Exclusive NYC Penthouse Rooftops: Live the High Life

This blog post highlights a meticulously renovated townhouse located at 132 West 81st Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Originally built in 1887 and designed by architect Edward J. Webb, the property has undergone a complete redesign by Alison Downey of Downey Interiors. Situated near Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and various shopping and dining establishments, the 7,000-square-foot home boasts six levels of luxurious living space. It features five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and four powder rooms, complemented by a range of modern amenities. The residence is distinguished by its extensive outdoor spaces, including a south-facing, bricked garden with a herringbone pattern, suitable for gardening. A significant feature is the handsomely equipped rooftop deck, offering multiple seating and dining areas, cedar fencing, new roof tiles, and provisions for water, electricity, and a sound system, designed for entertaining. Indoor amenities include an elevator, a home gym, a dedicated office, central air and heat, dual bars and laundry facilities, and comprehensive water filtration, intercom, and security systems. The home integrates Savant smart-home technology to manage built-in speakers, automated lighting, and door entry. Architectural details throughout the townhouse preserve its historical charm while incorporating modern comfort. These elements include a circular staircase, pocket doors, oak flooring, wall sconces, crown moldings, stained glass windows, and a backyard fountain. The blog post emphasizes the spacious and inviting staircase landings, suggesting them as ideal spots for relaxation. A floor-by-floor tour begins with an elegant reception gallery featuring radiant-heat stone floors in a black and white pattern, leading into a newly designed, fully custom eat-in kitchen. This kitchen is equipped with an oval-shaped island and breakfast bar, a large walk-in pantry, handcrafted wood cabinetry with task lighting, soapstone countertops, a tile backsplash, and high-end appliances, including a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, a Viking six-burner range, and two ovens. The basement level contains the gym, ample storage, a powder room, and a custom laundry room with built-in cabinetry. The parlor floor is designed for entertaining, offering an open-plan layout with a spacious living room featuring a gas fireplace, a wet bar, and nearly 11-foot ceilings. French doors in the south-facing dining room open onto a balcony with a stairway leading to the backyard garden, facilitating indoor-outdoor flow for gatherings. The third level comprises two large bedrooms, one currently configured as an office, while the floor above features two more en-suite bedrooms, each with marble and tile bathrooms. The primary suite occupies the entire fifth floor, presenting a large bedroom, a custom dressing room, and a new bathroom with a separate shower and tub, and a dual sink vanity. This level also includes a wet bar with a full ice maker and an under-counter refrigerator. A notable advantage of the townhouse's location is the low scale of surrounding blocks, ensuring that the rooftop deck remains open, private, and bathed in natural light throughout the day, enhancing the property's appeal. #UpperWestSide #ManhattanRealEstate #LuxuryTownhouse #HomeRenovation #RooftopDeck #SmartHome #ArchitecturalDetails #InteriorDesign #NewYorkCity #HistoricHome

This article highlights a unique real estate opportunity in New York City: the simultaneous availability of two distinct apartments within a former Gilded Age mansion at 17 East 63rd Street. Built in 1901, the five-story limestone mansion initially housed prominent New York families before being converted into apartments after World War II. These units, characterized by their high, coffered ceilings, chandeliers, and French doors leading to Juliet balconies, rarely come onto the market. By an unusual coincidence, the second-floor apartment and a combined third-and-fourth-floor duplex were listed for sale within five days of each other, each with a different broker. The second-floor unit, apartment 2, has been owned for the past 35 years by Shirley Maytag King, widow of the grandson of the Maytag appliance company founder. This apartment boasts 15-foot ceilings, a remnant of its past as the mansion's ballroom, and is listed at $4.2 million. It includes 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a private elevator, a formal dining room, and two working fireplaces. Broker Paul Kolbusz notes that its price reflects the potential need for kitchen and bathroom updates, despite its historical significance and prime location near Central Park and the Frick Collection. The duplex, apartment 3/4, has been continuously owned for over 20 years and spans 4,200 square feet, significantly larger than the second-floor unit. Listed at $16.995 million, it features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, five fireplaces, and a primary bedroom that is 22 by 26 feet, larger than many living rooms, with two separate en suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, one with its own fireplace. The apartment, designed by Thomas Britt, also showcases an enormous great room with coffered ceilings and floor-to-ceiling French-door-style windows. Broker Elana Schoppmann emphasizes its 'grand scale' and 'royalty-like' living experience. The current owners combined the third and fourth floors in the early 1990s when the upstairs neighbors moved out. Both brokers involved are open to the idea of a buyer combining these two apartments into a single, three-story residence spanning approximately 6,300 square feet. Such a combination, however, would likely require board approval, as the building operates as a co-op. The mansion is also noted for being a rare 30-foot-wide limestone townhouse, sometimes referred to as the H. Bramhall Gilbert Mansion after its first owner. Neil Diamond is mentioned as the owner of the duplex penthouse on the fifth floor, a fact that dates back to a previous article from over 20 years ago. This simultaneous listing presents a unique opportunity for a buyer to acquire a significant portion of a historic Gilded Age mansion, offering expansive living spaces with original architectural details and the potential for a grand, custom-combined residence in a highly desirable New York City location. #GildedAge #LuxuryRealEstate #NewYorkCity #MansionApartments #RealEstateListing #UpperEastSide #HistoricHomes #CoOpLiving #ArchitecturalDesign

Living in New York City often presents opportunities for spectacular views from higher-floor apartments, and floor-to-ceiling windows are a popular feature that maximizes this advantage. Initially a high-end architectural element popularized by designers like Richard Meier, these expansive windows are now more common across various price points, making them accessible to a wider range of New Yorkers. Additionally, many brownstone owners have incorporated glass walls into their renovations, extending the rear of their homes to capture views of private gardens rather than cityscapes. While these glass walls offer abundant natural light and stunning vistas, they also introduce several interior design challenges, such as maintaining privacy, optimal furniture placement, managing excessive light, and regulating indoor temperatures. Interior designers Jamie Alexander and Guillaume Coutheillas emphasize the importance of accentuating the view when decorating. Coutheillas, for instance, used a neutral color palette and low-profile furniture in a model residence at One United Nations Park to ensure the eye is naturally drawn to the outside. Similarly, Alexander suggests using bold-patterned drapery to frame the view and integrating striking art pieces or decorative objects that complement the outdoor scenery. In some cases, where privacy is not a concern, foregoing window treatments can be the best approach to fully capitalize on the unobstructed view. However, the transparency of floor-to-ceilling windows means a clear view in, especially at night, which necessitates effective privacy solutions. Blackout curtains or blinds are essential for bedrooms to ensure restful sleep. These are available in various styles, including solar and honeycomb shades, with options for manual, cordless, battery-operated, or remote-controlled mechanisms. Brands like Blinds.com, Blinds to Go, Blinds Chalet, and Smith & Noble offer custom sizes. High-tech solutions like Serena Smart Roller Shades by Lutron and MySmartRollerShades by SmarterHome can integrate with smart home systems. For bathrooms or other areas requiring enhanced privacy, window films or strategically designed doors can be employed. Sheer linen and wool curtains, as used by Coutheillas at One United Nations Park, offer a balance of light and privacy, especially when combined with strategic lighting to enhance evening views. Excessive sunlight through large windows can lead to issues such as fading fabrics and artwork, and glare on screens. Solar shades are recommended to mitigate these problems. They block glare and protect against UV damage while allowing light to filter through, and come in varying opacities. These can be layered with drapes for additional light control. Designers frequently favor Lutron solar shades and sheer fabrics, which soften light and provide privacy without completely obstructing views, as demonstrated in residences designed by Pembrooke & Ives and CetraRuddy. Installing window treatments for floor-to-ceiling windows should ideally be done by professionals, as precise measurements and appropriate hardware are crucial due to potential ceiling and floor irregularities and the weight of the fabric. Quality fabrics from vendors like Hartmann & Forbes or Zarin Fabrics are also recommended. Strategic furniture placement is another critical consideration. With a wall of windows, there's less wall space for furniture. Designers suggest floating sculptural sofas in the living area and placing smaller, occasional pieces along the windows. Dining tables can be aligned with glass walls, sometimes paired with a mirror on the opposite side to create an illusion of an expanded glass room. Nancy Ruddy of CetraRuddy advises positioning furniture approximately two feet from windows to create a gracious, airy feel and avoid obstructing sightlines. Flexibility in furniture use is also important, particularly in multi-functional rooms where day and night requirements may differ. Custom-made or easily movable furniture can accommodate these varying needs. Finally, a practical consideration for apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows is the increased heating and cooling costs due to glass's lower insulation properties compared to traditional walls. Well-designed window treatments can, however, contribute to climate control and energy efficiency, especially when integrated into home automation systems. #NYCRealEstate #InteriorDesign #FloorToCeilingWindows #WindowTreatments #ApartmentDecor #SmartHome #Renovation #HomeImprovement #LuxuryLiving

The article details a visit to the Rooftop Iglounge at Time Out Market New York, a temporary winter attraction featuring plastic igloo-like domes overlooking Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. The author describes the experience of dining inside one of these igloos on a chilly January evening, initially expressing skepticism about its comfort but ultimately finding it surprisingly warm and cozy despite the 38-degree Fahrenheit outdoor temperature. The igloos, available until the end of March, operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though reservations can be made for special events or large groups. Visitors can bring food and drinks purchased from the market's numerous vendors into the igloos. The journey to the Time Out Market in Dumbo, Brooklyn, involved a subway ride and a walk through the popular waterfront area, known for its Instagrammable views of the Manhattan Bridge. The market, which opened in May 2019 in a historic warehouse, boasts 21 food vendors and three bars, offering a diverse culinary selection. The rooftop, where the Iglounge is located, also features a smaller array of food vendors and a bar, providing picturesque views for indoor dining. Upon entering the igloo, which was illuminated with string lights as evening approached, the author observed its spaciousness, accommodating a table with four chairs and two smaller tables. The igloo's design, made of thick plastic and PVC pipes by Gardenigloo, allowed for standing inside despite the need to duck when entering. The interior was notably quiet, dampening city noise, and featured cozy decor such as a faux-fur blanket, a candle, plaid tablecloths, and faux-fur chairs, evoking a ski lodge ambiance. The igloos were lit with blue and purple lights, creating a "galactic" atmosphere. The author ordered a vegan quesadilla and a limited-edition Snow White-tini cocktail from the market's vendors, enjoying them inside the igloo. The meal was comforting, and the igloo effectively protected from the wind and cold, aided by sandbags at the base. The experience highlighted the ability to dine outdoors in winter without discomfort. The igloos were found to be more magical at night when illuminated, enhancing the romantic and unique atmosphere. The article concludes by recommending the Iglounge for those seeking an unconventional outdoor dining experience, suitable for various social configurations, and emphasizes the unexpected serenity and new perspective it offered during the winter months, encouraging patrons to explore novel activities. #RooftopIglounge #TimeOutMarket #NewYorkCity #DumboBrooklyn #OutdoorDining #IglooExperience #WinterAttraction #NYCDateSpot #FoodHall

The great room within the Tahoe Pines project showcases an impressive design featuring vaulted, wood-clad ceilings and steel-frame windows on three sides, creating a significant and visually striking space. The initial architectural design of the room included a wood ceiling with steel I-beams and large window systems, which provided a foundation for a modern aesthetic. Despite the grandeur of the high ceilings, the design objective was to infuse a sense of coziness and invitation into the space, encouraging occupants to linger. To achieve a more inviting atmosphere, subtle modifications were made to the room's elements. The previously contemporary limestone fireplace, characterized by straight lines, was softened with the addition of gentle curves. This alteration aimed to make the focal point of the room feel less stark and more harmonious with a relaxed interior. A challenge arose with the scale of the space, particularly concerning the window seats flanking the fireplace. Standard sconces appeared disproportionately small in the expansive environment. To address this, the built-in benches for the window seats were designed to be slightly higher than typical, which helped to balance the oversized nature of the room's architecture and window systems. The furniture selection process focused on combining classic foundational pieces with items that introduce visual interest. A classic main sofa was chosen to provide a timeless base, while side pieces were incorporated to add character. Notably, a plaid sofa was introduced to bring a pattern into the room, reflecting a deliberate choice to be bolder in a vacation home setting. The plaid pattern was selected for its classic appeal, ensuring it would remain stylish over time. The design team also ensured the room's paint scheme complemented the overall aesthetic, using Westhighland White by Sherwin Williams throughout the majority of the home, including the great room. This creamy white color contributes to the desired hominess, effectively integrating with the modern structural elements. Additional design elements enhance the room's functionality and style. A pair of Beck Leather Stools from McGee & Co. are positioned in front of the fireplace, their slender and structured form offering a subtle nod to mid-century design. The choice of specific furniture pieces like the Pattinson Sofa and Florence Floor Lamp further define the room's character and provide both comfort and illumination. The design philosophy behind the Tahoe Pines great room underscores the importance of balancing modern architecture with inviting elements, demonstrating how a vast space can be made to feel both impressive and comfortable through thoughtful design choices and careful consideration of scale, texture, and pattern. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #GreatRoom #TahoePinesProject #ModernArchitecture #CozyInteriors #LimestoneFireplace #WindowSeats #FurnitureSelection #PlaidSofa #WesthighlandWhite #BeckLeatherStools