6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

Forget public pools and health clubs, the Soori High Line will offer private, heated swimming pools in 16 of its ultra-posh residences. Soo Chan, principal of Singapore-based SCDA Architects, has already made a name for himself in Asia as the pool master, designing towers with up to 120 private swimming holes. Now Chan's water-inspired interiors have also come to the surface in New York. The 11-story, 27-unit building at 522 West 19th Street will feature 16 pools ranging in size from 23 to 26 feet long, 7 to 9 feet wide, and 4 feet deep.
More about the Soori's pools this way

August 1, 2014

Daily Link Fix: The Lost Tree of Ground Zero; LGBT Barbershop Plans To Open in Brooklyn

Summer Streets Is Here!: Time to break out the bike and ride the open roads. Summer Streets closes down streets in Brooklyn and Manhattan for biking, zip-lining, running, yoga and other activities. Find out where to find the annual program at The New York Times. LGBT Barbershop Coming To Crown Heights: DNAinfo reports that hair stylist, […]

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August 1, 2014

$2.2 Million West Village Artists’ Loft with Tin Ceilings Is Quite the Muse

The pre-war details of this loft would serve as inspiration to any artist—which is perfect because it just so happens that 799 Greenwich Street is an artist’s co-op. That’s right. Accountants need not apply. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a peek at this beautiful abode, which is apparently home to a budding young musician.
Let's take a look

Distinctive Homes

August 1, 2014

NYC Events 8/1: Neon in Chinatown; A Convergence of Art, Music and Technology

By Lori Zimmer

Happy August! Celebrate the new month with all the fine art that New York has to offer. Tonight you can hit up a historic artist residence in the West Village, immerse yourself in edgy urban art in Williamsburg, and then party in a wild world of neon in Chinatown for a full-on New York art experience. Once you recover from all your Friday folly, start your weekend by taking pictures around the new Arles del Rio sculptures in Times Square. After that, head to Brooklyn for the opening reception and party for Justice, a new project by a roster of incredible women. Then wrap up next week with Clouds in a Cloudless Sky, an installation event where art, music and technology converge.
All the best events here

August 1, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Matthew Namie of Paris Framemakers on the Art of Framing

By Susan Cohen

Painters, portraitists, and photographers--the visual artists tend to get all the credit. But there is another type of art that goes into making a piece beautiful, and that is the art of framing. Most of us rarely think about this component, but for Matthew Namie, it’s always on his mind. As a salesperson at Paris Framemakers on the Upper West Side, he works with customers to make sure their prized artworks are framed just right. Paris Framemakers, located on 75th and Amsterdam, opened twenty years ago, and also has stores on 81st and Madison and 100th and Broadway. Matthew is a recent addition to Paris, but not to framing. He has seven years of experience under his belt and a keen eye when it comes to frames, mats, and glass. He will soon be heading across town to serve as the manager at the Upper East Side location. While working with Matthew on my own framing needs, I realized that many New Yorkers don't know the intricacies of this craft. So, I recently popped into Paris Framemakers to learn all about the art of framing and Matthew’s expertise.
Read the full interview right this way

August 1, 2014

Snag the Greenest Seat in Town: Gufram’s 1972 Pratone Chair is Shaped Like a Patch of Grass

By Patty Lee

A whimsical lounge chair by Gufram is giving new meaning to the phrase "In the weeds." The Italian design house's 1972 Pratone chaise resembles a tall sculptural patch of grass, but it's really an outdoor chaise meant for sitting and relaxing.
See the chair in action

August 1, 2014

$9K/Month Greenwich Village Apartment Available for the First Time in 20 Years

It turns out you don’t have to be an A-lister to live like a star in Greenwich Village… not if you have an extra $8,995 a month lying around. This garden apartment at 19 West 10th Street is prepared for even the pickiest renter, offering original details with modern updates and a flexible layout that can be rearranged to accommodate up to three bedrooms. So, you can put away your list of demands while we take a look at this Gold Coast pad.
Take a look inside this A-list apartment here

Distinctive Homes

August 1, 2014

Rogers Marvel Architects Separate Public and Family Spaces in Their East Fifth Street Penthouse

When Rogers Marvel Architects set out to combine and design this East Fifth Street top-floor renovation/penthouse addition, they wanted to create two separately functioning spaces. The entrance was moved to the penthouse, which houses the public zone--the kitchen, dining room, and formal living room. Downstairs is the family zone, with two bedroom/bathroom wings, one for the adults and the other for children, located off a central family and play room. The public spaces are outfitted with sleek, modern décor, while the private, family rooms are decidedly more playful.
Tour the rest of this East Village duplex

Distinctive Homes

$4.5M Central Park West duplex in Hotel des Artistes gets color just right

The corner terrace at this $4.4M Stella Tower condo puts the city skyline at your feet

For $5.1M, this pretty Gramercy condo comes with a key to the private park

A grown-up townhouse with a Bushwick address–and a koi pond–asks $2M

For $700K, this parkside Brooklyn co-op adds dramatic design details to classic pre-war bones

$475K Bed-Stuy co-op is a cozy home in a historic mansion

A Victoria's Secret model's angelic East Village flat with a solarium and terrace asks $2.9M

For $1.65M, this Prospect Heights pre-war co-op can expand to hold a classic six

Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi lists Chelsea condo for $5.9M

Behold the breathtaking views from this $18M home on the Montauk coastline

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July 31, 2014

New Renderings of What Will Replace Graffiti Art Mecca 5Pointz Emerge

If you loved 5Pointz, grab a box of tissues because you aren't going to be happy with what's planned for the soon to be demolished building. NY YIMBY has gotten his hands on new renderings of what will replace the former art mecca, and unsurprisingly, the towers are as ho hum residential as they come. The new design is the work of New York-based HTO Architect, and once complete, will hold 1,000 apartments within two towers of 41 and 47 stories each.
More images this way

New Developments

July 31, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Chelsea Market May Get an Extension; United Charities Building Could Fetch $128M

Chelsea Market may expand with a 330,000-square-foot addition. New renderings see the brick structure topped off with a block of glass and steel. [Curbed] The city’s Economic Development Corporation will begin installing greenery and seating in Downtown Brooklyn’s Fox Square. The project kicks off in August and will take 6 months to complete. [CO] Queens Borough President Melinda Katz […]

Real Estate Trends

July 31, 2014

Sharif El-Gamal Commissions Jean Nouvel to Design Islam Museum Next to WTC

Sharif El-Gamal, CEO of real estate developer Soho Properties, announced today that his company acquired 49-51 Park Place from Consolidated Edison for $10.7 million. He also confirmed that none other than Pritzker Prize-winning starchitect Jean Nouvel will be designing the site's three-story Islam museum and prayer space.
More on the breaking development

July 31, 2014

New St. Mark’s Bookshop is a “Twist” on an Old Favorite

When the neighborhood institution St. Mark's Bookshop was struggling to pay its sky-high rent back in 2011, it asked landlord Cooper Union for a break to prevent having to relocate from its iconic 3rd Avenue and East 9th Street location. The institution wouldn't budge, so the East Village and book-loving communities banded together in an attempt to save the store. Though after petitions, cash mobs, and celebrity visits, the owners announced in March that they'd be moving their shop to 136 East 3rd Street at Avenue A. Longtime patrons were nervous about the new outpost, which recently opened its doors in the historic First Houses complex, but the contemporary design by Clouds Architecture Office does not disappoint. The undulating bookshelves snake through the shop, encouraging customers to peruse the eclectic collection of literature and freeing up interior space for neighborhood events. Through the storefront windows, the colorful books pop against the stark-white shelves, a true feast for the eyes.
More on the clever design ahead

July 31, 2014

Daily Link Fix: A Flower Pot That Grows With Your Plant; The Best and Worst NYC Trains

How Does Your Train Stack Up?: Animal New York covers The Straphangers Campaign’s annual ranking “State of the Subway.” Find out which train was considered the best and the worst – hopefully you’re not taking the latter any time soon. Pepper Spray Doubles As A Camera: This innovative design, now asking for funding on Indiegogo, snaps […]

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July 31, 2014

Seasoned Real Estate Couple Grab Eclectic Central Park West Apartment for $5.3 Million

It must have been a nice change of pace for Stephen Yalof to look for residential properties instead of the retail spaces he scoped out for 12 years as Senior Vice President of Real Estate for the Ralph Lauren Corporation and now as CEO of Premium Outlets. Though for his wife Liora Yalof, a broker with Corcoran, it was likely just another day at work. The couple paid $5.3 million for their new three-bedroom home at the St. Urban on Central Park West. Apartment 11E is an eclectic mix of historic details and global-inspired décor, perfect for such a well-rounded real estate pair.
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July 31, 2014

A Suburban Enclave in Manhattan: Peeking Into Battery Park City

As New Yorkers, we learn to be resourceful. We can turn a tiny patch of grass into a full-on park, double the space of our 400-square-foot apartment with lofted rooms and suspended shelving, and get all of our reading in on the commute to work. But for some, this sacrificial lifestyle becomes too much, and daydreams of suburbia set in. Not ready to pack your bags for Jersey or Westchester just yet? Look to Battery Park City, a suburban-like enclave that's just a five-minute walk from Wall Street. The 92-acre planned residential community is the largest "green" neighborhood in the world, with more than one third of its total acreage covered in parks and gardens. Additionally, the area boasts spectacular waterfront views, large apartments, slightly more affordable prices than its Financial District neighbors, and an impressive collection of public art.
READ MORE

Uncategorized

July 31, 2014

The Bariseur: A Hybrid Coffee Brewer-Alarm Clock That Wakes You Up with a Fresh Cup of Joe

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

If you dread waking up to the painful buzz of an alarm clock, this new design might be the way make your morning hustle a slower, more delightful experience. Envisioned by British designer Joshua Renouf, The Bariseur is a coffee brewer and an alarm clock all in one. This unique hybrid machine will wake you up with a freshly brewed cup, letting you enjoy a few more minutes in bed.
Learn more about The Bariseur

Architecture And Design

July 31, 2014

Charming Italianate-Style Townhome in Fort Greene Sells for $3.3 Million

The one-to-two family dwelling at 20 South Oxford Street must have made quite an impression on a few buyers. An apparent bidding war drove the price up from its initial $2.65 million asking to a final sale price of $3.3 million, according to city records. Located on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Fort Greene Historic District, this three-story Italianate-style home has a garden-level apartment with a separate entrance that can serve as an income suite or a fourth level. In addition, the home boasts high ceilings; a large backyard accented by a 123-square-foot deck; and many original details from its 1854 inception, including original marble mantles on each of the home’s six decorative fireplaces.
Take a look inside, here

Starchitects Aren’t to Blame for “Ruining” the Skyline

So often it's the starchitects who get a bad name--for ruining city skylines with their larger-than-life towers, for obscuring park views, or for neglecting to take into account their surroundings. But a new opinion piece in the New York Times by Allison Arieff argues that the blame can't be solely placed on these so-called starchitects, but rather on the architecture community at large.
Read more about Arieff's case here

Architecture And Design

July 30, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Sales Launch at Chetrit’s Midtown Tower; Views from the Top of 432 Park

An Italian family has scooped up the NYC Church Missions House for $50M-plus. Luxury condos and retail are reportedly planned at landmarked 281 Park Avenue South structure. [TRD] LIVWRK has closed on a Red Hook building for $21.5M. The property recently housed a ship engine repair company. [CO] Vornado puts 1740 Broadway up for sale. The real […]

Real Estate Trends

July 30, 2014

PARA-Project’s Haffenden House is a Tranquil Writers Studio and Modern Day Ice House

By Rebecca Paul

The Haffenden House by PARA-Project, a tranquil writers studio in Syracuse, New York, was designed as a place for two poets to find respite and inspiration. Located on a typical suburban street, the modern, white rectangular structure stands out against the more traditional homes to its left and right. The architect has stated that "The project finds itself within the suburban realm, referencing Gianni Pettena’s Ice House from 1972, as a blank spot within the repetitive image of 'house.'"
Tour the rest of the contemporary abode

Architecture And Design

July 30, 2014

$4.6 Million Gallery-esque Upper East Side Apartment Is a Work of Art

Who wouldn’t want a loft-like Upper East Side apartment walking distance from Museum Mile and Central Park and complete with panda paintings? Yes, this 3 bedroom co-op at 65 East 76th Street has enough room on its wall space to showcase the best of your art collection, and it has enough lighting—both natural and tracking—to host a gallery showing. Well, who says the gallery can’t be a work of art in and of itself? We know this unit doesn’t.
Take a look inside this beautiful pad here

Distinctive Homes

July 30, 2014

Paolo Venturella’s Flex Tower Twists to Soak Up Sunlight

It's 2040 in New York City, and the metropolis' population has doubled over, thereby drastically increasing energy consumption. How do architects alter their designs to deal with this new landscape? Italian architect Paolo Venturella thinks he's come up with the answer to this (currently hypothetical) conundrum. The Flex Tower concept combines the need for housing with a sustainable energy system that uses a new typology for photovoltaic panels. At ground level the structure is in keeping with the traditional street grid, but as it rises it rotates toward the sun to position the panels correctly.
More about the curving creation this way

July 30, 2014

Your Daily Link Fix: GIFs Are Art Now?; A Fully Functioning 3D-Printed Loudspeaker

Enjoy the New Yorker’s Best Architecture Articles for Free: The editors at Places have been busy digging through the New Yorker’s now pay-wall free vault and have rounded up some of the best stories on architecture and urbanism, including profiles of David Adjaye and Bjarke Ingels and a slew of interesting critiques and interviews. A Recycling Bin […]

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July 30, 2014

Late “60 Minutes” Anchor Mike Wallace’s Estate Sells for $13 Million

After nearly two years on the market, Mike Wallace’s estate has finally sold, for a significant discount, according to city records. The home was initially placed on the market after the anchor’s death in 2012, asking $20 million dollars, a far cry from its closing $13 million sale price. Occupying the 15th and 16th floors of the distinguished 730 Park Avenue—a white-gloved Jacobean/Tudor style co-op designed by F. Burrall Hoffman, Jr. and Lafayette A. Goldstone--this 4BR/4.5BA duplex, offers plenty of light, gorgeous city views, and original prewar details.
Take a look inside the anchor's former home here

July 30, 2014

A 19th Century Candy Store and WWI Fighter Plane Liven Up a Financial District Office Building

Take a step back in time at 77 Water Street, a 26-story office tower designed by Emery Roth & Sons and built by the William Kaufman Organization. The Financial District building features a WWI fighter plane on its roof and a turn-of-the-century penny candy store in its lobby. Thinking that this tower looks too modern for these curiosities? You're right; it was erected in 1970. The William Kaufman Organization wanted to humanize the building and make workers forget they were in an office tower, and to accomplish this they had historic replicas of the plane and candy shop installed. They also added a variety of public art projects throughout the plaza and lobby.
More fun facts about 77 Water Street right this way

July 30, 2014

Tour Tommy Hilfiger’s Lavish Plaza Penthouse

Everything you need to know about affordable housing: applying, getting in, and staying put

When we think of Tommy Hilfiger we might imagine him in an all-American, red-white-and-blue outfit, standing in a nautical seashore cottage, but his penthouse at the Plaza couldn't be any more the opposite than this vision. Instead of paintings of beach scenes there are Basquiats and Warhols (20 of the latter, to be exact); rather than white-washed walls there are entire rooms clad in marble; and instead of simple, shabby chic bedrooms there are opulent personal retreats that could fit entire NYC apartments within their footprint. In short, Mr. Hilfiger's city residence is nothing short of regal. He and his wife Dee Ocleppo purchased and combined three separate units in 2008, and they then embarked on a massive renovation of the duplex to emulate the old-world style of the landmarked building.
Take a tour through this magnificent home and see if the couple lived up to goal

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Snag the Greenest Seat in Town: Gufram's 1972 Pratone Chair is Shaped Like a Patch of Grass

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July 29, 2014

Blue Chip Buys: 15 Central Park West Is New York City’s Most Expensive Building, Other Contenders

Even with the thousands of new residential units that have hit the market in the last year, there are still a handful of tried-and-true properties in Manhattan that will always be coveted by the rich, the famous, and those who just wish they were rich or famous. So which properties sit at the top of this list? We turn the CityRealty 100 for the low-down on what buildings have outdone all of the rest. Their latest report tracks the performance of Manhattan's top 100 condo buildings through the second quarter of 2014.
The top performers this way

Real Estate Trends

July 29, 2014

You Can Design Next Year’s City of Dreams Pavilion on Governors Island

By Annie Doge

Calling all designers and architects! The AIANY Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) is now accepting entries for The City of Dreams 2015 Pavilion Design Competition. This year, FIGMENT has teamed up with ENYA and SEAofNY to host a contest that invites creatives to design and construct an architectural pavilion for next year's City of Dreams. The winning designer will be the 5th to create a project for annual event, following in the footsteps of other notables such as StudioKCA with their 2013 work, 'Head in the Clouds', which also won a Best of Year award from Interior Design Magazine in the installation category. Don't miss out on a chance to create an unforgettable space for this incredible playground of art and culture.
Submission details here

Architecture And Design

July 29, 2014

First Look Inside Zaha Hadid’s Futuristic Condos Planned for the High Line

Whether or not you're a fan of Zaha Hadid, or Neo-Futurism for that matter, if you're believer that a building's interior should be a seamless extension of its exterior (read: not New York by Gehry), you'll appreciate Zaha's efforts to turn her High Line project into a work worthy of architecture history books. One of the most (if not the most) talked about starchitect projects planned for the elevated park, plenty of full view renderings have surfaced since it was announced just over a year ago. But it looks like we're finally getting a taste of what the inside could look like, courtesy of Curbed. Like its ultra-futuristic exteriors, Zaha's luxurious condos will be just as sleek and spaceship-like as the outside, with undulating surfaces all throughout, and featuring many of the mind-boggling forms we've come to appreciate Ms. Hadid for.
More views inside

July 29, 2014

Your Daily Link Fix: A Rock Band from the Sahara Desert; The Mets Want to Save the ‘Tent of Tomorrow’

A Nomadic Rock Band From The Sahara Desert: MessyNessyChic reminds us that the awesome bohemian band Tinariwen, formed back in the late 70s, is still rocking out with their unique sounds. Be sure to watch the video; you’ll want to have it on replay for the rest of the day. The Mets Want To Save the Vandalized […]

Uncategorized

July 29, 2014

The Views from This Pied-a-Terre Will Have You Humming with Approval

If you’re looking for a nice pied-a-terre in the heart of an eclectic neighborhood, you can stop your search right now… but of course, keep reading our articles. This $2.495 million 2BR/2BA loft sitting high up in the Capitol Building offers 1,800 square feet of interior space with an additional 200 square feet in the form of an amazing terrace, and two Juliet balconies. And with beautiful views of the city, including a the majestic Empire State Building, the only thing this loft is missing is Luciano Pavarotti singing “Nessun Dorma” in the background. So, hum along with us as we take a tour through this excellent estate.
But Want to see the view? Follow us here

Distinctive Homes

July 29, 2014

Pocket Listings: Secret Real Estate Listings Are no Longer Limited to the Rich and Famous

By Lauren Price

Okay, we know homes are more often than not sold through real estate agents, but did you know that more than a few are sold under the radar? That somehow, there are always a handful of residences "secretly" up for sale, and try as he/she may, your broker will never come across them on an MLS—a place where just about everybody on earth can search for a specific building or neighborhood any day of the week. Here’s the lowdown: These homes are known as "pocket listings" and though there is a signed and perfectly legal agreement between the agent and seller, the listing is never entered into an MLS for the world to see. There’s no big open house shindig; no advertising—and obviously no press splash. So, why would a seller risk more unsold days on the market instead of opting for an open listing, you ask?
Find out more here

July 29, 2014

Beyonce Spotted Checking Out This $21.5 Million Chelsea Penthouse with Giant Apartment-Sized Closet

By Stephanie Hoina

According to the New York Daily News, Beyonce was spotted apartment hunting this week, without hubby Jay Z, for what some are speculating could be her new bachelorette pad. The luxurious home that seems to have caught Bey's eye is this incredible 4,054-square-foot square penthouse located at 520 West 19th Street, which comes with not only a 20-foot dining room and libraries, but a stunning 642-square-foot private terrace that runs the full length of the apartment and looks out to a dazzling array of city sights—a birds-eye view of the Empire State Building among them.
Tour Beyonce's potential pad here

July 29, 2014

Specht Harpman’s Eiche Residence Uses Simple Lines to Create a Calming East Village Hideaway

It's no secret that the East Village is the go-to neighborhood for NYU students and recent grads looking to mix, mingle, and party, and that can get a little rowdy at times. But the Eiche Residence by Specht Harpman is a peaceful retreat within this buzzing neighborhood. Simple horizontal and vertical lines mixed with clean volumes and planar surfaces help to maximize space and organize movement through this unusually laid out triplex unit. And with neutral furniture and an abundance of warm, natural wood, the calming feel achieved inside will make you forget that you're even in New York.
See why else we're swooning over this East Village pad

July 28, 2014

Hold Your Horses, This Clinton Hill Carriage House is Younger Than You Think

Take a walk down this carriage house-lined block of Vanderbilt Avenue in the Clinton Hill Historic District, and you'll feel like you've been transported back to the 19th century. And in fact, most of the historic homes haven't changed much since then, except for number 407. Though this brick beauty blends in seamlessly with its fellow carriage houses, it was actually constructed in 2006 after receiving approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The four-story home has the look and feel of an old-time structure, but offers a modern layout and contemporary conveniences, plus it boasts 6,592 square feet of interior space and two outdoor oases.
Take a tour through the carriage house

Distinctive Homes

July 28, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Williamsburg Armory Not for Sale; Zillow Acquires Trulia for $3.5B

The Williamsburg Armory on Marcy Avenue is not for sale. The Satmar Hasidic sect wants to turn the massive building into a school and a community center, but the state is saying no. The reason? Renting out the armory to film crews has proven extremely profitable. [NYDN] Is Brooklyn Brewery moving to Staten Island? Not quite. The […]

Real Estate Trends

July 28, 2014

Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects’ Bridgehampton Surfside Residence Floats Elegantly Above the Dunes

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

There is a beautiful, breezy property in Bridgehampton that seems to be floating atop its sandy site. Called the Surfside Residence, this stunning home was designed by local studio Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects as a retreat from all the hustle and bustle of daily life. Clad in wood and featuring two levels, just about every room in this abode boasts jaw-dropping views of the ocean. If you want to take a little mental break from today's grind, take a tour of this gorgeous house with us—the pictures alone are guaranteed to put you in a more peaceful state.
Tour the home here

July 28, 2014

Gorgeous Versailles-Inspired Townhouse with Sweeping Staircase Sells for $6.7 Million

It probably seems odd for a New York apartment to spark visions of Scarlet O’Hara walking down a staircase. And where is this apartment? It’s not in Brooklyn, or even on the Upper East Side. Ladies and gentlemen you are in Tribeca, where developer and homeowner Gizman Abbas decided to forgo the typical warehouse look in favor of a more palatial, classic look inspired by a trip to Versailles. And if you’re not fascinated by the old world details, let us remind you that just because a home looks like the backdrop for a period piece, doesn’t mean it can’t be rigged with enough modern-day technology to rival Bill Gates. Because our friend Mr. Abbas has traveled to more places than just Versailles, and his cup of inspiration runneth over. It was apparently enough to convince New York attorney Tracey Anne Zaccone. According to city records, Zaccone just purchased the home for $6.7 million, and it looks like she got a steal of a deal.
You’ll see what we’re talking about here

July 28, 2014

INTERVIEW: George Schieferdecker Talks to Us About One Vandam and BKSK’s Future Projects

By Tag Brum

When it comes designing for contextual relevance (and Landmarks love), BKSK is a firm favored by many developers. BKSK was founded back in 1985 when three Columbia architecture students decided they wanted to apply the progressive design principles they were seeing in their studies to the New York City landscape. Fast forward to nearly three decades later, and this trio has blossomed into a full-fledged, six-partner practice with a penchant for residential designs. One of BKSK's current condo projects, One Vandam, is now on the rise and is getting plenty of attention for its slab on base design and syncopated glass and limestone facade. Though the design is much more modern than their previous works, One Vandam does pay homage to its dynamic locale. We recently caught up with one of BKSK's partners, George Schieferdecker, to find out what inspired One Vandam's design, to hear a bit about how New York has changed since BKSK first started its practice in the 80s, and to get the scoop on what's up next for the studio.
Read our interview with George here

July 28, 2014

Brooklyn Family Expands Fort Greene Townhouse with Airy Garden Pavilion by O’Neill McVoy Architects

By Patty Lee

Few things look more out of place than a clunky new addition to a beautiful historic house, especially in a neighborhood as quaint and peaceful as tree-lined Fort Greene. So when the owners of this 19th-century townhouse wanted to expand and make room for two growing teenage daughters, they sought out a team who could do it seamlessly: Beth O'Neill and Chris McVoy of O'Neill McVoy Architects.
Check out the lovely new addition straight ahead

July 28, 2014

$9.5 Million Brewster Carriage House Penthouse Has Enviable Rooftop Terrace

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take your friends to the park… by just stepping out onto your rooftop? That’s what this stunning unit at the landmark Brewster Carriage House has to offer. This $9.5 million three bedroom simplex has a lot more to it than its sprawling spacious 2,610 square feet of interior space. It also has an additional 1,800 square feet of rooftop terrace with barbecue… and trees.
Let’s take a look inside, here

Distinctive Homes

July 28, 2014

William Pedersen of KPF Strives to Design the Perfect Chair with Loop de Loop

By Rebecca Paul

If the name William Pedersen sounds familiar, it should. The 76-year-old architect is a founder and partner of Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the powerhouse architecture firm behind massive building projects like One Vanderbilt and the cluster of 16 skyscrapers coming to the Hudson Yards. Though Pedersen has made a name for himself changing international skylines with his monumental structures, to our surprise, he also dabbles in industrial design. This year, Pedersen staffed his own booth at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair and presented, for the first time, his new furniture collection called Loop de Loop. The series features a set of incredible chairs made with dramatically curved carbon-steel forms that resemble the forward movement of a body in motion.
Learn more about the design

July 27, 2014

Is New York Really a Diverse City?

By Andrew Cotto

One of the things that eventually becomes obvious to an American urban dweller residing in a European city is the lack of diversity. As a New Yorker in Rome, it’s particularly obvious. Rome is full of Romans, and Romans are, essentially, of similar stripe. There are inhabitants of this city from foreign lands and of different hues, but they are not Romans. They are Bangladeshi, Senegalese, Romanian, Albanian, and more. Anything but Roman. And that will never change. While the myriad of ethnic and racial backgrounds that comprise New York’s population might be a hyphenated-American something-or-other, we are all, for the most part, fellow New Yorkers. It’s a beautiful thing, a fact many residents proudly proclaim when they speak of what makes New York so special. Diversity informs nearly every aspect of New York’s identity, and it is not exclusive. But as I look from abroad at New York’s diversity, it clearly spreads far and wide, but how deep does it go? I don’t need to look any farther than myself for a quick study.
Andrew reflects on New York's diversity

July 26, 2014

Sunny Park Slope Townhouse Gets an Artsy Makeover from The Brooklyn Home Company

From making the list of most popular baby names, to having whole stores devoted to its wares, Brooklyn has become quite the brand these days. But for a classic feel of living in the borough that bucks trends, we can always look to The Brooklyn Home Company for their tasteful, functional, and timeless spaces — like this stunning 5th Street Park Slope townhouse. The firm undertook the entire interior/exterior renovation, as well as the nine-foot extension that was added to the garden and parlor floors, those which the building owners occupy. They transformed the space with a mix of historic and modern details, custom built-ins, and impressive millwork. During the demolition, the original beams were discovered behind the drop ceiling, a feature that was left exposed and now anchors the entire living space.
Take a tour through the rest of this expertly crafted home

The 74

201 East 74th Street

Lenox Hill

Gracious Upper East Side condos with Central Park and skyline views

2 beds starting at $3,380,000
3 beds starting at $4,850,000
5 beds starting at $11,950,000

Learn More

July 25, 2014

This Central Park South Apartment Stands Out with a Gaudi-Inspired Ceiling

Ears ringing? Yes, the neighbors are at it already, talking about you and your new swanky new home. Well, that is if you decide to drop the $11.8 million on this 3,050-square-foot apartment at the Trump Parc. Located at 106 Central Park South, this home features a 51-foot, semi-circular great room capped off with an 18-foot, undulating, Gaudi-inspired ceiling that will make even the most jaded real estate aficionados look twice.
Take a tour of the rest of this pad

Distinctive Homes

July 25, 2014

Real Estate Wire: The Interiors of Herzog & De Meuron’s Condo-Hotel; A Record-Breaking Sale for Harlem

Take a peek inside Herzog & De Meuron‘s condo hotel planned for the Lower East Side. The interiors have been designed by Beyer Blinder Belle. [Curbed] A Chinatown penthouse with a pretty sweet rooftop watchtower hits the market. [Curbed] The windows at One York in Tribeca keep fogging up and a lawsuit has been issued […]

Real Estate Trends

July 25, 2014

Add a Pop of Color to Your Home with These Fun Legato Cabinets

Storage space is usually a challenge for New Yorkers, but finding attractive cabinetry is even harder. If you've been looking for something more than what's on IKEA's showroom floor, look no further. This cool contemporary design called 'Legato' comes courtesy of the folks over at Claesson Koivisto Rune. The designers wanted to create a piece that was not only eye-catching, but functional and adaptable to a home's ever-changing storage needs.
Read more about the design here

July 25, 2014

Grzywinski + Pons’ Dutchess House No. 1 is an Aluminum-Clad Country Retreat