Views from TriBeCa

Citadel

View from penthouse unit on E 72nd, facing northwest.

Do you feel sorry for dogs in the city?

Full Moon in Harlem

I was walking down 125th toward 5th Ave, looking for a place to buy a bottle of wine. I didn't find one, and I was quickly distracted by the full moon and what I am calling the Northern Star for lack of knowledge. As you can see, Christmas is right around the corner. Though, it's been around the corner since September!

Happy Holidays UWS W 96th

Lady Tompkins of East Village Tompkins Square

I was trying to take a picture of the statue against the late autumn trees, when these kids came up and into my picture. I continued to take pictures, and making like they weren't in my way at all. It is a public park, after all! I rather like the way the little girl in the cheetah print sweater and neon blue pants looks with statue. This was taken after a long day in LES, strolling through Tompkins Square Park to get to the subway. I remember the sky as being wondrous and full that early evening.

View from Riverbank West: 31st Floor

Yea, yea so what this building is past 10th and closer to 11th! In about 5 years, past 10th is where everyone is going to want to be. 560 W 43rd Riverbank West

E 59th, between 3rd and Lex

This is the crazy ass street I walk down every evening to get to the 4, 5 train which takes me uptown to Harlem.

Crown Heights, BK

 Try saying that 5 times fast.

Central Park to Re-Open!

My runner's appetite can hardly wait for Central Park, along with all NYC Parks to open tomorrow morning @ 8. In the interim, I've been using 5th Ave East to 96th Street, then north along Central Park West back home to Harlem- a route that has me questioning the distaste for Central Park NE- that other Upper East Side, still stained by its triple digit. I once met someone who refused to move north of 99th Street, as if some deathly plague awaited her one street removed from Midtown. The higher the number, the further away from the city? New York City? The city with one of the best subway systems in the world (up and running just a few short days after a massive storm that has left millions without power and water). The walker's city city?

One can only say that those who turn their nose down at the great north just don't get New York City. Some of the most beautiful NY architecture, along with the iconic Museum Mile line 5th Ave's Central Park East. Those looking for great deals on spacious units, you can find a 3-bed/2.5-bath on 5th Ave for less than $3500.  Inconsequential numbers on a grid determining the worth of a neighborhood. I guess I can't be too upset about it- at least there's a quiet side to Central Park!

Happy Halloween 2012

I can see this from across the street, outside of my window. Kinda scary, right??

Bloomberg E 58th

Election 2012- Who will YOU vote for?

English Manor E 39th

Never would I have imagined traipsing through busy Grand Central to this elegant English Manor Residence. What better than to cozy up with a warm cup of English Breakfast and, I don't know, Wuthering Heights!

Madison Ave's Playground: Gramercy

Gramercy is oft considered that grey area extending somewhere between Union Square to the south and Murray Hill to the north, itself a blurred zone. After viewing some property there yesterday afternoon, I now like to think of Gramercy as the neighborhood of Park Ave South; or the playground of Madison. More refined than East Village, but less reserved than Murray Hill, I was taken by the variety, grandness, and pulse of this old-world charmer and its lofty dreams. Irving Place, Stuyvesant Park. Lexington's Curry Hill has so much to offer- Kalustyan's @ 123 Lex for all the culinary shopping delights you could ask for. Park Ave South and Madison are both lined with world-class dining and don't forget the five-star boutique hotels. Vietnamese, French, Japanese, Fusion, Italian. Chennai Gardens @ 128 E 27th for delicious dosai. Jazz Standard for daily live music @ 116 E 27th. Diners, delis, fresh bagels. Walks through Madison Square Park, walk to Union Square. You can find nice studios in the mid-to-high $2000s.

View

~From the 14th floor of Gramercy E 18th Residence.

Frenetic, the city runs, Electric

Scenes from Columbus Circle. Coming from property on W 55th, I stopped for a visit with Christopher Columbus on full display. "Discovering Columbus" by Tatzu Nishi on display through Nov 8. Go, and bring a friend!

Clinton has a Quiet Side

I didn't realize Clinton had a quiet side until I came across some property on W 51st. Construction, subways, Times Square. Emerging towers, more construction. Those on a tight-budget, however, should spend time exploring options in Clinton . Many of the new highrises offer one month free + no fee incentives to prospects. Those really looking for a bargain should ask if management allows conversions, also commonly known in the business as a 'Flex.' For example, property on W 37th & 10th has 1-beds that convert to 2 for around $3500. If you're looking for something a little less off the beaten path, however, stroll up and down Clinton's often missed tree-lined streets. W 51st is one of those kind of finds.

Above, is a lovely French eatery 'Cafe Forant' where you can have crab cake eggs benedict. Stroll W 51st with me!

 For delicious South African cuisine, visit #329 on W 51st- braai!

Art Deco E 79th

It was a pleasant surprise seeing the Art Deco style lobby as I entered 435 E 79th. 

Reminds me of two of Munch's pieces: The Kiss IV and Two Human Beings: The Lonely Ones.

Owner is paying commission on select units!

Strike a Pose, W 37th: Garment District

On my way to see some property on W 37th & 9th Ave, I took a stroll through the Garment/Fashion District. I was taken by these oh-so-fashionable ladies...strike a pose!

Broadway's Works of Art

I was stunned and impressed by the Chihuly's glass masterpiece adorning the residences @ 30 W 63rd. 

Studios start at $2995; 2-beds start at $6395. A one month free + no fee incentive is currently being offered.

After an afternoon showing, I crossed Broadway to get to Lincoln Center. With Chihuly's work fresh in mind, I noticed thematic resemblances of his work in the surrounding area: the simplicity in boldness of Cemin's O Pensador; the craftsmanship and architectural integrity of Lincoln Center; the beauty of something wild and daring; the power in our abilities creating with even the most solid of elements.

Walk along Broadway, beginning on W 57th street to view the whimsical collection of surrealist sculptures. On display through mid-November.

Details

When you spend as much time as I do looking at property throughout the city, little details begin to set you off. I called the building superintendent ten minutes prior to my arrival at W 14th & 8th. "Give me ten minutes," he said. "I need to get it [the apartment] ready."

The lights were the first to catch my attention, more so than the space. (It was much larger than other studios I've seen in the area for that price.) I knew the super had left them on, himself thinking they were a beautiful thing.

It's the little details than can set you off. What's your favorite?

Greenwich Village

Millenia

‘The past is in the background,’

Someone cried. I looked,

Saw time look back.

The past is in the background,

Someone cried.

I feel the city's hastening

Electricity in the shadows.

I see the past flickering by.

Reasons to Love West Village

Views of High Line

Living Room View taken from W 11th Residence

Empire State Building

Happy Halloween New York 2012

The holiday spirit has arrived as scheduled- the first day of October. While looking at property in the Village, I was delightedly horrified by the array of Halloween displays and decorations. Warning: You will get spooked!

Taken on Bleecker & 6th Ave- Greenwich Village

I was attracted to the pumpkin heads and autumn foliage in the window, then to the sign: Milk & Cookies. 19 Commerce St. Mmmm, try their Milk chocolate chip caramel cookie!

Palazzo Chupi @ 360 W 11th

Look for the pink castle in the sky! I came across this while looking at some property on W 11th & Washington. Designed by artist Julian Schnabel, Palazzo Chupi sits atop a converted stable used today as an art gallery and studio. I'm sure it's just as amazing inside as it is...