Real Estate Wire: Karim Rashid’s Colorful Harlem Design Gets a Thumbs-Down; Islamic Cultural Center Near Ground Zero Seeks Permits

• Neighbors of Karim Rashid’s colorful complex planned for Pleasant Avenue in Harlem are in an uproar over the building’s pink and blue color scheme. [NYDN]
• Soho Properties is seeking permits for the construction of their proposed Islamic cultural center designed by Jean Nouvel. The controversial project, which will host a “museum and sanctuary space”, is located 49-51 Park Place near Ground Zero. Soho just closed on the site, which was previously owned by Con-Ed, for $10.7M.  [NYT]
• Lauren Bacall’s apartment at the Dakota will soon hit the market for $9M. The late actress originally purchased her unit for $48,000 back in 1961. The new listing could be of interest to actor Mickey Rourke who has been spotted apartment hunting in Manhattan the past few days. [NYP]
• A 40-story Virgin hotel is coming to NoMad. [Curbed]

The Karim Rashid-designed Harlem building (left); 49-51 Park Place (right)