12 Contracts Were Signed Last Week At $4+ Million

LUXURY MARKET REPORT 2018

Report on Contracts Signed
NYC Residential Properties
$4 Million and Above

November 19-25, 2018

12 Contracts Signed

Twelve contracts were signed last week at $4 million and above, a typically low total for a Thanksgiving Day week.

Stat Geek Alert: The lowest total for a Thanksgiving Day week since 2006 when we started keeping track? One. You read that right—one contract was signed. The year was 2008—2 months after the Lehman crash.

The No.1 contract was 9S at 70 Vestry Street, asking $23.5 million, raised from $21 million when it was offered off of floorplans in April 2016. The unit has 4,355 square feet including 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, plus 2 terraces totaling 522 square feet. 70 Vestry is a 14-story, 46-unit condo that was designed by Robert A.M. Stern with interiors by Daniel Romualdez. Amenities include a doorman, concierge, garage, a fitness center, squash court, and 3 pools: an 82-foot lap pool, a separate children’s pool, and a hot-and-cold plunge pool. There is also a library, billiards room, and children’s playroom. Nineteen units have closed so far, averaging $3,908/square foot and 3,664 square feet.

The No. 2 contract was M9C at 7 Hubert Street, asking $8.75 million, reduced from $9.25 million when it went on the market in April. This maisonette triplex condo has 4,633 square feet including 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, plus its own private entrance on Collister Street. Amenities include a gym, concierge, and children’s playroom. The owner of M9C paid $4.950 million for the unit in 2007.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.  The warmth of the season and the gathering of family and friends reminds us all of the many reasons we have to be thankful. We wanted to take this time and express our sincere appreciation for you. 

        Warmest Wishes,

             The Hoffman Team

Best Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Spots

There are 2.5 miles of public viewing along the parade route in NYC; this interactive mapcan help you find a great spot instead of getting lost in the crowd. The map, from the fine folks behind the parade, outlines when the parade will pass by, which streets have the best public views (6th Avenue from West 59th to West 38th Streets gets the thumbs-up) and which ones are restricted, such as Central Park South at Columbus Circle. Also marked are all-important things like coffee, food and restrooms.

The parade rolls into gear at West 77th Street and Central Park West at 9 a.m. ET–though public viewing at that spot is limited. Pre-parade balloon inflation–a fun NYC tradition–happens outside of the Museum of Natural History (between West 77th and West 81st Streets). You can zoom in on the map to find out where your favorite balloons are going to be.

Early risers stake out space on the west side of Central Park West from West 75th to West 59th Streets starting at 6 a.m.; with reason, as views are great from there. Check out the map and enjoy the parade!

Only 14 Contracts Were Signed Last Week At $4 Million+

Report on Contracts Signed
NYC Residential Properties
$4 Million and Above

November 12-18, 2018

14 Contracts Signed

Only 14 contracts were signed last week at $4 million and above, a disappointing total after 3 straight weeks of 20 or more sales. Condos outsold co-ops, 7 to 6, with 1 townhouse in the mix.

Stat Geek Alert: For the first time since September 2017, not one contract was signed for $10 million or more.

The No. 1 contract was 29A at 255 East 74th Street, asking $7,995,000, reduced from $8.495,000 when it went on the market in October. The owner paid $7.6 million in July 2017. The condo has 3,505 square feet including 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and panoramic city views. The unit also has a 37-foot living room with 10-foot ceilings and an eat-in kitchen. Amenities include a concierge, children’s playroom, and access to an Equinox gym in the building for a separate fee.

The No.2 contract was PHA at 410 West 24th Street, asking $7.95 million, reduced from $8.4 million when it was listed in May. This co-op has been featured in Architectural Digest and is in an art deco complex of buildings known as London Terrace. The unit has 2 bedrooms, one of which was converted into an office/library. It also features 11-foot ceilings, a fireplace, and a wraparound terrace. Amenities include a doorman, gym, pool, and a garage.

Daniel Libeskind’s 900-Pound Star For This Years Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The star that tops the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree each year never fails to dazzle; this year is no exception. The 12-ton Norway Spruce has been crowned by architect Daniel Libeskind‘s creation consisting of 3 million Swarovski crystals and weighing in at 900 pounds. The World Trade Center master site planner, known for his geometric, angular designs, called the star “a symbol that represents our greatest ambitions for hope, unity and peace.” And we can all use plenty of that.

Image: Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer via TimeOut

This year’s dazzler is the first new star in 14 years. According to Bloomberg, the new star is nine feet, four inches wide, with 3 million double-cone crystals radiating from 70 spikes. Each spike uses six-millimeter ESG glass and fLED lighting components developed by Swarovski. At its core the star uses 70 custom-machined aluminum components and 140 LED lighting spots that will emit 106,400 lumens of white light when switched on during the Nov. 28 tree-lighting ceremony and will remain on display through January 7, 2019.

Image via Swarovski

The new star took two years to create–and the creator himself didn’t see the finished product until just days before the unveiling on November 14. Libeskind, who is the first architect to collaborate on a Swarovski star, was inspired by, among other things, Leonardo da Vinci’s studies of geometric forms. The tree-lighting will be broadcast live on NBC on November 28.

New FAO Schwarz Flagship Store Opens Today

To mark the return of the iconic FAO Schwarz toy emporium to NYC in the form of a new 2.5-story, 20,000-square-foot-plus flagship at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the store hosted a celebrity-studded VIP preview Thursday night ahead of Friday’s opening. Guests included Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Whoopi Goldberg, Bethenny Frankel, Morena Baccarin, Carrie Berk, and Disney’s Mia Sinclair Jenness. Doors opened today at 10:30 a.m., kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. With a nod to the brand’s magical history as part of New York City lore, the new store uses the Art Deco architecture of its new home to amplify memories of FAO experiences from years past; a look toward the future begins with FAO Schwarz toy soldiers flanking the store’s 49th street entrance sporting new uniforms designed by supermodel Gigi Hadid.

In the words of David Conn, CEO of ThreeSixty Brands, owners of the FAO Schwarz brand, “FAO Schwarz was built on in-store experiences, which has made it a global destination over the years. We are bringing back the wonderment of toys and a deep nostalgia for the larger than life experience that FAO Schwarz has offered to parents and children alike for over 150 years.”

View of the Grand Piano. Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for FAO Schwarz.

FAO Schwarz’s newest icon, a 27-foot-tall rocket ship sponsored by Build-A-Bear Workshop, awaits to transport guests at the Rockefeller Plaza HQ to a world surrounded by classic plush creations. From the 49th Street entrance, guests are greeted by an iconic three-story, three-dimensional clock tower. Inside, a journey of discovery begins with over 200 FAO Schwarz-branded toys as well as products from over 15 well-loved toy brands and unique experiences including the famous FAO Schwarz dance-on piano.

Candy, too, is in the house, courtesy of specialty candy retailer IT’SUGAR and a new FAO Schweetz-branded product line includes giant gummy bears and unicorns, make-your-own gummy worm kits, and mega chocolate bars. The new store boasts over 140 employees, and personal shoppers are on hand to fill any guest’s quest for wonderment.

MTA Approves Discounted MetroCards For 7- And 30-day Passes

Reduced MetroCards are coming to New York City in January, but the discounts only apply to weekly and monthly passes. New details about the Fair Fares program, which was officially included in the city budget in June, were released on Tuesday during an MTA board meeting. According to meeting minutes, the MTA will not be providing single trip discounts when the program kicks off next year. Instead, low-income New Yorkers who are living at or below the federal poverty level, or a household income of $25,000 for a family of four, can buy half-off 7-day or 30-day passes.  

“We always envisioned riders being able to purchase any fare type at half price and hope that this flexibility is added as the program rolls out,” David Jones, MTA board member, said in a statement to Gothamist. “Choice is important to all customers, especially for those who are financially constrained.”

A pilot Fair Fares program will launch in January and will run until June. As 6sqft previously reported, the City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed to provide roughly $100 million in funding six months of the program, fully subsidizing the cost during the test run.

Original estimates found nearly 800,000 New Yorkers would benefit from the discounted subway and bus fares. But it’s unclear as of now how many straphangers will benefit without a reduced fare for single trips. Since it’s kicking off as a pilot program first, details are still being worked out.

Amazon Could Reap Nearly $1B In City Tax Breaks With Its Move To L.I.C.

The state of New York is keeping the incentives it used to woo Amazon under wraps, but even without those benefits, an existing tax program could work in Amazon’s favor — to the tune of almost $1 billion. After a highly publicized search, the tech giant is nearing a deal to locate half of its new headquarters in Long Island City. And as The Real Deal explains, that move means Amazon will qualify for the city’s Relocation and Employment Assistance Program (REAP), which offers employers a $3,000 credit per employee per year for 12 years if they move their business into the outer boroughs and certain parts of Upper Manhattan. With Amazon’s projected workforce of 25,000, that would mean a total credit of $900 million.

The program was designed to encourage outer borough growth and cost the city $32 million in foregone taxes in the last fiscal year, according to the Department of Finance. But Amazon alone will cost the city more than that once hiring begins. The company plans to hire over the course of 10 to 15 years, which could mean a peak of between $60 and $75 million in tax breaks over the course of consecutive 12-year periods. (At the moment, the program is approved through 2020.)

Amazon is facing criticism for forcing cities to compete for its business by offering billions of dollars in tax and other incentives. The pushback from politicians in Queens, in particular, has been vociferous. State senator Michael Gianaris and City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer made a joint announcement on Sunday denouncing the planned expansion. They are concerned that the company’s move could tax the borough’s infrastructure and that it was planned without community input. “We were not elected to serve as Amazon drones,” Gianaris and Van Bramer said. “It is incumbent upon us to stand up on behalf of the people we represent and that is what we intend to do.” Even Facebook and Google have spoken out against Amazon, noting that their growth in New York City came without any tax incentives.

The tech giant is reportedly looking at the Anable Basin site in Long Island City for its new headquarters, where a proposed rezoning could open up 15 acres to mixed-use development, including 335,000 square feet for industrial spaces, nearly 5,000 housing units, and a new public school. Just a few weeks ago, the city announced that it will invest $180 million “to support sustainable growth” in Long Island City, a move that many now believed was done to tee up the Amazon move.


The Monthly Update - November 2018

The Buyer’s Dilemma: Buy Today Or Buy Tomorrow?

We are, no doubt, in a buyers’ market. Prices have fallen significantly since the beginning of the year across all sectors. Meanwhile, buyers are certainly taking their time looking at properties and placing offers, with no measurable sense of urgency at all. Why? Buyers are still on the fence about whether this is the best time to buy or not. A lot of them are asking themselves whether it would be more affordable to wait six months when properties might be 10 percent cheaper, but interest rates are higher. Or is it better to buy now while rates are still low?  

The truth is, it’s better to buy today. Some sellers have been on the market for so long that, in many instances, they’re extremely negotiable. And, if you can take advantage of the still historically low interest rates today, as well as the negotiable deals available, you can truly have the best of both worlds: low prices and low interest rates.

And prices never stay low in Manhattan for long. Once there is the mere suggestion of a “buyers' market”, buyers move into the market quickly and snatch up what’s available. Then, before you know it, prices are climbing back up again for the next cycle. It happens quickly — just ask anybody who was trying to time the market in 2009, 2010, 2011… They waited a few more years and, all of a sudden, the cycle was over. So, if you’re interested in purchasing a property, get out there and find the one you want, make an offer and get the deal done. Today is the day to buy.  

Winter Village at Bryant Park

November 1, 2018 - January 2, 2019

Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit at Winter Village in Bryant Park. Starting November 1, the holiday market features 150+ vendors as well as free ice skating. For more information, click here. 

Holiday Train Show

November 15, 2018 - February 3, 2019
History and train enthusiasts alike will enjoy the Holiday Train Show, set up inside the New York Transit Museum Store. The installation features a 34-foot-long model train layout with trains and subways that run on eight loops of track. You can read more here. 

The Nutcracker

November 23 - December 30, 2018

Enjoy a holiday tradition with George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, which returns on November 23. With old-fashioned costumes, a tree that grows before your eyes, and Tchaikovsky’s captivating music, the ballet is hosted at David H. Koch Theater. Buy tickets here.

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

November 28, 2018

Join thousands of spectators in awe for the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Tree. Free and open to the public, the ceremony will occur on November 28th. Read more about this historic tradition here. 

143 East 36th Street - Murray Hill Townhouse

143 East 36th Street

MURRY HILL, MANHATTAN

7 Beds  |  5 Baths  |  4 Units | Townhouse

Offered At $4,750,000

Murray Hill Four-Unit Townhouse

This perfectly located four-unit building is the ideal opportunity for investors, homeowners or developers looking to create high-end rentals or a stunning single-family home in the heart of Murray Hill.

Virtually staged photographs highlight the possibilities in this fantastic 17-foot-wide Italianate building filled with period details. Currently configured as a garden-floor duplex with three full-floor flats above and a total of 9 fireplaces, this is an ideal opportunity as an investment property, primary residence with income-producing units or a reimagined five-story showplace. The duplex offers upscale finishes, two fireplaces, central air, a full-floor master suite and open plan living space that opens to the large, landscaped backyard. Upper units — two (2) two-bedrooms and one (1) one-bedroom — include fireplaces, crown moldings and lovely hardwood floors. All four free-market units will be delivered vacant at closing.

143 East 36th is a handsome brick and brownstone townhouse with a forecourt garden enclosed by a stately iron fence. Situated on a tree-lined block, just across from historic Sniffen Court, this central location is surrounded by great dining, shops and services. The AMC Kips Bay theater and Fairway Market are just minutes away, and the attractions and open space of Bryant Park and Madison Square Park are within easy reach. Access to transportation is unbeatable with 4/5/6, S, 7, B/D/F/M trains, the Midtown Tunnel and East 34th Street ferry landing within easy reach.

As Seen In The New York Times: 129 Columbia Heights Blvd. #42

Brooklyn Heights Co-op • $1,300,000 • BROOKLYN • 129 Columbia Heights, No. 42

An 1,100-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath with a formal dining room, in a Beaux-Arts elevator building. Scott Sobol, Compass, 917-502-2375; compass.com

Read More Here

720,000 NYC Tax Photos From 1940 Are Now Digitized Online

If you’ve ever tried to research an old building–to find out the history of your home for renovation purposes or just to see what it used to look like–you may have found yourself tasked with a trip to the Municipal Archives for an in-person search or having to order up a large, glossy photo by mail, sight unseen. Access to one of the city’s most thorough documentation efforts, the black-and-white tax photos taken of every building in the city between 1939 and 1941, just got a lot easier, as Brownstoner reports. The New York City Department of Records & Information Services has released 720,000 digitized images made from the original negatives, meaning that a photograph of every building in the city that was standing at the time is now available to look up online.

Beginning in 1939, photographers covered the five boroughs for the tax photo project, undertaken by the Works Progress Administration and the New York City Department of Taxation. The idea was to use the photos to determine property value assessments; the resulting collection would prove to be immensely valuable in the long term as well.

Aside from providing a view into the streetscapes and storefronts of a bygone era, the photos are an important part of determining what a building used to look like when planning historic renovations and working in landmarked neighborhoods. A similar set of photos from the 1980s has been available online for some time, but the period between the two was a time of transition in many neighborhoods and lots of alterations were made.

You’ll need to know the block and lot number of the building in question to access the photos online, which you can find here. Then check out the archives here.

129 Columbia Heights, Unit 42

129 Columbia Heights, Unit 42

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN

2 Bed  |  2 Bath  |  Co-op

Offered At $1,300,000

Nestled on one of Brooklyn Height's most picturesque tree-lined blocks, this turn-key two-bedroom home offers you the perfect blend of modern convenience and pre-war charm. Rarely available, the current owner has lovingly maintained the unit's original hardwood flooring and wainscoting, but fully upgraded the chef's kitchen and bathroom, for a clean and welcoming feel. The gracious layout and over-sized living spaces, including a formal dining room, allow you plenty of space to entertain or to simply enjoy a quiet day lounging at home. Classic architectural details include 9’ beamed ceilings, parquet flooring with original inlays, and decorative moldings throughout. Plus, wonderful natural light. Ability to add an additional half-bath too. Storage locker available. Low maintenance. 129 Columbia Heights is an idyllic Beaux Arts elevator co-op, in prime Brooklyn Heights, located directly across from the beautiful Brooklyn Heights promenade.

OLSHAN Luxury Market Report $4M+

October 22-28, 2018

21 Contracts Signed

Twenty-one contracts were signed last week at $4 million and above, fueled once again by discounts. The average price was slashed by 17% off the original asking price before a property went to contract. The average days on the market swelled to 541.

The No.1 contract was 58/59B at 252 East 57th Street, asking $13.875 million, reduced from $14.875 when it was listed off of floorplans in September 2014 by the developer. Now completed, the duplex condo has 4,516 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, and a 40-foot living room featuring spectacular views of Central Park and the East River. It also has 11-foot-high ceilings. The building was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and amenities include a concierge, garage, fitness center, a children’s playroom, a 75-foot swimming pool, a library, billiards and screening rooms, a catering kitchen, dining room, bicycle and storage rooms, and furnished guest suites. A play space and grooming station for dogs are also available.

The No. 2 contract was a townhouse at 30 Sullivan Street, asking $12.5 million, reduced from $13.95 million when it went on the market in April. The owner paid $8,233,333 in August 2016. The house is 25 feet wide with 5,900 square feet plus terraces totaling 1,525 square feet. The house is in mint condition with 11-foot ceilings, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a staff room, and 3 powder rooms.

Total Weekly Asking Price Sales Volume: $156,559,500
Average Asking Price: $7,455,214
Median Asking Price: $6,500,000
Average Discount from Original Ask to Last Asking Price: 17%
Average Days on Market: 541
*Condop is a co-op with condo rules.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 17 CONTRACTS SIGNED ON APARTMENTS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 4 CONTRACTS SIGNED ON TOWNHOUSES

117 East 57th Street, Unit 20A

117 East 57th Street, Unit 20A

MIDTOWN EAST, MANHATTAN

3 Bed  |  3.5 Bath  |  Condo | 24Hr Doorman

Offered At $3,600,000

This sprawling three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom delivers style and comfort at the Galleria Condominium, one of Midtown East's most revered buildings.

Step into this 2,050-square-foot high-floor residence and take in fantastic city views and in a wealth of fine finishes. Luxurious wainscoting, wall treatments and designer lighting set an elegant tone throughout living spaces, and each bathroom features stone and designer fixtures. Classic tile flooring greets you in the entry, while rich herringbone hardwood paves the great room and lush carpeting adds calm to bedrooms.

With a gracious flow and layout for entertaining, the welcoming foyer ushers guests to the expansive living and dining areas where a built-in bar is hemmed by frameless glass doors. The foiled tray ceiling adds a touch of glamour in the dining room, and the nearby kitchen, accessed both from the dining room and the foyer, features deep-stained cabinetry, granite counters and premium stainless steel appliances.

The master suite boasts a massive walk-in closet and an en suite bathroom awash in marble. The second bedroom includes a private bath and walls of windows on two exposures, and the third bedroom is situated directly across from the third full bathroom. A large foyer closet and powder room, plus an in-unit washer-dryer, add comfort and convenience to this contemporary Midtown residence.

The Galleria offers attentive full-service staff including full-time doorman, concierge, elevator attendant and live-in super. Residents also enjoy a phenomenal list of amenities, including a state-of-the-art health club with pool and spa and a 54th-floor sky terrace lounge with a breathtaking views of Central Park and the city skyline. The lobby offers direct access to the building's parking garage, Nare Sushi, a beauty salon, seamstress, food stores and dry cleaners.

Located near the corner of Park Avenue and 57th Street, the building straddles the border of Midtown East and the Upper East Side. World-famous shopping, dining and cultural institutions are found in literally every direction. Central Park is just four short blocks away, and MoMa and the Museum Mile are at your disposal from this central Manhattan enclave.

Amazon To Open A Cashier-less Store at Brookfield Place

Amazon will open its first cashier-less store in New York City in Battery Park City, Recodereported on Monday. Amazon Go is like a futuristic convenience store, offering ready-to-eat meals and groceries without having to wait in line. According to the company, “Just Walk Out Technology” is used, which automatically keeps tracks of products taken or returned via a virtual cart. With no lines or checkout, once you find an item you want, you can just leave.

Amazon plans to open the store in the Winter Garden atrium inside Brookfield Place, a shopping center across from the World Trade Center. Amazon Go is currently only open in Seattle, on the ground floor of the company’s headquarters, Chicago, and San Francisco. Amazon has said it hopes to open 3,000 Amazon Go stores by 2021, as reported by Bloomberg.

The store uses the same technology found in self-driving cars, like computer vision and sensor fusion. Shoppers must use the Amazon Go app to enter the store. All products will be charged to the Amazon account, with a receipt sent after.

Items offered do differ among stores, but products like grocery staples, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals are available. Plus, there are even “Amazon Meal Kits,” which are designed by chefs and include all of the ingredients needed to make a 30-minute meal for two (à la Blue Apron).

Last month, Amazon opened a brick-and-mortar store in Soho that only sells items rated 4-stars and above. Aptly called Amazon 4-star, the store, located at 72 Spring Street, features products that are top sellers and “trending,” with actual customer reviews next to them.

[Via Recode]

400 East 85th Street, Unit 12A

400 East 85th Street, Unit 12A

UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN

1 Bed  |  1 Bath  |  Co-Op | 24Hr Doorman

Offered At $695,000

Flooded with sunlight and open-sky views, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom home is the perfect high-floor retreat in a full-service Yorkville co-op. 

A gracious entry hall opens to an expansive and sunny great room offering plenty of room for living and dining areas surrounded by stunning skyline views to the south and east. The updated kitchen is well-stocked with gloss white lacquer cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and breakfast counters. Gleaming hardwood floors lead to the extra-large king-size bedroom with a roomy closet, and the tiled bathroom features a large tub/shower. Two more closets near the entry provide ample storage space, and central air ensures year-round comfort in this high-floor oasis. 

400 East 85th Street is a well-managed, pet-friendly cooperative offering 24-hour doorman service, a live-in superintendent, laundry, fitness room, bike room and storage. Subletting, pieds-à-terre and co-purchases allowed. 

Nestled in the heart of the Upper East Side's Yorkville neighborhood, this location is surrounded by fantastic parks, shopping, dining and nightlife on all sides. Central Park and riverfront Carl Schurz Park are minutes away. Nearby 86th Street is lined with great shops, cinemas and both Whole Foods and Fairway Market. Transportation couldn't be easier with Q and 4/5/6 trains and both M86 and M15 SBS bus lines all nearby.

15 Hudson Yards Reveals Model Home With Shoppable Interiors By Neiman Marcus

The first phase of the Hudson Yards megaproject, including the public square and gardens and its centerpiece, Vessel, as well as The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, which will be anchored by NYC’s first Neiman Marcus store, is preparing to open this March. Now, Fifteen Hudson Yards has announced that that Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing has designed and styled the interiors for a new model home at the 88-story luxury condominium. Furthering the connection between the upper-crust department store and the development’s high-end aspirations is a freshly-launched Neiman Marcus microsite that will allow people to purchase select items in the residence.

Fifteen Hudson Yards, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with the Rockwell Group, is one of a trio of skyline-redefining additions to the largest private real estate development in the U.S. The new tower is the development’s first building to offer condominiums for sale; sales launched about a year ago, and Fifteen Hudson Yards quickly became Manhattan’s fastest selling condo.

In designing the model home, Downing was inspired by his years of travel to the world’s fashion capitals, his passion for art collecting and the building’s dramatic skyline vistas. According to a press release, his design interprets Neiman Marcus’ distinct, luxury jet-set style for New York City and provides a peek into the new luxury environs on offer at the condo. The retail department store will anchor the development’s seven-story retail center with 250,000 square feet; Fairway grocery store will occupy about 45,000 square-feet on a lower floor.

It’s certainly worth mentioning that 15 Hudson Yards just launched an affordable housing lottery for 107 of its nearly 300 units. Listings for the market-rate condos have ranged from a $3.8 million two-bedroom to a $32 million penthouse. By comparison, the affordable rentals, available to New Yorkers earning 50 or 60 percent of the area median income, range from $858/month studios to $1,350/month two-bedrooms. And in addition to the uncharacteristically accessible price point, rental residents will have access to all of the mega-development’s amenities, including new parkland, The Shed performance space and retail and restaurant space which will include the new Neiman’s, of course.

Whether those residents will be excited to purchase the shoppable catalog‘s offerings, which include a $1,495 “John-Richard Collection Escher Perspective Cube Sculpture” and  a more affordable plush “Venice Punch Knife-Edge Pillow” for $98, remains to be seen.

15 Hudson Yards also has a 24-hour attended lobby, two floors of wellness offerings including a gym, yoga studio, and swimming pool, and a skytop lounge with views of the Hudson River and Thomas Heatherwick’s huge climbable installation, Vessel.

‘Law & Order’ Mariska Hargitay Lists UWS Brownstone For $10.75M

It’s hard to believe actress Mariska Hargitay has been starring as NYPD Lieutenant Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU” for nearly two decades, but when it comes to her living situation, she likes to change things up a bit more. She and her husband, actor Peter Hermann, bought a stunning Upper West Side brownstone for $7 million in 2012, and they’ve now put it on the market for $10.75 million. Hermann told the Wall Street Journal that they’ve decided to sell because their “family needs have changed,” but they’d remain in the neighborhood. The six-story, 6,000+ square-foot home is located at 45 West 84th Street, between Central Park West and Columbus, and is “loaded with color and vibrancy,” according to Hermann, thanks to a collaboration with designer Jeffrey Bilhuber.

The home boasts an elevator, five bedrooms, six bathrooms and three powder rooms, and a vented laundry room. The main parlor floor has a gas fireplace and a modern, mirrored wall. Past here, is a dining room/library that overlooks the kitchen below and the rear garden.

The garden level has another living area, as well as the uber-contemporary (and very yellow) eat-in kitchen in the rear, where the renovation added floor-to-ceiling casement windows to created a double-height space that leads to the landscaped garden. The third floor is dedicated to the master suite and includes a double walk-in closet and dressing room, small terrace, and marble en-suite bath. The fourth and fifth floors each have two bedrooms, all with their own bathrooms and one with its own terrace. Perhaps the best part of the house is the top-floor sun room, which has both north- and south-facing terraces. Back in 2008, Hargitay sold her equally stylish Chelsea penthouse for $8.15 million. She reportedly makes upwards of $500,000 per “Law & Order” episode now, so we don’t think finding a spectacular new family home will be much of an issue.

Your new home awaits.