Search Results for: garden

October 9, 2015

This $4.7M Historic Park Slope Brownstone by MESH Architectures Has the Heart of a Loft

When the owners of this North Slope townhouse at 144 Lincoln Place purchased it in 2005 for $2.1 million, they'd had their hearts set on a loft; after choosing a Victorian brownstone instead, they worked with MESH architectures to create their dream space without having to give up their dreams. The result? The architects explain how the home is "consistent with contemporary family life but does not erase the original structures. Instead a layered, more complex spatial composition balances gravity with lightness, old with new, raw with finished." Now on the market for $4.7 million, this 3,300-square-foot classic-on-the-outside 1882 townhouse consists of a spacious and creatively designed owners’ triplex over an adorable garden-floor apartment (in a high-rent neighborhood). The landscaped back garden paradise alone is a show-stopper. The interior of the house was thoroughly reimagined, and the resulting “vertical loft” is a unique home that’s a fit for both daily life and the pages of a design book.
Check out this history-meets-industry dream house
October 8, 2015

Long Island City ‘Micro’ Units Will Have Three Bedrooms

To date, the city's biggest and most news-worthy micro housing complex, My Micro NY, has offered only studios, which makes sense considering a micro apartment is typically defined as encompassing less than 350 square feet. But the term "micro" is getting an expansion (figuratively and literally) in Long Island City, where a new rental complex will offer 57 two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 490 to 735 square feet, according to the Wall Street Journal. The project at 37-10 Crescent Street is being developed by Ranger Properties, whose managing principal Sheldon Stein said, "Our concept is we can offer really high-quality public amenity space, and better value with smaller private spaces, and bring the rental cost down."
More details
October 8, 2015

There’s an Historic English Muffin Oven Hiding Underneath This Chelsea Co-op

Although the popular song would have you believe that the muffin man lives on Drury Lane, he actually has digs right here in Chelsea on West 20th Street. 337 West 20th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, is a nondescript, four-story brick building that is officially known as "The Muffin House." Looking at the building from outside, you wouldn't think there's anything special to it. But underground, preserved below what is now a modest co-op complex, there's a massive bakery oven. And not just any old oven, although that discovery is unique in and of itself. This is the oven once operated by a very well-known baker, the one responsible for introducing English muffins to the United States.
His name was Samuel Bath Thomas
October 8, 2015

This Cobble Hill Townhouse Rental Is Filled With Historic Charm and Contemporary Cheer

If it's been a while since your last case of townhouse envy, enter this 3,000-square-foot Cobble Hill classic at 217 Degraw Street, on the rental market for $15,750 a month. This four-story, single-family Gothic Revival-style home on one of those postcard-worthy Brooklyn blocks has that quality that inspires both admiration and bidding wars: It possesses many of its original details–intricate plaster molding, bedroom arches and pocket doors, for example–plus the benefits of a custom renovation that bestowed a modern dream kitchen, a wall of glass patio doors and several coats of personality. Equal parts contemporary cheer and historic charm, these four floors would be hard for any family, fraternal order, sewing circle or small army–assuming they could part with the five-figure monthly outlay–to resist.
Get the townhouse tour, this way
October 7, 2015

Tips From a Professional: Interior Designer Michael Herold on How to Personalize a Rental

As a designer, I pride myself on my ability to bring a bold, modern approach to classic design, but working in the tri-state area (my office is based in Lambertville, NJ), I've encountered many rental properties where I don't have the option to make some of the permanent changes I normally would. Since this issue is more common in New York City than perhaps anywhere else, I've put together here some personal tips on how to dress up a rental.
All of the tips here
October 7, 2015

Live Inside a Decadent Prospect Park West Mansion for $1.9 Million

If you've ever walked along Prospect Park West, the thoroughfare that divides Park Slope from Brooklyn's beloved Prospect Park, you have likely marveled at the architecture. There are a number of gorgeous mansions and townhouses, all boasting Prospect Park as their front yard. This duplex co-op unit comes from one such mansion, at 118 Prospect Park West. It's a two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit with tons of wood detailing, a private garden, even a parking spot. It is now on the market for $1,899,999.
See it
October 7, 2015

This $635K Washington Heights Co-op Is a Ground Floor Opportunity With Lofty Ambitions

At first glance, the price of this 1,245-square-foot well-configured and loft-like co-op in Washington Heights looks like a pretty good deal. The same spot in the parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn where one usually finds sprawling industrial-chic lofts would undoubtedly be several times more than the $635,000 ask. Upon further inspection, it becomes evident that this apartment at 447 Fort Washington Avenue occupies the building's basement. We're assuming it's been excavated enough to be legal, but even the listing prepares us for the fact that "...this lower first floor garden apartment is sublimely peaceful with no neighbors above, below or beside." It's certainly a nice-looking lower first floor garden apartment, though. In addition to the no-neighbors-because-it's-the-basement thing, keep in mind that the neighborhood is known as a no-longer-secret spot to find relatively reasonable real estate in NYC; the Times called it "affordable Manhattan," pointing out that the median price for apartments in Washington Heights was less than $500,000 in Q1 of 2015. On the other hand, a similarly-outfitted, though much larger, Cobble Hill duplex condo loft consisting of a ground floor and basement is listed for $2.85 million. So perhaps this lofty lower lair in upper Manhattan deserves further investigation after all.
Take a look around
October 6, 2015

Angelina Jolie’s Mid-Century Modern Childhood Home Is for Sale

Yes, there's A-list star cred here, but really, the pitched gabled roof is more than enough to convince us to take out a mortgage for this mid-century modern gem just 20 miles out of Manhattan. According to the WSJ, the Rockland Country home where Angelina Jolie spent her formative years has just hit the market for $2.049 million. Measuring a sprawling 4,088 square feet, it features three bedrooms, a dramatic pitched roof, exposed roof beams, and two very lush acres within the hamlet of Snedens Landing. Given that hubby Brad Pitt is quite the modern architecture enthusiast himself, could this not be a wonderful investment for the Jolie-Pitt brood?
go inside the home here
October 6, 2015

Academy Award-Nominated Director Jason Reitman Sells His Classy Chelsea Home for $3M

The fate of Jason Reitman's Chelsea pad is no longer up in the air. After just 32 days on the market, the director/producer/screenwriter, best known for the beloved indie flick "Juno," as well as well as the aforementioned pun starring George Clooney, has sold for $3.05 million. As noted by the Observer, the 1,600-square-foot space at 434 West 20th Street was purchased by Reitman with his then-wife Michelle Lee back in 2011 for $2.15 million, with the pair said to be drawn in by the home's prewar detailing and its location just across from the New York Seminary's gorgeous gardens.
More photos inside the beautiful apartment
October 6, 2015

$4M Chelsea Loft Boasts Tons of Stylish Space Inside and Out

This Chelsea co-op, located at 139 West 19th Street, has got lots of things going for it: it's super stylish, has some great interior details, there's an expansive living room along with two full bedrooms and bathrooms, and it has a huge backyard that will incite envy. It's also located in a charming central location on 19th Street between 6th and 7th avenues. The cost for all this good stuff comes in at $3.895 million.
Take the tour
October 5, 2015

New York in the ’60s: When Chelsea Apartments Were $111 a Month

Our series “New York in the ’60s” is a memoir by a longtime New Yorker who moved to the city after college in 1960. Each installment will take us through her journey during a pivotal decade. From $90/month apartments to working in the real “Mad Men” world, we’ll explore the city through the eyes of a spunky, driven female. In our first two installments we saw how different and similar house hunting was 50 years ago and visited her first apartment on the Upper East Side. Then, we learned about her career at an advertising magazine…looking in on the Donald Drapers of the time. In our fourth installment, we accompanied her to Fire Island during the warm summer months. Last time, our main character decided to make the big move downtown, but it wasn't quite what she expected. Now she'll take us through what it was like to live below 23rd street in the '60s.
Read all about it
October 5, 2015

$4.15M West Village Co-op Full of Brick Fireplaces Tries to Be a Townhouse

This apartment comes from the West Village co-op building 838 Greenwich Street, but it looks like it could be a townhouse. That's because it's a triplex–rare for a co-op–with seven rooms total, including two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The space even comes with its own private garden, and plenty of exposed brick to go around. The asking price for all that co-op space in one of the most charming neighborhoods on Manhattan is $4.15 million.
Take a tour
October 2, 2015

Olson Kundig Architects Turn an Upper East Side Water Tower Into a Fantasy Penthouse

By U.S. standards New York is a pretty old city, and over the years New Yorkers have been pretty diligent about preserving its historic architecture. As we head into the future, we're seeing more and more old industrial buildings being transformed into beautiful homes. A great example is this Upper East Side penthouse built inside a water tower that is not only awesome in concept, but is also stunning to look at. Lili and Lee Siegelson, the couple who own the immaculate home, worked with Olson Kundig Architects, and together they transformed two floors of the building into an apartment big enough for their happy family.
Go inside this stunning penthouse
October 2, 2015

What’s Big and Hairy and Costs $2.4 Million? This Pretty Gramercy Co-op!

This almost-2,000 square-foot co-op at 235 East 22nd Street in Manhattan's elegant Gramercy neighborhood is one of those classic pre-war apartments–created by combining two units–that, when you look at the floor plan, is startlingly spacious. There are room-sized closets, areas for eating and dining, foyers, galleries and office nooks–the antithesis of the tiny NYC apartment. This three-bedroom home also has those charming and sophisticated pre-war details–nine-foot-high beamed ceilings, big rooms, inlaid floors, restored moldings, built-in cabinetry and massive casement windows. We all know the space itself is what counts in NYC real estate. Quirky objets and freaky art will almost assuredly be bundled out with the departing resident, never to show hide nor hair (literally, in this case) once the van pulls away. On the other hand, though it's sometimes fun to see what you're not getting for your $2.4 million, any real estate agent will tell you that staging is no small matter.
Explore this sprawling co-op
October 1, 2015

Upper East Side Triplex, Asking $1.795 Million, Looks Like a Medieval Castle

There are some apartments in New York that leave you at a loss of words. This one, a triplex co-op at 403 East 87th Street in the Upper East Side, has a decor that definitely stands out. The best we could come up with in describing it was "medieval castle," with its wood detailing, dark red furniture, and antique collection of books. Even the backyard space has some distinctive lighting and decor. If that's your thing, it is now on the market for $1.795 million.
Take a look
September 30, 2015

Big, Bright and Modern Boerum Hill Townhouse Has It All, Plus Rental Income

Behind an unassuming brick facade on a classically quaint block in the heart of Boerum Hill, this three-family house at 125 Butler Street is a spacious and surprising modern home. With contemporary comforts and designer details at every turn, the 5,100 square-foot home boasts a 20-foot extension on the lower two floors, resulting in a 3,000 square-foot owners' duplex with room to spare for outdoor garden space. On the market for $3.95 million, the house is divided into that four-bedroom, 3.5-bath duplex and a pair of spacious two-bedroom apartments on the upper floors for high rental income.
See the rest of the house
September 29, 2015

Epic Outdoor Space for This East Harlem Condo, Asking $875K

We're not exaggerating when we say this is one of the most epic backyards we've ever seen on a New York City condo. The apartment in question is #1A at 440 East 117th Street, a 10-unit condo out in East Harlem that was built in 2004. What you're looking at (and likely drooling over) is two levels and 915 square feet of backyard enclosed in bamboo walls. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom interior is pretty comfortable as well, with a total of 1,286 square feet. So what does it cost for all of that indoor and outdoor space? The asking price comes in at $875,000.
See more of the backyard
September 29, 2015

This $2.35M Artist-Renovated Ditmas Park Victorian Is Both Cozy and Cool

While we're used too seeing renovated houses with gorgeous details and top-of-the-line finishes, it's not as often we see one that's modern and fresh, but also feels like a well-loved home. The 1902 Victorian at 210 Stratford Road is that rare house. According to the listing (h/t Brownstoner), it was "lovingly restored and renovated by two artists," which explains the perfect blend of cozy and cool evident on every floor of this two-family, three-story Ditmas Park home on the market for $2.35 million.
Take the tour
September 28, 2015

This Sweet and Sunny East Village Co-op With a Terrace Asks $635K

The East Village–particularly the far-eastern, garden-filled Alphabet City part of it–may be the poster child for change in New York City. For better or worse, there are things we miss, and things we adore. But the neighborhood retains its small-village vibe while being in one of the city's most exciting locations. This second-floor one-bedroom walk-up at 317 East 3rd Street, tucked into a little-of-everything street between Avenues C and D looks the part of the perfect East Village nest, with its exposed brick, small but fun and functional outdoor space, multi-tasking modern kitchen and bright, sunny bedroom. For $635,000 it doesn't break the bank, and you'll really save on the monthly co-op fees if you meet the HDFC guidelines.
See more of this cute, sunny East Village home
September 28, 2015

Interior Designer Hilary Robertson Brings British Charm to Her Brooklyn Brownstone

Interior designer Hilary Robertson moved from a four-bedroom Victorian in Hastings, England to Brooklyn about nine years ago with her husband and infant son. Prior to her departure west, she had to get rid of most of the objects and furniture she had used to make her house a home for many years. Attempting to settle into her new space in Brooklyn, she found it challenging to recreate the same feeling of home she was accustomed to back in England. That was until she and her husband made their first trip to the Brimfield Antiques Flea Market in Massachusetts where Ms. Roberston's passion was reignited. Her home is now a sprawling tribute to her own personal style and is packed full of beautifully curated rooms.
Look around the home
September 28, 2015

Upper West Side Brownstone Co-op Packs In the Charm for $649K

It isn't easy to find a charming Upper West Side apartment, a block from the Museum of Natural History and Central Park, for less than $1 million. But here's apartment #3R at 118 West 81st Street, a historic four-story brownstone. The co-op isn't huge, but it's still a lovely one bedroom that's asking $649,000. For a (relatively) affordable price, you can enjoy all the perks of Upper West Side living–historic pad, beautiful block, close proximity to Central Park, even private outdoor space.
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September 28, 2015

Funnyman Aziz Ansari Scopes Out a $4.9M Triplex Penthouse in the East Village

As Tommy Haverford would say: Treat yo self! And it looks like comedian Aziz Ansari of "Parks and Rec" fame is doing just that. The NYDN reports that Ansari and his long-time girlfriend, Momofuku Milk Bar chef Courtney McBroom, have been spotted checking out a triplex penthouse at the LEED Gold certified Village Green, located at 311 East 11th Street, not once, but twice, drawn in by the home's gigantic 2,000-square-foot outdoor space. The listing describes the ultra-swank pad as "The ultimate in eco-indulgence and luxury."
get a closer look inside the home here
September 27, 2015

This $6,500/Month Murray Hill Rental Says City Apartment in Front, Suburban House in Back

Here's a NYC apartment that's thoroughly Manhattan, but, if you're standing in the right spot, could be any suburban home. Located in a bustling East Side spot that's either Gramercy, Kips Bay, Murray Hill or Midtown South, depending on whom you talk to, this two-bedroom garden condop at 242 East 25th Street just hit the rental market for $6,500/month. And if you can't bear to part with it, you're in luck, it's also for sale (asking $1.995 million). The apartment is only 939 square feet, but it's well-configured, with bedrooms on either side of spacious common areas–and, more importantly, one of those areas is a glass-walled solarium that overlooks a 785-square-foot private deck and backyard that extends your space in a way most New Yorkers envy.
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September 25, 2015

Gorgeous Brooklyn Townhouse Featured on the Cover of House Beautiful Asks $4.5 Million

Get ready to swoon. This Carroll Gardens townhouse at 396 Sackett Street was restored and renovated in 2011 by the Brooklyn firm Baxt Ingui Architects, and it is still looking fine. Gorgeous details, high ceilings, big windows and a fancy kitchen—what's not to like? The listing even says the home earned the cover of House Beautiful back in 2013. This impressive townhouse could be all yours, as long as you've got $4.5 million to spare.
Take a look around
September 25, 2015

Soap Star’s Renovated, Family-Friendly Harlem Brownstone Back on the Market for $2.9M

There's something compelling about a great-looking home without a superlative in sight, neither painstakingly restored to historic glory, cutting-edge contemporary or irresistibly luxurious. And for a busy city family, kid-friendly good looks and low-maintenance comfort go a long way. This 4,000-square-foot Harlem brownstone at 136 West 130th Street fit the bill and then some when Emmy-nominated "All My Children" regular (and more recently talk show correspondent and reality TV host) Cameron Mathison and his wife, Vanessa, happened upon it in 2004, and subsequently purchased it for $1.2 million. The couple had ventured into Harlem when apartment hunting (with a new baby) and fallen for the neighborhood's "Sesame Street" vibe. A developer had done most of the renovation work, and they added the finishing touches. Interviewed in the Times in 2009, the actor explains that the couple had "envisioned being in this place forever;" that plan changed when the TV show moved studios to Los Angeles. Mathison listed the turn-key renovated home for $2.7 million and headed west. There weren't any takers at the time, and the four-story townhouse is back, asking $2.9 million–albeit in a very different market, especially in Central Harlem, than that of 2009.
See more of this turnkey uptown home