Before the days of Amazon, last-minute holiday shopping actually required putting clothes on and interacting with other human beings. To fully understand just how far we’ve come (and really appreciate the ability to “add to cart”), take a look at this HD stock footage that shows the rush of New York holiday shoppers in 1930. The sidewalks are a sea of black trench coats, with shoppers trying to squeeze their way into stores on 34th Street and buy wares from vendors on what looks like it may be Orchard Street, once the hub of discount shopping.
Ricky Martin's New Beverly Hills Home
Everyone’s favorite turn-of-the-millennium pop star and hip thruster has just snapped up a pretty seven bedroom spread in Beverly Hills.
According to real estate gossip blog Yolanda’s Little Black Book, Ricky Martin paid $13.5 million for the 11,300-square-foot home.
The walled and gated house reportedly sits below the street and is mostly single level. It has 14-feet-high ceilings, walls of custom sliding wood doors, three fireplaces, a chef’s kitchen with a butler’s pantry, a tiered movie theater, and an 800-bottle wine cellar.
Outside there’s a 40-foot infinity-edge swimming pool and spa, a bar, and a fully equipped outdoor dining room and kitchen. Plus the home boasts an eco-freindly rainwater harvesting system capable of storing up to 4,000 gallons, parking for nine cars, and a 2,000-square-foot secluded wellness center.
In 2015 Martin — who earlier this month announced his engagement to his boyfriend Jwan Yosef — sold his three-bedroom condo at Noho’s 40 Bond Street for $7.5 million.
This Week’s 5 Most Expensive Listings
In the past seven days, seven new listings priced at $10 million and above hit the market, according to StreetEasy. From that list, these are the crème de la crème, otherwise known as the five most expensive residential listings.
441 West 21st Street
Address 441 West 21st Street
Price $24,700,000
Type/Size Townhouse
Built in 1854, this Chelsea townhouse has flirted with fame though appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and “Louie”, plus it’s been featured on the pages of Elle Decor, Vogue, Town & Country, and New York magazine. It has nine fireplaces, original moldings, and five skylights.
9 East 89th Street
Address 9 East 89th Street
Price $19,995,000
Type/Size Townhouse
Also on the Upper East Side is this sprawling six-story townhouse, which for the past 30 years has been the home of the non-profit organization, the New York Road Runners. It has an elevator, a limestone facade, Central Park views, and plenty of charming original features.
15 Central Park West #28B
Address 15 Central Park West #28B
Price $18,800,000
Type/Size Condo: two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms
This swanky 2,367-square-foot spread is at the equally swanky Robert A.M. Stern-designed park-side tower. For your money you get floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, crown moldings, custom closets, and amenities galore.
157 East 82nd Street
Address 157 East 82nd Street
Price $12,000,000
Type/Size Townhouse: six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms
This is the second Upper East Side townhouse to make our Most Expensive list this week, and although it’s half the size of the home above, it still comes with plenty of perks. There’s 12-foot-high ceilings, three fireplaces, a library, a chef’s kitchen, a garden, a top floor solarium, and a much coveted private garage.
275 West 10th Street #6D
Address 275 West 10th Street #6D
Price $11,975,000
Type/Size Condo: four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms
This pretty pad is at The Shepherd, a recently renovated West Village building. The 3,805-square-foot space holds built-in bookcases, barrel vaulted ceilings, and hardwood oak floors. Plus residents have access to amenities including a basketball court, a gym, a golf simulator, and a screening room.
Ten Most Expensive Listings In The U.S.
The luxury residential market may be experiencing a little bit of a slowdown here in New York City, but that hasn’t stopped billionaires around the country from listing their giant homes for equally gigantic prices. On occasion, these listings are snapped up quickly, as the Playboy mansion was earlier this year for $100 million. But often, they linger on the market for many, many months (or even years), until the owners finally budge and sell them for a significant discount.
In the meantime, we get to gawk at the listing photos. Below, the ten most expensive homes for sale in the country right now.
1.
The Manor, Holmby Hills
Price: $200,000,000
Type/Size: 14 Bedrooms, 27 Bathrooms, 56,500 Square Feet
Address: 594 Mapleton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90024
Current owner: Petra Blunt, previously owned by film/television producer Aaron Spelling
Details: The Manor in Holmby Hills is situated on a nearly five-acre lot and is one of the largest and arguably most impressive residences in Los Angeles. The French chateau-style home was designed in 1988 by James Langenheim & Associates. The current owner is Petra Blunt, who is the daughter of billionaire Formula One executive Bernie Ecclestone. She purchased the home in 2011 for $85 million, which at the time was the highest price ever paid for a home in the United States.
She then proceeded to carry out a lengthy renovation, hiring approximately 500 workers to construct a bowling alley, wine cellar, gym complete with massage and tanning rooms, a 7,000-square-foot master suite with a two-level closet, swimming pool, tennis court, and circular motor court with a fountain and enough space to park 100 cars.
2.
Gemini
Price: $195,000,000
Type/Size: 33 Bedrooms, 47 Bathrooms, 62,873 Square Feet
Address: 2000 S Ocean Boulevard Manalapan, FL 33462
Current Owner: The late publishing executive William B. Ziff Jr. owned the home until his death in 2006. His family put it on the market in January 2016.
Details: The mansion comes with total privacy on Manalapan’s esteemed barrier island just south of Palm Beach. The property has five houses, including a 12-bedroom Mediterranean-style main residence designed during World War II, a seven-bedroom guest house, two seaside cottages, a property manager’s house, manager’s office, a PGA-standard golf practice area, regulation tennis court, half basketball court, playground, bird sanctuary, an indoor/outdoor pool room, Robinson Crusoe-style tree house and a garden with over 1,500 species of tropical trees and plants.
3.
Great Island Road
Price: $175,000,000
Type/Size: 10 Bedrooms, 10 Bathrooms, 13,107 Square Feet
Address: Great Island Road, Darien, CT 06820
Current owner: Descendants of industrialist William Ziegler
Details: This property is a 63-acre waterfront island estate with East, South and West views of the Long Island Sound. The Italian stone manor house includes four fireplaces, a cabana, a guest house, views of a lighthouse, a secluded harbor in a hidden cove, a terrace, porch, French doors, considerable stable and equestrian facilities including a polo field and an indoor ring along with other dwellings, a beach house and a boathouse. It is located only minutes from Greenwich.
4.
Le Palais Royal
Price: $159,000,000
Type/Size: 11 Bedrooms, 17 Bathrooms, 60,508 Square Feet
Address: 935 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach, FL 33062
Current owner: Robert Pereira, the founder of Middlesex Corporation, a construction company
Details: As you can probably tell by its name, Le Palais Royal is a French-inspired palace that was modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France. It was first listed in 2014 for $139 million, but was taken off the market about a year later and returned in November 2015 with an asking price of $159 million. The palace has a 13-foot wrought-iron gate that is embellished with 22-karat gold-leafing; Versailles-esque waterfalls and a three-tier 26-foot fountain; a spacious salon with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean; a fireplace; four Corinthian columns; elaborate hand-molded plaster and ceiling appliqués and five chandeliers.
Renovations are currently happening that will add structures to a smaller lot on the property. Here, there will be two 3,000-square-foot guest homes, a pool and an underground entertainment space with an ice-skating rink, go-kart track, bowling alley and nightclub.
5.
Briar Patch
Price: $140,000,000
Type/Size: 10 Bedrooms, 9.5 Bathrooms, 10,300 Square Feet
Address: 90 Briar Patch Road East Hampton, NY 11937
Current owner: Education entrepreneur Chris Whittle
Details: The 11-acre Hamptons estate was listed in 2014 and is currently the most expensive home for sale in the Hamptons. The waterfront home is situated on Georgica Pond, which can be seen from the sizeable front porch. The property is composed of a 10,000-square-foot main house, in addition to a four-bedroom guest home. The main house was built in 1931 and recently underwent a two-and-a-half year renovation.
6.
Il Palmetto
Price: $137,000,000
Type/Size: 10 Bedrooms, 14 Full Baths, 12 Partial Baths
Address: II Palmetto Palm Beach FL 33480
Current owner: Netscape Billionaire Jim Clark
Details: This house (and its infinity pool) is located on a 5.14-acre lot, which stretches from Lake Worth to the Atlantic Ocean. Built in the 1930s, the main houseincludes two elevators, a wine cellar made of carved limestone that can fit 20,000 bottles, and carved wood ceilings in the living and dining rooms. Clark purchased the home for $11 million in 1999.
7.
Trophy Estate in Trousdale
Price: $135,000,000
Type/Size: 7 Bedrooms, 10 Bathrooms, 18,000 Square Feet
Address: 1187 N Hillcrest Rd,Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Current owner: Lebanese-British business mogul Gilbert Chagoury.
Details: This 2.5 acre property in Trousdale Estates is filled with decadent details, including gold leaf crown moldings, hand woven carpets, a swimming pool and 360-degree views of Los Angeles. Its current owner, Gilbert Chagoury, is a friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton, and has donated a considerable amount of money to the Clinton Foundation. After he purchased the estate for $15 million in 2000, he added Baccarat chandeliers and hand-woven carpets, which will be sold with the home according to the WSJ. The estate also has a giant pool overlooking the city and space to park up to 20 cars.
8.
Rancho San Carlos
Price: $125,000,000
Type/Size: 12 Bedrooms, 10 Full Bathrooms, 3 Partial Bathrooms, 29,483 Square Feet
Address: 2500 E Valley Rd,Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Current owner: Jim Jackson
Details: This 237-acre estate is located in Montecito, where celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres and Jeff Bridges own homes. The property includes a 30,000-square-foot main house, 100 acres of citrus and avocado orchards, living rooms surrounded by a central courtyard, an underground badminton court, an English-style bar that can only be accessed through a secret door and upper terrace bedrooms. Charles H. Jackson Jr., a rancher, property investor, polo player and the grandnephew of U.S. President Chester A. Arthur and his wife Ann purchased the property nearly a century ago. It is now owned by Jim Jackson, Jackson Jr.’s grandson, who is selling Rancho San Carlos because his family is not able to maintain the estate. “It’s hard for us to let it go, but it’s too hard to keep,” he told the WSJ.
9.
834 Fifth Avenue #7/8A
Price: $96,000,000
Type/Size: 7 Bedrooms, 10 Bathrooms, 12,000+ Square Feet
Address: 834 5th Ave # 78A, New York, NY 10065
Current owner: Owned by the financier John Gutfreund until his death in March
Details: The most expensive listing in NYC is located on the seventh and eighth floors of one of the most exclusive co-ops buildings in the city. It has a wine cellar, a gallery, a “grand marble staircase” and an enormous master suite. It was initially listed for $120,000,000 in April of this year, but the asking price was brought down to $96,000,000 in September.
10.
Pumpkin Key (Private island in the Florida Keys)
Price: $95,000,000
Type/Size: 3 Bedrooms, 3 Full Bathrooms, 1 Partial Bathroom, 2,942 Square Feet
Address: 10 Cannon Point, Key Largo, Monroe County, FL 33037
Current owner: Unknown
Details: Pumpkin Key is less than a 50-minute boat ride away from Miami. The 26-acre island includes a private beach, tennis courts that can also be helipads, a private airstrip, swimming pool, two cottages, and a boat captain’s apartment. The private marina has parking space for up to 20 boats.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing You A Happy & Joyful Thanksgiving.
-The Hoffman Team
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2016
Tomorrow, the 90th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will make its way to Manhattan, with thousands of anxious visitors flocking to watch the festive procession unfold. Being that this is the 90th anniversary, the parade will likely be even more magical than ever. Of course, this means a traffic nightmare for everyone else. But thankfully, the NYC Department of Transportation has released a list of street closures that will be in effect on Thanksgiving Day.
But it’s not just tomorrow you have to worry about: Thanks to the balloon inflation on Central Park West, some street closures will begin today, too. Per ABC7:
Traffic restrictions begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Between 81st Street and 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic for the balloon inflation. The inflation can be viewed by pedestrians from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on 81st Street and 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue. Pedestrians are advised to enter the viewing area from the West side of Columbus Avenue at 79th Street.
Closures beginning at 1 p.m.:
-West 79th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues
Closures beginning at 3 p.m.:
-West 76th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
-West 77th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues
-West 78th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues
-West 80th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues
-West 81st Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues
-Central Park Transverse Road at Central Park West and West 81 St. (Both Directions)
And after 10 p.m., 81st Street and 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue, along with Central Park West from 59th Street to 86th Street, will be closed completely.
Street Closures
Beginning at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, November 24th, the following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic:
- 6th Avenue between 59th Street and 34th Street
- 7th Avenue between 33rd Street and 40th Street
- Columbus Avenue between 81st Street and 77th Street
- Central Park West between 86th Street and east side of Columbus Circle/59th Street
- 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- 76th Street and 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- 71st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- 68th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- 62nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- 59th Street between Columbus Circle and 6th Avenue
- Broadway between 59th Street and 58th Street
- 40th Street between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue
- 36th Street to 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
- 35th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue
- 34th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue
- 33rd Street between 6th Avenue and 10th Avenue
Parade Route
The parade’s route will travel 2.5 miles, beginning at Central Park West and 77th Street and ending at Macy’s on 34th Street. Macy’s has also mapped out the route on the parade website:
- Central Park West between 81st Street and East Side of Columbus Circle/59th Street
- Broadway between 59th Street and 58th Street
- 59th Street between Columbus Circle and 6th Avenue
- 6th Avenue between 59th Street and 34th
432 West 52nd Street, Unit 4A
432 West 52nd Street, Unit 4A
HELL'S KITCHEN, MANHATTAN
2 Bed | 2 Bath
Offered At $1,495,000
Taxes: $1,654 / mo. | CC:$1,476 / mo. | New Development | Doorman | Roof Deck & Gym
- NO Transfer Tax
- NO Sponser Closing Fees
- Seller Will Pay 50% of Common Charges For Two Years
Stunning finishes await in this brand-new, two-bedroom home providing a rare opportunity to live in a spectacular new-construction building without paying the sponsors transfer taxes and closing cost fees!
This beautiful two bedroom corner unit features a light-filled master with en suite bathroom, as well as a spacious great room. The home is topped by 9-foot ceilings while white oak hardwood floors run underfoot. The great room provides ample space for living and dining areas while the nearby open kitchen is a model of efficient, attractive design with integrated refrigerator, stainless steel appliances, lacquer cabinets and sleek Caesarstone countertops.
The large windowed master is a serene space with a wall of closets, plus additional closets throughout the home ensure that storage is never an issue. The sleek bathrooms features custom vanity, frameless glass walk-in shower, gorgeous floor-to-ceiling tile and radiant heat flooring. Central climate control, energy-efficient windows and an in-unit washer-dryer provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience.
432 W 52 is a boutique condominium with extensive amenities including a 4,200-square-foot common landscaped roof deck, spacious residents' lounge, fully equipped fitness center and 24-hour doorman. Situated in Midtown within walking distance of Central Park, the Theater District, Columbus Circle and Times Square, the location is quite literally at the center of it all! Nearby access to the A/C/E, B/D, 1 and N/Q/R subway lines puts the rest of the city at your feet.
18 East 18th Street, 4th Floor
18 East 18th Street, 4th Floor
FLATIRON, MANHATTAN
2.5 Bed | 2.5 Bath | Almost 3,000 sqft
Offered At $3,000,000
Co-Op | MM: $3,808 / mo. | Full Floor Loft
Looking for the true Flatiron Loft apartment? Look no farther, this 4th floor loft is by no means a cookie cutter property.
Introducing an incredible turn of the century true Flatiron loft. Your keyed elevator will open directly to your open loft space. With almost 2800 SF of incredible loft space to configure anyway, the possibilities are endless. Currently configured as a one bedroom with an interior bedroom/home office and two and a half bathrooms. There is also a laundry room, huge storage closets, and new open chef's kitchen with large dining area, open living room with wet bar and home office alcove. Or create your own masterpiece; you and your architect can look at this huge property as a blank canvas with no restrictions in terms of use of space. One could truly envision the space as opened up with minimal walls or, if needed, conveniently have two, three or even four bedroom and bathrooms. The configurations and possibilities are endless.
Located in the true heart of the Flatiron District, 18 East 18th Street is surrounded by some of the oldest, newest and most beautiful buildings in the city. Located between two great parks; Madison Square Park and Union Square, your new home will be have the best options in the city for restaurants, grocery stores, transportation, nightlife, bar scene, yoga studio's, small boutiques, large stores and everything in between. However, you'll be transported back to your island oasis once the elevator door opens up to your incredible loft.
This Week’s 5 Most Expensive Listings
In the past seven days, 16 new listings priced at $10 million and above hit the market, according to StreetEasy. From that list, these are the crème de la crème, otherwise known as the five most expensive residential listings.
12 East 80th Street
Address 12 East 80th Street
Price $35,000,000
Type/Size Townhouse: seven bedrooms and nine-and-a-half bathrooms
This 10,000-square-foot home is just off Fifth Avenue, and just a stones-throw away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Built in 1886, it has four fireplaces, three laundry facilities, three terraces, a roof deck and what looks like a pretty impressive kids play room.
740 Park Avenue #6/7A
Address 740 Park Avenue #6/7A
Price $29,500,000
Type/Size Co-op: four bedrooms and six bathrooms
This spread is at 740 Park Avenue, Manhattan’s most prestigious co-op building. It comes with a marble gallery, a sweeping staircase, a “baronial” living room facing Park Avenue and a library. This isn’t the first time that the tony 12-room duplex – known as the Bouvier Apartment – has been up for grabs; it was originally listed for $44 million in 2014.
3 East 94th Street
Address 3 East 94th Street
Price $29,500,000
Type/Size Townhouse: six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms
This Upper East Side townhouse which was owned by the late president of American Express has a fully-equipped gym, a sauna, two master bedrooms, which each have their own master bathroom (in case you don’t want to share), a roof terrace with views of Central Park and a wine cellar that can hold 400 bottles. Plus it was designated a landmark in 1974.
941 Park Avenue #5/6C
Address 941 Park Avenue #5/6C
Price $20,000,000
Type/Size Co-op: seven bedrooms and seven-and-a-half bathrooms
This listing is the opportunity to combine two full-floor spreads. The resulting pad would be a 9,000-square-foot duplex with a formal dining room, library, media room, home office, den, play room, and two wood-burning fireplaces.
505 West 19th Street Penthouse-1
Address 505 West 19th Street Penthouse-1
Price $17,500,000
Type/Size Condo: four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms
Perched next to the High Line you’ll find this building, and its swanky penthouse. The full-floor unit has oversized windows, a chef’s kitchen, a cast iron soaking tub and multiple terraces.
424 West 49th Street, Unit 3A
424 West 49th Street, Unit 3A
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, MANHATTAN
1 Bed | 1 Bath | 622sqft
Offered At $850,000
CC: $753 / mo. | Taxes: $348 / mo. | Condo
This spacious, move-in ready one-bedroom features great light and storage in a prime Hell’s Kitchen location, providing a phenomenal opportunity to acquire your next home, pied-à-terre or investment property.
Gleaming hardwood floors and leafy views set the tone the moment you enter the oversized great room, stretching nearly 23-feet long. This ample space provides plenty of room for living and dining areas, set near the recently updated kitchen, which is neatly outfitted with full-size appliances, including a dishwasher, great cabinet space and convenient breakfast bar seating. In the generously proportioned bedroom, you’ll find a large closet and more north-facing windows, while another double closet lines the living room.
424 West 49th Street is a six-story elevator building housing just eight apartments. The pet-friendly building is surrounded by the best of Hell’s Kitchen – one of Manhattan’s most exciting residential neighborhoods due to its amazing collection of restaurants, nightlife venues and cultural destinations. The stunning Hudson River Greenway and sprawling Central Park are within walking distance, and transportation is a breeze with C/E trains two blocks away and A, B/D and 1 trains available at Columbus Circle.
Listing HERE
2017 Michelin Guide Is Here!
Although this year’s Michelin Guide to New York City shouldn’t be released for a few days, thanks to an eagle-eyed shopped over at Eater, we’ve privy to this year’s top ranked restaurants a little early.
Eater managed to get their hands on a copy of the guide at McNally Jackson Books in Soho, and they’re reporting that Aska, Fredrik Berselius’s tasting menu spot, is among the spots that won big this year — Michelin awarded the Williamsburg establishment two stars.
Michelin defines their one-star rating as “a very good restaurant in its category,” two stars as “excellent cuisine, worth a detour,” and a restaurant with three stars as “exceptional cuisine” that is “worth a special journey.”
According to Eater, for a sixth straight year, no new restaurants were admitted into the three star category, and as we reported last week, The Spotted Pig is sans star for the first time since 2005.
Here is the full list of starred restaurants in the 2017 New York Michelin Guide (new additions are bolded):
Three Star Restaurants:
Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare
Eleven Madison Park
Jean-Georges
Per Se
Masa
Le Bernardin
Two Star Restaurants:
Aquavit
Aska (new)
atera
Blanca
Daniel
Jungsik
Ko
Marea
The Modern
Soto
One Star:
Agern (new)
Ai Fiori
Aldea
Andanada
Aureole
Babbo
Batard
Betony
Blue Hill
The Breslin
Cafe Boulud
Cafe China
Cagen
Carbone
Casa Enrique
Casa Mono
Caviar Russe
Contra (new)
Delaware & Hudson
Del Posto
Dovetail
Faro (new)
The Finch
Gabriel Kreuther
Gotham Bar & Grill
Gramercy Tavern
Gunter Seeger (new)
Hirohisa
Jewel Bako
Junoon
Kajitsu
Kanoyama (new)
Kyo Ya
L’Appart (new)
La Sirena (new)
La Vara
Luksus at Torst
Meadowsweet
Minetta Tavern
The Musket Room
Nix (new)
The NoMad
Peter Luger
Piora
Public
Rebelle
The River Cafe
Semilla
Sushi Ginza Onodera (new)
Sushi Inoue (new)
Sushi of Gari
Sushi Yasuda
Sushi Zo (new)
Take Root
Tempura Matsui
Tori Shin
Tulsi
Uncle Boons
Ushiwakamaru (new)
Wallse
ZZ’s Clam Bar
The History of the Rockefeller Tree
The official website of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree describes the holiday tree as a “world-wide symbol of Christmas,” a statement we really can’t argue with, especially since 125 million people visit the attraction each year. And as you’ve probably heard, Wednesday is the 83rd Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, an annual celebration that attracts tens of thousands in person and hundreds of millions more on television. In anticipation of the big event, we decided to take a look back at how this tradition got started and how it has evolved over the years.
The two trees in 1936.
On Christmas Eve, 1931, during the height of the Clutch Plague, workers at the Rockefeller Center construction site decided to pool their money together to buy a Christmas tree, a 20-foot balsam fir that they decorated with handmade garland from their families. The men lined up at the tree to receive their paychecks. Two years later in 1933, Rockefeller Center decided to make the tree an annual tradition and held the first official lighting ceremony. In 1936, they put up two trees to mark the opening of the skating rink and also held an ice skating competition.
Three trees in 1942.
The tree during the 1950s.
During WWII, the tree’s décor switched to a more patriotic theme, with red, white, and blue globes and painted wooden stars. In 1942, no materials needed for the war could be used on the tree, and instead of one giant tree, there were three smaller ones, each decorated in one of the flag’s three colors. It was also the first year that the tree was replanted after the holidays. In 1944, the tree remained unlit due to war time black-out regulations. When the war ended in 1945, the year of darkness was soon forgotten, as six ultraviolet light projectors were employed to make it appear as though the tree’s 700 fluorescent globes were glowing in the dark. By the 1950s, it took twenty workers on scaffolding nine days to fully decorate the tree, and 1951 marked the first time that NBC televised the tree lighting with a special on The Kate Smith Show.
The famous wire angels, via wallyg via photopin cc.
Another famous holiday staple at Rockefeller Center is the triumphant collection of metal wire herald angels in the Channel Gardens. Sculptor Valerie Clarebout debuted the twelve figures in 1969. Influenced by the nature movement of the time, the tree was first recycled in 1971; it was turned into 30 three-bushel bags of mulch for the nature trails of upper Manhattan. Though the tree typically makes its journey on a truck bed, in 1998 it received the royal treatment and was flown in from Richfield, Ohio on the world’s largest transport plane. The following year saw the largest tree in history, a 100-foot beauty from Killingworth, Connecticut.
The Swarovski star.
Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was once again adorned in patriotic red, white and blue. In 2004, a 550-pound Swarovski star graced the top of the tree for the first time. Designed by German artist Michael Hammers, it features 25,000 crystals and one million facets and is 9.5 feet wide. In a continued effort to go green, LED lights were introduced on the tree in 2007. They use 1,200 fewer kilowatts of electricity per day, enough to power a 2,000-square-foot home for a month.
Santa looks on as a crane raises the 1951 tree.
The tree makes its way through NYC.
In the past, many trees were donated to Rockefeller Center. Otherwise, David Murbach, Gardens Division Manager of Rockefeller Center at the time, would take to a helicopter to scout for a tree in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, Ohio, or even Canada. Today, the tree is typically a Norway spruce and is scouted by Erik Pauzé, Head Gardener at Rockefeller Center. While the tree is being cut down, a crane supports it and moves it to a custom telescoping trailer for its journey to Rockefeller Center. It’s then supported by four guy-wires at its midpoint and a steel spike at its base. Workers install scaffolding around the tree to allow them to put up the 45,000 rainbow LED lights.
This year’s tree is a 78-footer (it was 85 feet last year), donated by a family in Gardiner, and it is the first time in five years the Rockefeller tree has come from New York state. The tree was the centerpiece of a man named Albert Asendorf’s childhood home and was already 20 feet tall when his family moved into the home in 1957.
2015 also marks the ninth year that the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity once it comes down after January 7th, which is the Christian feast of the Epiphany. It will be milled, treated and made into lumber that will then be used to build homes.
MTA Might Increase Subway Fare To $3.00 In 2017
Swiping a MetroCard at a subway turnstile could cost an extra 25 cents in March, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Wednesday. The MTA finance chairman has suggested to raise on fares on subways, buses and commuter rails, and tolls on bridges and tunnels, to help curb increasing debt. The proposed change would go into effect in March 2017.
Two proposals for the subway and bus fare increase have been drafted by the MTA. The first would raise fares for subways and buses to $3 from $2.75, which would increase the MetroCard purchase bonus to 16 percent from 11 percent. The second would keep the current $2.75 fare, but drop the bonus to 5 percent.
Under both proposals, the price of a weekly MetroCard card would rise to $32 from $31, and a monthly card would increase to $121 from $116.50. Likewise, tolls on tunnels and bridges, and tickets for commuter rail lines, would increase by four percent.
The board is expect to vote on the hike in January 2017.
59 Garfield Place
59 Garfield Place, Duplex
Park Slope, Brooklyn
3 Bed | 1.5 Bath | 1,500sqft
Offered At $5,750/ mo.
Duplex| Private Yard | Newly Renovated
Experience the ULTIMATE & MINT townhouse-living! Completely gutted and remodeled REAL 3BR/1.5BA situated on Garfield Place, between 4th & 5th Avenue (location is unbeatable)! Aprox 1,600 sqft - HUGE living area, updated kitchen & bathroom, 1 big master bedroom(comfortably fits queen-king bed + more) & 2 smaller bedrooms(easily fits full-queen size beds plus more), 1.5 bathrooms, washer/dryer in unit, amazing storage space and access to your very own private patio deck plus shared backyard/garden! This is priced to rent and is available as soon as 11/23 move-in! Please contact Bryan for immediate access, email is preferred.
Prettiest NYC Homes That Came To Market This Week
Every week, Curbed covers dozens of market listings that vary in price, location, size, grandeur, quirkiness, and other distinct characteristics. If they managed to capture our attention, that means there’s definitely something special going on. But some of these homes are so lovely that they warrant a special kind of notoriety as some of the prettiest homes currently up for sale in New York City. And so, here it is: five listing that have that special "je ne sais quoi" that separates them from the rest. Happy gawking!
↑Located within the landmarked Photo Arts Building, close to Union Square, this massive condo spans 4,200 square feet and comes with three-bedrooms and three-bathrooms, and has an indoor garden of sorts. The pricey pas id asking $12.8 million.
↑The absurdly luxurious triplex penthouse at Chelsea’s ultra-fancy Soori High Line is asking $22.5 million. The 4,510-square-foot, five-bedroom, five-bathroom abode offers a tailored living area, nearly 20-foot-high ceilings, and a private heated rooftop swimming pool.
↑Commissioned in 1888 by public health and education advocate Elizabeth Milbank, and designed by famed architects Hugh Lamb and Charles Alonzo Rich, this $17.65 million Upper West Side townhouse offers 8,807 square feet of interior living space, 10 (!) working fireplaces, and "the most astonishing architectural details,” one of which includes 24-karat-gold coffered ceilings.
↑The five-bedroom carriage house at 323 Pacific Street in Boerum Hill wants $7.95 million, and it’s no wonder when you consider all the top-end features the townhouse has to offer. The dining room and kitchen on the ground floor feature 11-foot-tall ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and flooring created with 200-year-old reclaimed heartwood hemlock and bluestone. And that’s just the beginning.
↑Located in a 17-unit co-op on East 3rd Street, this two-bedroom unit boasts plenty of light, and offers views of the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. The large windows and the exposed brick were renovated and new additions include a washer-dryer in-unit, stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, and a breakfast bar. It’s asking $975,000.
This Week’s 5 Most Expensive Listings
In the past seven days, 19 new listings priced at $10 million and above hit the market, according to StreetEasy. From that list, these are the crème de la crème, otherwise known as the five most expensive residential listings.
432 Park Avenue #71B
Address 432 Park Avenue #71B
Price $34,750,000
Type/Size Condo: three bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms
The most expensive listing this week comes courtesy of 432 Park Avenue. The trashcan-inspired tower holds no end of multi-million-dollar spreads, and this one comes with a private elevator landing, a library and Central Park views. Although this is the most expensive listing to hit the market this week, the building’s priciest listing is a whopping $82 million.
432 Park Avenue #71A
Address 432 Park Avenue #71A
Price $33,750,000
Type/Size Condo: three bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms
Also at 432 Park – which is set to debut its new lighting feature later today – is this slightly cheaper pad. Just like its neighbor above, it totals 4,019 square feet and, as far as we can tell, comes with all the same features.
998 Fifth Avenue #6W
Address 998 Fifth Avenue #6W
Price $29,000,000
Type/Size Co-op: five bedrooms and six bathrooms
Over on the Upper East Side, and right across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you’ll find this tony co-op. It comes with high ceilings, a custom-fitted pantry, a library and a whole lot of classic New York charm.
1 Central Park South Mansion 201
Address 1 Central Park South Mansion 201
Price $22,500,000
Type/Size Condo: four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms
Tommy Hilfiger isn’t the only one at the Plaza selling up; the owner of this spread is also looking to offload. It has private elevator entry, hardwood flooring, custom cabinetry, period moldings, soundproofed windows and of course, access to all of the Plaza’s swanky amenities.
522 West 29th Street #9A
Address 522 West 29th Street #9A
Price $22,500,000
Type/Size Condo: five bedrooms and five bathrooms
At one of the High Line’s newest condo buildings is this triplex penthouse. Set to be completed next year, the sizable pad will have walls of glass, high ceilings, multiple terraces, and a private outdoor pool. Stay tuned, LLNYC will be touring it soon.
2360 Amsterdam Avenue, Unit 6A
2360 Amsterdam Avenue, Unit 6A
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, MANHATTAN
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,172sqft
Offered At $895,000
CC: $855 / mo. | Taxes: $117 / mo. | Deeded Indoor Parking | Condo| Roof Deck
Enjoy sunny exposures, gorgeous finishes, private outdoor space and deeded indoor parking in this beautifully modern three-bedroom, two-bath home in Upper Manhattan.
The sprawling 1,172-square-foot unit has been meticulously gut renovated to create a bright and airy modern masterpiece, paved with rich wood-like tile flooring and lined with large windows facing east and west. Arrive at the gracious foyer, lined with convenient closets and a full bathroom, and take in the sweeping great room anchored by floor-to-ceiling windows and a 10-foot wide balcony with leafy Highbridge Park views. A stunning and functional glass fireplace provides a warm focal point while the state-of-the-art kitchen attends to both form and function with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, including a wine fridge, ample cabinet space and quartz countertops.
In the master suite, you'll find plenty of room for a king-size bed, a large closet and en suite bathroom, while the two additional bedrooms boast great closet space and western exposures. Fifty-inch wall-mounted flat screen TVs are found in the living room and in each bedroom, and the entire home is equipped with Wi-Fi access and great built-ins. This home also includes one of the building's coveted indoor parking spaces — a great convenience for anyone taking advantage of the home's terrific position near the George Washington Bridge, the FDR and Cross-Bronx Expressway.
The New Amsterdam is a 29-unit condo building offering video intercom, laundry on every floor, two outdoor spaces and a roof deck with panoramic views of the city. The surrounding Washington Heights area is one of the last under-developed neighborhoods in upper Manhattan. With several new developments upcoming and proximity to venerable institutions such as Yeshiva University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, the area is poised for an amazing resurgence. Green space surrounds the neighborhood with huge parks lining both the Hudson and Harlem rivers. The nearby NJ Transit bus terminal hub is currently undergoing a $183m update and renovation and will be adding over 120,000 sqft of commercial space to the neighborhood by 2017. The access to A/C and 1 trains effortless, and are just a couple blocks away. This home features low common charges and taxes, making it a can't-miss opportunity.
229 East 29th Street, Unit 4F
229 East 29th Street, Unit 4F
MURRAY HILL, MANHATTAN
1 Bed | 1.5 Bath
Offered At $750,000
MM: $1,209 / mo. | CondOp | Live-In Super
This perfect Kips Bay one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home requires no board interview and allows immediate subletting, making it an ideal opportunity for investors and homebuyers alike.
Fine finishes and great details abound in this renovated co-op. New hardwood floors beckon you inside to take in oversized north-facing windows and a spacious living room. The truly stunning, modern kitchen is lined with sleek lacquer cabinets, granite counters and a striking backsplash surrounding chic stainless steel appliances, including a Samsung washer-dryer. In the master suite, convenient built-ins provide ample storage space in the king-sized bedroom, while ample use of stone and modern fixtures highlight the updated en suite full bathroom. A convenient powder room and hall closet complete this charming home's thoughtful layout.
229 East 29th Street is a pet-friendly, pre-war boutique co-op with a live-in superintendent. Co-purchasers, guarantors and pied-à-terres allowed. Set mid-block on a charming tree-lined street, this home benefits from the residential character of Kips Bay/Murray Hill with amazing proximity to great dining, nightlife, entertainment and shopping. Trader Joe's and Fairway Market attend to your every culinary desire, and the AMC Loews Kips Bay 15 provides easy access to the best new movies. Transportation options include the nearby 6 and N/R subway lines and the 34th Street Ferry Terminal providing service to Queens, Brooklyn and the Financial District.
The ABCs Of Financing A Condo Tower
Prior to the financial crisis of 2008, financing a condominium building was relatively simple. Since then, however, U.S. banks are less willing to lend the large sums required and, as such, the tiers of equity and debt needed to get the job done have become far more intricate. Developers who want to build a luxury condo tower need to pull together a complex array of equity partners and lenders.
The Real Deal put together a video that breaks down the process, looking at what strings are attached to the different types of capital and how they come together to form a functioning capital stack.
Watch the video above for a full rundown of how condo financing works in a world of wary banks and non-traditional lenders.
432 West 52nd Street, Unit 2F
432 West 52nd Street, Unit 2F
HELL'S KITCHEN, MANHATTAN
1 Bed | 1 Bath
Offered At $995,000
Taxes: $950 / mo. | CC:$847 / mo. | New Development | Doorman | Roof Deck & Gym
Stunning finishes line this brand-new home providing a rare opportunity to live in a spectacular new-construction building without paying the sponsor’s transfer taxes and closing cost fees!
The light-filled one-bedroom, one-bath home is topped by 9-foot ceilings while white oak hardwood floors run underfoot. The great room provides ample space for living and dining areas while the nearby open kitchen is a model of efficient, attractive design with integrated refrigerator, stainless steel appliances, lacquer cabinets and sleek Caesarstone countertops.
The large windowed bedroom is a serene space with a large closet, and two more large closets throughout the home ensure that storage is never an issue. The sleek bathroom features a custom vanity, frameless glass walk-in shower, gorgeous floor-to-ceiling tile and radiant heat flooring. Central climate control, energy-efficient windows and an in-unit washer-dryer provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience.
432 W 52 is a boutique condominium with extensive amenities including a 4,200-square-foot common landscaped roof deck, spacious residents' lounge, fully equipped fitness center and 24-hour doorman. Situated in Midtown within walking distance of Central Park, the Theater District, Columbus Circle and Times Square, the location is quite literally at the center of it all! Nearby access to the A/C/E, B/D, 1 and N/Q/R subway lines puts the rest of the city at your feet.