Historically, condos have cost more, partly because they had looser rules, and partly because of their scarcity. Although both are changing, the price differential between condos and co-ops has remained roughly the same. Nor has the shift toward co-op-style behavior so far seemed to affect condo prices. The average sales price for Manhattan condos in the first quarter of this year was $1.45 million, 28% more than the average sales price for co-ops, which was $1.13m, according to sales data from Prudential Douglas Elliman.
» nytimes.com [ Contribute: submit link / submit article / submit company ]
A groundbreaking modern residential building, the likes of which Toronto has never seen before, is set to take its place on the edge of one of North America's most colourful and coveted neighbourhoods. The sophisticated and funky N-BLOX at 799 College is a low-rise, high-quality, condominium project perfect for those who appreciate living an urban lifestyle in a vibrant and inviting neighborhood.
Set on a New York-style 50 x 110 deep lot, N-BLOX is surrounded by a city strip packed with popular restaurants, bars, cafés and specialty shops with parks and schools nearby. In what can be described as an architectural work of art, easily recognizable as a landmark, the façade will feature a stunning exterior that resembles avant-garde building blocks of glass clad with a mixture of stone, brick and metal. Eschewing volume for style and substance, only eight condominium apartments, ranging in size from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet, are being developed in this boutique six-storey structure, ensuring N-BLOX creates an eye-catching presence on the street and provides a modern compliment to this iconic neighbourhood. A cozy minimalist lobby, designed to optimize privacy and maximize security, leads to elevators that open directly into each suite’s private foyer. Each unit has its own exclusive elevator access, and penthouse residents have direct elevator access to their private rooftop terraces.
» quadrangle.ca [ Contribute: submit link / submit article / submit company ]
Jean Nouvel’s “Vision Machine” a 23-storey residential tower located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan along the Hudson River has begun construction. The stunning building which features a Mondrian-like curtain wall comprised of nearly 1,700 different size panes of glass that change character according to lighting conditions, is, according to its architect, a direct conceptual and material descendent of his Arab World Institute in Paris, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The building, which stands next to the recently completed, Gehry-designed Interactive Corporation headquarters, will contain 72 residences that will range in size from 890 square feet to 4,675 square feet. The buildings top floor will be a single grand residence with a full rooftop terrace. Each unit will have a sparely designed top of line kitchen and baths. At the base of the building is a dramatic lobby space with 20-foot high ceilings. It will a concierge, a ground floor restaurant and dining patio, a residents’ mail room, package and refrigerated storage room, access to a garden and a private elevator landing serving the residences above and the pool, gym and spa areas below. At 70 feet long, the building’s mirror-canopied pool will be one of the largest in Manhattan. Prices for the units will range from US $1.6 million to $22 million. The building will be LEED certified. Beyer Blinder Belle is serving as executive architect for the project.
» jeannouvel.com [ Contribute: submit link / submit article / submit company ]
Is a modernist residence the latest luxury accessory of the rich and famous? Judging from the brisk sales of units at The Urban Glass House, a new, luxury condominium project located in Soho New York designed by Philip Johnson and Alan Ritchie, one would think so. The 11 storey 40-unit project, which is ready for occupancy in 2007, is 80% presold. And the penthouse unit set a record for the neighbourhood. No small feat given that real estate market has cooled and that the units here are pricey, ranging from 1.6 to 12.5 million dollars.
Part of the project’s success is that it has been cleverly marketed as the urban version of an iconic building, Johnson’s Glass House in New Caanan, Connecticut, which the architect completed in 1949 and occupied until his death in 2005. Ritchie says in scale and context, the Urban Glass House echoes the Seagram building. But the details are drawn from the Glass House. The building’s palette is limited and restrained, with steel and glass as primary materials. Inside, Annabelle Seldorf has designed rich, warm yet spare interiors. White oak floors are laid in a chevron pattern like the brick floors in the original Glass House, and large expanses of glass are used throughout.
» pjar.com [ Contribute: submit link / submit article / submit company ]
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