A case for Jimmy McMillan?

Sure, apartments are getting more expensive these days.... but.... $23,501 monthly rent for a 475-square-foot studio on Third Avenue and 13th Street? Sounds about right!



Oh... just a typo on Streeteasy.... it's actually $2,350....

After nearly 4 years, First Street penthouse finally in contract

To be honest, we've always liked this beauty here at 6 E. First St. We pointed out when this penthouse unit was available as a rental for a mere $25,000 a month (only like $833 a day!)... The listing goes something like this:

Enjoy the ultimate indoor/outdoor lifestyle from this spectacular 3700SF triplex penthouse loft perched atop a former steel and concrete warehouse located at the crossroads of Soho, Noho, and the burgeoning Bowery district. Connected by a custom cantilevered steel staircase, each level of this amazing home offers something unique and unforgettable. On the first floor, you'll find a massive Living/Dining area bathed in southern light with 11-foot beamed ceilings, exposed brick walls, a wood-burning fireplace, and light from a 50-foot expanse of oversized windows. ... Ascend the stairs to the dramatic sun-blasted second level -- a grand-scaled entertaining space with 13' ceilings, polished concrete floors, custom walnut wet bar, full bathroom + direct access to an incredible wrap terrace ideal for sunbathing, stargazing and dining al fresco.

Someone will soon be stargazing and navelgazing and what not very soon... the unit entered into contract for $5.95 million. Quick history! Halstead first listed this PH back on Nov. 2, 2006 at $5.35 million... the price went up and down.... and a short 1,351 days later, it's in contract....

Revisiting the "Intimate" Sculpture for Living

News of the new 13-story office building coming some day to 51 Astor Place prompted some discussion of that other swanko building on the block — Sculpture for Living at 445 Lafayette.

I came across an ad from 2005 for the place...



Per Tropolism:

Renee Turman, Interior Designer, comments on the latest advertisement for Sculpture for Living, showing a rendering of unit 16A:

"First of all, they're open to the wide city stark naked, they have one little blanket over them, no rug under the bed, no curtains. Basically, it's an apartment before someone moves in, except they put a bed in there, with people who own no furniture and no drapery. That's just about as opposite as you can get from 'intimate'"

We would like to add that they appear to be shivering from fright. Is it the sight of the bad sealant job on the stock-shaped aluminum curtain wall, or the fact that the view, while fantastic, is utterly interfered with by the clunky segmentation of the "sculptural" shape (the master at work: another S-curve!) and the fact that their room cannot be furnished by anything except a tripod. And perhaps it's just me, but the telescope appears to be pointed inside the apartment, with the viewfinder located near the window.

Heh. Anyway, speaking of penthouses, one remains (427 days on Streeteasy!) on the market here for $12.75 million... check it out....

Says the listing: "The most exhilarating 360 degree views in town!!! This astonishing duplex penthouse has 232 linear feet of continuous floor-to-ceiling glass walls with unparalleled views of Manhattan!"

Novogratz-designed penthouse now in contract on East Fourth Street

Hey now. The upper-level, "magazine-ready" penthouse designed by the world-famous Bob and Cortney Novogratz that hit the market for $3.75 million back in March is now in contract...




Looks as if the winning price was $3.195 million, a mere 15 percent off the original....

And here's what our contestants are receiving in exchange....

Step directly from your private, key-lock elevator onto your 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Penthouse condominium. Offering the highest caliber of finishes, every detail is customized from the Boffi Kitchen outfitted with Macassar Ebony cabinetry and stainless steel countertops to California Closets in all 3 bedrooms. The Great Room soars with 10.5 foot loft ceilings, woodburning fireplace and sunflooded, oversized windows with North and South open city views. Then take your private stairs or elevator directly onto the largest ipe-and-concrete decked terrace you've ever seen in the EV with sweeping Empire and Chrysler building views. Enclosed with sleek glass railings, this terrace is equipped with a Summer kitchen and wiring for outdoor theatre. The first floor of this duplex lends a gracious air of privacy for the 3 bedrooms, all of which have gorgeous sunlight and charming treetop views. The Master bedroom has TWO walk-in custom Cali closets, a sumptuous 5-fixture Master bath suite with dual vanity, oversized glass-enclosed shower and freestanding soaking tub. A large window floods the Master bathroom with all-day natural night. Additional luxury add-ons include radiant heat in all rooms, Crestron security system, and custom baseboard moldings. This finish quality is seen only is magazine-ready, designer homes. Extremely low common charges. Walk to the chicest East Village restaurants, steps to trendy Lower East Side and hottest upscale Bowery venues and gallerie.

We planning on meeting our new neighbors at Billy Hurricane's to Rock!

Previous excessive coverage here.

Avenue B loft with Corinthian columns is apparently "every hipster's dream"

Oh, disregard that top photo. Those are the Corinthian columns out front of my apartment, which were given to me by late great-great grandfather, Zeus Grieve...

Now back to the post....

Well, when we last checked in at the former Newsboys' and Bootblacks' Lodging House and Tompkins Square Lodging House for Boys and Industrial School, Children's Aid Society .... Jeez, OK — you know, that place where Matt Dillon has been living on Avenue B and Eighth Street...



...we were checking out a loft with a stage ...

Now, another milestone loft is on the market in the building, which was erected in 1887...

Per the listing:

Live and work in this huge, open loft . Facing Tompkins Square Park, on Avenue B, in the most incredible landmark East Village building. 12 foot ceilings and huge windows, this 2 bedroom corner loft apartment is every hipster's dream! Live totally "outside the box" in every way and wow your friends as they enter this one-of-a-kind space. Corinthian columns. Great south and west light. Steps to the best of the East Village. Nothing else like it. Video intercom system. Sorry no shares.

And hipsters — keep dreaming... the rent is $7,000.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Remembering the Revolutionary

Or if that dump on East Eighth Street is too fancy for you, then try this one...

Fabulous Townhouse Triplex awaits you right now on East Third Street

Over here at 36 E. Third St., an apartment is waiting for your immediate move in...



According to the Brown Harris Stevens listing:

Fabulous Townhouse Triplex in Prime East Village. This home offers three bedrooms and two baths, double height ceilings, huge terrace and balcony and three fireplaces. Renovated baths, wonderful light and detail with glass greenhouse atrium, exposed brick and wood beams. Wonderful space for entertaining! Available for rent immediate occupancy. Must see!

Awesome! I'll be there in 10 minutes with my duffel bag!





Oh! Details! The rent: $15,000 per month.

If this is in your price range, then feel free to stop by for the open house next Monday at 5-6:30 p.m.

"The penthouse paradise you've been waiting for"

Last Friday, we featured a seemingly swank penthouse on 50 Avenue A for $1.3 million... Well, hope that you didn't quickly squander your money on that dump... the REAL Avenue A penthouse is, apparently, at 107 Avenue A on the west side near Seventh Street ...

Per the new listing at Trulia (Halstead is peddling the space):

This East Village loft is the penthouse paradise you've been waiting for. Situated just off Tompkins Square Park in the red hot East Village, this rare apartment features three terraces, including one of the best outdoor decks in all of the East Village with a hot tub and breathtaking views of the park and city. The entire apartment has been gut renovated with an unparalleled attention to detail, including a chef's kitchen with high-end appliances and two bathrooms, one with a soaking tub and the second with a steam shower. The elevator opens directly onto the first floor of the loft, which features a laundry room, two bathrooms, a large living room / dining gallery, east and west terraces, and a spacious master bedroom with walk in closet. The second floor doubles as a gorgeous sunroom, guest bedroom, or den/office. Situated on Avenue A, across the street from Tompkins Square Park, this is the one of the trendiest downtown locations with the best restaurants and bars, nightlife, and more literally around the corner. This rare home will not last.

Hoo-boy.








The first open house is Sunday. Price tag: $1.995 million.

Penthouse life on Avenue A

Here's a new-to-the-market home at 50 Avenue A...

Huge Outdoor space in a beautiful Penthouse in the East Village. Renovated loft-like home with high ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, a Solarium plus a 900 square foot private multi-tiered roof deck. Additional features include an open kitchen with Miele appliances, a washer/dryer, excellent natural light through open northern exposure (Views of midtown Manhattan), 2 full bathrooms and a 2nd bedroom/home-office.

And:







You can bring your check for $1.35 million to the open house this Sunday afternoon between 1-3.

East Village apartments more expensive than 2 Cooper Square

Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal noted that a three-bedroom apartment in 2 Cooper Square was going for $20,000 a month, which would make these the most most expensive apartments in the neighborhood....

Well, that's not true... just around the way at 6 E. First St. is a new-to-the-market penthouse for $25,000 a month... and here's the adjective-laden listing...

Enjoy the ultimate indoor/outdoor lifestyle from this spectacular 3700SF triplex penthouse loft perched atop a former steel and concrete warehouse located at the crossroads of Soho, Noho, and the burgeoning Bowery district. Connected by a custom cantilevered steel staircase, each level of this amazing home offers something unique and unforgettable. On the first floor, you'll find a massive Living/Dining area bathed in southern light with 11-foot beamed ceilings, exposed brick walls, a wood-burning fireplace, and light from a 50-foot expanse of oversized windows. This fantastic room features an enormous state-of-the-art chef's kitchen with a six-burner Viking range, Subzero refrigerator, built-in Miele espresso/cappuccino maker, and a 50-bottle temperature controlled wine refrigerator. There is a generous-sized Bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and a tasteful powder room for guests. Ascend the stairs to the dramatic sun-blasted second level -- a grand-scaled entertaining space with 13' ceilings, polished concrete floors, custom walnut wet bar, full bathroom + direct access to an incredible wrap terrace ideal for sunbathing, stargazing and dining al fresco. Tucked away at the end of the hallway you'll find the serene Master Bedroom suite replete with fireplace, separate office, large walk-in-closets, and a fabulous sky-lit bathroom with steam shower, oversized jetted soaking tub, bidet, and gorgeous teak and limestone double vanity. Further up the cantilevered staircase is the sun-drenched top level, a breathtaking room with four exposures, spa-quality bathroom, and direct access to yet another phenomenal terrace with unobstructed 360 degree views. Additionally, the residence offers multi-zoned central air-conditioning, radiant heated floors, a separate laundry room and custom lighting on dimmers throughout. Not to mention, there is the prime location in the heart of the vibrant Bowery District, just steps from the city's hottest new restaurants, bars, boutiques and Whole Foods market. Come home to 6 East 1st Street, the ultimate Downtown oasis!

And here are the photos...







Anyway, as for 2 Cooper Square... still no sign of rent details at the 2 Coop site...

There goes the neighborhood for real: 2 Cooper Square will open with the highest rents ever in the East Village

Yowza. The Wall Street Journal checks in with a story about 2 Cooper Square ...



To the story:

Atlantic Development Group, which owns or manages 48 rental buildings in the city, plans to open next month 2 Cooper, at East Fourth Street near the Bowery. The 15-story, amenity-rich building is charging the highest rents ever in this rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, brokers say. Three-bedroom apartments run as high as $20,000 per month.

Atlantic's initial plans for 2 Cooper were much more modest. In 2004, the developer designed a building aimed at attracting New York University and Cooper Union students.

But Atlantic switched gears when it saw that the Bowery neighborhood was going upscale quickly. Two high-end hotels were built on the street, and a contemporary art museum opened its doors south of Houston. In recent months, Keith McNally and Daniel Boulud have launched restaurants on the Bowery.

Amenities added by 2 Cooper include a 15-seat private screening room and a 75-square foot walk-in refrigerator on the ground floor to hold tenants' food and flower deliveries.

"The neighborhood has become a destination but what's stopped people from moving there is a dearth of luxury properties," says Yuri Lobachevsky, a residential broker with Citi Habitats.

The building has signed leases for 21 of its 144 units, according to Atlantic. The majority have gone to people who already live downtown and were looking for an upgrade, says Richard Cantor, a principal at broker Cantor Pecorella.

Previously on EV Grieve:
2 Cooper Square looking for some "masculine, attractive, intelligent" Clive Owens types with kids — but, lordy, not kids who actually live with them!

Fifth Street and Avenue D for $918 a square foot

The other day we featured a countryish home on East Fifth Street... if that was a little too "Green Acres" for you, then consider this new listing on the market further to the east... all the way to Avenue D....

According to Corcoran:

The East Village with soaring 18 foot ceilings and monthly carrying cost below $600 (including real estate taxes). This two bedroom features four oversized southern facing windows with unobstructed open views to allow maximum sunlight all day long. The apartment features stainless steel appliances, including a Viking range there is also a dishwasher and washer dryer.

There are hardwood floors throughout the loft that compliment the marble counter tops and marble baths. The traditional stairs, including cast iron railings help to add unique features to this open layout. The addition of plenty of closest means storage is not a problem. All of these wonderful details are just three short flights up.

The building features a 421-a tax abatement. In addition to the tax abatement, there is a common roof deck only one flight up from this apartment. The building also features bike storage and close proximity to transportation. Get all the pluses of new construction without the additional closing costs.

(Um, that listing came written this way.)

So! Let's see what they mean by all that...







And it's $725,000 for 790 square feet ... for those of you into this kind of thing, that's $918 per square foot... which seems like a lot for a space adjacent to a 3.84 acre city housing project.

Your chance to "escape from the world" on East 12th Street

Over here at 407 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, there's a new listing for a condo penthouse for the terrace lover in you. (And you.) Sure, I could talk it up, but let's have the listing do that...

CONDO PENTHOUSE WITH 2 TERRACES
This very special triplex home with 2 private terraces includes a large planted roof terrace and is an oasis in the heart of the East Village. Enter into a large living room/dining room combination with a modern galley kitchen and a powder room. A dramatic staircase with double height ceilings leads you to the second floor Master that contains a separate sitting room, private bath and the first terrace. Continue on to the third level to the second bedroom with an additional loft suitable for storage or sleeping, and another full bath. From here you can enter your very private roof deck with electricity and water, a wonderful space for entertaining or as an escape from the world. The apartment has a north/west exposure with wonderful light and skyline views and a top of the line full size washer and dryer.

And here it is...







Two terraces equals two raging keggers at a time! But the price is a little more on the champagne side: $1.299 million.