Distinctive Homes | 6sqft

Warm up by the fireplace in this cozy $1.4M Brooklyn Heights co-op

Michelle Cohen — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 19:15:00 +0000

Asking $1,399,000, this two-bedroom home at 54 Willow Street in historic Brooklyn Heights definitely has location going for it. And though it may not be huge, the classic co-op has central air and a wood-burning fireplace for all-season comfort. Two baths and an in-unit washer and dryer make it all you really need for a compact and carefree home base.

The spacious, sunny living room is framed by a wall of windows with treetop views. High ceilings, built-ins, and the aforementioned marble-wrapped fireplace are highlights of the home’s pre-war charm.

The pass-through kitchen features a window into the dining area. Granite countertops and clean white cabinetry provide plenty of space to store and prep.

The spacious primary bedroom features an ensuite bathroom, a deep closet, and garden views. The second bedroom is served by another full bath.

The covetably situated pet-friendly co-op offers basement storage, bike storage and low maintenance fees. Unlike many co-ops, subletting is allowed after two years of residency.

[Listing details: 54 Willow Street, 2B at CityRealty]

[At The Corcoran Group by Jay Glazer, Kholood Breiche and Jason Breier]

Behind a classic Soho facade, there’s nothing raw about this $4.25M loft triplex

Michelle Cohen — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 20:45:00 +0000

Behind a classic cast iron loft facade at 123 Prince Street in the heart of Soho, this triplex loft expands to three levels, with all-new interiors that include three bedrooms and plenty of living space. Asking $4,250,000, the downtown co-op has been outfitted with high-end custom finishes, including a rear wall of glass that overlooks a private vertical garden.

A full menu of modern amenities complements loft living. State-of-the-art systems include central air, thermostatically-controlled heating, custom LED lighting on dimmers throughout the apartment, and a retractable 110-inch home theater screen with surround sound speakers. You’ll also find a laundry room, abundant closets, and Boffi-appointed bathrooms.

The home begins on the middle floor, through an entrance gallery with floor-to-ceiling closets. The most dramatic space is the central living/dining room with high ceilings and exposed brick walls. A glass wall and sliding doors frame an outdoor patio.

A sleek Boffi kitchen designed by Piero Lissoni is anchored by a center island with a unique overhead storage system that includes an extractor fan and floating stainless steel shelving. Corian and Pietra Cardosa countertops frame custom walnut millwork and Miele and Gaggenau appliances. Also on this level, a home office/media room is concealed by sliding frosted glass panels.

Up a modern floating staircase, the lofted primary suite includes a closet-lined dressing room and separate linen closets. The en-suite bath has heated floors, a Boffi custom vanity, a two-person Kohler soaking tub, and a separate glass-enclosed rain shower. Petal-pink walls contrast with blue-hued accent walls on the main floor, providing a guideline for future color options.

On the home’s lowest level are two more bedrooms, a sitting area, and another full bath with heated flooring. Both of the bedrooms are lit by skylights and tall windows facing the back garden.

Built in 1891, the seven-unit boutique cooperative offers a new automatic elevator, a new boiler and hot water reservoir tank, and a refurbished lobby among many recent upgrades. There is no underlying mortgage and the building has a permanent Certificate of Occupancy.

[Listing details: 123 Prince Street Apt. 1 at CityRealty]

[At Brown Harris Stevens by Richard Orenstein and Lawrence Kieran]

An 1870s Clinton Hill carriage house, rebuilt to Passive House standards, asks $7.5M

Michelle Cohen — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:55:27 +0000

This one-of-a-kind townhouse at 329 Vanderbilt Avenue on the border between Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is a showcase of innovative architecture and peerless modern design, undertaken by architecture firm Schiller Projects. The directive: re-imagining an 1870s carriage house with a focus on sustainability, design, and efficient engineering, in accordance with Passive House standards. The result is Brooklyn’s first mass timber single-family residence, currently asking $7,500,000.

As Brownstoner reports, the carriage house in its previous–and less-than-noteworthy–form was asking $3.95 million in 2016; it finally sold for $2.75 million in 2018. The unassuming collection of nondescript rental apartments has come a long way; in its newest life behind a perfectly restored facade, the carriage house features a garage with a curb cut, an interior atrium, and a landscaped roof terrace with views of the Gothic cathedral next door.

The project cost $2 million and wrapped up at the beginning of the year, according to the New York Times.

The home’s entry-level starts with a private garage that opens into the foyer. Inside, the light-filled living space opens beneath soaring ceilings. Bespoke wood-framed sliding glass doors–constructed nearby in the Brooklyn Navy Yard–open onto a spacious backyard, landscaped and ready for seasonal dining and entertaining.

A chic, modern kitchen features wood-fronted cabinetry, blue marble countertops, and Fisher & Paykel appliances. There’s bar seating at the central island, and the adjacent dining area allows for more formal feasts. Daylight pours in from the rear glazing; a thorough installation of semi-recessed ceiling fixtures assures full illumination after hours. There is also a powder room on this floor.

At the core of this stunning home is an indoor atrium planted with mature trees. Surrounding the atrium, a minimal, modern central staircase was constructed from Douglas Fir with details like concealed hardware and slatted wood to allow light to reach all floors. The natural wood stairs perfectly complement mass timber ceilings and recycled wood flooring.

On the second floor of the carriage house, light from massive arched windows, a large skylight, and recessed ceiling fixtures illuminates the living room, framed by original brick walls.

Across from the living room are two bedrooms, each with its own bath. Both chambers overlook the back garden and the brownstones and greenery of the historic neighborhood. This floor also offers a laundry room with storage and a sink.

Up one more flight is a heavenly primary suite; Schiller Projects added this entire level atop the original carriage house to create a private oasis. The suite consists of a sunken indoor sitting area, a huge dressing room, and a luxurious bath with a walk-in shower in addition to the bedroom. Best of all, the bedroom opens out to the home’s stunning roof deck.

From the roof deck, gaze at the stained glass and oxidized copper roof of one of the city’s only Gothic Revival-style cathedrals–and the surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods. This secluded urban paradise is landscaped on all sides with native plants.

As advanced and innovative as it is, the home’s construction relied heavily on local craftspeople. All custom windows were manufactured nearby at the Brooklyn Navy Yard; wood flooring throughout the home was made from recycled original wood beams by a local Brooklyn millwork facility; and a new lighting system was created specifically for the space by local lighting company Stickbulb.

[Listing details: 329 Vanderbilt Avenue at CityRealty]

[At Compass by Nick Gavin and Allie Fraza]

Stephen Sondheim’s Connecticut country retreat lists for $3.25M

Michelle Cohen — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:55:38 +0000

The Roxbury, Connecticut home of late Broadway icon Stephen Sondheim is now on the market, asking $3,250,000. The celebrated composer and lyricist’s retreat is for sale for the first time in nearly 40 years. Situated on nine secluded country acres, the historic 1792 property features a three-bedroom main house, a pool, a one-bedroom pool house, and a detached garage. Within, the home boasts a 21st-century renovation, with more than a passing nod to its former owner’s remarkable creativity.

In the beautifully renovated main house, rooms have plenty of space to ponder and create. A dramatic living room is framed by a soaring cathedral ceiling, historic wide-plank wood flooring, and tall windows overlooking the verdant grounds. The room is anchored by a rough-hewn stone fireplace.

A lively country kitchen has warm stone tile flooring, rich wood countertops, top-notch appliances, and plenty of wine storage. The decor in the formal dining room references the home’s history.

Framed by walls of windows and a slate floor, the home’s sunroom is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

After dinner, head for the classically appointed entertainment and music room, perfect for piano recitals, a game of pool–or conversion to an additional bedroom.

Also on the main level, the primary suite gets a sprawling full bath underscored by tile and stone. Beyond the walk-in shower, it’s the first bathroom we’ve seen with built-in library shelving.

Upstairs are two more ensuite bedrooms, each with a private sitting room. A paneled library is here, too, of course.

The grounds showcase the Connecticut countryside, with amenities that add up to a perfect contemporary retreat. A hot tub and a pool complement a one-bedroom pool house with a rustic stone porch and a stone fire pit; a two-car garage adds convenience.

Sondheim’s Turtle Bay townhouse hit the market for $7 million in July. He bought the home in 1960 and lived there until his death in 2021 at 91.

[Listing details: At Klemm Real Estate by Graham Klemm and Carolyn Klemm]

Yankees legend Bernie Williams’ Westchester apartment asks $2M

Michelle Cohen — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 21:08:08 +0000

Longtime center fielder for the New York Yankees and World Series champ Bernie Williams just put his Westchester condo on the market for $1,999,000. The two-bedroom apartment at 10 City Place in White Plains is the kind of home base any celebrity–or busy New Yorker–would appreciate: In addition to indoor and outdoor entertaining space, the full-service residential tower is packed with amenities, from a kids’ playroom to a pool and tennis courts.

The current two-bedroom unit was converted from three bedrooms, adding “extra-large” to its list of bragging points. Additional home runs include sweeping views of surrounding Westchester County, an open floor plan, and a terrace that runs the length of the apartment. Interior perks include custom lighting design and a Sonos sound system.

An open-plan main space has plenty of room for entertaining, living, and dining. A sleek, contemporary kitchen features marble countertops, a breakfast island, and seating for six. But the MVP of this move-in-ready residence is the terrace, accessed via the living space or the home’s main bedroom.

An impressive primary bedroom boasts electric shades and a custom walk-in closet. The luxurious primary bath has a soaking tub and walk-in shower.

The full-service building makes it hard to leave, with just about everything you’d want on the premises, including a doorman, a 24-hour concierge, security staff, and valet parking. An always-open state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool and spa, outdoor pool, tennis courts and basketball court will help you stay in championship shape.

There’s also a residents lounge, a business center, and an outdoor dining space with barbecue grills. Families will love the indoor children’s playroom and an outdoor playground. The building is 15 minutes from the Westchester Airport, and plenty of shopping and dining is nearby.

[Listing details: 10 City Place, 30D at Douglas Elliman by Stacy Oestriech]

Sally Jessy Raphael’s $6.5M upstate manor comes with 17 bedrooms and 30 hand-carved mythical creatures

Michelle Cohen — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 19:14:45 +0000

Former tabloid talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael’s 25.5-acre equestrian estate just hit the market for $6,500,000. Even without the fame connection, this fanciful and fabulous property is worthy of its own TV show. The property consists of a 43-room Elizabethan manor house, two caretaker homes, a carriage house with groom’s quarters, a yoga studio, a 12,000-square-foot stable, a greenhouse, and more. Known as Elmwood Farm, the Pawling, NY, estate is the town’s most expensive listing. The main house, built in 1860 is itself an architectural event, with 17 bedrooms, 10 fireplaces, and endless ornate and whimsical details.

Inside, hand-carved pilasters, hand-painted plaster ceiling motifs and moldings, leaded glass windows, and variegated gables with carved vignette timber fascia and Gothic spires frame a painstakingly updated home. The mansion’s many rooms are surprisingly perfect for modern life.

The intimate living room is anchored by a fireplace and framed by wooden beams and rich restored wooden flooring. Everything is big enough to serve a medieval feast in the well-appointed country kitchen and capacious dining room. A gorgeous sunroom is surrounded by arched steel-framed windows overlooking the verdant grounds.

The home’s many ornate chambers are ready to provide endless entertainment for your guests, friends, and family. The music room features marble-tiled flooring and a massive fireplace. The plaster-framed den is perfect for small gatherings. And who wouldn’t want a private chapel?

Details provide a distraction–and companionship–at every turn: A figured-oak grand staircase is enhanced by 30 newel posts with hand-carved mythical creatures. On the second floor, you’ll find walls adorned with hand-painted storybook murals.

There are currently no fewer than 17 bedrooms here. Each with its own lavish decor, they appear to range from palatial to merely adorable. Bathrooms feature antique fixtures and plenty of charm.

Beyond the main manor house, the grounds hold a wonderland of good things. A barn awaits your trusty steed, as does a sprawling garage. The property promises to be the perfect upstate country retreat for an army of your favorite knights and damsels, where there’s never a shortage of spaces to explore.

[Listing details: 618 Quaker Lane Road by Harriet Norris of Douglas Elliman]

This $18.5M modern Village mansion has a hot tub on the roof and a private garage

Michelle Cohen — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 18:45:03 +0000

Living in Greenwich Village comes at a premium regardless of size, so the $18,500,000 ask for a 7,198-square-foot townhouse at 9 Minetta Street comes as no surprise. For that jumbo price tag, you get mansion-sized measurements and an over-the-top collection of perks rarely found in Manhattan real estate. The contemporary townhouse spans seven floors, with a garage below and an elevator accessing all levels. The new construction home is topped with a rooftop retreat with a hot tub, and there’s a rear garden with a water wall.

The four-bedroom home is the only one of its kind in the Greenwich Village Historic District. The city extended the South Village Historic District to Minetta Street in 2013, a year after the project at 9 Minetta Street was approved, allowing work to proceed. It’s likely the last new development to be permitted in this district.

The ground floor offers a large family room, complete with a stunning fireplace; the space connects to an outdoor garden with a soothing water feature. It is here where the future owners will enjoy family gatherings, business meetings or host cocktail parties and receptions.

State-of-the-art interiors include ERCO gallery lighting, floating stairs, and a home automation system that controls built-in speakers, lighting, temperature control, security, and automated shades.

Living space begins at the garden level with a double-height parlor anchored by a modern gas fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook lush outdoor spaces and underscore the townhouse experience. Throughout are radiant-heated Brazilian walnut floors. This level opens out into a landscaped garden with bamboo plantings and a water wall feature.

The second floor gets down to business with a kitchen anchored by a 20-foot island and a marble fireplace. High-end highlights include a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator and Miele coffee station, two sinks, three ovens, and two dishwashers. The dining area is also on this floor.

The third floor offers an intimate living room, music room, and office; any of these spaces could become additional bedrooms–or anything else that fits your needs. There’s a powder room on each of the lower floors.

The fourth floor offers three bedrooms and a laundry room. Spacious baths–one is ensuite–feature walk-in showers and soaking tubs.

The fifth floor is a luxurious private retreat, featuring a 55-foot-long primary suite. The bedroom is served by a windowed dressing room with bespoke closets, and a suitably spacious bath with all the trimmings.

Above the townhouse is a dreamy rooftop garden paradise with a hot tub/soaking pool, an outdoor kitchen, and built-in benches. An audio and lighting system turns the garden into an entertaining wonderland.

This one-of-its-kind modern city mansion is anchored by a private garage on the gallery level, where you’ll find the elevator landing for convenient access to the floors above.

[Listing details: 9 Minetta Street at CityRealty]

[At SERHANT . by Andy Klaric and Chase Landow]

Live the Victorian seaside life in this $5.2M Cape May confection

Michelle Cohen — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 18:00:00 +0000

Located in the popular destination town of Cape May on the southernmost tip of the Jersey Shore, this colorful cottage at 24 Jackson Street is surrounded by Victorian-style homes. Built in 1905, this historic property, asking $5,200,000, is a charming example of the neighborhood’s eclectic architecture. The restoration of this former bed and breakfast was a true labor of love for the home’s current owner, who added a full menu of modern updates while maintaining the home’s historic character.

The property consists of the main house, a garden apartment, and a detached two-car garage. In the main home, spacious rooms on three floors include seven bedrooms.

21st-century upgrades throughout include new plumbing, water, and sewer lines, new electric and insulation, new boiler and water heater, new zoned A/C, new concrete driveway and sidewalks, and fresh exterior paint. Off the fabulous front porch, the first floor begins with a gracious living room and family room.

The state-of-the-art kitchen is a design showcase, featuring Smallbone cabinetry, a double oven, a steam oven, a built-in coffee maker, and a wine refrigerator. Off the kitchen is a breakfast nook for casual meals. A formal dining room features a gas fireplace. This floor also offers a guest bedroom with an ensuite bath and a powder room.

On the second floor is the sun-filled primary bedroom with an ensuite bath. Both this charming chamber and a second bedroom open onto an expansive deck overlooking Jackson Street. Two additional bedrooms and a laundry room are also on this floor. One floor up, two more ensuite bedrooms open onto a rear deck with unbeatable ocean views.

On the home’s garden level is an apartment with one bedroom (and room for three). This space has a separate rear entry with a private patio. You’ll also find a utility room with two sets of washers and dryers, an extra refrigerator, space for work and storage, and an art room.

The seaside vibe is given maximum attention with plenty of outdoor living space in the form of a wraparound front porch, a second-floor bedroom balcony, and a third-floor sun deck with spectacular ocean views. The property is ready for the guests you’ll undoubtedly attract, with two driveways offering space for 8-10 cars.

[Listing details: 24 Jackson Street by Henry Lanzalotti and Dolores Lanzalotti of Jersey Cape Realty]

This $17M West Village townhouse is a glass-walled modern home behind a restored historic facade

Michelle Cohen — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:45:00 +0000

Many dream of a townhouse in the West Village, and this four-story home at 31 Grove Street, asking $16,995,000, is suitably dreamy. One of a pair of 1841 Greek Revival brick homes, its 19th-century facade has been completely restored to its historic beauty, while the home’s interiors are a modern design lover’s fantasy. A carefully considered 2018 renovation resulted in indoor and outdoor spaces that make the historic townhouse timeless. On four floors, the multi-family property configured as a single-family home currently offers four bedrooms (with plenty of flexibility for more), a landscaped back garden, a private roof deck and a full cellar.

The 2018 renovation gave the 21-foot wide, 4,230-square-foot home a three-story wall of wood-framed glass overlooking the garden. High ceilings feature recessed lighting and integrated speakers.

The stunning parlor level begins with an elegant living room with a wood-burning fireplace. The modern open kitchen offers custom cabinetry, stone details, a large prep and dining island, and a walk-in pantry. Appliances include a vented gas range, dishwasher, and Sub-Zero refrigerator. The adjacent dining area overlooks the neighborhood’s greenery.

Downstairs on the garden floor is a casual lounge with a wet bar and a wood-burning fireplace. Full-height sliding glass doors open onto a professionally landscaped 35-foot-deep garden. Also on this floor is a guest bedroom/home gym, full bathroom, and storage.

On the second floor are two bedrooms with plenty of closet space and treetop views of Grove Street. A luxurious bath is shared between them. Also on this floor is a laundry room and office area.

The home’s top floor has been converted into a skylit master suite. Off the bedroom is a private deck surrounded by trees. The ensuite bath features a free-standing soaking tub, a double rainhead shower, and a floating vanity. Further highlights include a room-sized walk-in closet and a den that could easily be a fifth bedroom.

Structural updates include a new roof, re-sealed deck, reinforced chimney, sealed side wall, treatment of all rear wood window frames, reinforced skylights and a renovated stoop. The home’s historic brick facade was restored in 2002.

[Listing details: 31 Grove Street at CityRealty]

[At Douglas Elliman by Lindsay Barton Barrett, Maggie L. Marshall and Taylor Schultz]

Dramatic triplex condo on historic Stuyvesant Square in Gramercy asks $1.5M

Devin Gannon — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 17:44:12 +0000

Here’s an opportunity to own a renovated one-bedroom condo in one of the most attractive buildings in Gramercy. Facing the historic Stuyvesant Square Park, the home takes up three levels (including a bonus attic space) at 305 Second Avenue, a building also known as Rutherford Place. Designed by prolific architect R. H. Robertson, the 10-story building was built as a hospital in 1902 and gifted to the city by J.P. Morgan. Asking $1,545,000, the available residence features 20-foot ceilings, park views, a mullioned glass wall, and 21st-century amenities.

You’re greeted by the home’s uniqueness immediately upon entering, with a foyer that provides a bird’s eye view of the living space and a peek into the glass-walled bedroom.

The loft-like space is drenched in sunlight streaming in through the oversized windows, brightening every inch of the double-height living room. The home overlooks Stuyvesant Square Park, a charming green space originally part of Peter Stuyvesant’s farm.

Opposite the living room is the tucked-away kitchen, which has undergone a designer-approved update. The eat-in kitchen features a large breakfast bar, top-of-the-line appliances, and sleek stone-capped countertops.

The windowed spa-like marble bathroom on this floor is also brand new, with heated floors, dual sinks, and a glass step-in shower.

With the bedroom on a separate floor, the residence feels less like an apartment and more like a house. Adding a distinctive element to the unit is the mullioned glass wall that brings in extra light and a feeling of cohesion withw the lower level. The bedroom has custom built-ins and a decent-sized walk-in closet.

“Perched above it all,” as the listing describes, is a flexible bonus space that adds to the house-in-an-apartment feeling. The unusual room could easily become an office, guest room, storage space, or some combination of everything.

Rutherford Place sits within the enclave of Stuyvesant Square, an area centered around the historic park that is bound roughly by 14th and 18th Streets and First and Third Avenues. As 6sqft previously noted, Stuyvesant Square could be considered part of Gramercy Park or an extension of Stuy Town, but the neighborhood is a “highly desirable enclave in its own right.”

Formerly the New York Lying-In Hospital, the luxury condo conversion features duplexes and triplexes, many with distinct layouts. The building was completed in 1902 and converted to condominiums in 1986 but operated as a rental building until 2006.

Amenities at the pet-friendly condominium include 24-hour concierge, laundry on every floor, a bike room, on-site valet and housekeeping, a new fitness center, and a planted roof garden with more of those park and skyline views.

[Listing details: 305 Second Avenue, #727 at CityRealty]

[At Compass by Brian K. Lewis]