America’s Hippest Neighborhood Introduces Wynwood 25

Wynwood, recently named one of America’s hippest neighborhoods by TripAdvisor, will get its first micro-style units with the addition Wynwood 25, where, “The Sky is the Limit.” The micro-style living is a growing trend in Miami, as it is aiding the transition from just a vacation hotspot to an authentic, urban center for young professionals.

Brooklyn-based interior designer, Meshberg Group, who are lauded for giving Brooklyn much of its design identity, was pegged to design Wynwood 25’s amenities and units with a Brooklyn touch. The project will feature a garden rooftop terrace with a pool, spa, grill, indoor/outdoor co-working spaces and green areas. Other building amenities will include a fitness and yoga center, coffee lounge and outdoor courtyard, and is slated for completion in summer of 2019.

Micro-style units are becoming more and more popular in the Miami real estate market. Though Miami is currently pushing their luxury development, so much that it is now the sixth least-affordable major market in the U.S., according to a recent Demographia International Study, these micro-style units are providing another option for potential buyers. The majority of micro-unit dwellers are young professionals and first-time renters under 30, considering location the most important priority.

“The design for the micro-style units is for efficiency and a modern minimalist style, like smaller New York-style spaces, which are uncommon in the heart of Miami,” said Adam Meshberg from Meshberg Group, “For contextual visual elements, we used brick, exposed concrete and natural wood materials throughout the interior. This decision is shaped by our adaptive re-use experience in NYC where land is expensive and converting old buildings is the norm.

He continued, “Directly influenced by the latest in NYC, the programming of amenity spaces caters to the new way people live in urban areas. For instance, we created co-working indoor and outdoor spaces to encourage collaboration and comfort to work from home spaces, as well as a larger state of the art gym with on demand fitness studio,”

Wynwood 25 will be affordable and convenient, offering units ranging from 400–1,200 square feet for $1,600 to $1,750 per month. Rooms will be equipped with state-of-the-art kitchens and bathrooms, including access to the spectacular rooftop lounge, merging culture and recreation.

Renderings courtesy of Kobi Karp

November 8, 2018 Leave a comment

DESIGN FIRM CREATES LEADING CHINESE RECORDING STUDIO

with:Kristen Ordonez

FROM JIMI HENDRIX’S ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS IN NEW YORK CITY TO GRAMMY-WINNING PRODUCER PAUL EPSWORTH’S THE CHURCH STUDIOS IN LONDON, THE ARTIST-DRIVEN RECORDING STUDIO IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF POPULAR MUSIC.

Vibrant spaces designed with the artist in mind, studios like these have become commonplace in North America and Europe where the shared appetite for popular music has created something of an arm’s race, as each studio tries to pack in the latest technology and attract the best artistic talent.

A name that may soon be added to this list is Beijing’s 55TEC, a brand new studio that is currently dominating the Chinese pop charts with a string of chart-topping hits, and is turning China’s recording industry into a global competitor.

55TEC, designed by the world renowned acoustic design firm Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG), is answering China’s appetite for pop, an appetite that has been pushed into overdrive by its growing young population and recent economic strides into cosmopolitan status.

A New York-based firm, WSDG has built its reputation on sterling room design in recording studios and live performances spaces across the world. “WSDG knows how to make a world class studio,” explains Li You, head engineer and owner of 55TEC.

“Our clients have been very pleased with the look, sound quality, and vibe of our live and control rooms. This is all due to WSDG’s design work.”

The studio has boasted almost 30 charting singles in its first 18 months of operation and is showing no sign of slowing down. Its latest triumph is a song by action movie superstar Jackie Chan, which has currently spent 18-weeks at #1 on the Chinese pop charts. Chan’s hit song, “Nothing Is The Same As Before,” has become a compelling calling card that is drawing new talent to 55TEC.

“For the artist, the choice of recording studio is crucial,” Li You notes. “They need a place that inspires their performances and makes them feel like they can do their best work.”

Photos courtesy WSDG.

November 3, 2018 Leave a comment

DESIGN FIRM CREATES LEADING CHINESE RECORDING STUDIO

with:Kristen Ordonez

FROM JIMI HENDRIX’S ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS IN NEW YORK CITY TO GRAMMY-WINNING PRODUCER PAUL EPSWORTH’S THE CHURCH STUDIOS IN LONDON, THE ARTIST-DRIVEN RECORDING STUDIO IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF POPULAR MUSIC.

Vibrant spaces designed with the artist in mind, studios like these have become commonplace in North America and Europe where the shared appetite for popular music has created something of an arm’s race, as each studio tries to pack in the latest technology and attract the best artistic talent.

A name that may soon be added to this list is Beijing’s 55TEC, a brand new studio that is currently dominating the Chinese pop charts with a string of chart-topping hits, and is turning China’s recording industry into a global competitor. 55TEC, designed by the world renowned acoustic design firm Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG), is answering China’s appetite for pop, an appetite that has been pushed into overdrive by its growing young population and recent economic strides into cosmopolitan status.

A New York-based firm, WSDG has built its reputation on sterling room design in recording studios and live performances spaces across the world. “WSDG knows how to make a world class studio,” explains Li You, head engineer and owner of 55TEC.

“Our clients have been very pleased with the look, sound quality, and vibe of our live and control rooms. This is all due to WSDG’s design work.”

The studio has boasted almost 30 charting singles in its first 18 months of operation and is showing no sign of slowing down. Its latest triumph is a song by action movie superstar Jackie Chan, which has currently spent 18-weeks at #1 on the Chinese pop charts. Chan’s hit song, “Nothing Is The Same As Before,” has become a compelling calling card that is drawing new talent to 55TEC.

“For the artist, the choice of recording studio is crucial,” Li You notes. “They need a place that inspires their performances and makes them feel like they can do their best work.”

Photos courtesy WSDG.

November 3, 2018 Leave a comment

Million Dollar Listing: New York Star Ryan Serhant Shares Secrets In New Book

with:Mia Ingui

Ryan Serhant, costar on Bravo’s hit show Million Dollar Listing New York and the star of Sell It Like Serhant, released his new book, “Sell It Like Serhant,” on Tuesday, September 18th, 2018, sharing hilarious and essential tips to sell just about anything.

Serhant, who started humbly as a hand model, entered the real estate business in 2008, in the midst of the economic recession. Though his start was shaky, he today is one of the top realtors in the world, and has mastered the art of selling. Today, Serhant has 1.1 million followers across all social media platforms, is the real estate correspondent for The Daily Mail and has appeared on 20/20, CNN, CNBC, The Today Show, Insider, BloombergTV.

In his book, Serhant shares his journey from a small-town, shy theater kid constantly bullied throughout high school to a successful spokesperson for Chase, Zillow, and StreetEasy. Sections of the book include, Negotiating Like A BOSS, The Seven Stages of Grief Selling, Getting FKD: How to Be a Time Manager, Not a Time Stealer, Pulling the Indecisive Client Forward, and many more. Serhant shares the secrets behind how to close more deals than anyone else, expand your business, and keep clients coming back to you.

This book is the blueprint for becoming a sales machine through Serhant’s useful lessons, lively stories, and examples that illustrate how anyone can employ his principles to increase profits, maximize potential and achieve success. Sell It Like Serhant will give entrepreneurs and employees across industries a head-to-toe business overhaul.

Photos courtesy of BWR Public Relations

October 3, 2018 Leave a comment

Intracorp Introduces Townhouse Community, LUX, in Uptown Irvine

with:Mia Ingui

The Southern California urban living experience is receiving an upgrade with its newest townhouse community addition, LUX Irvine.

Created by established real estate developer Intracorp, LUX takes a luxury approach with an exclusive enclave of 39 three-story contemporary townhouses. Residents can enjoy a unique urban living experience within the award-winning Irvine School District, a luxe lifestyle centered on contemporary design, easy access to the coolest dining, entertainment and cultural events in the region, and a real estate opportunity like no other.

“LUX embodies what is exceptional about Southern California urban living,” said Intracorp Vice President of Development Rick Puffer. “A boutique community of luxury residences that enjoy quiet and privacy, top public schools within the Irvine Unified School District and other great amenities that Irvine and its surrounding cities offer.”

The open-concept townhouses will range from 1,587 to 2,077 square feet, featuring three to four bedrooms and attached two-car garages. The townhouse features large windows to provide lots of natural light, and walk-in closets give plenty of room for wardrobe and storage. All are equipped with energy-efficient kitchens, utilizing modern appliances and fittings. Residents share a community park that has built-in barbecues, dining tables, a shade trellis and open turf area. There is also easy access to other outdoor recreation, such as Orange County beaches and the Orange County Great Park.

A great place for modern families, LUX is one of the final new home communities assigned to award-winning University High School, ensuring an A+ education for children. Residents’ transportation options abound with Irvine and Tustin Metrolink and John Wayne Airport close by. South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Park Place and UCI are also easy connects.

Homes at LUX will be offered from the mid $800,000s, with models to open in fall of 2018. Unlike other real estate investments in Irvine, LUX townhouses benefit from a low tax rate and low HOA fees.

Photos courtesy of Focus 360

September 20, 2018 Leave a comment

Historic Somerset to Gain Pendry Natirar & Residences

with:Mia Ingui

Pendry Hotels is slated to redesign and reinvigorate one of America’s great country estates in Somerset, NJ, in addition to developing 24 contemporary countryside residences in 2020.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset County, New Jersey, and less than an hour from New York City, the grand, Tudor-style, 33,000-square-foot Natirar Mansion, formerly owned by the late King of Morocco, was originally completed in 1912 as an estate home for heiress Kate Macy Ladd and husband Walter Ladd. Currently consisting of the award-winning Ninety Acres Restaurant & Cooking School, a sustainable farm, the Mansion Ballroom banquet facility, and a private membership club, Pendry Hotels enthusiastically announces the next phase of the Natirar resort development.

The estate will be restored with careful attention to detail and expanded to feature an adjoining hotel with 66 guest rooms and suites, re-emerging as Pendry Natirar in spring of 2020. Pendry Natirar will feature a full-service Spa Pendry including an extensive health & wellness curriculum, fitness center, swimming pool and tennis courts, private membership club, and a variety of classic and unique outdoor activities to be discovered throughout the property—all set among scenic trails and pathways groomed for hiking, biking and horseback riding surrounded by 400 acres of protected land along the north branch of the Raritan River.

“We could not be more honored to be stewards of Natirar,” said Alan J. Fuerstman, founder, chairman and CEO of Montage International. “To be able to take one of the country’s most idyllic country estates and reinvigorate it with new life that makes it accessible to guests, club members and homeowners is an incredible opportunity.”

Pendry Residences Natirar will bring a bespoke collection of private, whole-ownership Estate and Farm Villa Residences created for luxury, country-style living to the pastoral grounds. Pendry Residences Natirar will give owners their own customized experience, with the ability to immerse themselves in a community focused on sustainable living, wellness and connection to nature.

Set within a private gated enclave named Abby Road, within the 90-acre resort property, the Estate Villa Residences will offer a semi-custom home building experience with abundant living spaces up to 4,000 square feet. With expansive views and options to personalize selections and home configurations, the estates convey the true essence of Natirar living. The Farm Villa Residences, with a working farm as the backdrop, affords the most optimal connection to outdoor living and wellness management with modern design spaces and residential amenities that inspire the ultimate indoor-outdoor experience. Fully integrated into the Natirar 12-acre farm, these modern Farm Villas will provide a unique connection to country living.

“When you think about bringing to Natirar the same quality of lifestyle living experienced at other Montage International residential properties like Laguna Beach, Beverly Hills and Kapalua Bay, to name a few, we are offering a resort residential type of living that doesn’t exist in our area,” said Robert Wojtowicz, Founder & Owner of Natirar.

Once complete, Pendry Natirar will usher in a new era of the great American country estate—the ideal place for a quick getaway; an extended respite; a romantic escape; a stunningly bespoke wedding or event, or simply an opportunity to rediscover nature in an unparalleled, tranquil country setting accompanied by the utmost in service and hospitality.

Photos courtesy of Pendry Residences Natirar

September 14, 2018 Leave a comment

Comparing Costs of NYC Beach Neighborhoods

with:Mia Ingui

Parts of the Hamptons are priced (on a per square foot basis) more affordably than parts of the Rockaways or even Staten Island, according to data analyzers NeighborhoodX.

As one of America’s most elite summertime destinations, the Hamptons are home to many celebrities, CEOs, and New York’s many socialites. Though considered one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country, other parts of the NYC Metropolitan area are surpassing the Hamptons in price by square foot.

Based on a study conducted for August 2018, NeighborhoodX found that several part of the Hamptons, typically thought to be untouchable real estate, are more affordable than beach towns elsewhere in the New York City area. For example, the average asking price per square foot in Riverhead, on the North Fork of the Hamptons, is $267/sq.ft., which is more affordable than City Island in the Bronx, where the average asking price is $362/sq.ft.

NeighborhoodX, who gathered the data in this study, is a real estate & data analytics firm whose data has been featured in The Real Deal, Wall Street Journal, Curbed, and several other real estate outlets, founded by Constantine Valhouli and advisor Jonathan Miller.

Courtesy of Wiki Commons / Mark Jenney

This set of data further suggests that Brooklyn’s beach towns are currently surpassing the Hamptons in terms of price by square foot. The average asking price for Brooklyn’s Manhattan Beach is $619/sq.ft., and in Brighton Beach, the price is $617, both of which are higher than those in some of the leading Hamptons sections, including Sag Harbor, at $614/sq.ft., Amagansett at $598, and Southampton at $554/sq.ft., according to the study conducted by NeighborhoodX in 2018.

The average asking price in Rockaway Beach, which is $335/sq.ft., is on par with the Hamptons’ East Quogue, at $373/sq.ft. Meanwhile, on Staten Island, South Beach ($388) and Midland Beach ($372) are priced on par with Shinnecock Hills ($392) and East Quogue, respectively.

In another set of data, NeighborhoodX found that the average property in Manhattan is more expensive per square foot than the trophy properties in many cities, as the average property in Manhattan is $1,773/sq.ft., surpassing Portland ($1,053), New Orleans ($1,308), Austin ($1,466), Philadelphia ($1,643), and Denver ($1,708).

September 13, 2018 Comments Off

HGTV Crowns Best Historic Home of 2018

with:Mia Ingui

HGTV’s wildly popular online contest, the Ultimate House Hunt 2018, has come to a close, with the 86 finalists from 13 countries receiving more than 880,000 votes. Houses were divided into several categories, included waterfront homes, amazing kitchens and modern masterpieces. The winner of the contest overall is an incredible oceanfront villa in Sardinia, but there were several standouts from the other categories. Take the winner of the historic category, for example. The 1834 Robert Smalls House, located in the historic district of Beaufort, South Carolina, has all the quaint charm of the past, with its two-story wide front porches and lush gardens.

The Smalls House is the epitome of a southern plantation home, nestled in a half-acre of land with a long history. Smalls was born a slave in 1839, but in the Civil War, Smalls actually gained his freedom: by impersonating the captain of a Confederate transport ship and sailing straight into the arms of the Union Navy. Though a hero in the North, Smalls was nothing but a traitor in the South, and so Smalls returned to Beaufort post-war. His former home was deemed a National Historic Landmark in 1974.

The Smalls House, surrounded by the Beaufort River, is located next to the city’s business district. The 4,264-square-foot, three-level house includes four bedrooms and three baths. Formal living and dining rooms mirror the traditional feel of the house, with family rooms and chef’s kitchen at the rear of the home. The second level has two bedrooms, as does the first level, which also has an office/music room. A family room with beamed ceilings and French doors opens to the rear garden, with lush plants reflecting detailed design. The 1834 Robert Smalls House was listed for sale at $1.49 million, and is now under contract.

Photos courtesy of TopTenRealEstateDeals.com

September 6, 2018 Comments Off

Inside Rob Lowe’s California Estate, Now for Sale

with:Mia Ingui

Heart-throb actor of screen and television Rob Lowe and his wife Sheryl listed their estate in Montecito, California for $47 million in July, and are still awaiting a lucky buyer.

Located in a star-studded neighborhood, whoever buys this home will be living among some of the world’s biggest stars, including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Montecito is a much-favored retreat from the hectic world of TV and film, located 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Montecito boasts spectacular hillside views, nearby whale watching and beautiful weather.

Reminiscent of the country estates in Charlottesville, Virginia where he was born, Rob Lowe and his wife recreated a classic East Coast-style estate, a stand-out from the typical Mediterranean architecture of the area, on the market at $47 million. On a little over three acres, the main house of the estate was designed by architect Don Nulty, built in 2009, and is 10,000 square feet.

Included on the grounds are the two-bedroom guest house, one-bedroom pool house with staff quarters and outdoor kitchen, pool and spa, tennis court with observation areas and lushly landscaped lawns, large enough for team sports with mature trees and a vegetable garden. There are two outside fireplaces and terraces for relaxing or entertaining, a water serenade from fountains, and a koi pond. From most any location, one can enjoy sunsets over the Pacific.

Inside the main house are 20 rooms: a huge family kitchen, separate catering kitchen, eight bedrooms, eleven baths, office, library-music room with bar, family room, various conversation rooms and nooks, movie theater, a well-equipped gym and expansive wine cellar.

Now 54, Lowe had a busy career in both film and television, yet is still lighting up the screens. At age 19, he starred in the hit movie “The Outsiders. Binge-watch him today in “The West Wing” reruns.

Photos courtesy of TopTenRealEstateDeals.com

August 30, 2018 Leave a comment

Sub-Zero, Wolf, And Cove Launch New Showroom In Miami

with:Mia Ingui

The 7,500-square-foot designer space features more than 135 premium Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products and illustrates product innovation with unique culinary experiences

Now on display in the heart of the Miami Design District, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove open their newest showroom, which showcases premium refrigeration, wine preservation, cooking equipment, and luxury dishwashing.

At the center of the showroom is a 780-square-foot demonstration kitchen with 20 active appliances, allowing guests to test out the products’ features and functionalities. The showroom will host an ongoing calendar of programming spearheaded by showroom manager Barbara Barnes and culinary experiences led by executive chef Alex Diaz.

The showroom’s arrival highlights the growing sophistication of the culinary scene in South Florida, providing the company with an immersive experience center to serve the Florida, Caribbean and Latin American design communities, and will welcome consumers, designers, distributors and culinary talent. The Miami showroom is one of 60 exclusive showrooms across the globe in preeminent hubs for luxury design including Manhattan, Costa Mesa, London, Hong Kong and Cannes.

“We are so pleased to open our newest showroom in Miami, and to bring such a broad range of products to this important market. We chose the Miami Design District as the location because of the neighborhood’s commitment to supporting great design, architecture and culinary experiences,” said president and CEO of Sub-Zero Group, Inc. Jim Bakke. “We were able to imagine and build a space that allows us to welcome, educate and host groups and individuals who want to experience the quality and innovation of our products.”

A third-generation, family-owned company, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances have been continuously designed, tested and manufactured using premium grade materials in Madison, Wisconsin for more than 70 years. Developed with and for the design community, the products offer limitless design possibilities and are engineered to last more than 20 years. As a result, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products are widely known for superior craftsmanship, reliability and longevity. With the opening of the Miami showroom, the company now has 35 dedicated showrooms in the U.S. and 60 worldwide.

Photos courtesy of Sub-Zero Group, Inc.

August 7, 2018 Comments Off

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DESIGN FIRM CREATES LEADING CHINESE RECORDING STUDIO

FROM JIMI HENDRIX’S ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS IN NEW YORK CITY TO GRAMMY-WINNING PRODUCER PAUL EPSWORTH’S THE CHURCH STUDIOS IN LONDON, THE ARTIST-DRIVEN RECORDING STUDIO IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF POPULAR MUSIC.

Vibrant spaces designed with the artist in mind, studios like these have become commonplace in North America and Europe where the shared appetite for popular music has created something of an arm’s race, as each studio tries to pack in the latest technology and attract the best artistic talent.

A name that may soon be added to this list is Beijing’s 55TEC, a brand new studio that is currently dominating the Chinese pop charts with a string of chart-topping hits, and is turning China’s recording industry into a global competitor.

55TEC, designed by the world renowned acoustic design firm Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG), is answering China’s appetite for pop, an appetite that has been pushed into overdrive by its growing young population and recent economic strides into cosmopolitan status.

A New York-based firm, WSDG has built its reputation on sterling room design in recording studios and live performances spaces across the world. “WSDG knows how to make a world class studio,” explains Li You, head engineer and owner of 55TEC.

“Our clients have been very pleased with the look, sound quality, and vibe of our live and control rooms. This is all due to WSDG’s design work.”

“For the artist, the choice of recording studio is crucial,” Li You notes. “They need a place that inspires their performances and makes them feel like they can do their best work.”

DESIGN FIRM CREATES LEADING CHINESE RECORDING STUDIO

FROM JIMI HENDRIX’S ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS IN NEW YORK CITY TO GRAMMY-WINNING PRODUCER PAUL EPSWORTH’S THE CHURCH STUDIOS IN LONDON, THE ARTIST-DRIVEN RECORDING STUDIO IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF POPULAR MUSIC.

Million Dollar Listing: New York Star Ryan Serhant Shares Secrets In New Book

Ryan Serhant, costar on Bravo’s hit show Million Dollar Listing New York and the star of Sell It Like Serhant, released his new book, “Sell It Like Serhant,” on Tuesday, September 18th, 2018, sharing hilarious and essential tips to sell just about anything.

Intracorp Introduces Townhouse Community, LUX, in Uptown Irvine

The Southern California urban living experience is receiving an upgrade with its newest townhouse community addition, LUX Irvine.

Historic Somerset to Gain Pendry Natirar & Residences

Pendry Hotels is slated to redesign and reinvigorate one of America’s great country estates in Somerset, NJ, in addition to developing 24 contemporary countryside residences in 2020.

Comparing Costs of NYC Beach Neighborhoods

Parts of the Hamptons are priced (on a per square foot basis) more affordably than parts of the Rockaways or even Staten Island, according to data analyzers NeighborhoodX.

HGTV Crowns Best Historic Home of 2018

Inside Rob Lowe’s California Estate, Now for Sale

Heart-throb actor of screen and television Rob Lowe and his wife Sheryl listed their estate in Montecito, California for $47 million in July, and are still awaiting a lucky buyer.

Sub-Zero, Wolf, And Cove Launch New Showroom In Miami

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