Soho, a neighborhood in New York City, is considered as the crossroads of Manhattan. It is quite notable for several artist lofts and art galleries, and just recently, more stores and shops were added. These include the trendy boutiques and outlets of international chain stores. The history of the area is indeed rich, which covers socio-economic, cultural, political, as well as architectural developments.
Almost all areas in Soho is included in the Soho-Cast Iron Historic District. This was designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in the year 1973, which was extended in 2010. The district was declared as a National Historic Landmark in the year 1978. It covers 26 blocks, which has approximately 500 different buildings. Most of these buildings incorporate cast iron as one of the architectural elements, thus, the name of the district. Moreover, the side streets are being paved with Belgian blocks.
You may be wondering, why SoHo? Well, the name “SoHo” refers to the place being the “South of Houston Street”. It is also a reference to the London district of Soho. The name was coined by Chester Rapkin, an urban planner, author of “South Houston Industrial Area”, also called as the “Rapkin Report”. The district’s name became the model for developing new names for the neighborhoods like the Tribeca for “Triangle Below Canal Street”, and the Noho for “North of Houston Street”.
The Soho Neighborhood
Soho is a specifically-zoned neighborhood, which is bounded roughly by the Houston street on the northern side, Lafayette Street and Centre Street on the east, Canal Street at the south, and last but not the least, the West Broadway on the west side. Nearby neighborhoods are the following: Greenwich Village, Noho, Nolita, Little Italy, Chinatown, South Village, Hudson Square, and the Tribeca.
The Cast-Iron Architecture
Soho is indeed proud of its greatest collection of cast-iron architecture. This is the defining characteristic of Soho, its unique and fine buildings. There are about 250 buildings that stand in New York which are made in cast-iron, and most of which are in Soho. Back then, cast iron was used as a decorative front for buildings. Along with the modern facades, these older buildings have attracted numerous commercial clients. Majority of the facades were constructed from the year 1840 to 1880. Later on, to revitalize the older structures in the area, these were designed to feature the cast iron.
Cast iron is generally cheaper for facades, compared to stones and bricks. The buildings were made quickly back then. Some even stood in just four months of construction. Despite the short period, the quality of the cast iron designs was still exemplary. This inexpensive cast iron was believed to provide intricate design patterns. The most frequently used architectural designs are Classical French and Italian.
Why live in Soho?
As the crossroads of Manhattan, Soho can provide a comfortable home for those who love the city lights. There are indeed many reasons to choose the Soho neighborhood. Here is a summary of the things people love most about Soho.
- Unique, cast-iron architecture of buildings
- Center for arts and related stuff
- Surrounded by both local and international shops
- Rich with the history of New York
It seems that apartment landlords keep imposing hefty rent increases, despite the fact that there are some signs they might lose their leverage with the tenants. According to a recent report, the average monthly rent for an apartment was $1,048 in the fourth quarter, which represents 0.6% more than the third quarter and also $3.8% more than last year.
The vacancy rate for an apartment, which has continued to decline since it reached 8% during the financial crisis, dropped to 4.5% from 4.7% in the third quarter. Since 2001’s third quarter, this represents the lowest rate. However, the good thing is that high rates won’t stop people from renting. In those markets where the housing bust hit the hardest, vacancy rates fell. Phoenix is included here since vacancies dropped to 5.8% and the same happens with Orlando, Fla., where vacancies declined to 5.3%.
The performance offered by New York City was one of the biggest surprises of the report. Among the cities investigated, New York keeps having the lowest vacancy rates. The city’s rent levels are actually the highest in the country and some might be tempted to say that renters are unwilling to pay anything higher. Anyway, rates tend to go on picking up in a lot of cities. Seattle represents the peak, with a 5.8% rise from last year, while Houston, San Jose and San Francisco faced increases that reached 5%.
Since mortgage rates continue to be low and rents keep rising, more and more consumers find it cheaper to own a house rather than rent it. The ratio of rent for mortgage payments was 107.8% in the third quarter, as far as Deutsche Bank says. This means that mortgage payments are less expensive than rents for median homeowners. Those with an eye on the rental market consider that even though the housing market is healing and this represents a threat, fundamentals ought to stay sound this year as far as apartment landlords are concerned. Being able to make a down payment for purchasing a home remains pretty tough for consumers. Moreover, rigid mortgage standards force most of those who may want to buy a home to keep renting.
Furthermore, most people like having the possibility to pack up easily and move for another job. The U.S is becoming a renter‘s nation. Nowadays, young people tend to value flexibility a lot more than stability. And things won’t change anytime soon.
In the same time, oversupply represents a threat to landlords. Even though apartment constructions got stuck after the housing crash, it appears that developers are hurrying to deliver brand-new apartment buildings. A deficiency in job creation mixed with a raise in home sales could represent a perfect storm for apartments.
Time Warner Center building is a lovely 80-story glass encased, upscale condominium located in Manhattan. This building is situated at 80 Columbus Circle in the Upper West Side of Manhattan and attracts a lot of attention. Aside from the near perfect location, Time Warner Center provides well-designed units furnished with marvelous finishes and top-notch appliances.
Construction Time Warner Center luxury condos and penthouse began in November of 2010 and was completed in February of 2003. This building was most recognized for its high market value in New York City which was over $1 billion. This building has a total floor area of 260,000 square feet which is made up of 198 residential condos, the 250-room Mandarin Oriental Hotel, CNN studios, commercial offices of Time Warner Inc., VMware, The Shops at Columbus Circle, Whole Foods supermarket, and more.
Guests and residents of Time Warner Center can enjoy amenities such as event rooms, in-house parking garage with valet services, modern fitness center, maid service, room service, and a chauffeur’s lounge. The astonishing views of Central Park and multi-story atrium are just a few of the relaxing qualities of this building.
Sales: $1,097,913,234
Sale per Unit: $5,630,324
The Time Warner Center is recognized as one of the few condominiums in New York that have reach a value of $1 billion or more. One of the most costly units was by the developers a whopping $30 million.
A penthouse on the 75th floor is now on the market for an asking price of $44,950,000.
Building Information
- Units: 191
- Stories: 80
- Green Building: No
- New development: Yes
- Ownership: Condominium
- Building year: 2004
- Pets: Pets allowed
- Other:
- Pied-A-Terre Allowed
- Sublets Allowed
Building Amenities
- 24-Hour Concierge
- Attended Lobby
- Business Room
- Caterer’s kitchen service
- Central AC
- Children’s Playroom
- Concierge
- Courtyard
- Doorman
- Elevator
- Family Room
- Fitness center
- High-speed Internet
- Hotel Service
- Laundry room
- Laundry service
- Library
- Live-in Super
- Lounge
- Nursery
- Outdoor Space
- Package Room
- Parking
- Pool
- Recreation room
- Restaurant
- Roof Deck
- Sauna
- Screening Room
- Spa
- Steam Room
- Storage
- Valet
- Wine Cellar
- Ballroom
- Bar
General Apartment Amenities
- Balcony
- Built-in Closet
- Floor to ceiling windows
- Hardwood Floors
- High Ceilings
- iPod Docking Station
- Outdoor Space
- Self-Cont. Heat & A/C
- Smart Home Technology
- Stackable Washer&Dryer
- Terrace
- Walk-in Closet
Kitchen
- Dishwasher
- Fully Equipped Kitchen
- Gourmet Kitchen
- Granite Countertops
- Kitchen Island
- Marble Countertops
- Stainless Steel Appliances
- Top of the line appliances
- Under Cabinet Lighting
- Wine Cooler
- Wooden Cabinetry
Bathroom
- Dual Sinks
- Glass Shower
- Marble Bathroom
- Oversized Mirror
- Polished Chrome Fixtures
- Powder Room
- Rain Shower
- Soaking Tub
- Vanity
Location information
80 Columbus Circle
Upper West Side
New York 10019
For more information on Columbus Circle Condos click here to speak with Doug Heddings
According to city records, there was a new hit on the real estate market in New York, and a fabulous, luxurious propriety was just sold for $50 million. Such great transaction is not out of the ordinary for the area, and both Central Park and Fifth Avenue, are renowned to have great prices claimed for such opulent residences. What is more, the $50 million propriety was sold without negotiations; the complex is real estate jewel, being situated in a fine building on Fifth Avenue. It is a co-op, full-floor propriety, without wraparound terraces, it does not feature any outdoor space, and yet it is really worth the price.
The apartment measures 5,000 square feet and it features an outstanding view of Fifth Avenue and its corresponding sceneries. Future owners of the condo will be able to admire the city through the oversized windows that make the apartment such a lovely place to live. Additionally, it includes a total of twelve rooms, out of which four have wide, elegant bedrooms, and two-bath guest chambers placed on the ground floor. Moreover, the entire place is perfectly designed and the interior décor was done by the talented Thad Hayes. The propriety will take your breath away due to the small but effective details and convenient additions. If you’re looking for a wonderful, welcoming place to live in NYC, this $50 million condo will certainly exceed your expectations.
The apartment presents fine plank oak floors and it includes a private elevator, as well as thirty windows. Also, each one of the bedrooms has a private bathroom, while the master bedroom, which is the most impressive, has a chic fireplace and it offers stunning landscapes over Central Park. Furthermore, this top residence features a complete library and a 27 feet living room, where residents are invited to relax and enjoy the pleasurable atmosphere and the astonishing views.
The Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is presented by BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York.
Join this NYC celebration, together with civic, cultural and community leaders to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and his legacy. This year’s event features performances by For Greene/Clinton Hill’s very own Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir, and the R&B duo Kindred the Family Soul. And of course, the most significant part of the 27th annual tribute is the keynote address by the legendary musician and humanitarian, Harry Belafonte. His personal commitment to social activism in today’s society, as well as his close friendship with Dr. King indeed makes his the ideal channel for King’s message to all of us, and his memory.
In addition, the live simulcast of the 57th presidential inauguration commencing the historic second term of President Barack Obama will be presented.
Event Details
- What: Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Where: Peter Jay Sharp Building, NYC
- When: January 21, 2013 at 10:30 am
- Tickets are free and will be distributed according to first-come, first-seated basis. Doors open at 8 in the morning at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House Lobby
- Speaker: Harry Belafonte
- Music Performances: Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir and Kindred The Family Soul
- Master of Ceremony: Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Sandra Chapman
About the Artists
Kindred the Family Soul is an adult R&B duo from Philadelphia. The members are husband and wife, Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon. Dantzler was born in Philadephia and started in the music business by writing songs for the Pebbles and Bell Biv DeVoe. The two met and began writing and performing songs together. They eventually got married and raised 6 lovely children. Their albums include the Surrender to Love, In This Life Togetehr, The Arrival, and Love.
On the other hand, the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir was founded by Frank. A Haye, Jr. in the year 2010. It is an ensemble committed to bringing NYC together through their own way of artistic impression. The group encourages New Yorkers to appreciate, celebrate and learn the different cultures that have surely made the big city great. The choir’s home base is at Fort Green section of Brooklyn, famous for the cultural arts institutions and passion for arts.
Harry Belafonte
Born in Harlem of NYC in 1927 but grew up in Jamaica, Harry Belafonte’s cultural reservoir is the island and its diverse inspiration. But during the outbreak of the World War II, he moved back to Harlem. Moving back had given him a difficult time adapting. He was unable to finish high school, but he enlisted himself in the US Navy and served for two years.
Belafonte’s first exposure to the performing arts is at the Hunter at the American Negro Theater. He then joined Dramatic Workshop of the New School of Social Research. Some of his classmates were Marlon Brando, Walter Matthau, Bea Arthur and Tony Curtis. Together with his passion for theater arts is his love for jazz. His first professional appearance was as the “back-up band” for Charlie Parker, Max Roach, Tommy Potter and Al Haig. And from then on, his career as a musician flourished, with history-making records for the RCA Album Calypso.
This man is not only a musician, but a humanitarian as well. His contribution in breaking down the racial barriers is indeed impressive. He met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he visited NYC during the early 50s. From that day forward until the great man was assassinated, they developed a close, deep, and abiding friendship which stood the test of time.
Central Park Luxury Condos and Penthouses are in Demand from Global Buyers
Central Park Luxury condos and penthouses surround one of the most renowned parks in the world. Central Park provides the densely populated Manhattan borough of New York City with a vast green expanse of open space in which to relax. It serves as a district in its own right separating the Upper West Side from the Upper East Side. It is south of Harlem and north of Midtown. The park covers 843 acres in a rectangle that is about 2.5 miles long and nearly half a mile wide.
Central Park acts as a natural refuge for New Yorkers from the congestion produced by skyscrapers and traffic. By the mid 19th Century, observant New Yorkers recognized the need to establish a spot free from the noise and the chaos of the city. The state legislature set aside a large swath of land for such a purpose. Designs submitted by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux were chosen for park development. Their plans called for naturalistic landscapes connected by separate systems for roads, walkways, and bridle paths. The park was officially completed in 1873 with the addition of over 500,000 cubic feet of topsoil from New Jersey along with more than a million trees, shrubs, and plants.
The park fell into a period of decline in the early 20th Century due to a lack of maintenance. Renewal efforts in the 1930’s replaced dead trees and worn out lawns. A second period of decline occurred in the 1960’s and 70’s when the park became rundown and crime ridden. In 1980, the Central Park Conservancy was established to address these issues.
A Legion of Landmarks Exist Here
Central Park contains a wealth of landmarks including those listed below.
- Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
- Billy Johnson Playground
- Central Park Zoo
- Friedman Carousel
- Grand Army Plaza
- Heckscher Playground
- The Pond
- Rumsey Playfield
- Sheep Meadow
- Strawberry Fields
- Ancient Playground
- Belvedere Castle
- Conservatory Pond
- Loeb Boathouse
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Safari Playground
- Wild West Playground
- Charles Dana Discovery Center
- Conservatory Garden
- Harlem Meer
- Tennis Center
- Lasker Pool
- Victorian Gardens Amusement Park
- Delacorte Theater
Central Park Luxury Condos and Penthouses are High Style Again
Central Park luxury condos and penthouses are sought after addresses. The park is now relatively crime free and is regarded as a jewel of the city. Living close by it is the dream of many New Yorkers. The high rise buildings that surround it contain many of the city’s most highly sought after housing units. There is some rivalry between the Eastside and the Westside as to which is the more desirable locale. Both are considered to be swank neighborhoods, and each has a collection of high end stores and quality restaurants that allow them to compete for bragging rights.
For more information about Central Park Luxury condos and penthouses CLICK HERE to speak with Doug Heddings
The NYC restaurant week is a bi-annual event held in Jan/Feb and June/July. It is an excellent opportunity for foodies to try out the city’s most delicious meals without having to spend tons of cash on a 3-course menu. The week will begin on January 14, 2013 and it will last until February 8, 2013. When it comes to prices, the bistros will present average prices of $25 for a 3-course lunch and $40 for a 3-course dinner.
Restaurant Week in New York City is your chance to try out the city’s best meals without spending a fortune. If you want to attend the bistros, reserve a table by calling in advance. Have in mind that during weekdays the restaurants are not that crowded, and you’ll be able to enjoy your meal in peace. This year, over 300 restaurants in NYC will take part in the restaurant week event.
About the Organizers
Every year, the NYC Restaurant Week is being organized by NYC & Company. The goal of the whole event is to highlight some of the city’s most enticing eateries. There are numerous bistros in NYC that are too expensive for the average individual. Hence, the event is their opportunity to delight in exquisite meals without spending too much money. Several of this year’s participants are:
- Monkey Bar
- Tribeca Grill
- The National
- Indochine
- Haru
- Nobu
- Craftbar
- David Burke Townhouse
- The Dutch
Menus & Prices
For $25 you’ll have the chance to taste delicious menus such as specialty soups and salads, Chicken Parmigiana, steaks in red wine, salmon fillet and more. Every individual has his own preferences when it comes to food. So even if you’re vegetarian, you can still delight in some amazing grub at Restaurant Week in NYC. If you’re looking to sweeten your day, make sure to try out the desserts. Lime pies and chocolate cakes are among the most preferred desserts.
There’s nothing more soothing than a fancy night out in the Big Apple. Restaurant Week is also about socializing and finding out more information about the cooking secrets of some of NYC’s most well known chefs. For $25 you can have the most delicious lobster bisque with brandy and a special sauce, while for dessert feel free to try out a delicious fruit salad.
Most bistros are accepting reservations through www.opentable.com as well. The online booking service is extremely easy to use, and during Restaurant Week it is hunted by hundreds of individuals looking to enjoy a delicious dinner at the most affordable price. Restaurants ‘menus during the event are limited, but they still include a plethora of dishes from where customers will opt for the most eye-catching ones.
Restaurant week in NYC happened for the first time in 1992 when someone came with the idea of tweaking the exorbitant prices of the city’s best bistros to allow everyone to benefit from a fancy meal without having to pay too much. Over the years, more and more restaurants were willing to take the challenge, and now over 300 bistros in NYC are taking part in the amazing winter event.
Buying property in New York City can be a confusing process. There are many different types of homes available, so which one is best for you? Probably the most difficult distinction to make is the difference between owing a condo vs. owning a co-op. They may seem similar, but how they operate is, indeed, different. Here’s some information to help determine what’s best for you.
New York City Co-ops
Just what is a co-op anyway? It may surprise you, but the majority of all apartments available to buy in the city (and nearly all apartments that are pre-war) are in co-op buildings. What makes a co-op unique is that you don’t really own your apartment. You own a share in the corporation that owns your building. How many shares you own is determined by how big your apartment is.
In general, co-ops aren’t as expensive as other forms of property in New York. However, co-op owners are charged fees that cover such things as heat, hot water, building maintenance and staff. These fees can be more costly than in other types of property, but unlike other properties some are tax deductible.
The most difficult aspect of owning a co-op can be the process of purchasing it. Co-ops are run by a Board of Directors, and all prospective tenants must be approved by this board before they can buy. This process can be intimidating, time-consuming and extremely detailed. Prospective buyers will need to provide detailed financial and personal information.
Some disadvantages to owning a co-op include some boards limiting the amount of the selling price that can be financed, requiring a higher than normal down payment. Also it can be difficult to sublet a co-op; rules are different in each individual building.
New York City Condos
Condos are beginning to replace co-ops in new residential construction in New York because the purchase process is generally much easier. Purchasing a condo is like buying a home – you actually own the property and each apartment has its own deed and tax bill. However, this flexibility can often come with a higher price tag.
Buyers can usually finance a larger portion of the selling price in a condo – as much as 90 percent in some cases – meaning less money needs to put down. There is no Board of Directors to deal with when buying a condo, and condos can be sublet in most cases. Maintenance fees are generally less than co-ops as well.
While having this freedom is attractive to many would-be buyers, it also means that condos are generally more expensive in New York than co-ops. And unlike co-ops, monthly maintenance fees are not tax deductible. Since co-ops make up the largest percentage of properties available for purchase, it also makes finding a condo more difficult in the city.
Which option is best for you? While co-ops and condos can seem exactly the same at a glance, they do in fact operate differently. It is important to know just what is going to be expected of you when owning a co-op vs. a condo before making a commitment to buy.
More Information on New York City Co-ops and Condos
For more information on Manhattan Real Estate & Luxury Condos CLICK HERE to speak with Doug Heddings.
One57 is a 90-story luxury condo building located at 157 West 57th Street near Carnegie Hall. This massive condo building is expected to the tallest residential structure in the entire city of New York. Sales for units inside of One57 began in November of last year and is expected to be move in ready ready near the end of 2013 or early 2014. For an elegant condo building that’s still under construction, there has been a lot of fuss about the building as it is expected to be one of the most costly and elaborate properties to be introduced in New York lately.
Those with expensive tastes and hefty budgets can either become guests or residents of this expansive property since the first 30 floors of this building will be home to the 5-Star Park Hyatt hotel. The architect of this building is Christian De Portzamparc and the interior designer will be Thomas Juul-Hansen. To give you some insight as to how extravagant this property will be once completed, the storage units in the basement are estimated to cost roughly $200,000.
The one-bedroom units offered in this building carried a price tag of $3.5 million and have been selling fast just as the two-bedroom units that were listed at roughly $6.5 million. The most affordable apartments that are still on the market at One57 are three-bedroom units that begin at around the $17.5 million range. The building is already over 50% sold and both of the $115 million penthouse apartments have already been accounted for as well.
The first 30 floors of the building will be home to the 210-room Park Hyatt hotel and will offer its 5-star services to residents upon request. The location of the building is still a construction site but construction should be completed in roughly 12 months.
Some of the amenities of the One57 building will be:
- 65-foot pool with Central Park views
- Library
- Theater
- Gym
- Rosewood Herringbone floors in select units
- Access to hotel amenities
- Designated 20,000-square-foot amenities floor
- Unobstructed views of Central Park
- Julie Zeveloff/Business Insider
- Floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the entire building
- Silk wall coverings and asymmetrical entryways in corridors
- Enclosed kitchens in the 3-bedroom units
- Ceiling height of 10′ 7″.or higher
- Handcrafted cabinetry
- Built-in wine cooler
- Custom designed and handcrafted cutlery drawer
- Miele double wall oven.
- Double dishwasher
- Two refrigerators in every unit
- Built-in Miele coffee maker
- Stove-top with five burners including a griddle and a grill.
- Range hoods with external ventilation
- Custom designed kitchen lighting
- Custom designed cabinet pulls
- Polished marble vanity tops
- Steam showers in select units
- Futuristic bidet and toilet
- Bathrooms equipped with televisions.
- 24-foot aquarium in library
