Cold Storage is an amenity?

Yes, cold storage is an amenity...and a practical one, at that. Say you shell-out $15.99/lb for some Porterhouse Steaks from Fresh Direct. What are you going to do when the delivery guy shows up in your condominium lobby at 1:34PM EST and you're working until at least 9PM? Or how about that "Love's First Bloom" rose bouquet from 1-800-Flowers for your fiancee? Problem solved...you have your doorman/concierge conveniently stash it in the cold storage room to preserve freshness. New developments, such as the Element Condominum, are the first to offer this amenity, and they definitely won't be the last.

So, you've moved into a "green" building, now what?

So, you've moved into a "green" building, now what? Now it's time to furnish your new nest with environmentally-friendly products. The easiest way to do that is to visit Low Impact Living on the Web. Pick out a set of organic bed linens, a water-saving showerhead, an energy-saving lightbulb (mind you, it lasts 10x as long as a typical lightbulb and uses 1/3 of the energy!), among other products. You're halfway there [to "going green"]...now go all the way!

Shop online at http://www.lowimpactliving.com.

Plastic Mortgages = FREE Vacations!

American Express is rolling out what is likely the first program in the country to let homeowners charge their monthly mortgage payments to a credit card, allowing borrowers to earn reward points on their loans. "[It's] just another progression for us in the real-estate area and in the luxury space," said an American Express executive. Mortgage giants American Home Mortgage Investment Corp. and IndyMac Bancorp are the first two lenders that have signed up for the program.

Black Label suits, Occhiali specs, Aqua di Gio scents...furniture?

"You buy furniture. You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life. Buy the sofa, then for a couple years you're satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you've got your sofa issue handled. Then the right set of dishes. Then the perfect bed. The drapes. The rug. Then you're trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you." (~Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club)

Well, if you're going to be owned by your possessions, they may as well be Armani Casa. With pieces for every room—from open-edged vases for the library to mother-of-pearl chopstick rests for the dining room—the collection furthers the designer’s streamlined aesthetic far beyond the cramped confines of your walk-in closet. Furnishings like an irregularly woven dressing screen or a sculptural bed nod to Near- and Far-Eastern traditions (especially the Japanese) as readily as tableware or textiles. If you’re not looking to refurnish the whole penthouse or Hampton villa, less dramatic touches can be made via small luxury items like leather key wallets or an array of fine candles.

For the modern-minimalist in all of us. To view their entire line of home decor, visit http://www.armanicasa.com.

The most innovative new development EVER...

I can't say it better myself, so here is an excerpt from the Web site:

100 Eleventh Avenue is a "vision machine," with every angle and structural detail designed to create visual excitement. Approximately 1,650 different windowpanes comprise the most highly engineered and complex curtain wall ever constructed in New York City.

Every apartment will feature floor-to-ceiling window walls including operable windows oriented to the south and west. Along these window walls, floors will be finished with an extra layer of nearly imperceptible transparent gloss, to boost incoming sunlight into rooms.

Sun-lovers rejoice! Your new address awaits on the West side. Not to mention, it's LEED Green certified, so you're doing the environment justice.

For more information about this astonishing new development, visit http://www.nouvelchelsea.com.

"One day we'll all live in pods..."

Well, that day has come, thanks to Mick Jagger's (The Rolling Stones frontman) daughter, Jade Jagger, and her new development, Jade at 16 W 19th Street. According to the Web site, they are "jewel-like lacquered boxes that seem to float in each residence. Enclosed within this single cube are your meticulously laid-out kitchen and bathroom. When opened, the pod reveals a glamorous interplay of sparkling tiles, vivid colors and textures." An interesting option for those who like to think outside of the box...but who like to live inside the box.

To learn more about this new development, visit http://www.jadenyc.com.

"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore..."

In the age of designer floors, moldings, paints, counters, sinks and appliances, toilets were bound to flush their traditional yet functional role in the home, and redefine themselves as tastefully created masterpieces with astronomical price tags. Toto, one of the leaders in high-end residential construction, offers a full line of power-gravity, low-water consumption units, which are not only asthetically pleasing but have features such as automatic lids, seat warmers and self-cleaning. Watch out George Jetson, Toto's in town!

For more information, check out http://www.totoneorest.com.

Authored by Matthew Knee (Guest Author)

"People who live in glass houses, shouldn't walk around naked..."

When world-famous architect, Philip Johnson, built his New Canaan Connecticut home in 1949, he was light years ahead of his time. The Glass House, as it was called, was a turning point in American architecture - a house built with a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass exterior. Nearly 60 years later, that vision is commonplace here in New York City and all over the world, as vertical versions of Johnson's glass house stretch toward the sky. Some New York examples include Richard Meier's Perry Street towers, which give the illusion of floating on the Hudson; Gwathmey Siegel's Astor Place condos, with it's curved glass facade; and Ian Schrager's 40 Bond Street, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Herzog & deMeuron. The only drawback for these see-thru gems is that squeegee's are not included.

Authored by Matthew Knee (Guest Author)

Honey, I Blew Up The Townhome...and now it's going green!

Just when you think there's not one more parcel of land in Manhattan to develop on, somebody creates one. Recall, Dr. Nicholas Bartha, who intentionally blew up his $6 million townhome on the Upper East Side (34 East 62nd Street), as an act of retribution against his ex-wife, who had won a divorce judgment.

Now, RIGroup is building a green townhouse on the site of the (once inhabited) vacant lot. Greening the townhouse is cost-effective (lower energy bills) and should add significant value to the property. In particular, RIGroup plans on installing water conservation and energy efficient features and finishes, and using formaldehyde-free products and recycled materials, in the hopes of earning the coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) designation. According to The Real Deal, it will be a 6-story, 8,000 square foot single-family home.

Only in New York City...

It's Schrager Time...

Rumor has it that a high-end hotel is planned for the one-time tallest building in New York. One Madison Avenue's iconic clock tower has long been known as the MetLife building and served as world headquarters for the insurance giant until 2005. Yay Snoopy! According to world renowned hotelier Ian Schrager, in an April 07' interview, "we are going to make a hotel there, a very high-end hotel, more like a private club." Also in that same interview, Schrager told the Observer, "I might sell [The Building] if we have the right price. We have been getting unsolicited offers." And that may just be the case. The company Africa Israel, led by real estate guru Lev Leviev, have reportedly named their number and are in negotiations for this timeless classic. Will this prime park location become one in the impressive Africa Israel real estate portfolio, or a new New York boutique masterpiece by Ian Schrager? Only time will tell...

Authored by Matthew Knee (Guest Author)

Versace debuts its long-awaited Home Collection...

The first model private residences at The Plaza, and the first model private residences anywhere with furnishings and accessories designed by Versace Home, are making their debut at the iconic castle on the park. The designs contrast with the restored glory of the great landmark public rooms, like The Palm Court and the Oak Room, defining a standard of sophisticated elegance. Fans of Philip Starck and Ian Schrager's design will have a field day furnishing their modern home with Versace's elegant contemporary twist.

To see the entire line of the Versace Home Collection, visit the Web site at http://www.versacehomecollection.com. FYI, Versace can also be commissioned to design custom interiors for private jets (starting at $25,000).

SoHo/TriBeCa loft-like living in Midtown East...

Finally, Midtown East has something to brag about. Thought you couldn't find loft living anywhere but downtown? Think again. Enter...310 East 53rd Street (corner of 2nd Avenue), a stellar new development by renowned developer, Macklowe Properties.

This is a luxury doorman building, a stone's throw from the E, V, and 6 Subway entrance beneath the Lipstick building on 53rd and 3rd Avenue. It features a 24-hour doorman and concierge, Zen garden/courtyard, state-of-the-art fitness center and valet parking in the building. The handsome loft-like apartments (pictured) feature soaring 17' ceilings, Carrara marble kitchen and baths, and oversized windows, which allow the natural sunlight to radiate throughout the apartment. The coolest feature is the automated window treatments that descend over the windows at the push of a button. A perfect bachelor pad, if you ask me.

To learn more about this new development, visit http://www.threetencondo.com. And if you bump into Bill Macklowe on the street, give him a pat on the back and congratulate him on a job well done.

"My budget is..."

"My budget is $995,000." Before you pick a somewhat ambiguous budget to abide by, consider first, the cost of ownership. This is significantly more important. Let me make my case.

The monthly cost of ownership for properties of similar size and quality may vary dramatically from one development to another. Consider the following: an apartment purchased for $995,000 with $1,600 in carrying charges will have the same monthly outlay ($6,078) as an apartment purchased for $1,084,000 with $1,200 in carrying charges (examples are based on 75% financing at a 6% mortgage rate for 30 years). So, keep your mind open when apartment hunting, as there are many ways to view a situation.

Check out the mortgage calculator at Bankrate.com (http://www.bankrate.com), to play with some numbers and determine what your threshold is, in regards to monthly payments (+ carrying charges).

Penchant for debauchery? Buy here now...

"New York is the ultimate power city. And now, with the introduction of Platinum, New York has its signature power residence." Please join me in welcoming Midtown West's hippest new glass tower by Costas Kondylis, with a holier-than-thou attitude. Don't drive a Ferrari? You need not apply. Life in the fast lane, baby. You wouldn't expect a hotshot hedge fund trader to move to your Grandmother's pre-war co-op on the Upper East Side, would you? If you thought Atelier was cool, wait 'til you get a load of this one.

For more information about this new development (floorplans, amenities, luxury appointments), visit http://www.platinumnyc.com, or call me on my mobile phone at (631) 848-8868 to arrange a viewing.

$2,000 per SF? Only in Manhattan...

Soaring 60 stories over Madison Square Park and at the foot of the Avenue will be a building with unparalleled views, luxury, services and amenities. Edging upwards of $2000 per square foot (!) for 1 and 2 bedroom residences, and even more for high-floor, full-floor residences and the crown jewel triplex penthouse, One Madison Square is sure to make quite a splash on the New York City real estate scene when it’s seventy or so units debut in the summer of 2007. According to developer Marc Jacobs, “this building is going to be like the Time Warner Center on Madison Square Park.” Along with his business partner Ira Shapiro, Marc hopes to hit the ground running with their development company Slazer Enterprise’s first marque on Manhattan soil. Keep your ears open and your eyes to the sky, this one’s going to be great!

Authored by Matthew Knee (Guest Author)

Goodbye 421A...

Buyers, grab your checkbooks! The finite life of the 421A tax abatement is coming to an end. The 421A tax abatement has become a valuable marketing tool for new condo projects and saves thousands of dollars in monthly taxes for buyers. It drastically reduces monthly tax payments over a 10-year period, with monthly taxes increasing incrementally every 2 years (until fully adjusted by the tenth year). For example, 421A taxes on a $2,500,000 3BR/2.5BA at 310 East 53rd Street are only $231 (monthly, for the first 2 years)! I'm not sure how much longer it'll be around, but the rumormill foresees its extinction sooner rather than later. For more information about the 421A tax abatement, Google "421A tax abatement" and read to your heart's content.