The Sky's The Limit For Midtown, FiDi

The sky is the limit for not only a select number of developers bank accounts but the buildings themselves too. These soon to be built and completed buildings defy convention as some of the city's tallest and most inventive undertakings in recent years.

Carnegie 57

Rendering of Carnegie57 Residences & Hotel

One of Extell's most daring ventures yet is Carnegie 57. At a planned 75 stories high, it will be the city's tallest residential building surpassing Trump's World Tower. Extell also plans to create the city's most high priced and luxurious apartments as well. Designed by famed French architect Christian de Portzamparc of the LVMH Tower, Carnegie 57 creators aim to complete the project by 2013. The ground floor will contain retail space while the first 20 stories will house the 210 room Park Hyatt Hotel.

Carnegie57 view from Central Park

While there are few details as of yet, Extell has spilled the beans on a few amenities. With a 63 car parking garage, screening room and fitness center, the buildings is going for large scale for its large price. Units will include duplexes and set back roofs up to the 72nd floor. With elevators going up to the 75th, many can only speculate that there will be a rooftop attraction soaring high in the sky for only the brave.

Tower Verre

Rendering of Tower Verre along 53rd

The Tower Verre, also known as MoMA Tower, is as impressive as it is difficult to get passed public opinion. While many find the sheer height and design of the building a push towards the future for Midtown, others find it obtrusive. The outcry of public opinion from both sides has helped to delay the building from even getting past the planning stages and into construction.

Lounge in proposed tower public space

The international developer, Hines, and architect of the vision machine, Jean Nouvel, are the minds behind the mixed use building. According to Hines website, the building will become the city's 3rd tallest rising up to 75 stories at 1,050 feet tall. The building will include a 100 room 7-star hotel, 100 luxury condominiums, below ground-level restaurant/lounge and the 60,000 square foot expansion to MoMA gallery space. The interesting design concept was supposedly inspired by the shape of man's finger. 

No matter what your opinion of the building itself, the one thing that is certain is that community board roadblocks will leave this empty lot next to MoMA for a while.  

Riverside Center South 

 

The Rushmore, one completed building of Riverside South

Charting the last frontier of New York, Extell plans to go hard or go home. Even though the developer has the most active number of projects in the city, they too have come face to face with the "community board" roadblock that has stalled others.

The 8 acre, 5 building project will be designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc bordering Midtown West and Upper West Side. 2 of the 5 residential buildings, The Avery and Rushmore, have already been completed. 

Outdoor space and view of Riverside Center South

In addition to the 5 buildings, Extell plans for a movie theater, 3.2 acres of park space, an elementary school, Costco, restaurants and retail space. As of yet, the project has been slightly scaled back after community complaints of a Costco.

Even though the developer has agreed to partially fund the school, add affordable units and incorporate open space, the community board was hoping for more. In addition to the agreed upon changes, Extell will be expected to entirely fund the 150,000 sq ft school space, remove one of five buildings to create less density, increase affordable from 20% for 20 years to 30% permanently and make a substantial contribution to the Miller Highway relocation.

Water walkway apart of 3.2 acre open space

Proposed changes will require at least 40 million in funding for the school alone. Many hope the developer can make it work since they are only one of the few planning for expansion in the area. The city itself will fund the development of an additional 75 acre space with 10,000 new housing units, an amphitheater, community gardens, public art, cafe terraces, boardwalk, restaurants, parking and retail space.

Beekman Tower

On the other end of town, the Beekman is one of the only buildings to go up without a hitch (almost). Despite the falling debris due to powerful winds that stalled construction, the Forest City Ratner building is set to open in early 2011.

Architect Frank O. Ghery has created a unique design for the lower Manhattan FiDi neighborhood. Rippling curves and a steel facade give to illusion of movement from as far as Brooklyn. At 77 stories tall, the tower is a stand out sight amongst the area rivaling the  nearby Woolworth building. Residences will go up to the 76 floor and supposedly a rooftop lounge or terrace will top off the building.

Not too many details have been provided about the inside of the building. There will be 903 rental units ranging from 500 to 1600 square feet. Every unit will be at market rate without incentives. Artistic wise, Ghery's inspiration comes from Baroque sculpture artist Gianlorenzo Bernini.

Towards the base of the building, a lot of talk has been going on about the new features. There will be a public elementary school on the first five floors of the building with a 4th floor outdoor play terrace. Beekman's other tenant will include NY Downtown Hospital with public underground parking and 2 public plazas.

Stay tuned for building updates and developments.

Read More..

Froggr Feature: The Corner

View of The Corner on W. 72nd Street

One of the Upper West Side's newest luxury rentals, The Corner, has been noted for its unique outer design, varying layouts and stylish features. Designed by the minds behind the Millennium Tower Residences and Aria,  Handel Architects have created a standout curved glass tower where every residence is guaranteed sweeping views. Some of the stylistic choices within the Corner have drawn area art lovers in close. The lobby includes over 1,700 suspended crystals in a wave-like shape by designer Andres Escobar. Each unit also includes custom door knockers with swirled (not cornered) designs.

What many renters have also taken note of is the neighborhood itself. Located on West 72nd Street in the Upper West Side has its advantages.While the MTA has raised prices and cut services, you will at least not have to worry about getting to the closest train. On the same corner as...well, The Corner there is the 72nd Street Station for 1,2 and 3 trains. Two avenues over are the A,B,C trains at 72nd Street. The neighborhood is family friendly with schools and entertainment nearby. There are 2 playgrounds and 8 schools from York Preparatory School to Manhattan/Hunter Science High School. For teenagers and young adults, area attractions of the Apple Store and AMC Lowes Lincoln Square are within 5 blocks walking distance. Cultural attractions of Lincoln Center, Beacon Theater and American Museum of Natural History are nearby as well. 

New Trader Joe's at lobby level of The Corner

 

No matter what age you are, we can all appreciate the finer pleasures of life. Food speaks to our hearts from large portions of home style comfort food to small samplings of world class cuisine. You may have to travel down towards Lincoln Center or lower for larger high end restaurants such as the newly opened Lincoln or Bar Boulud but the neighborhood has plenty of its own intimate bistros and cultural eats. On the same block as The Corner rests Mike's Bistro and Sugar Bar. At Mike's, glatt kosher cuisine is on the menu with staples such as handmade gnocchi, ribeye steak and sea bass. Mike's is well known amongst Jews, Muslims and vegetarians for creating what some will find as bland into top notch flavor. Special menus and wine tastings are also offered upon request from Chef Mike Gershkovich. 

Nearby, the Sugar Bar provides nothing but soul. From the red snapper meuniere to the classic soul during open mic night, Sugar Bar is a draw for those looking for nighttime flavor. The restaurant is owned by singers Ashford and Simpson and has attracted the likes of Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Willis and Patrick Ewing. Many people still reminisce about the duet between Michael Douglass and Whoopi Goldberg. 

Rooftop area near the lounge chairs

For a night in, residents still have many entertaining options. One of the city's three Trader Joe's is conveniently located on the ground floor of the building for last minute cooking. Building amenities include the 10,000 square foot rooftop terrace, a misting wall, movie projection screen, wet bar and BBQ area, landscaped garden, sun deck and 8 foot high wall fireplace. Indoors, there is the Corner Club. With many of the same amenities as the outdoor terrace, this area is great for alone time with its ipod dock, 42' television and blue ray player, lounge terrace and custom millwork. There is also a children's playroom to keep the little ones entertained with fun house mirrors, decorative seating, chalkboards and large video screens.

Inside of the actual residences, layouts and designs are numerous in variety. With 47 different floor plans throughout 196 units, residents are promised unique floor plans shared by only 3 other residents. In fact, some of the unit layouts are one of a kind. The standard features throughout every unit are the Bosch washers and dryers, high end faucets, walk in closets, and attractive door knockers for a touch of flare. Another shared feature are great views due to the building shape which is a plus for photographers and those who appreciate a classic sun filled room.

One of the many Corner layouts

To gauge unit pricing as a whole is difficult since they range by layout from slightly less than $3,000 to $20,000/month but most 1 bedroom units are priced between $4,500 to $7,000. The one complaint that some residents have seem to  lie in the fact that they chose a unit that was not right for them. Some kitchens are great for entertaining as there is a kitchen island and no walls in the large open space. While some appreciate the standard kitchen in a Manhattan apartment, many Corner residents choose this building to step outside of the box. 

The Corner is a nice addition to the area with a noticeable amount of design choices geared towards the modern renter. The glass lobby corridors, entertainment centered amenities and green living features are all in place for those who enjoy high end luxury without the guilt. The trend appeal has also placed The Corner head to head with area post-war buildings such as Aire. In close proximity to some of Upper West Sides great sights blended well with modern style often seen in Chelsea, The Corner is on the rise.


For leasing information and pricing, call (212) 202-0721

Read More..

Lincoln Center Presents: Benno's Lincoln

The new Lincoln at 142 W. 65th Street (courtesy Eater NY)

It is not often that a new restaurant opens in the summer in New York City. For one, a large scale high-end project can be risky during a time when many outdoor cafes and niche restaurants are bustling with the summer crowd.

However, fear did not seem to stop former Per Se chef, Johnathan Benno, from creating his Italian inspired Upper West Side restaurant, Lincoln. Although, $20 million and a Lincoln Center backing helps to squelch much of that fear. Opening on September 24th

Read More..

Neighborhood Guide: Upper West Side

Looking out onto Central Park West and Upper West Side

The Upper West Side section of Manhattan is one of the largest areas in the borough. On the west side of Central Park, the area is not to be confused with the Upper East Side. While the area is similar in affluence, the west side is more inviting with cultural venues and youthful attractions.

Read More..

Review: Cafe Fiorello

Antipasto Bar at Cafe Fiorello

Where: Upper West Side, 1900 Broadway btwn. 63rd & 64th streets

When: After picking up my new iphone (note: Go to Apple Manhasset where they feed you ice cream while you wait)

What: Italian Cuisine

The Verdict:

 

Outdoor seating with open windows at Cafe Fiorello

I will preface this review with the fact that I am an Italian cuisine fanatic so I am pretty picky when it comes to my risotto. So far I am working my way around the city to find the best Italian restaurant and decided to come here after hearing really good reviews.

Read More..

Feature: The Ashley

Courtesy of Curbed.com

Nestled in prime Upper West Side, the Ashley is just one of the new luxury buildings to open this year. The Ashley likes to keep close company with its sister building, the Aldyn, built right next door.

The Ashley shares the neighborhood with a host of Upper West Side notables. The Metropolitan Opera and Lincoln Center, home of the world’s most creative and talented artists, sits on the same block.

Read More..