, sponsored by Massey Knakal and held at the Brooklyn Museum. From Billy Macklowe to David Shorenstein and Jonathan Rose, get the run-down of what the industry's leading pundits have to say about BK real estate.
What they're saying about Brooklyn here
September 16, 2014

REVEALED: East River Skyway Will Bring Brooklyn Commuters to Manhattan in Under Four Minutes

There's no stopping the Brooklyn development boom, but getting to and from the borough from Manhattan will increasingly become a nightmare with thousands of new residential units hitting the market in the coming years. If you've commuted from Brooklyn to Manhattan (and vice versa) you know that the subway system is already taxed. But as more and more homes are added throughout the borough, it's surprising that no plans have been made to alleviate the transportation stress that will soon come with it. Until now. Today, Dan Levy, the president and CEO of CityRealty*, will present his proposal for the 'East River Skyway', an aerial gondola system that would run along the Brooklyn waterfront and into Manhattan, bringing commuters over the river in just 3.5 minutes.
Find out more about the proposed project
September 16, 2014

A Brooklyn Heights Loft in an Old YMCA Building Makes Room for Books, Art and Entertaining

The owners of this Brooklyn Heights loft on the top two floors of a converted YMCA building wanted to remodel their space to accommodate both of their individual, extensive book and art collections; they also needed a home that would be great for dinner parties and entertaining. Rather than settling on boring built-ins, they turned to Ensemble Architecture to create a solution that would put their most treasured items on show.
Tour the renovated space here
September 16, 2014

$1.5M Brooklyn Heights Triplex in Landmarked Eagle Warehouse Gets a Modern Update

Carriage houses, stables, factories…in a city short on space you have to get creative when looking for residential development opportunities. And this former warehouse at 28 Old Fulton Street in Brooklyn Heights is a perfect example of how a little vision can go a long way. When Brooklyn architect Frank Freeman completed the Eagle Warehouse and Storage Company building in 1894 it served as a place to store furniture and silverware. However, at the time, even warehouses were designed with a simplicity steeped in grace and beauty, often lacking in their modern-day counterparts. One look at the main entrance’s bold Roman arch adorned with the company name in large bronze lettering and there is no mistaking the care Mr. Freeman took with his “warehouse project”.
Read on to see what the future held for this warehouse
September 16, 2014

Event: Join Top NYC Architects and Artists at the 14+ Foundation Benefit to Build Schools in Zambia

The second Annual 14+ Foundation Benefit on October 2nd will support the building of schools in Zambia with the help of top New York architects and artists. Julian Schnabel, Rashid Johnson, and the Bruce High Quality Foundation have donated works for a live art auction, and Solange Knowles is set to perform. The event will take place at the Diamond Horseshoe from 6:00pm to 2:00am. It follows the organization's work on the Chipakata Children's Academy in Lusaka, Zambia, a new school, orphanage, and community facility that will provide arts-based learning programs, as well as daily meals.
More details on the benefit and 14+ Foundation's work
September 16, 2014

Pee-Eww! Artist Kate McLean is Creating a ‘Smellmap’ of NYC

New York City stinks, yes, but this city of ours is rich in smells like no other. To document the odors that linger, excite and nauseate inhabitants, British multi-sensory artist Kate McLean and her army of sniffers are running around town with their noses to the wind—and deep in trashcans. McLean has so far mapped a block of Greenwich Village and her latest jaunt took her and her team out to Bedford Avenue, where she found the most offensive odor to be "the aroma of a marijuana joint". Not convinced?
Her findings here
September 16, 2014

Line In-Between Is a New Album That Plays the Noises of New York City

We've heard about people who move out of the city in search of a more quiet lifestyle, but then can't think or sleep due to the silence. Well, there's a new album that might be just what the doctor ordered for these sleep-deprived NYC expats. Line In-Between is an album recorded entirely from the noises of New York City, highlighting that sounds and music are interconnected. And what makes us love this project even more is that while the urban tunes roll, striking images of the city's architecture play along.
More details on the album here
September 16, 2014

$3.9M Flatiron Loft Offers Two-Level Terrace with Empire State Building Views

Who wouldn’t want to step out onto their magnificent terrace in Flatiron and gaze at the Met Life and Empire State Building? We’re guessing the owners of this fabulous pad are going to have a hard time parting with it… or maybe they just don’t have an appreciation for convenient locations with amazing views. Either way, this newly renovated loft at 40 East 19th Street is available for $3.85 million. Take a look at what’s inside and outside, ahead.
See the rest, here
September 15, 2014

INTERVIEW: Karim Rashid on His Move into Architecture and Designing Colorful NYC Condos

You may not recognize Karim Rashid immediately, but odds are you have at least one of his designs in your home. A staunch believer that everyone deserves access to great design no matter what their budget (it's what he calls "designocrasy"), Karim has become one of the world's most celebrated designers having brought thousands of new ideas and innovations to the widest-possible audience. As such, Karim has won hundreds of international awards, including the prestigious Red Dot, and his work can be found in more than 20 permanent collections including those of the MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and SFMOMA. Karim also calls everyone from Umbra to Giorgio Armani, Kenzo, Alessi, Artemide and Veuve Clicquot as his clients, and Time magazine once described him as the "most famous industrial designer in all the Americas". Clearly having conquered the industrial design realm, Karim recently turned his creative eye to architecture. We recently caught up with the designer cum architect to talk about the evolution of his career and the three eye-popping HAP condos he's now got under construction for New York City. Hear what he has to say about his grand new endeavors—color, controversy and all.
Read our interview with Karim Rashid here
September 15, 2014

Lovitt Loft: Space for Living, Art and Commerce in a Former Tribeca Garage

Many of us entertain fantasies about loft living in a former garage or an old warehouse, but few of us would dare take on the task of turning one into a comfortable space. That's why when the owner of this Tribeca automotive garage wanted to create a live-work-gallery space, he turned to architect Elizabeth Roberts to take on the task. Roberts, known for her stylish townhouse interiors, managed to not only carve out several beautiful spaces for living, but functional and flexible areas for display and commerce for the owner who wanted to rent out the majority of the ground floor space as a photo studio.
Take a tour inside here
September 15, 2014

Historic Jones Alley Loft Offers All the Quirky Charms of Noho

The Noho Historic District is one of the most charming in Manhattan, with quaint cobblestone streets and an eclectic mix of historic lofts that once housed the city's dry goods centers and early-19th-century houses. And one of these quirky buildings is 3 Great Jones Street. The Greek Revival townhouse was erected in 1845, replacing a former stable building. It saw façade alterations in the 1920s, but the entryway to unit R1 still retains all of its old-time appeal, as it's situated on the side of the building on Jones Alley (formerly known as Shinbone Alley), a private, gated mews. A 14-foot, historic wooden door surrounded by welcoming plants leads to the duplex loft, on the market for $3.7 million.
You don't want to miss this home
September 15, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Rent Vouchers Instead of ‘Poor Doors’; Inside the $1.4B MTA Fulton Center

A peek inside the new $1.4B MTA Fulton Center under construction. [NYDN] The ‘poor door‘ fix: Leonard Grunstein pens an op-ed saying that rather than requiring developers to produce more affordable units, they should give rent vouchers for low-income tenants for use at other apartments in the city. [Crain’s] Blame Anna Wintour. A slew of new luxury […]

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