A Fine Blog

135 East 79th Fitting Right In

2013-01-17T15:05:00.000-05:00

I'm back to blogging, so to ease in, might as well go with some low-hanging fruit from my neighborhood, Brodsky's 135 East 79th. The building has come a long way since we checked in a few months back. The building, which is barely marketed, is 2/3rds bricked, and at least 1/3rd sold. With asking prices in the $3000's per square foot, that is pretty impressive. The brick work is exquisite, and this is one of the very few new developments that harmonious blends into its surroundings.
The 135 East 79th Files (A. Fine Blog)
The 135 East 79th Files (Curbed)

Back From A Mid-Winter Slumber...Well, Just A Blog Slumber

2013-01-16T16:39:00.000-05:00

Hey folks! You may notice that from time to time I take a bit of a sabbatical from blogging. It usually happens once a year, and lasts from a couple weeks to a couple of months. Usually, it is just the result of burnout, or some form of writer's block. This past sabbatical, dating back to just post-Sandy was a little different. This time I was rather busy.

First, I am proud to say, I have discovered Brooklyn! For years I was in some odd form of denial that the borough actually existed. I'm not sure if I can blame this on some pro-Manhattan snobbish bias, or just flashbacks to the numerous times I went to visit grandparents in the old Williamsburg. I'm talking 80's here folks, and there wasn't a hipster in sight! To me it was gritty, too gritty, and it for a long time tainted my perception of the borough. So much so, that I didn't step foot out there. A referral client 6 months ago changed all of that. I felt obligated to take the client, but, flying blind, I endeavoured to split the deal with a good colleague who knew the area inside and out. Slowly I have learned the neighborhoods from Brooklyn Heights to Fort Greene to The Slope, Boerum Hill, and Carroll Gardens to name a few. Sure, they are all primarily in the northwest part of the borough, but I suppose you have to start somewhere. I remember my first trip to Smith Street in Carroll Gardens and how I marveled that the structures, all being 3 or 4 stories, have somehow stood the test of time, and if shot in black and white without cars could easily be a scene from the old New York, generations before my increasingly old ass was born. It has been invigorating! It has made the business feel new again, despite my many years plying the trade in Manhattan. It is visually and intellectually stimulating. So, I have been killing a bit of time out there just exploring, and have just signed my second deal in the borough.

Second, have I mentioned how absolutely sizzling hot the Village market is here back in Manhattan? Wow! The cabinet is bare of inventory, and buyers seem to be ravenous for any morsel which might be had. I was fortunate to list a Classic 7 at 31 West 12th Street, just before Christmas that needs everything, and I mean everything! The bones however are an absolute delight to anyone with a true appreciation of pre, prewar living! While most brokers were taking a vacation, shopping, or generally lounging, I was inundated with hundreds of emails the second the listing hit the market. Within a week, and a non-stop showing schedule, we ended up with multiple bids, and several attractive bids above the ask. We have a contract out, and knock wood, it should be signed shortly.

Aside from that, I enjoyed my break, enjoyed some quality time with my loving family that I so cherish, read the auto-biographies of Malcolm X and Ben Franklin (what a pair, right), and dodged the flu and lost. So that's it. That is why I haven't been blogging. Call it an excuse, that's fine, but I was so repeatedly reminded today at the Inman Connect (real estate tech junkie) convention, that I must write and here so I do. I hope everyone enjoys the flurry of posts you are likely to see in the very near future.

Man-half-tan: A Creepy Walk Between Two Cities After Sandy

2012-11-01T13:14:00.002-04:00

lone deli serving tea by open flame, Fifth Ave bet 13th and 14th (A Fine)

14th Street + Fourth Ave (A Fine)

Union Square Park, tree down (A Fine)

Con Ed trucks, Union Square North (A Fine)

wifi lifeline, W Hotel (A Fine)

Nat'l Guard, 24th and Lex (A Fine)

I had an elderly client to check in on yesterday in Greenwich Village, and the contrast between Uptown and Downtown could be no less extreme. The comforts of the Upper East Side- power, light, hot water, stocked delis and packed bars are so easily taken for granted.

I crossed the border to what I would later refer to as "Zombieville" on the Fifth Avenue bus. Starting at 39th Street nearly every light was out, but I had a cheerleader of sorts, a chortle throated New Yorker pointing out every light that was randomly on through the 30's. "There is hope, there is hope, the lights are coming back on. I have faith, faith that the lights will be on come tonight." His hopes were brought down to reality by a French woman who corrected him- "those lights were there yesterday, they are the same." By the time I reached the upper 20's, all traffic lights were out, and the bus proceeded cautiously with sudden jerks to avoid unchecked crossing traffic. Aside from 14th Street, there were no traffic agents to organise the chaos. But, traffic was light, and the streets, suddenly, very dark. As I made the decent into the darkness on this gray, gloomy afternoon, the visuals were surreal. A dark Flatiron building, dark stores up and down Fifth Avenue. The usually teeming streets were virtually deserted, a ghost town. The usually gorgeous prewar facades of the district were suddenly transformed to haunting, lifeless masses.

I got off the bus at 14th Street and was struck by another sensation- silence. Yes, there was the occasional honk and the few drivers down there seemed impatient, but I have never heard the city so quiet. City folk joke how it is hard to sleep in the country, that they need noise to sleep, so it wouldn't be surprising that the few remaining residents there were indeed losing sleep. I reached for my phone, and Twitter app to record what I was thinking, seeing, and hearing. Ah, that's right, no cell service, no mobile internet, a comfort stripped. I managed to find my client safe and sound and delivered an unsolicited warm meal and jug of water. I wasn't looking to stay long. The light of day was fleeting, her apartment getting dark. I was eager to just get the hell out of ZombieVille! Why call it ZombieVille? That is exactly what it seemed like as I ventured north up Fourth Avenue and past Union Square Park. There were very few on the streets, and the homeless and methadone zombies suddenly made up a near majority of those who were. Passing the Union Square W there was a sign of normalcy- hipster looking youngsters on iPads and cell phones. But, they were tightly grouped. Turned out that the W had a back-up generator and the people out front were feeding off the wifi as a lifeline to the outside world, or at least that above 39th.

Nearing the border I passed a mobilization of National Guard jeeps and humvees at 24th and Lex, an unusual site. At that point I moved on to Third Avenue to grab a bus out of there. There was no traffic downtown, but the bus was packed with East Village refugees, many with 3 or 4 bags in hand. We moved swiftly to the border, and right at it, 39th Street, the traffic was suddenly think as molasses. It took 45 minutes to get to the next stop at 42nd Street, to escape the refugee bus. Although I still had 40 some-odd blocks yet to go by foot, there was palpable liberation that I had escaped ZombieVille and I was yet again on the other, vibrant, noisy, safe side of the border.

To all my friends and colleagues on the other side, wishing you a quick return to power and vitality. If you need a hot cup of coffee, a warm meal, or a hot shower, just look me up, the Upper East Side is not that scary, at least not this week.

Quick Recovery On UES As Construction Resumes At 135 East 79th

2012-10-31T11:15:00.002-04:00

135 East 79th (A. Fine 10/31/12)

135 East 79th Bricks (A Fine 10/31/12)

Traffic may be snarled, and cell service spotty, but as downtown struggles to simply pump out tunnels and get the lights back on, new development construction is quickly cranking right back up on the Upper East Side. 135 East 79th Street, this morning saw teams of workers, and even the crane powered up and ready to go. Seems Brodsky Organization is not messing around with this one, as the building has added 7 or more stories to the building in just the last 5 weeks. There is even some brick work pictured, and I have to say, it looks much better in the flesh than it does in the rendering. Hey, it is "custom pigmented and hand-laid" after all!
Previously:
135 East 79th Soaring To New Heights (AFB 9/24/12)
Ye' Old Curbed Files, 135 East 79th (Curbed)

Proof! Something Finally Happening At 56 Leonard St

2012-10-19T12:08:00.003-04:00

56 Leonard worker (A Fine)

56 Leonard south side of foundation (A Fine)

56 Leonard render (Herzog & De Meuron)

Okay, it's only one little man in an orange sweatshirt, and one backhoe, but, it's on ladies and gentlemen! 56 Leonard, the long-stalled, lovable "Jenga Building" designed by architect Herzog & De Meuron is back on! Sure, the website, is a way back machine with press clippings from 2008, but it is on people, and we should all rejoice! 57 stories of pure architectural intrigue are on the way! Word from the half dozen workers on site is that they will really get moving in a big way within a couple of weeks.
Curbed Files on 56 Leonard (Curbed)
Good Article on 56 Leonard From 2008 (de Zeen)
Work To Begin At 56 Leonard (11/2012 Tribeca Trib)

Under The Radar: Re-zoned 84-86 White Tops, Remains Mystery

2012-10-19T11:27:00.003-04:00

84-86 White front from south (A Fine)

84-86 White from southwest (A Fine)

There were many pitched battles over re-zoning areas in Chinatown, the LES, and East Village over the past several years, but one little known stretch bound by Broadway and Lafayette and White and Walker Street made it through the process. The area on the NW corner of Chinatown (and likely to be inaccurately marketed as Tribeca) was changed from a manufacturing zone to a commercial zone 4 or 5 years ago. What is rising at 84-86 White Street is a result. Here we have a 13 story residential building that will contain 34 residential units. Given the location, odds are that we are looking at a condo, but there is very little available about the building aside from the building permit. So, for now, we'll add this to the "mystery development file". Feel free to fill in the blanks, people!
Chinatown Blocks Re-zoned (TRD, 7/2008)

137 Franklin Looking Sharp, Just Like Rendering!

2012-10-18T16:11:00.002-04:00

A have a few entries lined up for Tribeca, and this is the first of three- 137 Franklin Street. The mini-condo in the perfect location is looking mighty sharp. The building consists of 3 duplex condo units ranging in size from 2900-3900sf. The sign on the outside of the building indicates that only one is left, the 3rd and 4th floor duplex listed at $6,85Mil.. Do they get extra credit for a near perfect match with the rendering?
Curbed Files, 137 Franklin (Curbed)
StudioMDA, the architect (StudioMDA)

America's Tallest Residential Tower, 432 Park, Builds Foundation

2012-10-11T15:54:00.002-04:00

A look at foundation work at 432 Park Ave from the north, on left side (se corner of property) foundation at grade.

432 Park from the southeast, E 56th and Park (A Fine)

432 Park from the north on East 57th Street (A Fine)

Render of the final product (CIM)

It's been long in the making, and has a heck of a long story reflective of the financial meltdown and resilience of the New York City, but it is finally happening, 432 Park Avenue is going full steam! What will eventually be America's tallest residential tower at 1390 feet, and the tallest in New York City (if you don't count the antenna on the new WTC), has built a foundation that has reached ground level on the southeast corner of the site, and is quickly building up from around 40 feet below grade on the rest of the site.
As I mentioned, it's a long story, but part of the site on Park and 56th Street was the former Drake Hotel. Harry Macklowe bought the Drake in 2006 for $440 Million and demo'd the hotel in 2007. At the same time, various battles ensued as Macklowe struggled to cobble together more adjoining properties on East 57th Street between Park and Madison. The goal was not only to gather air rights for a residential tower, but also to gain enough frontage on East 57th Street for a large and viable retail space. Some owners were easier to persuade than others, but 101' of frontage on 57th Street was eventually secured. Then, the financial crisis happened and Macklowe nearly went bust (losing several buildings including the GM building blocks away). For a few years there, the site sat dormant and rumors circulated that Macklowe would have to give up the prized property. But alas, both Harry Macklowe (with the help of CIM Partners) and the New York City real estate market have shown incredible resilience, and the dream of America's tallest residential tower is alive, well, and happening!
The stats:
- 1390 feet
- Rafael Vinoly, Architect
- 122 residential units
- Expected asking prices average $5800 per square foot
- 12 foot+ ceilings and, of course, amenities galore
- 101 Feet of retail frontage on East 57th, exact square footage unknown

A Fine Blog Files, Harry Macklowe (A Fine Blog)
Curbed files, 432 Park Avenue (Curbed)
Higher Tower, Higher Prices? Is 432 Park Increasing Asking Prices (Observer 9/2012)

Demolition Alley: Columbus Circle East, 225 W 57th + De-Contructing 220 CPS (Deal Reached?)

2012-10-10T17:01:00.000-04:00

View from south side of 57th looking north to 225 W 57th (A Fine)

225 West 57th lot (A Fine)

Bobcat emerges from 58th Street side of 220 CPS

Demo of 221 W 58th, foreground, demo of north tower of 220 CPS background (A Fine)

Front of 220 CPS

At some point in the near future you will have an open view of Central Park from West 57th Street, just East of Broadway. No, not from the high floors at the Portzamparc tower, but simply from ground level. It will be a rare but short-lived view through two city blocks, but there is just that much demo work going on in the area right now. Currently there stands a large vacant lot where 225 West 57th once stood, future home to an Extell Development ~~50 story~~ 1000-1400 foot tall (?) mixed use tower that is rumored to be the future home of the tallest Nordstrom in all the land. Extell has taken out a couple of adjoining buildings as well as the building just to the north on West 58th Street. Across the street on the north side of 58th Street the back tower of once and future 220 CPS has completed demolition, a couple of next door buildings are coming down (219 and 221 West 58th), and work has begun on the demolition of the front tower of 220 CPS that faces CPS. They are laying waste to the whole area! 220 CPS has been subject to a battle between Extell Development that owns (owned?) the garage space and Vornado that owns everything else. Last we heard from any source was that Extell was taking Vornado to court, but some settlement surely must have been worked out, as the only thing that is coming out of that garage at this point is a bobcat moving debris.

The result here is an amazing demolition alley in some of the densest and most valuable property in the world! The pics I have here are from this week, and, yes, they are a bit gloomy, but then again, de-construction is a dirty business.
Extell Sues Vornado To Force It To Re-occupy 220 CPS (TRD 8/2012)
Curbed Files, 225 West 57th (Curbed)
Skyscraper Forum On 225 West 57th, the folks who pointed out the original error in the height of 225

On West 54th, 1717 B'way Double Marriott Gets Glassed, Neighboring Hilton Rises

2012-10-09T15:27:00.002-04:00

1717 Bway fr east (A Fine)

1717 B'way fr SE (A Fine)

W 54th Hilton fr south (A Fine)

West 54th Hilton from south (A Fine)

I last reported on these 2 buildings back in May, and what a difference a few months makes! At 1717 Broadway, the 67 story Hotel on top of a hotel has been topped and is now getting glassed. The Nobutaka Ashihara designed building will house a Marriott Courtyard Inn up to the 30th floor, and a Marriott Residence Inn from there to the top. It is an impressively tall, towering and thin building, that looks tall even for the area. Next door we have competitor Hilton, which at last we checked was ground level with a rat staring at it, now nearly topped in what will be a less inspiring Kaufman designed 34 story hotel. Pretty good work getting 34 stories up in 5 months!
Previously:
On West 54th, Three Hotels, On Rat, And An Office Tower (A Fine Blog 5/2012)
The Curbed Files, 1717 Braodway (Curbed)

Diamond In The Rough: Int'l Gem Tower Glistens On 47th St

2012-10-08T12:54:00.002-04:00

From the West (A Fine)

From the NW (A Fine)

Front from the North (A Fine)

The is an unmistakable vibe on West 47th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in the Diamond District that is distinctly New York. There are hucksters, peddlers, probably a fair share of thieves, and countless jewelry stores that are happy to buy, sell or trade diamonds, gold, rubies, coins- you name it. There are millions of dollars of value in pockets, bags, briefcases and other carriers just walking down the street at any time. The vibe is palpable and energizing. This is where commerce happens in it's raw form. That raw form also translates to the chaotic assemblage of stores and offices up and down the street that scream for your business.
The chaos is about to get a bit more orderly with the soon to open International Gem Tower in the middle of the block. The commercial condo, designed by SOM and built by Extell Development has topped at 34 stories, has been glassed, and now glimmers in the sun with diamond pattered exterior. Yes, it is another glass job, but I think that the execution is excellent, appropriate to the area, and to be frank, classes the joint up a bit! The building truly does glimmer, as intended, and makes for an interesting sight regardless of where the sun is in the sky. I haven't seen the building at night, but would not be surprised to catch a similar, if not more sparkly effect from the lights of the skyline. The building is a clear improvement in the area, but let's not get carried away, we don't want this street too cleaned up (a laTimes Square), as the gritty energy is a New York institution that should be savoured and enjoyed.
Wiki on The Diamond District (Wikipedia)
Curbed File On Int'l Gem Tower (Curbed)
The Bling Building, Review Of Gem Tower (TRD 3/2012)

309 Fifth Towers, Glassed. Rendering vs, Reality A Good Match!

2012-10-05T12:39:00.000-04:00

309 Fifth (A Fine 10/2012)

309 Fifth Render (SLCE)

309 Fifth (A Fine, 10/2012)

309 Fifth (A Fine 10/2012)

This must be the week for under followed residential developments that are sprouting throughout Manhattan. To close out the week we have 309 Fifth Avenue, a 34 story, 452' tall (think high ceilings), rental building designed by SLCE as architect. While the location is far from inconspicuous, nary a mention on the internet for 11 months! Plenty has happened since then as you can see from the current state of the project. The building is now glassed up to the 26th floor and topped. There will be a total of 169,000sf including over 10,000sf retail with the rest being 100 market rate rentals and amenities such as fitness center, bike storage and common roof terrace. At this rate I would expect that the targeted opening date of September 2013 is spot on.
It should also be worth noting that the "reality" looks like a very close match to the rendering.
New Tower Trust Buying 309 Fifth Ave (TRD, 10/2011)
Fifth and 31st Finally Getting A 35 Story Tower (Curbed, 11/2012)

323 Park Avenue South Rises Under Radar

2012-10-04T12:55:00.001-04:00

323 PAS (A Fine 10/2012)

Render (Gwathmey Siegel)

Here is another building that you don't hear about very often- 323 Park Avenue South. Despite a prominent location on 24th and Park Avenue South, not much has been heard from this 17 unit, 10 story Gwathmey Siegel designed boutique condo. Sales started back at the end of February, but to date, according to StreetEasy, 3 of the 17 units have gone into contract. Prices are generally in the $1600's per square foot and range from $1,825,000 for a 1320sf 2 bedroom to $6,050,000 for the full floor penthouse. The building is currently 7 stories above ground, so it will be interesting to see how sales progress from here. It would seem like a slam dunk, but sometimes the market confounds. Any theories?
One of Gwathmey's Last Projects Starts Sales On Park Ave South (Curbed 2/2012)
One of Last Charles Gwathmey Projects Launches Sales On Park Ave South (The Real Deal 3/2012)

Could Small Development Be The Next Big Thing On The UES?

2012-10-02T16:00:00.002-04:00

234 E 70th (A Fine 10/2012)

Small seems to be getting big on the UES of late. Bit by bit we are seeing additions to 5 story walk-ups, and increasingly, the knocking down of walk-ups for new development of small condos and single family homes. A prime example would be 234 East 70th Street, which is nearing completion between Second and Third Avenues. What was a 4 story building was sold a couple of years back for $3.5 Mil. What rises now is an 8 unit, 17,415sf condo, rising 9 floors. The condo will feature 7 full floor 2 bedroom units, plus an upper floor duplex. Despite the size, it is likely a profitable venture. Figure it sold for $200psf buildable, plus $300psf to build, there should be plenty of margin to turn a profit here.

1676 Third Ave Before (Google)

1676 Third (a couple months ago/ A Fine)

Speaking of mini-me spaces, it doesn't get much smaller than 1676 Third Avenue on the SW corner of East 94th Street. This once vacant lot was also home to a plastic framed fruit market for a number of years. The lot was sold in 2006, for a mere $450,000, and will soon be home to a 4,700sf two family home. The lot size- a meager 929sf! Talk about challenging! Needless to say, there isn't might free space left on this island.

News Follies: Was That Really A Story About The New School Building On 14th Street?

2012-10-02T12:40:00.000-04:00

New School on 14th + 5th 9/2012 (A Fine)

I caught it last night, a teaser for the WNBC local news at 11, something along the lines of 'is this Union Square building on the verge of collapse?' Then at 11, the story, complete with live reporter in front of the construction site for The New School at 14th Street and Fifth Avenue. 'Concerned neighbors and passersby fear something is terribly wrong'. Really? Have these neighbors ever see the Hearst Building on 57th? Have they ever seen a cantilever before? To me that qualifies as slightly more scary, but not at all if you consider engineering. Yes, the supporting columns are slightly crooked, and that is intentional. So, for that matter are the staircases that jut out like fishbowls. Did anyone call NBC to tip them off that they thought the staircases were falling out of the building? I wonder how much effort it took, and how many people had to be interviewed to find this faux fear? Talk about a non-story!
Crooked Column In Union Square Construction Are No Mistake (WNBC)
Previously: New School Gets Its Zig Zag On (A Fine Blog, April 2012)

Foundation Set At Fischer's 84 Third, Questions Remain

2012-10-01T13:56:00.001-04:00

Discredited Rendering

Rendering on ZD1 Form with City

Foundation set (A Fine 10/1/12)

84 Third site (A Fine 10/1/12)

One thing that we know for sure is that the old Nevada Smith's on Third Avenue is gone. It relocated to Webster Hall for a while and will soon relocate to the former home of a porno theater up at 100 Third Avenue.

The story behind 84 Third Avenue however is a little less clear. Here is what we do and don't know.

We know:
- City has approved 94 unit, 9 story building with 72,000sf of residential, 9500sf of commercial, and 327sf of "community space."
- The foundation is complete, and rebar is now jutting just above ground level.
- The property is under a land lease that runs 99 years at approximately $1 Mil. per year.
- We have a little sneak peak of the building from city zoning documents.

We don't know:
- Condo or rental? It has been reported both ways, but The Real Deal quotes the developer, Eli Weiss, as saying that it will be a rental. So that should settle that.
- What it will look like? There is a widely circulated rendering which looks very much like "The Corner" on West 72nd Street. That cannot be the correct rendering as it depicts a 13 story building, not the 9 story building approved for the site according to DOB records.

Adding to the confusion, I asked 2 workers on the site how tall the building will be, and the answer was 13 stories. Eh, at least we know where Nevada Smith's is.

Foundation Set, Alchemy's 31 West 15th Above Ground

2012-09-28T16:06:00.002-04:00

Crane at 31 West 15th (A Fine)

A crane rises above the future 31 West 15th Street, the foundation is complete, and the Alchemy Properties part-condo/part-school is above ground. The 25 story project will feature 18 stories of condos (57 of them), above 6 stories of school facilities for Xavier. The project did have some controversy along the way. There was the nimby-style lawsuit by the adjacent Chelsea Lane which eventually clipped 7 stories off the building. There was a small sinkhole at one point. And, there was a website dedicated to, gasp, the horrors of construction next door. All of that seems to be in the rear view mirror at this point, and even the nimby website seems to have given up last October (or perhaps that person sold their apartment, who knows).

Construction was at a standstill today in light of the heavy rainfall, but all indications are that the project is going full steam ahead. The foundation has be laid, and steel beams are now jutting twenty or thirty feet above ground, and there are plenty of construction workers on site. Xavier will soon have 32,000 square feet of additional space, and good-guy developer Ken Horn will have his condo. Yeah, yeah, I said it, "good guy developer." I stand by that. Ken puts out a quality product at a competitive price. He is also personable, approachable, honest and sharp. Yes, a few neighbors are bent out of shape, but, such is life in a growing city.

Curbed Files, 31 West 15th (Curbed)
The Real Deal Files, 31 West 15th (TRD)

Dirt Flies at de Portzamparc's Future 400 Park Glassterpiece!

2012-09-28T12:27:00.000-04:00

Getting dirty at 400 PAS (A. Fine)

The site, 400 PAS (A Fine)

The design (NYCDOB)

The rendering (grifted from Curbed)

Is anyone noticing a trend here? Toll Brothers is clearly changing. The builder, once (and to many still currently) known as a McMansion builder extraordinaire, who happened to be building some fairly pedestrian condos in NYC, has clearly had a change in tact. This change, given Toll's increased activity in the city over the past number of years, is great for the city. Examples? Anyone see The Touraine on 65th and Lex? The pre-war reproduction is a stunning, tasteful and very high end compliment to its surroundings. But, what really warms my heart is that this year Toll, with cooperation from Equity Residential, decided to move forward with what architect Christian de Portzamparc calls one of his favorite designs. Yes, some may complain that it is another one of those all glass numbers, but to me it is a sharp, stunning, and compelling design. It is far from ordinary.

Now, finally, cement trucks are lining up one after another, and the foundation is being built. The final result will be 416,000 square feet of residential space rising to 40 stories or 427 feet. The bottom 20 floors will be 265 apartments owned by Equity Residential, and the top 20 floors will be 100 condos owned by Toll. In an area that has come a long way in a short period, this Glassterpiece will be a welcome addition!

Curbed Files on 400 PAS (Curbed)
Toll, Equity To Stick With de Portzamparc's 400 PAS Design (The Real Deal, 2/2012)
Schedule A (NYCDOB)

Hyatt Union Square (aka 132 Fourth Ave) Eyes November 15th Opening

2012-09-26T13:21:00.000-04:00

132 Fourth on the right, 1924 (NYC Municipal Archive)

looking north up Fourth Ave (A. Fine)

Relief work (A. Fine)

nearly finished product, 9/2012 (A. Fine)

What a long, strange trip it has been for 132 Fourth Avenue. A Fine Blog picked up on this McSam later Hersha Hospitality/Hyatt hotel effort years ago. In 2009, we highlighted the project as a "lot line folly" as it became obvious that numerous neighbors at 77 East 12th were going to say goodbye forever to a wall of windows facing north. Those folks were none too amused, and the project was delayed on and off for a couple of years thanks to constant anonymous complaints to the DOB. Well, the time has nearly come, and according to multiple sources the Hyatt Union Square is targeting November 15th as opening day! While the Gene Kaufman architecture is much maligned, I'll try not to look above the well restored classic base. It is still a mystery to me what the base was (pictured, at top, 1924), though I have figured out that it was once a bowling alley from at least the 1940's-1960's. (I know, pretty fancy looking bowling alley). Anyway, details on the Hyatt Union Square:

-178 Rooms
- Ground Floor "American Brasserie" with "barn decor".
- Ground Floor "European espresso bar".
- Cellar restaurant with "South American theme".
- Lounge and rooftop restaurant.
- Rates expected between $300-$500/night.
- Thumping music a good possibility.

Two of the restaurateurs have been named- Jo-Ann Makovitzky and Marco Moreira, both of 15 East and Tocqueville fame. Now let's see if we can finally put this project in the books! They are hiring, by the way, as evidenced by this Craigslist ad.

Hyatt Union Square Website (Hyatt)

135 East 79th Soaring To New Heights

2012-09-24T13:54:00.002-04:00

As you can see from the pictures above, Brodsky Organization is wasting little time in erecting it's new 19 story mega-lux highrise on 79th between Park and Lex. The building is modeled on, and a tribute to the old school prewar buildings that line the nearby neighborhood.
Details have been coming in fast and furious today and are frankly too numerous to mention in one short post. Some highlights include:
- East and West elevator banks that will leave each apartment with its own private landing.
- European-inspired court yard replete with urns.
- Hand-laid limestone exterior.
Okay, that is just a few, but here is more breaking news on 135 East 79th, the building is expected to be completed by next fall, and everyone should be in by the holiday next year at the latest. Better yet, I have some initial pricing. The smallest apartment will be a 2750sf 3 bedroom/3bath with dining room for $6,850,000. The initial median pricing in the building is $3300/psf, while the 3700sf Mansionettes will only set you back $2400/ft.. I am told by a very reliable source that the finishes here will top The Touraine, The Brompton, and The Lucida by a significant margin. The initial pricing on the bottom nine floors is comparable to the current asking at the Lucida, however, as you go up, you can assume the prices do as well. One thing is clear, not only is 135 East 79th going for the gold standard in finishes, it is going for it in pricing as well. But, if the action that we saw at The Touraine is any indication, it would seem that these sky high expectations are well within reach.
I will be updating as more details, renderings, etc. come available.
Previously:
Brodsky's 135 East 79th To Go Old School Classic (AFB 9/2/2012)
Brodsky's 127 (Now 135) East 79th Development Hits Paydirt (AFB 4/24/2012)
Curbed Files, 135 East 79th Street (Curbed)

NYC Run: 6 Mile Loop Around Central Park

2012-09-22T16:26:00.000-04:00

This is a special feature for runners in NYC, runners coming to NYC, or runners interested in running in NYC. For all others, this could be boring, although you might like the pictures, who knows?

Central Park holds a special place to me. I run it a few times a week, 12 months a year. It's not only a place that I use as my personal track, it is also a place where I find piece of mind, meditation, and where I am alone to sort out my thoughts. Rain or snow, searing heat or blistering cold, I am there and I enjoy every season. I've thought about writing this little guide to the Central Park loop, and suddenly, something possessed me to actually do it today. So here it is:

"NYC Run: 6 Mile Loop Around Central Park":

The Starting Line- 84th + Park Drive East (A. Fine)

Mile 1- The East Side Flat

Start- 84th and East Park Drive

When I run the Central Park 6 mile loop, for me, the starting point is at East 84th Street, right where the northwest corner of the Met meets Park Drive East. It is a counter-clockwise loop heading north.

The first mile is deceptively easy, almost entirely flat for the first half mile and then downhill for 3/10ths of a mile, before going just slightly uphill for the last 2/10ths. Like every mile in Central Park, there is no shortage of foliage and sights. One highlight, for the runner at least is the statue of Fred Lebow staring at his watch. Fred is the late founder of the NYC Marathon and NYRR club. His statue is always keeping an eye on your time at the entrance to the Reservoir at 90th Street (the 3/10th mark of your run). As you wind down your first mile, active ball fields are on the left, and a water fountain can be found adjacent about 5 yards to the left of the road. I find myself holding back on the first mile since the next two pose a much greater challenge.

Dicey Rock Outcropping, Harlem Hill (A. Fine)

Mile 2- The Harlem Hill

Start- Approximately 102nd St and East Park Drive

At the beginning of mile 2 you face a mighty big choice. At the 1.1 mile mark you will see a road splitting off to the left. This is the 104th St transverse. If you are not up to the Harlem Hill challenge, or simply want to cut a mile off your loop, you would hook the left and run for about a 1/4 mile to hook another left to go South on Park Drive West. But everyone loves a challenge, right? So you forge ahead and you think, wow, this is easy! That's because you have found yourself on the longest stretch of downhill on the loop. You snake down a long S turn passing Lasker Rink (pool during the summer) and at the 1.5 mile marker a bucolic view of the Harlem Meer emerges. Ahh, so nice, what a beautiful run! But, if you have done it before, you know, here comes the tough part! Once you follow the road west you begin a modest incline that gradually gets greater and greater. You are on what I call the Harlem Hill. It is otherwise know as "The Great Hill". There are some precarious rock outcroppings that hang over the road which make for a somewhat disconcerting distraction.If you have saved up your energy, taking it a a modest pace, the 4/10th of a mile climb isn't that bad. If you are in poor shape, or try to take it too fast, you chance taxing your legs something fierce. Just remember, it's 4/10ths so pace yourself. At just about the 2 mile mark you have topped the Harlem Hill, Congrats! But, don't get too excited just yet because the next mile can be tough...

El Dorado, Mile 3, Central Park (A. Fine)

Mile 3- The 4 Hills of the West Side-

Start- Approximately West 106th Street and Park Drive West

You've conquered the Harlem Hill, you are a third the way done, and you are heading downtown. Mile 3 starts with a reprieve- 2/10ths straight downhill. It is a great time to let your legs catch up and reenergize because despite having tackled the toughest hill in the park, you have a rolling 4 hill succession coming up over the rest of this mile. If you are in great shape, this is no problem, if 5 or 6 miles is a stretch for you, this is where you may be tempted to pull over. It's happened to me plenty, so don't feel bad. The first hill is more of an incline which starts just over a bridge where you may hear a waterfall and a few ducks. Such sounds are rare in the middle of NYC, so enjoy them! There is a pretty little pond with weeping willows on your right and ballfields come into view on the left. Quickly you come to another, longer gradual incline of about 2/10ths of a mile. At this point, a number of the Iconic highrises of Central Park West begin to come into view on your right- buildings like the San Remo, El Dorado, and Dakota will grace your view for the next mile. It's a good distraction. Hill #3 quickly approaches, another 2/10ths of a mile effort, and another decent incline. I call this Resevoir Hill because you've reached the NW tip of the Resevoir when you've reached the top. A view of the twin towers of the El Dorado greet you at the top. At this point of the run I'm always feeling good because I know that I have one more hill to tackle, another 2/10ther, and I get a long deserved downhill and flat stretch. By the time you reach the top of the 4th hill, you have now completed your Third Mile.

The Lake, Central Park (A. Fine)

Mile 4- The Easy One You've been waiting for!

Start- Approximately West 86th St and Park Drive West

Finally an easy mile! The first 3/10ths to a traffic light is virtually all down hill. If you need a rest stop, there are bathrooms in the building on your left about 20 yards from the light. You also have a side of the road water fountain on your left at the 3.4 mile mark. You continue downhill to the 3.5 mark where you come to a flat portion that covers the back half of the mile. This is a very pleasant stretch with beautiful lake views on your left as well as peaks at the Central Park South skyline. Assuming you have plenty of leg left, this stretch requires minimal exertion. At about the 3.9 mile mark you encounter a mild uphill and you cross over the 72nd Street transverse to continue going straight to the south. If you want to clip a mile off your run, a turn left here and another left at East Park drive will clip a mile off for you. If you are going for just 5, make this turn. But, what's another mile?

Southwest corner of the park, near Time Warner (A. Fine)

Mile 5- Skyline and Tourists-

Start- Approximately West 68th Street and Park West Drive

Mile 5 starts just towards the top of the incline a couple hundred yards past the transverse. Here you see the Great Lawn to your left and Midtown skyline straight ahead. You also experience a pretty nice stretch of downhill and very tame rolling hills for the entire mile. At the quarter mile mark you'll see the time and temperature readings atop a building on Columbus Circle and begin the turn east as you run along the south side of the park. Since this stretch is closest to Midtown, you encounter the greatest amount of potential road hazards here. You are passing by Christian de Portzamparc's new 1000 foot tower, the iconic Essex House and NY Athletic Club to name a few. But with these attractions you have plenty of tourists just hitting the park on bikes, horse drawn carriages, pedicabs, etc.. It is the most crowded strech of the loop, but usually not much of an issue if you are alert. There are water fountains on the right just before and after the road bends back to the North (mile 4.5 and 4.6) and you are on your home stretch. You pass the Central Park Carousel on your left at 4.7 and pass by Literary Walk and the Mall (where I was married), also on your left, and voila you have hit the final mile of your trek!

The Cat, Cat Hill, Central Park (A. Fine)

Mile 6: Cat Hill and Mini-Met

Start- Approximately East 67th and Park Drive East

You've had it easy now for a couple of miles, and you are nearly there, but you have one more challenge- The Cat! The start of your mile is an easy uphill for a little more than a tenth where you come to a fork in the road- you stay left, not exiting the park at 72nd St and then stay right to continue north. Through the trees on the right you can see the "Sailboat Pond", and at the 5.3 mark you will be approaching the Loeb Boathouse on your left. You will also be at the base of the park's 2nd toughest hill- Cat Hill. Cat Hill is a fairly steep .3 mile hill whose degree of difficulty would depend on your level of fitness and how far you've already run prior. Cat Hill is named after a statue of a cougar ready to pounce perched atop a rock 2/3rds of the way up the hill. Regardless of your fitness level, the hill will burn the reserves much like Harlem Hill. For me, it is usually at the end of the run and adds to the challenge. The statue mockingly stares, and I usually make a point to gesture towards it. Depending on the day, it can go from flipping him the bird in frustration, to a simple, more gentlemanly salute. Once the Cat has been conquered there is little left. There is .4 to go which is split between gentle down hill and a mild incline at the 5.8 mark (I call this Mini-Met Hill since it is behind the Met). It's not much of an incline at all, unless you are toast at this point, in which case it is a mild insult. A few more strides and you are back where you started at East 84th Street and Park Drive East.

All in all, the 6 mile loop is fairly challenging. If you are running it for the first time, expect a slower than average time, and if you are training on it, it should benefit your flat speed. The best thing about the loop though is that you get to enjoy seeing the seasons change in one of the most remarkable and beautiful parks in the world!

Here is a great running map for Central Park (PDF)

Lot Line Follies: New Condo at 241 Fifth Entombs Offices at 245 Fifth

2012-09-21T15:54:00.001-04:00

(245 Fifth (L), 241 Fifth (C)- Pic by JPE)

There is a new condo in town, 241 Fifth Avenue, between 27th and 28th Streets. It is rising quickly, from the ground to its final height of 210 feet or 20 stories in the matter of a few months. For many next door at 245 Fifth the darkness of winter has come early, and it is permanent. A wall of south facing windows are now sealed and gone, just another glimmer of light, snuffed out by life, as-of-right, in New York City.

245 Fifth has had its share of troubles. The building was owned by Joeseph Moinian and Goldman Sach's Whitehall Fund, but Goldman sold out and Joe Sitt stepped in with a cash infusion in a transaction during the spring of 2011. Just a year later, coincidentally just as construction was about to start next door, it was reported that Moinian and Sitt were looking for additional cash, and may have allowed the $140 Million loan to go to special servicing because of risk of default. There is nothing on the net to indicate whether an arrangement could be worked out, but you can bet that reconfiguring the building around the wall of darkness hasn't made things any easier.

As for 241 Fifth, the details are sparse. I mentioned the height, and it appears topped. There will be 42 condo units expected to be priced starting at $2Mil.-$2.5Mil. (according to the Wall Street Journal), and will be built by Victor Homes. Victor, which has done a ton in Jersey and has Israeli roots, bought the property at the bank discounted price of $20 Mil.. It looks like a pretty good bet considering the rather dramatic upswing in the area over the past several years. My biggest question here is, are the lot line windows on the south side of the new building eventually going to see the same fate?

-Special thanks to JPE for sending in the pic.

Enjoy "Harvest In The Square" (w/ discount code)

2012-09-13T12:27:00.000-04:00

There are only a few days left and a few tickets left for the Union Square Partnership's annual "Harvest In The Square", which this year takes place on September 20th. It is a wonderful evening, with mouth watering offerings from dozens of local restaurants and local wineries. The event benefits the Union Square Partnership which keeps the park clean, planted, and helps fund various improvements like the new children's playground, the throw back Bishops Crook street lamps, and everyone's favorite addition, the Japanese Pagoda trees! What's not to love?

To sweeten the deal, A Fine Blog readers can use the coupon code "HITS2012" to save $20 off general admission. Enjoy everybody!

Harvest In The Square, Info and Tickets

Brodsky's 135 East 79th To Go Old School Classic

2012-09-02T14:32:00.000-04:00

Picked this up from my friends over at Curbed this week. I admit it, I hate when they beat me to the punch, but I'll give credit where credit is due. Turns out that Brodsky Org's new condo on East 79th, West of Lex, will be a tribute of sorts to the old school prewar style of building that is prevalent in the immediate area. The building looks like an Emory Roth or Candela creation, at least what we can tell from the above rendering. While 19 stories, there will only be 36 units with prices likely starting at $6.8 Million and continuing through the stratosphere. The estimated starting price is $3,000 per square foot, but it wouldn't be a big surprise for those numbers to quickly get bid up when the units come to market. I am not necessarily enamoured by the grey color, but I admit that I am thrilled to see a re-imagined classic style. The foundation is in place and the project is about 20 out of the ground. With another "contemporary classic", 200 East 79th Street topped a block away, I think the owners in the area have to be thankful that the two new additions are both tasteful, and real nice for property values.
135 East 79th (Teaser)
Previously: Brodsky's 127 E 79th Hits Pay Dirt (AFB, April 2012)
Curbed Files: 135 E 79th (Curbed)

200 East 79th Gets Model, Pretty Face

2012-08-15T09:16:00.002-04:00

200 East 79th Street remains a bit of a mystery. So far, we know that Cetra Ruddy is the architect, that Stribling will be handling marketing, and that the building should launch sales sometime this fall. What we don't have are renderings or a website to see what this building will eventually look like. Cetra Ruddy has nothing online for the project, and Stribling has but an unpublicized sign-up website, 200e79.com, that touts three, four, and five bedroom apartments in a "contemporary classic" style. So, we are left to empirical evidence, and things have improved dramatically of late from that perspective. In recent weeks, the precast stone facade has appeared, as has a model on the corner of the building. Contemporary? Classic? I like both, and from the looks of the facade, I have little reason to doubt that 200 East 79th will follow through. Then again, my desire for more information at this point remains to be satiated.
Previously:
200 East 79th Soars, Final Product Still A Mystery (A Fine Blog, 4/24/12)
Big Week For The Wilfs At 200 East 79th (A Fine Blog, 3/10/12)
200 East 79th, Foundation In Progress, Cetra Ruddy Remains Architect (A Fine Blog, 11/22/11)
Curbed Coverage (Curbed.com)