Observer » Pamela Engel

The Anti-Country Home in East Hampton

Pamela Engel — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:03:31 -0400

This is the anti-country home. Its ultra-modern design and white everything stand in stark contrast to the more traditional Hamptons beach houses, but beware: it's a bit harsh.

Still, if you're into that sterilized hospital vibe, this East Hampton home might be a good fit. And, to be fair, you don't have to go the route of whoever designed this contemporary home (which looks like some of the new Manhattan luxury condos, only much bigger). You can always opt for furniture and decor that have some color.

The 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom house has a pool, a pool house, a "top-of-the-line kitchen" and is near the Georgica beaches. It's priced at $3.55 million.

Photos: Nest Seekers

The Park Avenue Townhouse with a Mysterious Number of Bedrooms

Pamela Engel — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:46:18 -0400

This "brand-new, renovated" townhouse is the picture of modern elegance and refinement, perfect for hosting afternoon tea parties and evening cocktail hours. If you're longing for Park Avenue posh but would rather call the Upper West Side home, you might want to take a look to see if this place strikes your fancy.

The house has five bedrooms (at least that's what we can gather from the listing description; it doesn't state the count explicitly) but square footage is not disclosed. The place also has a garden, a basement with storage space and a wet bar. And although it doesn't have a Central Park West address, it is near the park.

Photos: Brown Harris Stevens

The Closing: Brooklyn-Bashing Sam Sifton Sells Redhook Townhouse; Carpenters Back to Work

Pamela Engel — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:20:34 -0400

Rev. Al Sharpton backs out of panel on Crown Heights riots. [NY Post]

About 25,000 carpenters have just barely avoided a strike again, with the deadline to reach a new deal being extended another week. [Crain's]

A performing arts center could be the finishing touch for the World Trade Center site. [Journal]

Irish real estate investor sells multi-million dollar townhouse at a loss. [NY Times]

State court decision regarding Stuy Town rent stabilization could mean millions of dollars in refunds for rent overcharges at some developments. [The Real Deal]

Sam Sifton sells his Redhook townhouse—we'd give it one-star if that, because he sold it for $1.25 million. [Curbed]

Now this is something we have to see—the Donald wants to create a fictitious television show based on the lives of Trump Tower residents. [NY Post]

What appalling behavior would you like to fine fellow New Yorkers for? [NY Times]

The Southampton Megaplex

Pamela Engel — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:35:59 -0400

This is a McMansion will make you the envy of your suburban friends. There's enough here to occupy so much of your time that you will rarely have to venture into Southampton Village to find entertainment. There's plenty of space for you to host some parties, and there's more porch space than you could possibly use, so you can have your pick of spot to drink lemonade and relax with a book.

The place has a pool—who needs the beach!—hot tub, tennis court and ample yard space. It has five bedrooms and is 5,000 square feet. The asking price is $3.695 million.

Photos: Saunders

The Acoustically Attenuated Tribeca Penthouse

Pamela Engel — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:43:50 -0400

"One of Manhattan's most exquisite residences," this Tribeca penthouse is so special that it gets its own website. And at 30 stories up with floor-to-ceiling windows, the views of the river and downtown's skyscrapers are certainly breathtaking.

The apartment has all the lavish extras one would come to expect from a $17.955 million Manhattan penthouse, including: "acoustic attenuation features" to block outside noise, an integrated Crestron system with touch pad interfaces in each room to control shades, lighting, temperature, humidity and the home's audio/visual system. Also, the entire master suite has heated floors to keep you warm on those cold December days. Does all that have you reaching for your checkbook? The penthouse has four bedrooms and is 4,700 square feet.

Photos: Platinum Properties

On the Market: Supermarket Crackdown; Alls Quiet on the Mosque Front; Atlantic Yards Still Infested

Pamela Engel — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:54:23 -0400

Party on: the State Supreme Court has denied Southampton's request for an injunction against two "party houses." [Patch]

Thank God! Protests over mosques around N.Y.C. have died down. [NY Times]

Sunset Park school building is on the market for $4 million. [The Real Deal]

Pols want to turn Brooklyn's old Fort Hamilton into a local security hub. [Brownstoner]

Yorkville butcher shop is a favorite spot for residents, including Dominic Chianese. [NY Times]

The mechanics of the 9/11 memorial. [Curbed NY]

The city is cracking down on supermarkets after inspections turned up consumer protection violations at about 60 percent of stores. [NY Times]

The Atlantic Yards rat problem persists. [Brownstoner]

More hype for the steampunk home. [NY Daily News]

New York home sales tumble, but prices stay steady. [Crain's]

The Closing: Anglo Irish; Brooklyn Bridge Park; Meatpacking; Oceana

Pamela Engel — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:54:31 -0400

Will it ever end? City Council files a legal memo regarding the size of the new Chelsea homeless shelter. [DNAinfo]

The Brooklyn Bridge Park is working to acquire three acres of land near the Manhattan Bridge. [Journal]

Justice Department is investigating S&P's ratings of dozens of mortgage securities before the economic downturn. [NY Times]

Meatpacking district building is prepared for demolition; glassy tower will rise in its place. [The Real Deal]

The state housing commissioner will be evaluated for alcohol abuse after his drunken car crash. [NY Daily News]

REIT led by founder of BET network gives Marriott Hotel near LaGuardia to lender Capmark Financial. [The Real Deal]

Former Oceana restaurant will become a Mediterranean one instead. [NY Post]

The Anglo Irish competition is heating up; some firms are now out of the running for its real-estate loan portfolio. [Journal]

Soho building tenants are still unsure of the future of their homes after a fire. [DNAinfo]

A Cinderella Story in Sagaponack

Pamela Engel — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:35:52 -0400

This Sagaponack estate has all the essentials for any country home—a wraparound porch, a sunroom, a library and "story book gardens." Sounds like a place fit for Cinderella (after her prince rescued her from her evil stepmother, of course!). And we're sure Belle would enjoy the stocked library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. And there's even a spacious second-floor balcony overlooking the backyard and deck. Talk about a fairy tale Hamptons home! Now if we could only find a fairy godmother to help us pay for it...

The house has five bedrooms and is 4,000 square feet. It's also near the ocean and has an outdoor shower so you can hose off before transferring from the ocean to the pool. It's asking $5.95 million.

Photos: Sotheby's.

Don’t Have Larry Gagosian’s Budget? No Problem!

Pamela Engel — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:13:22 -0400

If you have a penchant for grandiosity but don't have Larry Gagosian's budget, this Upper East Side townhouse might be for you. There is no shortage of fireplaces, there is a backyard garden space with plenty of ivy, and the living room ceiling has elaborate molding. And we hope you enjoy cooking—the kitchen has a wide stove top and multiple ovens.

The four-story, five-bedroom place is asking $8.25 million. Square footage is not listed, but it looks like you'll have plenty of room, including for laundry and storage space on the lower level.

Photos: Citi Habitats

On the Market: Bed-Stuy Foreclosure Protest; the $98 M. Penthouse; Dognappings Plague Brooklyn

Pamela Engel — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:31:51 -0400

Don't want to scream over all the noise in Times Square? Step into one of these "meeting bowls." [NY Post]

This is one pop-up shop we hope might stay—it sells healthy chocolate. [DNAinfo]

Protest launched to save Bed-Stuy woman from predatory foreclosure [Brownstoner]

Signature Theater Company closed on its performance space at MiMA for$6.6 million. [The Real Deal]

Condo building at 1212 Fifth is getting ready for its close-up (rather tediously). [NY Post]

Why Warren Buffet is right about taxing the rich: 'Net billionaire wants to build floating Libertarian islands in international waters. [NY Daily News]

If you have $98 million, this building might have just the penthouse for you. [NY Post]

Brooklyn Federal's commercial real estate loan portfolio goes into another real estate investment fund. [The Real Deal]

Keep 'em on a short leash! Doggy kidnapping spree hits Brooklyn. [BK Paper]

Burt Reynolds facing foreclosure on his Florida mansion. [NY Daily News]