NY Post.com - Dream Home Sutton $2.995 million Looking for a place to impress your guests? This "generously sized" co-op above East 58th Street should do it, from the moment they walk…... Read more >

NY Post.com - Dream Home
Sutton $2.995 million

Looking for a place to impress your guests?

This "generously sized" co-op above East 58th Street should do it, from the moment they walk through the "striking" dome-ceilinged gallery into your "Art Deco-inspired" home. An "impeccable" renovation and "lavish" customization has resulted in an "incredible" stretch of open space extending 64-plus feet from the "expansive, mirrored" living room to the den/media room at the opposite side of the apartment. From nearly every room (including the "gourmet" kitchen), there are "incredible" views -- and you'll find even better ones from the north-facing terrace. Two bedrooms -- each one considered a master -- and 3½ bathrooms, along with a separate dining area that's "easily" convertible to a third bedroom, round out this "grand" home.

Agent: Leslie Modell Rosenthal, Warburg Realty Partnership, 212-300-1846

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Bright Idea: Springtime wine & cheese, lobbyside Too often, neighbors communicate only in elevator soundbites or through bared teeth when something’s wrong.  That’s not exactly the stuff…... Read more >

Bright Idea: Springtime wine & cheese, lobbyside

Too often, neighbors communicate only in elevator soundbites or through bared teeth when something’s wrong.  That’s not exactly the stuff strong social bonds are made of.  A little lobby-side vino is, we think, a better cultivator of neighborliness.

It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you don't have to wait for the holidays.

“Two times a year our building gives a wine and cheese party sponsored by a local wine store,” says Leslie Modell Rosenthal, a Warburg Realty managing director who lives in the East 70s. “They hold it in the lobby so if shareholders are in a hurry, they can grab a glass and a quick conversation.”

If you can’t find a wine store to pick up the tab for introducing its vintages, the catering arm of Eli Zabar charges around $250 on up for a gathering in a small building.

 

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Residences Save Energy, Mone Citywide, buildings are increasing awareness of energy-saving actions and decreasing costs at the same time. NY1's Jill Urban filed the following report. When it comes to…... Read more >

Residences Save Energy, Mone

Citywide, buildings are increasing awareness of energy-saving actions and decreasing costs at the same time. NY1's Jill Urban filed the following report.

When it comes to real estate, everyone is looking to get a deal or to find a way to save some money, or at least looking for value. So, many buildings are taking action to help tenants save money by saving energy.

"People are very proactive in this economy. We need to save as much money as we can with so many cost factors going up that are out of our control like real estate taxes, labor and fuel," says Leslie Modell Rosenthal, a broker for Warburg Realty.

Rosenthal took all the cost-cutting measures she has seen at properties throughout the city back to her own building on East 78th Street, and now the board has passed a stimulus package to help keep maintenance costs down.

"Certainly with the electric we are trying to bring down the cost by lowering the lights throughout the building," says Rosenthal. "Thinking down the line, putting in sensors downstairs so when people pass through the lights go on and they go off when no one is in the area, and some washing machines which will be front loaded. Saving money, saving electric as well."

The building also has swapped all the light bulbs to more energy-efficient ones, and they split the water and electricity meters to separate the commercial and residential tenants. Now the businesses pay their own water and electric bills, which cuts costs for the residents.

The building is even taking extra measures to make sure heating and cooling systems are running efficiently to lower the bills.

Some shareholders are thrilled with the changes and the effort the building is making to save them money.

"I think we have to do something - otherwise our maintenance costs will keep going up because everything is going up," says building shareholder and board member Diane Dee. "So in order to maintain what we have we really need to cut costs." Dee even started a green committee among the building's residents to help take these measures to the next level.

Since the board has taken action to cut costs and save energy, some tenants have found it has inspired them to modify their personal habits as well. Now tenants say they are more conscious to turn out lights, or to close doors so cool air won't escape - anything they can do. This is just one of many buildings taking action these days, but it's these kinds of initiatives that are increasing awareness, and at the same time decreasing costs.

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Triple Assessment By S.Jhoanna Robledo 171 WEST 57TH STREET, APT 6B The Facts: A 2,744-square-foot three- bedroom, three-bath condo. Charges & Taxes: $3,831 per month. Agent: Brian Lewis, Halstead…... Read more >

Triple Assessment
By S.Jhoanna Robledo

171 WEST 57TH STREET, APT 6B
The Facts: A 2,744-square-foot three- bedroom, three-bath condo.
Charges & Taxes: $3,831 per month.
Agent: Brian Lewis, Halstead Property.

This genteel six-room feels like a Park Avenue co-op, but it’s a condo, right across from Carnegie Hall. Our panelists found pricing it a challenge, especially in this up-and-mostly-down market.

Robert Rosa, Century 21 NY Metro:
“It’s a prewar condo, and that’s unique,” declared Rosa. He appreciated the flowy layout and the master bedroom’s “south and west exposures. You can’t get any better.” His quibble: The master bathroom’s a little small.
His assessment: $3.02 million.

Leslie Modell Rosenthal, Warburg Realty:
Rosenthal found the space “cavernous. I love how they have these enormous rooms but it feels homey.” She also noted that it’s “soothing and quiet” despite its busy location. But although she loved “the space in the kitchen [and] that it’s windowed … it kind of reads circa-1980s.”
Her assessment: $3.975 million.

Noble Black, the Corcoran Group:
Black thought the foyer set the tone: “You get a sense that the rooms have great proportions … Gracious is what keeps going through my head.” He suggested that the dining-room furniture was underselling the place: “It could feel even grander if they had a large table and more-substantial furniture.”
His assessment: $3.5 million.

And the asking price is … $3.25 million, recently reduced to $2.95 million.

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