455 Main Street, Unit 11N

455 Main Street, Unit 11N

ROOSEVELT ISLAND, MANHATTAN

Alcove Studio  |  1 Bath

Offered At $699,000

CC: $493 / mo.  |  Condo   |  Doorman  

 

Enjoy serene waterfront living and breathtaking views in this gorgeous alcove studio in an amenity-rich Roosevelt Island condo building.

Ample golden sunlight and stunning views of the Queensboro Bridge and Manhattan will draw you into this sophisticated, well-appointed studio courtesy of a wide wall of windows. Revel in the fantastic open chef's kitchen with ample cabinetry, granite countertops and full-size stainless steel appliances that rival that found in most larger homes. The perfect alcove layout provides generous spaces for living, dining and sleeping, and the enviable oversized closet/dressing area leads to a sleek, designer bathroom. Flawless hardwood floors, fantastic storage space and an in-unit washer-dryer make this a home you'll love to live in.

Set in one of only two condominium buildings in the neighborhood, this home represents the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the grand opening of Cornell University's new Roosevelt Island tech campus. The building offers very low common charges and no taxes until 2025 making the overall monthly costs incredibly affordable. The apartment is a perfect primary residence or investor unit which can be delivered vacant or with the current tenant in place.

Riverwalk Place is a modern luxury condominium offering an array of top-notch amenities including full-time doorman service, live-in superintendent, fitness center, playroom, bike storage, central laundry room and a glorious indoor residents lounge with outdoor roof deck featuring picture-perfect city and water views. Those who have yet to experience the coveted Roosevelt Island lifestyle may be surprised by the number of restaurants and services available in the unique neighborhood. A Starbucks and Duane Reade are within feet of your front door, several restaurants and groceries stores dot the island, not to mention an array of phenomenal outdoor and recreation spaces. Transportation to and from Roosevelt Island is effortless with the F train across the street, the Tramway further on and multiple bus lines shuttling passengers into Manhattan, Queens and beyond.

The City Added 24,293 Affordable Housing Units This Fiscal Year, The Most Since 1989

After more than three years into Mayor de Blasio’s $41 billion, 10-year affordable housing initiative, the city announced on Thursday that 24,293 affordable apartments and homes were secured in Fiscal Year 2017. Out of those units, 40 percent were for families earning less than $43,000 a year, with more than 4,014 homes for families of three earning less than $26,000 a year. According to city officials, the mayor’s Housing New York initiative aims to help an estimated half of a million people afford to live in New York City. Despite these promising numbers, the plan still fails New Yorkers with extremely low-income, by making their affordability benchmarks too high.

In FY17, 7,705 new apartments were financed and 16,588 homes were preserved, made possible by the city’s direct investment of $1 billion, according to the city. Direct city investment under the housing plan totals $2.8 billion and total bond financing to $5.5 billion. In an op-ed in the Daily News, de Blasio called affordable housing a public-private partnership. “We’re leveraging nearly $5 from other sources for every city dollar we spend,” de Blasio wrote. “We negotiate tough deals that maximize the affordable housing we get from every taxpayer dollar–in some cases securing twice as many apartments for the same investment as our predecessors.”

The city noted that under programs created by the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the Housing Development Corporation, this past Fiscal Year created the highest number of homes for formerly homeless families in New York’s history at 2,571. Last fiscal year, just 1,907 homes were created. During a press conference, de Blasio said, “This is how we keep New York, New York. This is how you keep the greatest city in the world what it is and what it always meant to be–a place for everyone.”

While data shows the mayor’s plan is technically working by creating more affordable housing, the city’s housing lotteries tend to favor middle-income earners, instead of low-income renters. Under Housing New York, the city sets about half of all affordable housing aside for those making between $42,951 and $68,720 annually. Just one third remains for New Yorkers making less than $42,950.

Critics say the city does not put aside enough housing for extremely low-income residents, with set income brackets too high for most to qualify. Renata Pumarol, deputy director at New York Communities for Change, told the Wall Street Journal:“If you go into any truly low-income neighborhood in New York, those numbers are absolutely laughable.”

For example, 6sqft recently wrote about a housing lottery for a building at 2264 Morris Avenue in the Fordham Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. The building will only accept applications from New Yorkers earning 60 and 100 percent of the area median income, ranging from an annual income of $32, 195 to $110,700. In 2015, the median household income in the same neighborhood, Community Board 5, was about $24,182, according to Census Reporter.

Plus, middle-income apartments frequent the city’s affordable housing lottery. At the Caesura in Fort Greene, New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for units ranging from $886 per month “micro-units” to $2,715 per month two-bedrooms.

While New Yorkers of all income brackets seek housing they can afford, there continues to be a disconnect between what apartments the community can afford and what type of apartments show up in the housing lottery. The city uses federal income measures in their Housing New York plan, and officials have said creating units for extremely low-income residents is more difficult because it usually requires significant rental subsidies.

420 East 72nd Street, Unit 19C

420 East 72nd Street, Unit 19C

UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN

1 Bed  |  1 Bath  |  Private Terrace 

Offered At $879,000

Maintenance: $2,188 / mo.  |  Co-op   |  Doorman  

 

Come home to fine finishes, pin-drop quiet and open sky views from the astounding 48-foot-long terrace in this high-floor Lenox Hill one-bedroom located in a well run co-op building.

Elegant cherry cabinetry, fine stone details and substantial millwork are the hallmarks of this sophisticated and spacious 850 square foot home. The moment you arrive at the welcoming foyer, you'll be drawn to the oversized windows and terrace that runs the full width of the home, bathing your living spaces in golden southern light. The large open plan great room provides a generous footprint for living and dining, creating the perfect destination for entertaining or relaxing with the sights of the city as your dazzling backdrop. Alternatively, the large living and dining space can easily be converted to include a second bedroom. Nearby, the stylish open kitchen delights with abundant cabinet space, travertine stone countertops and a breakfast bar surrounding top-notch appliances, including a Viking stove and Sub-Zero refrigerator and wine cooler.

Gleaming hardwood floors usher you to the expansive bedroom that effortlessly accommodates a king-size bed and furniture, while the renovated bathroom strikes a luxurious tone with gorgeous tilework and storage. In fact, with three roomy closets positioned throughout the home, storage is never a concern in this immaculate and inviting home.

420 East 72nd Street is a full-service, post war co-op building offering 24-hour doorman, concierge, live in superintendent, laundry room and on-site garage. Guarantors, co-purchasers, pied-à-terres and pets are allowed. Nestled in the heart of the Upper East Side's Lenox Hill neighborhood, the building is less than two blocks from the East River Promenade and surrounded by the great restaurants, lively nightlife and convenient shopping and services the area is known for. Transportation is effortless with the new Q train one block away, crosstown bus service practically outside your door and the 6 train at 68th Street.

The Story Behind ‘Scabby The Rat’

Despite a nationwide decline in union membership, New York City continues to defy this trend. The number of city workers who belong to unions has risen for the last three years in a row, growing from 21.5 percent of all workers to 25.5 percent in 2016. And because of this high number of unionized employees, city residents have become even more familiar with Scabby the Rat–one of the most recognizable symbols of unions. The giant inflatable rodent, with its sharp buck teeth and beady red eyes, has been a staple of union construction protests in NYC and across the country for decades, and if there’s a development project that enlists nonunion labor in New York, expect to see Scabby out on the street.

For over 40 years, NYC unions have used rats as a symbol of protest. Workers who used to replace union workers during a labor strike were historically called “rats” or “scabs,” explaining the origins of the moniker. The first reference in print of using an inflatable rat at a union protest appeared in a 1976 New York Times article about a sanitation worker strike. However, it wasn’t until 1990 that the inflatable Scabby the Rat as we know it today came about.

Peggy and Mike O’Connor, who own Big Sky Balloons and Searchlights Inc., can be credited with designing the menacing looking rat. The Illinois-based company owners told Vice about the first time an organization called them seeking an inflatable rat. The idea first came from organizers Ken Lambert and Don Newton from District Council 1 of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. “Mike and the organizers were going back and forth, saying, ‘We need it more snarly,’” Peggy said. “They wanted a mean, ghastly looking kind of rat.” Since then, the design of Scabby remains the same.

While the original Scabby design is the most popular, the O’Connors have developed a variety of protest balloons for unions to employ. There are currently seven different sizes of Scabby; a six-foot rat costs $2,585 and a 25-foot rat costs $9,295. In addition to customizing Scabby–customers can choose different colors and long or short claws–Big Sky Balloons sell “fat cats,” “greedy pigs,” and “union bug” inflatables.

And Scabby isn’t going anywhere. In 2011, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that Scabby represents a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment. Later in 2014, a federal judge in Brooklyn backed the right of local laborers’ union to use the rat in a protest. Today, Scabby (who has Twitter account devoted to him @ScabbyTheRat) can be found at strikes, protests and outside of places where unions want to direct their message.

5 Surprisingly Spacious Manhattan Two-Bedrooms For Under $750K

5 surprisingly spacious Manhattan two-bedrooms for under $750K

The two-bedroom apartments offer space at a relatively low price

BY AMEENA WALKER  JUL 7, 2017, 1:15PM EDT

Welcome to a semi-regular feature, Price Points, in which we pick a relatively low asking price and a type of apartment, then scour StreetEasy to find the best available options around the city. Today's task: Manhattan two-bedrooms asking under $750,000.

↑ If you’re willing to take the trek up to Washington Heights, this 987-square-foot condo delivers bang for your buck. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home, asking $750,000, features massive windows, dark hardwood floors, a sleek windowed kitchen, and a balcony that overlooks Highbridge Park. [Floorplan]

↑ On the Upper West Side, a 700-square-foot co-op is going for $745,000. The listing description touts this as an “affordable starter” home with 10-foot ceilings, oak floors, a small but modern kitchen, and a washer/dryer. The two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit is also less than a block away from Riverside Park. [Floorplan]

↑ For $735,000, there’s this prewar co-op in Morningside Heights with lovely period details. Exposed brick walls, high ceilings, a stylish kitchen, and plenty of windows are among its details. We’ll admit that the second bedroom is small but it could make a good kid’s room or home office. [Floorplan]

↑ A colorful two-bedroom condo located on Harlem’s Striver’s Row is asking an even $600,000. The 760-square-foot apartment comes with large windows, hardwood floors, a sizable kitchen, and the option to install your own washer/dryer machine.

↑ Finally, in Yorkville, a simple and spacious co-op wants $695,000. The living room boasts lovely arched entryways and decently-sized rooms; the kitchen, while small, is clean and efficient. [Floorplan]

Manhattan Resale Inventory Fell For The First Time In 3 Years

Listing inventory for Manhattan slipped in the second quarter of the year, with the steepest drop at the high end of the market.

Overall in the borough, listing inventory fell by just under a percent, according to the quarterly report from Douglas Elliman. Resale inventory, which represents 83 percent of the Manhattan market, dropped by more than 1 percent in the first decline since the start of 2014. In the luxury market — which represents sales above $4.8 million — inventory dropped by 11 percent, with resale inventory in that sector falling by nearly 23 percent.

Jonathan Miller, CEO of appraisal firm Miller Samuel and author of the report, said inventory is falling because overpriced listings are now expiring.

“It’s a good development for the high end because you don’t have this heavy volume of incorrectly priced listings,” he said. “There’s less of that distraction on the market.”

It’s more evidence that prices are shifting to reflect the market, according to Miller, who said over the past few quarters sales in the borough have increased, indicating that sellers are becoming more willing to meet buyers.

Manhattan’s median apartment price hit almost $1.2 million in the quarter. It was not only a year-over-year increase of more than 7 percent but also a record. The new development median price was $3.3 million, a 23 percent jump over last year, while the resale median price was $975,000. For condominiums, the median price was nearly $1.9 million, a 19 percent increase on last year, while the median price of a co-op was $793,750. For the luxury market — the top 10 percent of all apartment sales — the median price was $6.8 million, a nearly 4 percent increase over last year.

About 14 percent of all market transactions had bidding wars, showing the market is still “tight” — though the majority of bidding wars are at the lower end of the market. In the studio market, 16 percent of the sales closed above the list price, while just 7 percent homes with four or more bedrooms sold for more than their list price. In the third quarter of 2015, 31 percent of sales closed above their list price, a record of at least nine years.

“The market is nowhere near as insane as it was in 2015. But it’s still brisk … which makes sense because inventory is falling and sales are rising,” said Miller.

Overall, the listing discount from last list price was just over 6 percent, according to the report. However, at the luxury end of the market, the listing discount was much steeper at more than 10 percent. That’s the highest it’s been since the fourth quarter of 2010.

“It doesn’t mean that market is coming down,” said Miller. “The aspirational prices era is over.”

WATCH: NYC Real Estate’s Week In Numbers

A 478,000-square-foot lease at 4 World Trade Center, a $200 million bridge loanfor 520 Fifth Avenue and a $271 million loan package for the Moynihan Train Hall. In real estate, it’s all about the numbers.

This past week, The Real Deal reported on New York City’s score in a new report looking at the barriers to commercial real estate supply, the amount that Chinese investment in overseas real estate could drop by in 2017 and the price for which Banco Santander is looking to sell a 51 percent stake in its $34 billion portfolio.

To see some of the biggest news of the past week in 10 numbers, watch the video above.

Rebel Wilson Moves Into Celebrity-Packed TriBeCa Building

Rebel Wilson has joined the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, Meg Ryan, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lawrence and Blake Lively and moved into what appears to be Manhattan’s most celebrity-filled building.

The Australian-born “Bridesmaids” and “How to Be Single” actress has picked up a two-bedroom apartment for $2.95 million at 443 Greenwich Street, a luxury condominium in TriBeCa that is attracting an endless stream of A-listers.

Property records listed The Blue Bay Trust as the buyer of the apartment, the same vehicle that Wilson used to buy her two homes in L.A. In addition to her acting and business skills — she just launched her own clothing line — she must be a savvy negotiator as she paid $1 million less than the asking price.

Of her decision to buy on the East Coast, she said last week at a party marking the debut of her Rebel Wilson x Angels collection, which caters to a plus-size consumer: “I just love New York and since I’m filming a movie here this summer I thought I may as well buy a place.”

443 Greenwich Street’s amenities include a 71-foot indoor swimming pool, children’s playroom, a 5,000-square-foot roof terrace, a fitness center, a hamam and a temperature-controlled wine cellar.

The building has also been dubbed paparazzi-proof thanks to its underground motor court — perhaps that’s why it is attracting all these celebrities.

In the last two months alone, Ryan, Gyllenhaal and Harry Styles have all been revealed as buyers at the building, each paying in the region of $9 million for their new homes.

There are seven homes at the building for sale, according to Streeteasy, with the most expensive being marketed for $55 million, $4 million more than when it was first put up for sale in 2014.

Wilson also owns two homes in Los Angeles. She bought a four-bedroom house in the Hollywood Hills in 2014 for $2.2 million and a brand new five-bedroom West Hollywood property two years later for just shy of $3 million, according to PropertyShark.

432 West 52nd Street, Unit 5A

432 West 52nd Street, Unit 5A

HELL'S KITCHEN, MANHATTAN

2 Bed  |  2 Bath  |  1,189SqFt. 

Offered At $1,365,000

Taxes: $1,654 / mo.  |  CC:$1,476 / mo.  |  New Development  |  Doorman  |  Roof Deck & Gym

 
  • NO Transfer Tax
  • NO Sponsor Closing Fees

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. 

The Monthly Update - July 2017

Not to Sound Redundant, But … It’s All About The Price!

And ain't that the truth! But, while pricing is the biggest motivating factor in today’s market, other factors as well are at play when it comes to today's buyer.

The strongest, fastest and highest selling apartments in the current market are the ones demonstrating the utmost quality with tangible renovations and top-notch finishes. Another major factor for success are buildings that are situated within the most desirable neighborhoods or destination locations.

So, you ask, what the secret sauce is for today's marketplace? It HAS to be price first. We are in a climate where the buyers' market rejects the seller's asking price more often than not, BUT when the market does spot an enticing asking price, buyers act almost irrationally to win the bidding! In fact, and I've seen this time and time again, these well-priced scenarios will often result in bidding wars that ultimately drive the final price well over what the buyers' market would've rejected resolutely as an initial asking price! This is a near-illogical overreaction by the buyers' market — a feeding frenzy, if you will.

So, if you combine the right price with a nicely renovated apartment in a desirable building and sought-after location, you have the recipe for a fast and high-priced sale. The hottest segment of the market seeing this kind of reaction is the $1M and below sector. It’s so competitive in this category, that if you didn’t know better, you would think it was 2006 all over again. As you move up the price-point ladder, the market gets tougher and tougher for sellers, and better and better for buyers.

But, and I can't stress this enough, no matter which end of the ladder you're selling in — it’s all about the price.

STREETEASY: 5-Most Popular Open Houses in NYC

On the hunt to buy in NYC? Take a look at the five most popular open houses on StreetEasy this week. If you’re short on time this weekend, we highly recommend visiting these five places, but if you’ve got more time be sure check out StreetEasy for more open houses in NYC this weekend.

160 9th Avenue, #4R

SPACE: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
PRICE: $550,000
NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea
HIGHLIGHTS: The average median asking price for a one-bedroom in Chelsea is nearly $1.2M, so this place is a steal (in relative terms!) On top of good value, the apartment also features exposed brick, a decorative fireplace and a bedroom that can fit a queen-sized bed.

 

100 West 57th Street, #4A

SPACE: Studio
PRICE: $365,000
NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown
HIGHLIGHTS: It might be studio, but the building amenities will have you living large with a doorman, concierge, valet, private garden and laundry in building.

 

301 East 63rd Street, #16F

SPACE: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
PRICE: $525,000
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lenox Hill
HIGHLIGHTS: A Manhattan two-bedroom for under $600K! Need we say more? If you’re not sold on the price alone, the apartment offers some solid perks including a recent renovated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors. The building also features a roof deck and laundry room.

 

169 West 73rd Street, #9

SPACE: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
PRICE: $599,000
NEIGHBORHOOD: Upper West Side
HIGHLIGHTS: This triplex features high ceilings and large windows, as well as your own private patio. The median asking price for a one-bedroom in the neighborhood is $825,000. So boom! You’re getting a deal.

 

354 West 12th Street, #5CD

SPACE: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
PRICE: $895,000
NEIGHBORHOOD: West Village
HIGHLIGHTS: In a neighborhood where the median asking price for a one-bedroom is $1.1M, this apartment translates to a “good deal”. Situated on the top floor of a 19th Century townhouse, this co-op was originally two studios and was later converted into a one-bedroom. The newly renovated unit now includes two decorative fireplaces, custom built-ins and a shared garden.

Cuomo Declares A ‘State Of Emergency’ For NYC....

Cuomo declares a ‘state of emergency’ for the NYC subway, gives MTA $1B for repairs

POSTED TODAY, JUNE 29, 2017BY DEVIN GANNON

During a press conference Thursday, Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and announced that he would sign an executive order to expedite the process of fixing the system. The governor’s announcement comes just two days after a subway train derailed at 125th Street, injuring over 30 people. His plan includes committing an additional $1 billion in the MTA’s capital plan and reviewing the system’s decades-old equipment.

Speaking at the MTA Genius Transit Challenge Conference, Cuomo described the subway system as “decaying rapidly.” Cuomo recently hired Joseph Lhota as the chairman of the authority which oversees the subway, a position that hasn’t been filled since his predecessor left in January.  Lhota previously held the same role from 2011-2012. The governor said Lhota will provide a reorganization plan for the agency within a month to fix the “long-standing bureaucracy that has evolved over time” at the MTA. The governor also wants a review of the capital plan, the cars and the physical equipment, which he wants to be completed within 60 days.

Cuomo hopes to accelerate the MTA procurement process, saying: “We want to do business, we need to do business, and we will do it quickly.” According to the governor, New York State will commit an additional $1 billion to the capital plan so the MTA has necessary resources. He said that subway cars are made to be on the tracks for 40 years, but that more than 700 cars have been used for longer. Some of the oldest subway cars now have been in use for over 50 years.

As 6sqft recently covered, the main cause of the subway dilemma’s is overcrowding. As more and more people move to New York, the outdated subway system cannot handle the dramatic increase in ridership. Overcrowding now accounts for more than one-third of the nearly 75,000 subway delays across the system each month. To really address the subway’s problems, in addition to upgrading its decades-old infrastructure, the system needs to expand its capacity to stop train delays and disruptions

Curbed NY Press: 160 9th Avenue, Unit 4R

A no-frills Chelsea walk-up a block from the High Line seeks $550K

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit measures 550 square feet

BY TANAY WARERKAR  JUN 27, 2017

Welcome back to The Six-Digit Club, in which we take a look at a newish-to-market listing priced under $1 million, because nice things sometimes come in small packages. Send nominations to the tipline.

If you can get past the fact that this is a fourth-floor walk-up in a five-story building, the 550 square foot one-bedroom seems like a pretty good deal considering the price, and the fact that it’s just a block away from the High Line.

Located within the Chelsea Historic District, the co-op is part of an eight-unit building built in 1860. The apartment has still managed to hold on to some historic flourishes including the exposed brick and the decorative fireplace.

The apartment also gets a good amount of light courtesy of the two windows in the living room, and one in the bedroom. As per the brokerbabble, the bedroom can accommodate a queen size bed. Where the co-op does lack however (aside from the walk-up aspect) is the shortage of closet space—there are just two tiny closets in the entire apartment.

As for the building, it’s pet friendly, has washers and dryers, and has low maintenance charges.

 

Amazon Just Patented A Drone Skyscraper

The massive online retailer company Amazon, which recently acquired the grocery chain Whole Foods for $13.4 billion, is attempting to push even further into the future of internet commerce. The company has recently patented a “multi-level fulfillment center for unmanned vehicles,” or in simpler terms, a drone skyscraper. As co.design discovered, while patents do not necessarily mean this tower will be created, the plan has detailed sketches showing a giant beehive from where drones would fly in and out.

Designed for densely populated areas, the tower would have robotic arms that would be able to grab drones from the sky. Inside, the core contains layers of spokes around the central hub, which would repair the drones or load them with goods. Then elevator systems would move drones to their launch points along the building’s facade, channeling air upwards through the building to reduce damage to any drones that fall. The launch points would be spaced in an alternating pattern making a clear path for each drone.

Last spring, 6sqft wrote about a similar project that reimagined New York City’s tallest and most expensive tower, 432 Park Avenue, as a terminal for drones. Called the Hive, the building would provide personal and commercial services to city residents. The facade would be covered in docking and charging stations, with drones hovering around the tower like buzzing bees. The Hive Proposal won second place in eVolo’s 2016 skyscraper competition.

Kim Kardashian Spent $380K On Jackie Kennedy’s Watch

On Wednesday night in New York City, a gold Cartier watch once owned by Jackie Kennedy hit the auction block. Expected to fetch $120,000, the time piece sold for $379,500 to an (at the time) anonymous bidder.

Surely the buyer would turn out to be a pillar of poise and grace, just like Kennedy herself? The gossip queens over at TMZ spoke to auction sources who revealed the identity of the buyer shortly after the sale. It was none other than… Kim Kardashian West.

But don’t expect to see it being flaunted on Instagram any time soon, Kardashian West is reportedly being far more careful about flaunting her assets since being robbed at gun point last year.

The watch, a gift from Kennedy’s brother-in-law Prince Stanislaw “Stas” Radziwill, is engraved “Stas to Jackie, 23 Feb. 63. 2:05 AM TO 9:35 PM.” According to the lot, the times refer to the start and stop times of the famous 50 Mile Hike that Radziwill completed in Palm Beach in 1963.

After Jackie received the watch from Radziwill, she created an original painting depicting Radziwill and Chuck Spalding on the hike. It’s captioned, “February 23, 1963 2:05 am to 9:35 pm Jackie to Stas with love and admiration”. The painting accompanied the sale of the watch.

The Snazziest Pads That Were Snatched Up Last Week

Thanks to our friends over at StreetEasy, we’re rather on top of this city’s real estate comings and goings — emphasis on goings.

This past week, a handful of highly priced pads left the market for an assortment of reasons, but these are the most expensive residences that have found loving new owners.

212 Fifth Avenue #19AB | In Contract

Two-hundred twelve Fifth Avenue — the ultimate New York City status building — is one of our favorite developments right now, so we’re not surprised that a unit at the Flatiron building is top of our list this week. The 4,089-square-foot spread was last asking $28.2 million, and for their money its new owners are getting soaring ceilings, tons of charm and views galore.

212 West 18th Street 14A (credit: Douglas Elliman)

212 West 18th Street #14A | In Contract

Chelsea’s Walker Tower is just one of Ralph Walker’s pre-war deco towers in the city to find a new calling as a swanky residential building. This two-and-a-half-bedroom unit was most recently asking $15.2 million. Amenities at the building include a concierge, a children’s playroom, a gym, a sauna and roof deck.

319 East 51st Street (credit: Douglas Elliman)

319 East 51st Street | In Contract

Since 2011, this townhouse has been home to interior decorator Deborah Greatorex and her hedge-fund husband, which explains why the home is so gosh darn pretty. They bought the place in 2011 for $4.6 million, city records show, and gut renovated the place. It was most recently asking $12.9 million.

45 Park Place 38 (credit: Stribling)

45 Park Place #38 | In Contract

Forty-five Park Place, an under construction glass tower at the juncture of Tribeca and the Financial District, launched their sales earlier this month, according to Curbed. And already they’re being snapped up. Last asking $12.35 million, this unit comes with three bedrooms, a great room with three exposures, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

45 Park Place 24 (credit: Stribling)

45 Park Place #24 | In Contract

Waiting on construction to finish at 45 Park Place obviously isn’t a problem for this buyer either. This four-bedroom spread was last asking $10.5 million, and comes with all of the amenities its neighbor above does, along with a private key locked elevator.

160 9th Avenue, Unit 4R

160 9th Avenue, Unit 4R

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Offered At $550,000

Maintenance: $760/mo. 

1 Bed  |  1  Bath  |  Co-op

 

Enjoy pin-drop quiet and ample sunshine in this lovely one-bedroom, one-bathroom home in the perfect Chelsea location.

Three oversized, east-facing windows wrap every room of this well-planned 550-square-foot home in golden sunlight and delightful city and garden views. The open-plan layout maximizes space and light while historic touches like exposed brick and a decorative fireplace add warmth and charm. The spacious main living space provides plenty of room for living and dining served by the nearby open kitchen. The windowed bedroom features a large closet, and there's another in the entry.

An Italianate building constructed in 1860, 160 9th Avenue is a boutique co-op offering relaxed rules and very low maintenance. Pets, in-unit washer-dryers and subletting allowed. Set within the Chelsea Historic District, fine examples of New York's early architecture surround the home along with tree-lined streets, eclectic restaurants and lively nightlife. The High Line is just a block away, with Chelsea Piers and the exciting Pier 57 "megapier" project just beyond. Nearby Chelsea Market and Whole Foods provide spectacular access to gourmet delights, while the Whitney and Rubin museums, plus the neighborhood's revered art galleries, provide a feast for the eyes. Transportation is effortless thanks to A/C/E, 1/2 and PATH trains, plus multiple CitiBike stations, within blocks.

The Hoffman Team is #8 in Manhattan!

Full Artical Here

It’s been about a decade since The Real Deal began ranking Manhattan’s top residential agents. But this year, the ranking looks a little different.

That’s because rather than evaluating agents based on the dollar volume of their listings, this year our beefed-up research team created a methodology to evaluate brokers based on what they actually sold. And in a market where inventory is up and buyers are swimming in choices, particularly on the high end, closing deals is no small feat.

While TRD’s methodology has changed, one key thing that hasn’t is that the brokers who worked on new development projects trounced their resale counterparts. But to get a clear sense of which agents dominated in both areas, we compiled two separate rankings. The undertaking was not easy. We sifted through thousands of condo, co-op and townhouse listings and cross-referenced them with sales that hit public records last year.

The final rankings — which include only sell-side transactions — are based on deals that closed between January 1 and December 31, 2016, and that the agent had as a listing. Oh, and agents had to have at least $50 million in deal volume to make the cut.

NYC Pride March 2017: Route & Street Closures

NYC Pride is officially underway, and while there are a bevy of events happening to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots (and plenty of historic sites to visit if you’re in town for Pride), the big shebang—the Pride March—happens on Sunday.

This year, the theme is “We Are Proud,” which the organizers say reflects the LGBTQ community’s “unwavering ability to rise and be proud, even while under attack by a hostile political environment.” The Grand Marshals this year are trans advocate and NYC firefighter Brooke Guinan; Gay Men’s Health Crisis activist Krishna Stone; the American Civil Liberties Union; and Chinese LGBT activist Geng Le.

And given the fact that last year’s march saw the largest crowds in the event’s history—with 32,000 marchers and more than 2 million spectators—it’s all but guaranteed that this year’s will also be a blowout.

So what do you need to know if you want to attend? The march, which begins at noon, will follow the same route as in years past. Crowds will form in Midtown around Fifth Avenue and 37th Street, and follow Fifth Avenue down to 8th Street, before turning west, following Christopher Street, and ending at Greenwich Street (where a huge street fair/celebration, Pridefest, will be happening).

Street closures have yet to be announced, but it’s safe to assume that driving—or taking the bus—in Midtown or the West Village will be a bad idea on Sunday.

If you still want to watch without being amid the crowds, the march will be broadcast live, from noon to 3 p.m., on ABC for the first time in the event’s history.

Sunday’s march will be preceded by the Dyke March on Saturday, which will begin at 5 p.m. on the north side of Bryant Park at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue. The march then continues down Fifth Avenue until arriving at Washington Square Park.

Your new home awaits.