May 16, 2014

Greene Street SoHo Loft Will Cast a Spell on You (Sorry, Quirky Fireman Statue Not Included)

Greene Street in SoHo is the kind of block you walk down and can’t help but marvel at its rich collection of cast-iron architecture — arguably part of the most extensive of its type in the world. Close your eyes and you can almost (okay, maybe at 3AM, but work with me here) hear the clip-clop of the horse drawn buggies reminiscent of the year 1880, when this undeniable gem was built. Fortunately, although modern in its amenities (it was converted to loft condos in 2000), 20 Greene Street and the apartments within retain much of their 19th century charm, from the building’s classic facade to unit 2B’s high ceilings with exposed piping and cast iron Corinthian columns.
See why this SoHo loft will cast its spell on you
May 16, 2014

Your Daily Link Fix: A Police Gym Turned Penthouse is on the Market; 10 Facts About the 9/11 Pavilion

Pinterest Helped Build Apt CB2: The results are in. Pinterest users helped decorate 5 rooms. Apartment Therapy has the final look. Penthouse in Former Police Gym on the Market: One person’s police gym is another person’s… 6,600 square foot duplex penthouse! This unbelievable transformation has earned itself a price tag of $31.495 million. MTA Looks to […]

May 16, 2014

Has Governor Cuomo Found a Way to Fix Pier 40?

Governor Andrew Cuomo has reached a tentative deal with developers that could save Pier 40, according to the New York Times. In the new deal, Governor Cuomo would transfer unused development rights to another site on West Side Highway in exchange for $100 million to repair Pier 40. Restoration would involve gradually demolishing St. John’s Terminal Building and replacing it with residential buildings and shops over a period of 10 years.
Learn more about Governor Cuomo's deal to save Pier 40 here
May 16, 2014

Socialites Buy a Home in the Former Building of One of New York’s Most Infamous

New York socialites Danielle and Jonathan Segal have decided to upgrade from their 2BR/2.5 co-op on 65th Street, to a gorgeous 3BR/3BA apartment… one block away. The daughter of Ilan Cohen, owner of real estate company Elite Management, and her hedge fund husband have just put down $4.77 million on apartment 2B at 133 East 64th Street, with the help of Fox Residential's listing agents Barbara Fox and Brad Loe.
Take a look inside the beautiful home here
May 16, 2014

Market Snapshot: The Week of May 16, 2014

Flatiron and Midtown West have seen dramatic neighborhood price increases over the last 90 days. And surprise, surprise, sales in One Madison and the uber pricey, uber tall One57 are the two forces driving the change. Azad Ali talks about two decades spent preserving and restoring old homes in Prospect Park South, Ditmas Park and Midwood in Brooklyn. Fans of Breakfast at Tiffany’s will want to check out the $10 million listing for that little townhouse where fictional Holly Golightly entertained her many suitors. Learn about Mexico-born Ismael Leyva, the workhorse architect who has risen to prominence designing interiors for Related Companies projects like One Carnegie Hill, the TriBeCa Royale and The Brompton.   For market trends, cool listings and interesting tidbits about New York's most noteworthy buildings and neighborhoods, we turn to CityRealty‘s Weekly Market Snapshot for the scoop.
Get the full report here
May 16, 2014

Contemporary West Houston Street Duplex Loft Finds a Buyer

According to city records, this spacious contemporary duplex apartment at 200 West Houston Street just sold yesterday for $2 million through a listing held by Douglas Elliman's Donald Kemper. Located at the gateway to the Village and Soho, 200 West Houston Street was built in 1869 and today has 29 apartments on four floors. The stunning 2 BR/2 BA modern apartment sits on the top floor and boasts 1,800 square feet of space filled with natural light that pours in from its expansive windows and skylights.
More about the inviting space right this way
May 15, 2014

The Dakota: Extraordinary Views, Architectural Grandeur…and Yoko Ono

Maybe money can’t buy you love but it can buy you this beautifully renovated and carefully restored apartment at 1 West 72nd Street in the legendary Dakota listed at $14.5 million. Designed by Henry J. Hardenbergh and completed in 1884, the Dakota is one of the world’s most renowned residential buildings. Designated as both a New York City Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, its residences boast many of the building’s original 19th-century details including 13-foot ceilings, soaring doorways, plaster moldings, exquisite hand-carved woodwork, hardwood flooring, pocket doors, shutters framing the windows, and wood-burning fireplaces – and at least one interesting 21st century detail: Yoko Ono calls it home.
Imagine what it would be like to live here
May 15, 2014

UM Project Gives the Maypole a Modern-Day Makeover for Reclaim NYC

After an impossibly long and cold winter, it's fitting that one of the pieces on display at the upcoming Reclaim 3 exhibit is an ode to spring and renewal. But the Maypole created by whimsical furniture designer UM Project is no ordinary ribbon around a stick. Inspired by the charitable spirit that drives Reclaim NYC — which started out in 2012 as a way for the design community to raise money for Hurricane Sandy victims — UM Project founder Francois Chambard teamed up with the High School of Art & Design to create an interactive installation that combines folk custom with modern-day technology.
Details on the high-tech Maypole ahead
May 15, 2014

Snøhetta’s Light-Filled 9/11 Memorial Museum Pavilion at Ground Zero Dedicated Today

It’s amazing when you think about it, the number of people personally touched by the tragedy of 9/11. It seems in the days after the attacks, especially as a New Yorker, you found you had a connection to someone who had perished, either directly or indirectly. It was almost uncanny. And the phrase “Never Forget” became ubiquitous. As if you ever could. To ensure we never do, and that those too young to remember will continue to honor the day that changed the world, the 9/11 Memorial Museum at Ground Zero was dedicated today, in advance of its May 21st opening to the general public. Attendees included President Obama and Governor Chris Christie.
Snøhetta's Light Filled Pavilion greets museum visitors
May 15, 2014

This Belaire Condo in Lenox Hill Will Cure What Ails You

High above the East River, atop the Hospital for Special Surgery, sits this elegantly renovated 3-bedroom, 4-bath Lenox Hill residence in the The Belaire. Designed by Frank William and Partners, and completed in 1988, The Belaire is true to its name, offering sweeping “airy” views of the river below, the bridges that span it, and the skyline of the city it calls home.
Take a look at its magnificent views
May 15, 2014

A Soho Loft That Fits You Like a Glove

Life in Soho should be a perfect blend of comfortable living and lively entertainment. Well, this beautiful 3,167 square foot loft at 104 Wooster Street understands that perfectly. That’s why it’s fully equipped with a spacious great room, currently sectioned off into smaller seating areas. Now, you can have a conversation with a few friends while the kids play safely in another corner of the room. Or maybe you prefer to float freely through a sea of guests at the awesome parties you’ll throw. Either way, apartment #2S is ready to accommodate you.
Take a peek inside this gorgeous loft here
May 15, 2014

This Breathtaking Nolita Penthouse Takes Going Green to Another Level

Not all rooftop gardens are created equal, especially when it's an award-winning green space perched high above Little Italy. A collaboration between Andrew Berman Architect and the sustainable roof designers of Goode Green, the blooming penthouse abode is a serious urban oasis complete with chickens and a bee colony.
More photos of the beautiful garden home ahead
May 15, 2014

Tiptoe Through the Treetops at 25 Central Park West

The phrase “stunning views of Central Park” could have been first uttered for this elegant and meticulously gut-renovated Century Condominium apartment. From nearly every vantage point you feel like you're walking on the treetops of New York City’s renowned oasis of green – a view that has been enjoyed by the inhabitants of #14J since the Century opened in 1932 on the former site of the historic Century Theater. Sharing an Art Deco motif with its sister building The Majestic (on 72nd across from the Dakota), the 32-story Century stands out among its predominantly Beaux-Arts neighbors and became part of the Central Park West historic district in 1985.
See what it feels like to tiptoe through the treetops
May 14, 2014

Plans to Convert the Jehovah Witness Watchtower Complex Into a High Tech Incubator Revealed!

Leeser Architects, designer of the Museum of the Moving Image expansion in Astoria, seems to be single-handedly upping the architecture ante in the outer-boroughs. Fresh off the heels of demolition commencing on the site of their multi-faceted 30-story Marriott Autograph Collection tower in the BAM Cultural District, Leeser may also be busy in the conversion of DUMBO's five-building Jehovah Witness Watchtower complex into a high tech incubator and residential tower.
See the renderings we've uncovered after the jump
May 14, 2014

Bonsai-Inspired Solar Charger Also Lights Up at Night

The design of this compact solar charging lantern, called Electree Mini, was influenced by bonsai trees and fractal patterns found in nature. Created by French designer Vivien Muller, it "provides solar-derived power to environments typically void of renewable energy." On the movable branches are small solar panels which capture sunlight — a play on photosynthesis. The solar energy is then stored in small batteries that can directly power up your gadgets. Electree Mini has the capability to charge AA and AAA batteries and comes with a USB port that will charge smartphones. At dusk, the tree automatically lights up, and when rotated the LED light sensors change colors.
More design details this way
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May 14, 2014

The Local Yokel Trap of New York City

As a Brooklynite surrounded by progressives, I'm well aware of the need to "think globally and act locally" on a whole lot of matters. This persistent mantra seems particularly true when it comes to commerce, prompting those of us who heed such calls to shop (and generally pay more) at farmer's markets and mom & pop retailers, especially those in our very own neighborhood. This is how vital local businesses can be sustained in an environment rife with soulless, big chain predators. OK. Fine. So I do my part by forking over ten bucks to a farmer for a bunch of kale and a handful of carrots, though I can't understand why it costs more to buy the stuff direct from the guy who grew it himself. And then there was the time a Hudson Valley hipster tried to sell me a three pound chicken for $27. “What was it,” I asked. “Raised on truffles?”  
Read more of Andrew's story here
May 14, 2014

Carnegie Hill Residents Sell Their Gorgeous Penthouse Apartment for $7.25 Million

Why anyone would want to leave this gorgeous Carnegie Hill penthouse at 1150 5th Avenue will remain a mystery for the ages. For some reason, the penthouse's former owners, Karim Rashid and Tracy Buescher, have decided to sell their beautiful 5th Avenue pad. However, someone just hit the jackpot when they scooped up the 3BR/3.5BA beauty, built in 1924 by J.E.R. Carpenter - the unsung hero of 5th Avenue. The co-op was designed by architect Charles Platt, the award winning designer responsible for Washington D.C’s Freer Gallery of Art.
Take a look inside this gorgeous penthouse here
May 14, 2014

And the Cycle Continues: Stuy Town Ownership to Change Hands Again

It looks like Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village may be headed back to auction. Manhattan’s largest rental community is no stranger to the game of musical chairs that their owners have been inadvertently playing. The complex, comprised of 80 acres, 110 buildings, and 11,231 units between 14th and 23rd Streets, has had an interesting decade. It sold to Tishman Speyer Properties and BlackRock for a record $5.4 billion at the height of the real estate boom in 2006. Despite being accused of trying to push out lower income residents with high prices, they actually defaulted on their loan in 2010. Ownership of the property was transferred to the lenders, represented by CWCapital.
Drama in Stuy Town
May 14, 2014

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

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

5 Architecture Firms Envision an Ideal Atlantic Yards

The creative mind is so spectacular. There’s nothing more fun for designers than to be given a project where they can allow their imaginations to run rampant. Never was this more evident than with The Warehouse Gallery’s new exhibit opening next month. Five architecture firms were asked to design an idealistic plan of Atlantic Yards, conforming to the same dimensions as the actual project headed up by developer Forest City Ratner. These proportions include 4,278,000 square feet of housing and 156,00 square feet of retail space.
Find out more about the project here
May 13, 2014

Observations: Changes at the Center of the City (And World)

The city’s most famous plazas straddle Fifth Avenue at 59th Street, and there’s a lot going on. One of the city’s great entrances is the large marquee facing Fifth Avenue at the Plaza Hotel between 58th Street and Central Park South surmounted by five large ”outrigger” flags, at least one of which is the American flag. This past Sunday, there were two American flags, one Canadian flag, the Fairmount Hotels & Resorts flag, and the Plaza Hotel flag. The two American flags, however, were not standard and the “canton” of white stars against a blue background. These had too much blue background at the edge. While pointing this out to the two doorman, Jarret Lazar, the manager of bell services, wandered by and expressed surprise at my observation. He said that the flags need to be changed every two or three weeks because they get ripped apart.
Taking in the changes of our great city
May 13, 2014

Your Art and Design Events Agenda, For the Week of May 12, 2014

Spring is in full swing, so how about venturing around the city this week to experience some of the arts and culture New York has to offer? Hob knob with donors and creatives at the annual Party in the Garden at the Museum of Modern Art, check out a secret bar behind an art opening, indulge in all things design at ICFF this weekend, or experience an art installation that encourages sleep. Another great week is yours for the taking!
All the best events here
May 13, 2014

If These Walls Could Talk: The Former Home of Two Brooklyn Mayors Goes on the Market

A large part of the appeal of New York City is the historical nature of the buildings. However, how many buildings can boast that they were once own by not one, but two mayors? Well, the 4-story townhome at 405 Clinton Avenue has those bragging rights, and it’s on the market for a new owner. The townhouse was initially designed in 1889 by William Bunker Tubby, the architect responsible for Pratt Institute’s library. He designed it for Charles A. Schieren, one of Brooklyn’s last mayors. It’s rumored that the home was also the residence of Brooklyn’s jazz-Age mayor Jimmy Walker, many decades before its current owners purchased it in 2009. After paying $1.75 million for the landmarked building, owner Sean Wilsey and his wife Daphne Beal gutted the entire place, adding roughly 100 new windows and a patio among other things.
Check out more photos of this gorgeous renovation here
May 13, 2014

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

It's going to be a noisy summer for those living in the BAM Cultural District. Works have started on not one, but two of the glassy towers planned for the area. The two towers will be located at 286 Ashland Place and 590 Fulton Street, and are designed by Ten Arquitectos and FXFOWLE, respectively. Heavy machinery was recently delivered to the sites and excavation has begun. The two projects are part of a major re-haul of the area around BAM into a new cultural hub for Brooklyn.
More on the two towers here
May 13, 2014

Decorative Brooklyn Heights Brownstone Closes for $7 Million

A beautiful, Italianate brownstone at 37 Remsen Street in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District sold for $7 million through a listing held by Brown Harris Stevens. It was originally listed for $6.2 million when it went on the market in January. The buyer is Jeremiah T. Healey, former Jersey City Mayor from 2004-2013, and his wife Megan McKee Healey, a tax law professor at NYU. Built in 1899, the 25-foot-wide, 7,000-square-foot home retains a wealth of historic details including fanlight windows, cast iron vent covers, etched pocket doors, and wood-paneled chair rails. The decorative elements such as ceiling medallions, painted borders, and fancy ceiling moldings were likely to the taste of the previous owner, but they certainly add a bit of whimsy to the classical home.
More photos of the five-story regal brownstone this way
May 12, 2014

Your Daily Link Fix: Scarface Home on the Market for $35 Million; Williamsburg Edges Out Dumbo as Brooklyn’s Most Expensive

Art Project Uses Graffiti to Spruce up Bronx neighborhood: The New York Daily news talks about how the Bronx Park East Community Association partnered with local artists to trade unsightly tagging for beautiful murals. Food Trucks Stuck in Park: Crain’s New York discusses how some of these New York staples are turning to brick and […]

May 12, 2014

Something to Sing About: Metropolitan Opera President Sells His Tribeca Loft for $2.8 Million

Kevin W. Kennedy, The Metropolitan Opera president (and former managing director of Goldman Sachs) and his pediatrician wife Karen have sold their stunning Tribeca loft for $2.8 million. The pair's former residence is 1,641-square-feet, and features 4 rooms, including 1 bedroom and 2 bathrooms. Large windows with wrought-iron Juliet balconies are this building’s signature, illuminating the welcoming space with its wood floors and original exposed brick walls. The deal was closed by Melinda Nix of Sotheby's. 27 Leonard Street, situated between Broadway and Hudson Street, was originally built in 1876 for William B. Lawrence, a New York Stock Exchange board member. In 2003 it was converted to luxury condominiums with a commitment to balancing privacy and entertainment.
Take a look inside the Tribeca loft here
May 12, 2014

A Jean Nouvel Chelsea Stunner Sells for $3.8 Million

When Jean Nouvel won the esteemed Pritzker Prize in 2008, the judges cited his "insatiable urge for creative experimentation."  His design of residential building 100 Eleventh Avenue is no exception to the boundary-pushing modern architecture for which he is celebrated. Completed in 2010, the shimmering masterpiece has the most technologically advanced and highly engineered curtain wall systems in the city. Mr. Nouvel describes it as a "vision machine," and considering its nearly 1,700 panes of glass — some up to 37-feet wide — each a different size and set a different angle, he is justified in doing so. The 21-story LEED-certified condo building, has 72 units each with south- and west-facing views, floor-to-ceiling window walls, and mechanized shade systems. Every apartment has a unique arrangement of powder-coated steel window mullions, which form specific views related to the space's location. Unit 5D, which recently sold for $3.8 million through a listing held by Douglas Elliman, looks west onto the High Line and has a spacious, elegant layout.
See the stunning interior this way
May 11, 2014

Take a Peek at Three Cool, New Products from Italian Designer Giorgio Bonaguro

Architects, get ready to swoon — an Italian designer has created a desk that'll make working through the night feel downright fashionable. Designed by Giorgio Bonaguro, the Oscar desk was first shown off during Milan Design Week 2014. It features a solid ash wood tabletop and soft leather pockets that hold drawings and notes, creating a sophisticated, yet functional look.
Details on how you can try it out in person
May 9, 2014

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

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

Your Daily Link Fix: Designer Cat Beds Up for Auction; House Made of Bioconcrete Turns Rain Into Drinking Water

Not in Our Neighborhood: Crain’s reports that Brooklyn Bridge Park neighbors are up in arms over a proposal to build a 16-story residential building within the park, which could include affordable housing. Etsy Seeking a New Space: The e-commerce site may be expanding in Dumbo. Crain’s NY has the details. The Steepest and Cheapest: The Real […]

May 9, 2014

Lena Dunham’s Parents Sell Their Tribeca Loft for $6.25 Million

Carroll Dunham and Laurie Simmons, the parents of prodigious millennial Lena Dunham, have sold their Tribeca loft at 16 Desbrosses St, #4S for $6.25 million. The 3,600-square-foot location for the award winning film, Tiny Furniture, was once a textile warehouse. In recent years, the bright, airy space, perfectly suited for artistic inspiration, was re-designed by architect David Bers who was also responsible for designing the couple’s other residence in Cornwall, CT. They also collaborated with interior designer Nick Dine, son of pop artist Jim Dine, and the result was an open, spacious live/work design prepared to accommodate any sudden bursts of inspiration.
See more photos of the Tribeca loft here
May 9, 2014

Rockefeller University Takes Next Step Towards New Research and Conference Space Above FDR Drive

The City Council’s Committee on Land Use gave approval to Rockefeller University’s plan to construct two new buildings over the Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive on Manhattan’s east side. In exchange, the school, which controls air rights over the 4-block stretch starting at East 64th, has agreed to invest $8 million to develop and maintain a portion of the East River Esplanade.
More on the development here
May 9, 2014

Market Snapshot: The Week of May 9, 2014

In the race to the top, which "blue chip" condominium building can call itself the best of the best? 15 Central Park West? One Madison? Or Does Donald Trump's tower along 5th Avenue reign supreme? Multi-tasking: Janet Jackson may soon be able to add the title ‘landlord’ to her resume. Which neighborhood has the most coveted real estate? Tribeca, the Flatiron District, Soho, or the West Village? Give us your best guess in the comments, and find out what buyers have been willing to fork over per square foot in our report.   For top sales, celebrity moves, and neighborhood market news, we turn to CityRealty's CR100 Quarterly Report for the scoop.
Check out the full report for the latest
May 9, 2014

Kelly Ripa Finds a Buyer for Her Renovated Soho Penthouse

Remember the story of the ugly duckling and how she grew up to be a beautiful swan? Well, imagine that happening and still having to sit on the market for over a year. That’s what happened to Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’s masterfully renovated Soho loft at 76 Crosby Street. Before we get into why this breathtaking hideaway sat on the market for so long, let’s take a moment to admire this 5BR/4.5BA beauty. As if 6,792 square feet of dark-stained white oak floors and 12-foot ceilings flooded with light isn’t enough, this place also features 2 media rooms, 2 home offices, and a playroom. So there’s plenty of room for work and play for the entire family.
Lose your breath with more stunning photos of the gorgeous apartment here
May 9, 2014

Uber Chic Apartment in W Downtown Sells for $2 Million

Have you ever walked into a house and thought to yourself, "How do they keep it so clean?!" This is one of those houses. From the pure-white Italian lacquer cabinetry to the dark ebony wood floors, unit 52D at the W Downtown Hotel & Residence exudes impeccable sleekness. According to property records, the unit, which has never before been lived in, recently sold for $2 million. The sophisticated black-and-white interior design is contemporary, yet inviting. All furnished condos were designed by Louise Sunshine's Sunshine Group, whose motto is "all square feet are not created equal." Here this rings true, as each piece in the home is thoughtfully placed — the oversized steel lamp compliments the low marble coffee table in the living room, and plush, neutral fabrics warm up the bedroom.
design details this way
May 8, 2014

Gateways: Filling in the Architectural Gaps Along Cobblestoned Bond Street

If you've spent time in the NoHo Historic District and Extension, then you've probably notice that there are two highly visible voids in the short stretch between Broadway and the Bowery — a destination that has become one of the city’s most interesting and admired architecture ensembles. The city is about to get a new architectural gateway in this locale, situated at the intersection of Lafayette and Bond Streets. The new gateway will consist of two quite similar, small, new residential buildings designed by different architects on the north side of Bond Street.
More on the new buildings and our city's gateways here
May 8, 2014

Uhuru Design Turned Coney Island Boardwalk Planks Into a Rollercoaster Chair

When Coney Island was torn up in 2010 to make way for the glitzy new Luna Park, a part of its history was ripped out: the weathered, decades-old planks of the beach's iconic boardwalk. Luckily, two Red Hook-based designers — Jason Horvath and Bill Hilgendorf of Uhuru Design — took in the landfill-destined wood and used them to build functional pieces for the home.
Check out more of the cool pieces
May 8, 2014

Why Was Norman Foster’s Design for the New York Public Library’s Flagship Building Dropped?

Though the famous marble lions that stand guard over the iconic Beaux-Arts building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street aren’t talking, the patience and fortitude of scholars and professors all over the tri-state area may have played some role in the shelving of a $300 million renovation plan for the New York Public Library’s flagship location. In the midst of three lawsuits and regular protests on the library steps, the library reversed course on revamping the midtown Manhattan building (which celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2011) and moving 1.5 million books to New Jersey, a move that brought a sigh of relief to researchers worried about delays in gaining access to essential publications.
What shelved this $300 million renovation?
May 8, 2014

Matthew Blesso’s Green Noho Penthouse Sells for $7.35 Million

It may not be easy being green but it sure is pretty. The new owner of Matthew Blesso’s famously renovated Noho Penthouse at 684 Broadway would likely agree. Blesso purchased the penthouse apartment back in 2006 from architect Hugh Hardy, then he proceeded to gut renovate the entire thing with the help of Joel Sanders Architect. Ow. Blesso’s vision was to create a pad sustainable enough to draw Thoreau himself to the concrete jungle. The apartment, listed by the Corcoran Group, is definitely in tune with mother nature with FSC-certified wood throughout, including its hardwood floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows keep it connected to the outside world, and just looking at the place makes you want to do a sun salutation. Well, if tables made from fallen trees and an original mural by artist Doze Green isn’t enough to convince you of the commitment of this apartment to green living, the roof deck definitely will.
Check out more photos of this urban oasis here
May 8, 2014

Socialite Valerie Mnuchin Buys a Slice of Heaven on Park Ave

Valerie Mnuchin, daughter of former Goldman Sachs exec and current art dealer Robert Mnuchin, has just become the proud owner of a gorgeous 4BR/5.5BA penthouse on the UES. This three story apartment, redesigned in 1953 as a collaboration between original developer Henry Mandel and architects John Sloan and Albert Nast, has retained much of its pre-war charm with an original wood paneled library and a tromp l’oeil ceiling. The opulent triplex, occupying the 15th-17th floors of 898 Park Avenue, features views of the city right from it’s brightly lit formal dining room. The views don’t stop there either. The entire apartment is outfitted with large windows, most notably the ones that line the walls of the 16th floor, showcasing a wraparound terrace large enough for plush lounging furniture and plenty of foliage. And while we’re on the topic of the plentiful, let’s discuss the insane amount of storage space in this 4,100 square-foot mansion disguised as an apartment. Each of the apartment’s four bedrooms comes with an abundance of closet space and an en-suite bathroom.
Check out more of this dream home here
May 8, 2014

NoMad Penthouse with Panoramic Views Sells for $8 Million

Two blocks north of Madison Square Park in Manhattan's increasingly trendy NoMad (north of Madison Square, if you're not up on your neighborhood acronyms) neighborhood is 241 Fifth Avenue, a 20-story boutique residential glass tower. Part of the Madison Avenue North Historic District, the building was designed by Perkins Eastman Architects and received landmarks approval in 2007. It was completed in 2013, and according to public records, its penthouse unit just sold for $8 million. Core originally held the listing at $9.75 million.
Check out the views

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