Real Estate Investor Wants Amazon To Build Second Headquarters On The Hudson River Landfill

After landing on Amazon’s list of 20 potential cities for its second headquarters in January, New York City is one step closer to securing $5 billion in city investment and 50,000 high paying jobs. Although the city pitched four neighborhoods for the tech-giants’ HQ2 (Midtown West, Long Island City, the Brooklyn Tech Triangle, and Lower Manhattan), one investor has a different, less grounded location in mind. Real estate mogul Charles Urstadt took out an ad in the New York Post on Friday detailing his plan to bring Amazon to a landfill in the Hudson River.

Urdstadt, best known as the founder of the state-agency Battery Park City Authority, calls for Amazon to pay a nominal amount for underwater land measuring 2,000 feet from north to south, stretching 1,000 feet into the river.

Urdstadt first revealed his ambitious vision for HQ2 in an op-ed published last month in the Broadsheet. He recommends New York use landfill to create the property in the Hudson. He wrote: “Using fill to extend Battery Park City beyond its current northern border (roughly at Chambers Street) by half a mile (to a point just below Canal Street) would create more than 60 acres of additional new land in Tribeca, one of the most desirable residential and business districts in the United States.”

In exchange for the new acres of waterfront land, Amazon would pay a “nominal annual ground rent,” which Urdstadt says would be a fraction of the cost if the company had to purchase it instead. And the staff of the Battery Park City Authority, which is made up of architects and engineers, would be in charge of overseeing and maintaining the landfill.

“Only New York can offer Amazon benefits that such a scheme would make possible,” Urdstadt wrote. “And only in Lower Manhattan do all of these possibilities come together in a single place.  A creative partnership between the public and private sectors to bring Amazon to the Hudson River waterfront will benefit both, but the best reason for doing it is that it will (in more ways than one) enrich the City and its people.”

[Via NY Post]

380 Rector Place, Unit 3R

300 Rector Place, Unit 3R

BATTERY PAK CITY, MANHATTAN

2 Bed  |  2 Bath  |  1,014SqFt  |  Condo

Offered At $1,398,000

Real Estate Taxes: $1,542/ mo.   |   Common Charges: $1,384/ mo.   |   Doorman  |  Roof Deck

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A breath of fresh air, 3R is everything you are searching for in your Battery Park City 2 BD / 2BA home. Expansive Hudson River views, a renovated kitchen, shower in the master en-suite, extra tall ceilings and plenty of closet space make this unit a stand out. 

Rarely available, this 2 BD / 2BA home is over 1000 sqft. As you enter the apartment, a gracious dining area and serene living room greet you along with breathtaking Hudson River views. The kitchen has been renovated with new cabinets and appliances. A king sized master suite easily accommodates all of your furniture and offers the same stunning river views. The master bath has also been renovated with a new vanity and shower stall!

The queen sized second bedroom, currently configured as an office, faces the river. Completing this well-thought out floor plan are closets throughout and a large second bathroom. 

Liberty Terrace offers residents a 24 hour doorman/concierge and laundry on every floor. The Terrace Club is a privately owned gym within the building that residents can join for a nominal membership fee. The Club includes classes, a gym that overlooks the Hudson River, and a pool with retractable roof and outdoor lounge chairs. 

Perfectly situated in Battery Park City, grocery stores (Gristedes, Battery Place Market, Whole Foods), restaurants (Mir-a-mar, El Vez, Parm, PJ Clarkes, Treadwell, Hudson Eats, Inatteso), parks, the riverfront esplanade, entertainment (Battery Park Conservancy, Regal Cinemas), and shopping (the Westfield Mall, Barnes and Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target). Getting around couldn't be easier – take advantage of the free Downtown connection, M20, M9, and all trains close by!

As Of Today, The MET Will Start Charging Non-New Yorkers $25 For Admission

At the beginning of the year, the Met announced that it would begin charging non-New Yorkers (i.e. those without a state ID) $25 for admission, waiving its pay-what-you-wish policy that had been in effect since 1970. And as of today, that policy is officially being implemented through signs at all entrances, 14 new kiosks in the Great Hall, roaming museum staff with iPads, and a brochure that explains the new fee system, reports the Times.

When the Met put its pay-as-you-wish policy into effect nearly 50 years ago, it was one of the very few museums to do so. However, Daniel Weiss, president and chief executive officer of the Met, said that the new policy is necessary because “people assume that The Met is free when, in fact, it depends on the support of its visitors to open its doors every day.” To that end, over the last 13 years, despite attendance growing from 4.7 to 7 million, those who pay the “suggested” donation has dropped from 63 to just 17 percent. And the average person contributed between $9 and $16, still less than the suggestion. Admission currently makes up 14 percent, or $43 million, of the Met’s $305 million annual operating budget, but the new policy which the Met estimates will impact 31 percent of visitors, will increase that amount to roughly $49 million a year.

The new policy has faced its fair share of disapproval. In fact, shortly after the announcement, a petition went live to keep the museum free for all. It currently has 27,655 of its 30,000 signature goal. Artist Ai Weiwei likened it to “taking the jacket off a poor person.” He said, “I will never go to the Metropolitan. Am I calling for a boycott? No. But I myself will not go.” Chicago-based artist and architect Amanda Williams agreed: “What are we valuing in this difficult political and economic moment? And for young people, especially little black and brown bodies, they are receiving more and more messages that they don’t belong.”

But nonetheless, the Met remains committed to the fact that the change is necessary for its future survival. So far, more than 20,000 Met employees, from the main 5th Avenue location, the Cloisters in Washington Heights, and the Met Breuer, have been trained in “customer service techniques as well as communications and technical issues” as related to the new policy. The new ticket will be good for three days at any of the three locations. Students with a valid ID from a university in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut will still be able to pay what they wish. Students from elsewhere will be charged $12 and seniors $17.

[Via NYT]

The Waldorf Is Going Condo And Pieces Of It Are For Sale

More affordable items include steak knives ($25 each), silver-plated doorbells ($45) and towel racks ($250).

Anbang bought the famed Art Deco hotel in February of 2015 for $1.95 billion, a record sum for a single U.S. hotel. Last week, the Chinese government announced a year-long ownership period during which it would consider “all or partial” sales of the company’s assets. Anbang will be overseen for one year by a group that includes China’s central bank, the country’s securities and banking regulator, the regular of foreign exchanges and other government agencies. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., which holds a long-term management contract with the Waldorf, and construction firm AECOM Tishman issued statements saying that work on the condo conversion was indeed underway.

The New York Landmarks Preservation Commission voted in March of 2017 to protect a number of the Waldorf’s public spaces like the hotel’s grand ballroom, a large floor mosaic by the French artist Louis Rigal that adorns an entry hall and the entire main lobby bedecked in black marble pillars and ceiling reliefs.

Shortly after the landmark designation went into effect, trucks owned by Olde Good Things began loading out items from guest rooms, according to members of the nonprofit Art Deco Society which has been tracking the project.

Olde Good Things has arrived to rescue interior effects at several New York City landmarks, including the Plaza Hotel, John F. Kennedy International Airport and the old New York Times headquarters. The salvage outfit is also known for being owned by the Church of Bible Understanding (COBU). The group says it uses profits from the salvage business to fund an orphanage in Haiti.

The Monthly Update - March 2018

Rent vs. Buy in 2018:

A Debate Reignited

With rental prices the lowest they've been in a while and with landlords and developers offering huge discounts and incentives, why even buy at all? It’s a fact that you can now get a nice rental in a new building for hundreds, or even thousands, less than what a mortgage + monthlies + taxes would be for a comparable co-op or condo. So why not stockpile your money and wait for sale prices to fall? We are hearing this more and more from buyers, so let’s address it.

Currently, Manhattan rents are stagnant. But, as we all know, they will go up. Landlords might give you a break this year, but as soon as they have the chance to raise your rent to the new "market" rate, they will. And if you don’t agree to the drastically higher new rate, they'll easily get a new tenant who will, and all that cash you thought you'd saved will be flushed down the toilet on moving expenses, broker fees plus a higher rent in a lower quality apartment (not to mention if interest rates go up, as they are slated to, that monthly mortgage payment will go up significantly).

Today’s lower rents won’t be low for long, so if you plan to stay in your home for five years or more, purchasing always beats renting. You might pay more in mortgage + monthlies + taxes now, but rents will meet those monthly expenses over time. Plus, your monthly purchase nut can be greatly reduced through tax savings. Even under the new tax code, that includes deductions on interest for up to $750,000 of your mortgage and deductions of property taxes up to $10,000 per year. Sure, there might be headaches that come with property ownership, but the equity you’ll earn over five years or more will be your real windfall.

So, unless you're planning to move in two years' time — say, for example, if you're only the in city trying it out for a couple of years — then yes, take advantage of developer's discounts and lower rents today. But, if you're here for the long haul, don’t think short term! Leverage your money while it's still cheap. Interest rates are on the rise, so start building equity now — you’ll be happy in five years that you did. (Maybe even less than five years in Manhattan, where our market often sees returns faster than the national average).

Bottomline, I’ve never heard a homeowner regret their purchase if they think long term, but I've heard from plenty of potential buyers who regret not jumping into the market "back then."

COMPASS News

  • Compass expands into Westchester! Read full article
  • Compass has already concurred Washington D.C. now its time to grow into Virginia, stay tuned for more information. 
  • Our goal is for Compass to be everywhere, and by the end of 2018, we will be operating in every major metro area in the United States, bringing us to 100 offices nationwide! #CompassEverywhere 
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101 West 12th Street, Unit 8RS

101 West 12th Street, Unit 8RS

GREENWICH VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

3 Bed |  3.5 Bath | 2,350 Sq Ft. | Co-op

Offered At $4,750,000

CC: $3,822/mo.

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Enjoy sprawling living spaces and breathtaking views in this newly renovated three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home in a coveted Greenwich Village co-op building. No expense was spared in the renovation of this beautifully appointed residence. Situated on the southeast corner of the eighth floor, fantastic light and open-sky views are found throughout. A gracious entry gallery with an elegant powder room leads you to the oversized great room, where you will find white oak hardwood floors and custom cabinetry throughout. There is plenty of room for generous living and dining areas.

The adjacent open windowed kitchen is nicely equipped with Viking and Miele appliances, custom cabinetry and a convenient breakfast bar. This home's coveted split-bedroom layout places the oversized master suite at the southwest corner of the home where you'll find a massive walk-in closet, a luxurious en suite Carrara marble bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub and separate rain shower with steam. The two additional bedroom suites are set at the opposite corner and feature en suite bathrooms and large closets. An oversized utility room/pantry is outfitted with an in-unit vented washer dryer. Central air and new double-pane windows ensure year-round comfort in this beautiful turnkey West Village home.

The John Adams is one of the finest full-service co-ops in all of Greenwich Village. Amenities in the pet-friendly postwar building include full-time doorman and concierge service, live-in superintendent, renovated lobby and hallways, central laundry, bike room, a stunning roof garden with panoramic views and on-site parking garage at an additional cost. Gifting and pieds-à-terre permitted; no co-purchases or guarantors. Set on the corner of West 12th Street and Sixth Avenue, this fine building is at the center of coveted West Village living. Historic streets, fantastic restaurants and lively nightlife venues surround the home, and outdoor space and recreation can be found just blocks away at sprawling Hudson River Park, Washington Square Park and Union Square. Transportation from this highly accessible neighborhood is a breeze with 1/2/3, B/D/F/M, L, A/C/E, 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W and PATH trains all nearby.

330 Third Avenue, Unit 18L

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330 Third Avenue, Unit 18L

KIPS BAY, MANHATTAN

Studio |  1 Bath | Co-op

Offered At $519,000

CC: $1,217/mo.  |  24/7 Doorman

 

This beautifully renovated, well-planned studio feels a much larger home thanks to its incredible storage, fantastic finishes and pin-drop quiet all set in a revered Kips Bay co-op.

Arrive in the oversized foyer flanked with huge closets and know at once this is no ordinary, cramped studio. An extra-wide central hallway — roomy enough to accommodate a large dining table — leads to the spacious main living area. Lit by a wide west-facing window, this perfectly arranged space features tons of built-in cabinetry, a desk and a convenient Murphy bed that effortlessly transitions the space from living to sleeping. Unlike the small pullman kitchens found in most studios, this home features a gut-renovated separate kitchen filled with beautiful maple cabinets, granite countertops and top-notch, full-sized stainless steel appliances, including a gas range, built-in microwave and dishwasher. A big dressing area and third large closet lead to the gut renovated bathroom which features incredible stone and tile surrounding a glass-enclosed shower, pedestal sink and wide vanity mirror. The high-floor, rear-facing location makes this exceptional studio home a peaceful and serene retreat in the heart of the city.

330 Third Avenue is a beautifully maintained, full-service co-op building offering 24-hour doorman, live-in superintendent, laundry facilities and newly renovated common areas. On-site parking, storage and bike room available at an additional cost. This co-op considers pied-à-terres, co-purchasing, gifting and dogs up to 40 pounds. Subletting is permitted after two years of ownership for up to four years. Located in lower Kips Bay, surrounded by Gramercy Park, Flatiron and NoMad, this location offers an abundant supply of phenomenal dining, entertainment and shopping venues. Foodies will rejoice at the nearby gourmet food shopping available at Eataly, Trader Joe's and Fairway markets, not to mention the half-dozen Michelin-starred restaurants within blocks, including Eleven Madison Park, The Clocktower, Gramercy Tavern and The Breslin. This incredibly accessible neighborhood offers a multitude of transportation options within blocks, including 6, N/R/W, F/M and PATH trains.

8 Ways To Help The Homeless In NYC

In recent years, as the city grapples with a lack of affordable housing, New York’s homeless population has soared.

According to a 2017 report by Coalition for the Homeless, which has been fighting the city’s homeless crisis since 1981, more than 62,000 men, women, and children currently sleep in city shelters every night—that’s a 79 percent increase in the demand for shelters over the past decade. As the report states, “Extreme income inequality and unanticipated but rapid growth in the overall population of New York City together continue to push those at the lowest end of the income spectrum out of the housing market entirely.”

Add to that the fact that homeless shelters are being constructed more slowly than the city had projected in 2017, and the scope of the crisis begins to feel overwhelming.

But there are a number of organizations providing shelter and resources, coordinating outreach efforts, and pushing for government policy to alleviate the crisis—and there are concrete ways to help these groups. Curbed spoke with representatives from four advocacy groups to find out how New Yorkers can best channel their resources when it comes to helping the homeless.

1. Donate money.

Perhaps the easiest way to support the effort to end homelessness is through monetary donations. The four organizations Curbed spoke with—Breaking Ground, Coalition for the Homeless, Picture the Homeless, and Ali Forney Center—all accept donations through their websites. (And that’s hardly an exhaustive list of NYC organizations—here are even more.)

The current political climate threatens to end funding some of these groups depend on, making donations all the more important. Carl Siciliano, executive director of the Ali Forney Center, which provides support to homeless LGBTQ youth, says his organization is grappling with the end of roughly $1 million of federal contracts this year. “We just don’t see the Trump/Pence White House offering the same support to the LGBTQ community as the Obama administration did,” Siciliano says.

The center needs about $3.5 million of annual income, outside of government contracts, to continue its full programming. “We are always in extraordinary need of monetary donations,” he says.

2. Donate goods.

For opportunities to donate goods or participate in drives, look no further than Coalition for the Homeless. In the summer, the organization hosts Project: Back to School, a drive that distributes new backpacks and school supplies to homeless children; during the holiday season, it has a toy drive. The organization also runs the Grand Central Food Program every single night, in which a fleet of vans deliver meals to approximately 1,000 people at 23 different sites around the city. (You can volunteer as a driver for that program, help identify drop-off locations for drives, host a drive at your business, or help sort and distribute goods.)

Outside of Coalition for the Homeless, there are a number of other organizations who accept donated goods. Bowery Mission accepts food, clothes linens and hygiene items. Housing Works accepts a variety of goods at its thrift store and bookstore. New York Cares, which runs an annual coat drive, also pulled together a comprehensive roundup of where to send clothing donations.

3. Volunteer.

There are countless ways to donate your time to homeless outreach, from long term commitments to one-time events. The Ali Forney Center offers a year-long opportunity to serve as a life coach to LGBTQ youth; you can also help cook meals at one of the organization’s shelter sites. Coalition for the Homeless hosts a First Step Job Training Program, in which you could volunteer as a student mentor, mock interviewer, or guest lecturer. Over at Breaking Ground, a non-profit building supportive housing, you can volunteer with the organization’s outreach workers, who engage homeless people and work with them to find housing.

4. Participate in the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate.

Every January, the city’s Department of Homeless Services conducts its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE), a citywide volunteer effort to count every New Yorker sleeping on the street across the five boroughs. The agency conducted its 2018 survey on January 22, and more than 4,200 people participated. While the data from that count has not yet been released, last year’s count found 3,892 homeless individuals living on the streets—a 39 percent increase from 2016.

So mark your calendar now for next year’s count: DHS needs a minimum of 3,000 New Yorkers (who must be 18 or older) to collect this data, which is used to assist outreach teams in engaging and encouraging unsheltered individuals to transition into more stable environments.

5. Advocate for affordable and supportive housing.

Every advocate Curbed spoke with stressed the importance of building more affordable and supportive housing (the latter of which provides on-site services for formerly homeless individuals). “The most important thing to do is learn about the topic and become an advocate for this type of housing in your community,” says Brenda Rosen, CEO of Breaking Ground.

Buildings with supportive housing components often face opposition at community meetings. “There’s a stigma around supportive housing,” Rosen notes. “A very common reaction is to be afraid, or envision something chaotic, unattractive, or unsafe. But if you’ve seen the work of good non-profits like Breaking Ground, you realize that none of what people envision is true.”

Her suggestion in countering that viewpoint? Join your local community board—or simply show up to meetings—and voice your support for these projects. While you’re at it, email or call your elected officials to express support for these projects and ask them to do the same.

6. Push for policies that help the homeless.

Housing policy isn’t the only issue to stand behind. Picture the Homeless, which is made up of current and formerly homeless individuals, advocates for Communities United for Police Reform. It’s an effort to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, particularly toward homeless individuals, through a combination of community organizing, policy advocacy, media and research.

The group’s latest effort was in support of the Right to Know Act, a package to end unconstitutional searches by the NYPD and force officers to identify themselves and explain the reason for any interaction. Rogers, a leader of Picture the Homeless who entered the shelter system 17 years ago (he prefers not to use his full name), asked New Yorkers to stand up for homeless individuals who get searched or harassed by police without clear reason. He adds that Picture the Homeless can also be supported in its work pressuring City Council to improve the services and operations of existing shelters.

Siciliano of the Ali Forney Center highlights a new state policy that hasn’t yet garnered support from Mayor Bill de Blasio. Currently, the city forces young people living in youth shelters to transition into the larger shelter system on their 21st birthday. “The adult shelter system can be very frightening, especially for LGBT youth,” he says. Advocates pushed for years to raise the age limit, and in 2017, New York state changed its homeless youth regulations, giving New York City the opportunity to let those up to the age of 24 stay in youth shelters. “The Mayor has not indicated he’s willing to do this,” Siciliano says. Advocacy and pressure on local pols, he hopes, can sway the mayor to address the issue.

7. Call 311—really.

Many New Yorkers will roll their eyes at this suggestion, but advocates say that it works. “I know a lot of people don’t have any idea what to do, on their way to work, as they see homeless people bedded in the streets,” says Rosen. “We always encourage people to call 311.” When you call, ask for the street outreach team—those calls are forwarded to New York-based non-profits that provide on-the-ground homeless outreach. Breaking Ground, one such organization, will respond “within an hour,” according to Rosen. “We want that information,” she continues. “It might just mean we’re visiting to say hello, or we end up convincing them to come inside. It gives us that opportunity.”

If there appears to be a medical emergency, or someone is in acute crisis or distress, go ahead and call 911. “But in the great majority of cases, calling 311 and asking for a mobile outreach team is the best option,” Rosen says.

8. Get to know NYC’s homeless population.

It can feel like there’s a great divide between non-homeless and homeless New Yorkers. But you can make an effort, through organizations like Picture the Homeless, to lessen it. “There’s often an absence of voices from homeless people at community meetings around issues like housing or shelters,” says Rogers. Work to bring homeless voices to your community meetings, merchant association meetings, church groups, and the like.

And Rogers suggests that New Yorkers have “a willingness to listen to those who have gone through homelessness.” It could be as simple as saying hello. 

Hermès Opening SoHo Store

It looks like Hermès is headed to SoHo.

The luxury retailer, which already operates four stores in Manhattan, is said to be close to signing a lease at 63 Greene Street between Broome and Spring Streets. The 4,800-square-foot space with 30 feet of frontage facing Greene Street, will not be a full-line store, sources said.

In spring 2019, Hermès also plans to open a three-level, 10,000-square-foot unit at 46-48 Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District. Once the new SoHo and Meatpacking units open, Hermès’ will have six Manhattan stores, an unusual expansion at a time when many other retailers are shuttering stores and downsizing.

Greene Street is considered one of the most sought-after streets in SoHo for luxury retail. Hermès’ neighbors will include Dior, Jimmy Choo, Stella McCartney, Chloé, Etro, Saint Laurent and Brunello Cucinelli.

SoHo along with many other prime retail corridors in Manhattan has seen rents plummet in recent years. The city’s average asking rent in 2017 hit its lowest point in 17 years, while asking rents in SoHo declined by one-third. There have been some hopeful signs in the neighborhood and brokers said deals are getting done, albeit, most retailers are have been averse to signing long leases. Hermès will reportedly lease the Greene Street space for one year, at least initially. The luxury brand could not immediately be reached for comment.

Hermès units, which are spread across Manhattan, cater to different customers bases with the overlap of tourists in some locations. A men’s store at 690 Madison Avenue and flagship directly across the street at 691 Madison, appeal to local residents. An Hermès parfumerie downtown at Brookfield Place, and 15 Broad Street  in the Financial District, cater to office workers and tourists. The SoHo store will be oriented toward tourists, while the Meatpacking will feature new technology and a casual vibe that matches the neighborhood’s younger, tech-obsessed residents.

NYC Fun Fact - Mail Used To Travel Underground In Its Own Tube System Till '57

Up until 1957, there was a pneumatic mail tube system that was used to connect 23 post offices across 27 miles. At one point, it moved 97,000 letters a day.

N.Y. Post Office Pneumatic Tube” c. 1912.

I’m often asked what my favorite weird/obscure fact about New York City was. Ironically, as the founder of Untapped Cities, this question frequently proves difficult because there are just so many amazing things about this city. So I went back into my memory archives, thinking what about New York City impelled me to create Untapped Cities. The pneumatic tube mail system is top on that list.

The first pneumatic tube mail system was installed in Philadelphia (sorry New York) in 1893. New York City’s came in 1897. Each tube could carry between 400 and 600 letters and traveled at 30-35 miles per hour. In its full glory, the pneumatic tubes covered a 27-mile route, connecting 23 post offices. This network stretched up Manhattan’s east and west sides, from Bowling Green and Wall Street, all the way north to Manhattanville and East Harlem.

Anecdotal stories indicate that the system may have extended into the Bronx, with sandwich subs reportedly being delivered via pneumatic tubes from a renown subway shop in the Bronx to downtown postal stations. The system even crossed boroughs into Brooklyn (using the Brooklyn Bridge), taking four minutes to take letters from Church Street near City Hall to the General Post Office in Brooklyn (now Cadman Plaza).

The system, which was located 4 to 6 feet below the city streets, was created and owned by private companies, to which the city paid rent and labor. According to Kate Ascher, author of The Works, “The high operating costs of the pneumatic system ultimately proved its downfall. By 1918, the federal government considered the annual rental payments ($17,000 per mile per annum) made by the post office to be ‘exorbitant’ and endorsed a new alternative with greater capacity–the automobile–as the delivery method of choice.” In New York City, a successful lobby by contractors led to the reinstatement of pneumatic mail service in 1922. A complete stop didn’t happen until 1953. Paris’ system, which covered 269 miles, continued for an additional 34 years (but was more limited in what it could carry–the pipes were only 2 inches diameter).

And what’s left of the pneumatic tubes? Not much, if at all. The location of the tubes within a city’s underbelly basically guaranteed its destruction once no longer in use.  According to The Smithsonian National Postal Museum, “Installation of the tubes was problematic, with previously laid pipes for sewage and gas limiting the size and thus the amount and kind of mail a pneumatic tube could carry. Water table levels also presented difficulties.” Kate Ascher also notes that there was a time when remnants of the pneumatic tubes were still being found, but not often any longer.

Some additional fun facts about the pneumatic tube mail system:

Flanges that are remnant pneumatic tubes at the Chelsea Post Office

  • According to this incredible article by Robert A. Cohen, the first cylinder tube to travel through the New York City system contained “a Bible, a flag and a copy of the Constitution. The second contained an imitation peach in honor of Senator Chauncy Depew (He was fondly known as “The Peach”).  A third carrier had a black cat in it, for reasons unknown.”
  • It had set hours of operation: 5am to 10pm on weekdays, and 5am to 10am on Saturdays
  • The size of the carriers in New York City was 24 inches long, 8 inches across
  • 95,000 letters were moved daily, about 1/3 of all first class letters
  • It took 4 minutes to get from the General Post Office to Grand Central using a tranverse tube that cut across Manhattan
  • It took between 15 and 20 minutes for mail to get from Herald Square to Manhattanville and East Harlem
  • It took 11 minutes to get from the General Post Office to the Planetarium Post Office, near the Museum of Natural History
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Christie Brinkley Rents $30K/month Tribeca Apartment

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Supermodel Christie Brinkley recently picked up a penthouse in Tribeca for $29,500 per month while two of her Hamptons estates are still on the market. The gorgeous 3,000-square-foot apartment at 475 Greenwich Street boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, two terraces and incredible views of the Hudson River. Although Brinkley has called the Hamptons home for decades, one of her Sag Harbor estates is currently listed for $20 million and another, a little further down, for $29.5 million, as Variety reported.

The open-layout and abundance of natural light serve as the perfect backdrop for entertaining; Brinkley recently hosted her 64th birthday party at the penthouse, according to Variety. On this level, the over 850-square-foot rooftop features iconic city views.

The lower level is home to the spacious master suite, which also includes floor-to-ceiling windows. The master features two closets, with one as a customized walk-in. The ensuite bathroom has a deep-soaking tub, walk-in shower and dual sink vanity. The two additional bathrooms can be found on the same level, separated from the master bedroom by a media room.

The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath penthouse sits in the Zinc Building, a 21-unit, 7-story development designed by Greenberg Farrow Architects. Residents at the Zinc have access to a gym and bike storage room.

[Listing: 475 Greenwich Street, #PH-6A by Danny Davis, Lisa Balbuena and Lisa Resnick for Town Residential]

Could An East River Pontoon Bridge Be A Viable L Train Alternative?

Real estate investor, sailing champion and former Calvin Klein underwear model Parker Shinn has entered the impending void of the dreaded L train shutdown scheduled for April of 2019 with a new alternative. The concept, which joins a growing list that includes a gondola, an inflatable tunnel, car-free bus lanes, bike lanes and a lot of MTA re-routing, is called L-ternative Bridge, and consists of a temporary pontoon bridge between Brooklyn and Manhattan that would be capable of supporting two lanes of bus traffic and two walking/bike paths.

According to the L-ternative Bridge website, pontoon bridges have been used for over 1,000 years and represent a fast and affordable method of building a bridge spanning a large body of water.

More pontoon bridge facts:

  • At 30 mph it will take approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds to go from the Bedford Avenue station to the Manhattan shores.
  • In order to move people as quickly as possible from the subway to buses, a partially enclosed bus terminal could be constructed on 7th Street between Bedford and Driggs Avenues.
  • Buses and pedestrians would cross FDR Drive via a temporary overpass similar to the one currently in place for pedestrians on 10th Street.
  • The pontoons will be 90-foot long deck barges. It will take 30 of them to span the 2,600 feet across the East River.
  • The bridge would be anchored in place using 3,500-pound Delta anchors which are well-suited to mud riverbottoms like the one in the East River.
  • To avoid interrupting shipping paths up and down the river, Shinn envisions a 240-foot wide drawbridge for larger ship traffic and a permanently elevated section for ferries and smaller boats, with more research to come.

Regarding the bill for building the bridge, Shinn points to a similar bridge almost twice as long that was built by a consortium of European companies for $38M in 2008; he acknowledges that construction costs have gone up considerably since that time, and explains that he’s currently gathering cost estimates from contractors and will publish them upon receipt. He is also aware of the many risks and challenges, legal, regulatory and otherwise, involved in the admittedly interesting undertaking.

According to Shinn, construction would only take 6 to 8 months and the costs could be completely covered by a $1 toll. The bridge has launched a Kickstarter campaign to rustle up community support and offer the city a detailed plan. Ideally the MTA would either use the plan and contractor recommendations provided to build the L-ternative bridge, or establish a public-private partnership with a developer to build it.

Find out more about L-ternative Bridge  here.

Viñoly’s Jetsons-Esque Skyscraper At 249 East 62nd Street Revealed

BY: NIKOLAI FEDAK 8:00 AM ON FEBRUARY 20, 2018

Rafael Viñoly has become one of the more prominent designers of Manhattan’s residential real estate in recent years, and today, YIMBY has the first rendering for the architect’s latest skyscraper, at 249 East 62nd Street on the Upper East Side. While the tower will technically comprise only 32 floors, it will stand 510 feet to its rooftop, taking advantage of a Jetsons-esque podium to boost its upper levels high into the neighborhood skyline.

The Schedule A for the project reveals the exact configuration, and shows that retail and a townhouse will occupy the base of the building. Those will be topped by apartments rising through to the 12th floor.

Above that, the 13th through 16th floors will all be mechanical, with the 15th floor holding the residential amenity spaces, including a bar/wine tasting area with private dining room and pantry, a media lounge, and a study.

Residential space will then continue, with three units per floor from floors 17 through 29, and then another three mechanical floors up on the very top. The 17th floor will start about 350 feet above street level.

While the total construction area will be just over 150,000 square feet, the retail will total 2,588 square feet, and the residential space will clock in at 98,526 square feet, divided amongst 83 units. At an average size of about 1,200 square feet, condominiums are exceedingly likely.

The configuration of 249 East 62nd Street begs the question of whether Viñoly’s design for the site could start a trend to rival the cantilever. The extended mid-section of the tower results in the displacement of a substantial amount of residential space to an elevation far above what one would normally expect for a 32-story building, and is likely to result in pricing that is far higher than what would otherwise be possible.

As engineering continues to improve, it seems that the premiums people are willing to pay to live in neighborhoods like the Upper East Side could be a driver behind additional developments that mimic 249 East 62nd Street.

In any case, Viñoly’s design could certainly become iconic for the surrounding neighborhood, which is generally low-rise. The concrete pillars which contain the condominiums combine with the interspersed mechanical floors to create a vision that should be quite elegant, and even if 249 East 62nd Street isn’t anywhere near as tall as 432 Park Avenue, it certainly expounds on the same economic functionality that has driven the construction and deseign of both developments.

 

432 Park Avenue, photo by DBOX for CIM Group:Macklowe Properties

No formal completion date has been announced just yet, but the site has been vacant since 2010 and construction permits were approved as of late 2017, so it appears that work is now a go. Real Estate Inverlad Development LLC and Third Palm Capital are behind the project.

Compass San Diego!

Another day another office! The Compass San Diego office has officially opened its doors – and we can’t wait to dive into the surf, sand, and gorgeous real estate! Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

#CompassEverywhere

Press:

https://www.inman.com/2018/02/14/compass-launches-san-diego-branch/

Hello Westchester!

Breaking News:

Our growth continues! We are thrilled to share the news that Compass Westchester is official!
Today, we are making another big step in building Compass. We have signed an agreement to acquire Platinum Drive Realty, a leading boutique brokerage in the market! With the addition of Platinum Drive, Compass Westchester can grow to 100 Agents and five offices strong, and become a top five brokerage in Scarsdale, Larchmont, and Chappaqua.
Platinum Drive shares Compass’ desire to grow beyond what most believe is possible. The company was founded in 2006 and was named one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. WELCOME TO COMPASS

68 Square Foot Apartment Asking $950/mo. On The UWS

An Upper West Side unit listed today with CitiHabitats, takes the concept of “micro-living” to a whole new level; according to the listing description, the "space" is a mere 68 square feet—and is asking $950/month.

To the broker’s credit, he comes right out and says the apartment is minuscule; “it’s probably the smallest apartment in Manhattan,” says the listing description, but “it’s also probably the least expensive.” (A quick search confirms this.)

It has a loft bed that can only accommodate a twin mattress, a fridge, and a stove (which appears to be oddly normal-sized, all things considered). As you might expect, it’s not especially pleasant—especially when you factor in the fact that “you share the bath on the 5th floor hallway with four other apartments, and the tenants clean it on a schedule.” (Yikes.)

NYC Fun Fact - Elevators Must Have A Mirror

In New York City elevators are legally required to have mirrors. 

Per Multiple Dwelling Law § 51-b; NYC Admin. Code § 27-2042, The main purpose of the law is so people may see, prior to entering, if anyone is already in the elevator.

The Law: Multiple Dwelling Law § 51-b; NYC Admin. Code § 27-2042

 § 51-b. Mirrors in connection with self-service elevators. In all multiple dwellings in which there are one or more self-service passenger elevators, there shall, pursuant to such regulations as the department shall prescribe, be affixed and maintained in each such elevator a mirror which will enable persons prior to entering into such elevator to view the inside thereof to determine whether any person is in such elevator.

Brooklyn Point Tower Will Be Home To The Highest Rooftop Pool In The City

It’s no surprise that the supertall savants at Extell–who are currently constructing the 1,550-foot Central Park Tower as the world’s tallest residential building–used their first foray into Brooklyn to smash yet another sky-high record. The Post reports that the developer’s City Point tower, dubbed Brooklyn Point, will boast the highest rooftop pool in the entire city. Sitting at the top of the 720-foot luxury condo at 138 Willoughby Street, it will be a 27-foot-long saltwater infinity pool, complete with a full lounge area, a stargazing observatory, and space for outdoor movie screenings.

The pool is taking the title away from Long Island City’s 500-foot 1 QPS Tower. Curbedreports that it “will be perched 680 feet above Downtown Brooklyn, and will be designed by Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects.” According to the Post:

Open from the spring through the fall, the pool will feature mosaic glass tiles and be surrounded by lounge chairs for sunbathing and socializing on a Brazilian ipe-wood deck surrounded by planters filled with flowers, shrubs and even trees. The pool area will include outdoor showers, changing rooms and plenty of space for al fresco dining.

Extell released a teaser website for Brooklyn Point back in October ahead of its sales launch. The 68-story, Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed tower will be the tallest building in Brooklyn until it’s surpassed by JDS’ 1,000-foot 9 DeKalb Avenue. It will have 458 units, a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms, ranging from $840,000 to $4 million. Other amenities will include a fire pit, wine room, pet spa, stroller valet, a “forest adventure,” rock climbing wall, and yoga, pilates, and cycling studios. Additionally, residents will have access to City Point’s 600,000+ square feet of retail and dining offerings, such as DeKalb Market Hall, Trader Joe’s, and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

Brooklyn Point will join two other residential buildings at City Point, the Brodsky Organization’s 7 DeKalb and City Tower. Construction is already underway and it’s expected to be completed in early 2021.

Ali Wentworth & George Stephanopoulos Are Selling Their Southampton Estate For $6M

Actress Ali Wentworth and her husband George Stephanopoulos, a political reporter and co-anchor of Good Morning America, have listed their impressive, gated estate in Southampton for $5.995 million. The home at 5 Cameron Way sits on over an acre of land just off Hill Street. According to Curbed Hamptons, the power couple first purchased the sprawling estate for $4.5 million in 2013. A year later, they also picked up a Lennox Hill co-op for $2.2 million.

The home’s living room has supertall coffered ceilings, with unique, over-sized windows that bring in plenty of natural light. The well-equipped chef’s kitchen features a marble center island, as well as dual refrigerators and ovens, perfect for dinner parties.

The spacious home boasts five bedrooms and six and a half baths. On the lower level, there is a media room with a wet bar, including a 1,000 bottle wine cellar. Plus, there’s a gym, game room and a guest bedroom on this level.

The home’s picture-perfect backyard includes a heated pool, a tennis court and covered veranda. Just minutes from the beach, the property also has an abundance of lush greenery, including lots of trees and hydrangea bushes.

[Listing: 5 Cameron Way by Ann Ciardullo  Sotheby’s International Realty]

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